rice lake - summer of 2013.

first of all, i would like to give a shout out to the importance of photos.

i am forever grateful for the ability to capture moments.

i have such a terrible memory and if it weren't for photography, i would not remember a lot of the details or even major moments for that matter.

it really has been fun for me to go back through these pictures i took while i was home this summer...little reminders of how much fun i had and how much i adore my family and friends. 

also, the pure joy on kids' faces...i love that. 

okay, this post = trip to rice lake.

pam and darryl always graciously open their lake home up to all of us...and it is always a good time. 

 amelia got our attention for this next trick....'you guys, watch what i'm going to do...you watching?!'.

here it is:

a simple walk off the dock...always effective.

and then there is hendrix...how sweet is he?

 something about dogs in their old age...i just love it...calm and sweet, now that is what i like. 

so far, i think i've managed to be a part of emery's birthday each year.

all this girl needs for her bday is a cupcake, a little special attention on her, and she's a happy camper :)

 my gift for her was a 'color your hair/nail polish kit'.

totally up emery's alley...i think i did well :)

i mean, ruby was even interested.

these pictures of these two?! LOVE.

 ruby's jump trick:

I'm ready for another rice lake weekend.

1st annual backyard bavaria bbq.

dusty and i decided that a backyard bbq needed to be in order when we were home in north dakota this summer.

AND that it had to be an annual tradition.
dusty took it to a new level though - guests were invited from noon until bedtime.
the plan was to sloooow cook ribs all day, drink beer, play games, and spend the entire day together, outside.
you were only allowed inside if you had to use the restroom.
dusty runs a tight ship.
the girls decorated while the boys grilled and it was fun!

grass for centerpieces cut from the hills by the house...in case you were wondering :)

you see what i did there?
i put flowers in old bricks from behind dad's shed. genius.

charlie really loved the bbq.

outside all day with family and friends? 

i like to believe she was in 7th heaven.

the kids always have a thing for my best friend, kara.
they gravitate towards her and she's fun, so i totally understand.
look at that pure joy on palmer's face...

kara brought the ingredients to make a yummy, special, summer drink...which means we were able to convince our normally diet coke drinkers to have a cocktail.
that's always fun :)

moaning was heard at the table while eating the ribs. i swear. (i said that for dusty)

all of these pictures make me smile so big.
the day was a roaring success in our opinion and we cannot wait to do it again.
next year though, we will try to plan it on a weekend, so you out-of-town sisters can attend :)
i loved our day so much and appreciated everyone coming that i almost sent out thank you notes for their attendance...but, then i didn't.
so, consider this my humongous thank you to all who were at the 1st annual backyard bavaria (street my parent's live on) bbq and of course, to all those that helped with everything!!!

bismarck, donuts, and nail painting.

dusty and i were fortunate enough to get to spend a whole day with the cermak kids!
we started off with a walk to the local donut shop...loved by all, of course.

we arrived in bismarck on emery's birthday and dusty did not show up empty handed :)
this balloon that played 'you are my sunshine' was a HUGE hit...emery brought that thing everywhere...$$ well spent. 

second present = manicure/pedicure set

dusty turned on pandora's katy perry station and got down to business.
one of his goals in life is to become an expert nail painter...he fit in some quality practice on this trip.

dusty insisted they use every part of the kit...hence the picture below.
you see how well emery's toes fit in that thing?

and the finished product:

we also bought yummy snacks, rented a movie and all cuddled up in the basement together.
we had a great day...thank you to ayden, abby, and emery for being so awesome!
we miss you!