Well, here is a picture of me on the horse statue at Wildlife Prairie Park...I remember sitting on this and having my picture taken as a little kid. Of course, my kids didn't want to sit on it and have their picture taken, so I did it!
Hayden was giving my girls rides in his Jeep. He even turned on the radio to "set the mood". 
Sydney and Ava enjoying some time together. 
Sydney was trying out Grandma's new kayak....her daddy was so proud of her for doing it all by herself. 
For those of you who might be panicking a little that we let her do it herself...don't worry, daddy wasn't very far away! 
Mom, the girls and I had a fun adventure at Wildlife Prairie Park...we spent the night on this caboose! Sydney thought it was so cool that we were sleeping on a train and she kept wondering when it was going to move and go somewhere. There was a button you could push inside to make it rock so it simulated the feeling of a train moving down the tracks. After we checked in, we went to see some of the animals...it was great because everyone else had left for the day and we were the only people we saw in the park! The animals were very active and we saw a cougar and a bear walking around and peeking at us through the fence. Usually the animals are sleeping and hard to find. We also saw a bobcat in the tree and LOTS of deer that were out eating.
We had a great day at the beach yesterday!!! It was absolutely beautiful weather and the girls had so much fun. The older girls were even brave enough to go knee-deep in the water. 
After a leisurely morning of playing at home, we packed a picnic lunch and headed to the waterfront for a picnic and some playground time. We also visited a beach and ice cream shop. Here are LOTS of pictures from our fun day with friends.
It's the return of 1, 2, 3 and 4....eating ice cream!!!!
Rachael thought the waves were too loud and was covering her ears!
I found this tree and it's roots to be fascinating...it's growing on top of a rock and it's roots are stretching down to the minimal soil.
I really thought Sydney was going to burst with excitement tonight when Leah and Rachael got here...our good friends and former neighbors are here for a visit! Yeah!! Sydney and Kayleigh started out the morning with the "Leah dance" and then after a long day of waiting, they finally arrived.
The four friends....Sydney, Leah, Kayleigh and Rachael
Twelve years ago today, I married my best friend! I can hardly believe it's been 12 years already. In the past 12 years we have lived in 6 different states (11 different dwellings), finished graduate school, added two beautiful daughters and one dog to our family. 
We were married by Mahlon Miller....the same pastor who dedicated me as a baby and who baptized me when I was in high school. He was no longer living in Illinois, but came back to do our wedding ceremony. 
Bridesmaids (from left to right): Mary Foley, Haseltine, Kelly Foley Gill, Robin Greene Snyder and Yolanda Steiner Hausknecht
The handsome groom and his sisters (they will probably kill me for this, but I think it's so sweet)
I have always been a huge Amy Grant fan, and always said I would have her in my wedding party. Well, I never got around to asking her, but some friends went ahead and invited her. So here is me with Amy on my wedding day!
