a room re-do

Drew decided that he wanted to change his room around and wanted to make it more of a place to hang out. His room has always been great, but I think he was looking for more of a 'high school room' that he could spend time doing all the things he loves.

He asked me if I had any ideas and I came up with a plan that cost no money... but cost a lot of manual labor.

I wanted to take pictures before we started the big switch, but he was anxious! :)

His beloved 'Darby' that Grandma bought him way back in 1st grade.

Drew worked hard and did most of the work to do this big change.

But all the hard work paid off!

A room ready for a High Schooler!!!!

memory lane {marching on}

We took Tyler to to the airport this past Sunday so he could leave for his big study abroad trip. After meeting up with his friend who he is traveling with; we said our good-byes and gave our hugs and watched & waited as they headed through security.

Tyler and his friend were busy chatting away all the through the security line. They made it through and with out a look back... they kept on walking. :)

This totally made me smile and think back to Tyler's first day of pre-school, when he just marched right in with no hug or no "Bye Mom."

And on Sunday, when he marched on through security, I knew he was excited and ready for his trip just like he was excited and ready for that first day of pre-school. And this fills my heart knowing that he is excited and that he has the confidence in himself that he can do this.

I did receive a sweet text from after he boarded the plane and we have received a couple of emails with updates. His first stop was Reykjavik, Iceland and it sounds like they have done and seen some great things already!

Pete and I may have both had a few tears in our eyes as we made the drive home; but we are so excited for him and this amazing opportunity he has.

weekend lens {arrivederci}

This was one of those very rare weekends in that I actually was not ready for it to arrive.

Friday was my second surgery in dermatology. I had the other Basal Cell Carcinoma removed from back and this went so much easier than the previous surgery. This spot was more superficial and so they were able to do something called 'electrodesiccation and cutterage' and no stitches were needed! Yay! While there, they also took the stitches out of my arm from the previous surgery two weeks ago. I ams so glad to have that all finished!!

Saturday, we had a little going away party for Tyler. I had invited some family over for an Italian dinner and so everyone could have a chance to visit with Ty and wish him well on his adventures.

My sous chef- Drew the amazing cheese grater! :)

It was a nice afternoon and I think Tyler truly appreciated being able to visit with everyone.

Tyler with his grandparents.

The crew downstairs.

I made a new recipe for an ice cream dessert that was so good! {I will post this recipe later.}

Sunday morning, I made Ty his favorite breakfast of chocolate chip pancakes. One last home cooked meal until Christmas!

Tyler got a kick out of all the things that others thought that he had to take on his trip. Grandma insisted on a raincoat and a watch. :) His best friends mom gave him a bag of mints in case he ever had some bad food. :) And I packed him 2 pens. He hates pens and only wanted to bring mechanical pencils. :)

Suitcases all packed.

Time for some family pictures.

And then it was off to the airport.

Arrivederci Tyler! Safe travels!

We love you and miss you, and can't wait to visit in October!!

weekend lens {sunny days}

This weekend brought us home from a fun week at the cabin! {Thanks Mom and Dad.} It was a low key weekend with unpacking and such. The weather was absolutely gorgeous and so a walk out at Lake Harriet was the perfect way to spend an afternoon.

Complete with a stop at the Rose Gardens.

I love this statue and the saying that is on on it.

I heard back from my dermatologist, and the news was great. The spot on my arm that they surgically excised came back clean from pathology! Which means no new stitches in my arm! The spot on my back that was biopsied, came back positive for the same Basal Cell Carcinoma. Which was not a surprise and a surgery scheduled for next week.

The weekend ended with a backyard bonfire-- which in my opinion, is the perfect way to end a weekend!!!

a week at the cabin

This past week we enjoyed family time at a cabin 'up north'. This is the 7th annual trip to Peter's Sunset Resort with my parents and my sister and her family. {We also have been here many years ago with some old neighbor's.}

It was a great week, with amazing weather.
We enjoyed

beautiful sunsets

games

campfires

several outings of golf

some lake playing

We had a day out on the pontoon

with many different 'captains'

and some swimming off the pontoon.

 a blown away hat was 'rescued'

that resulted in a happy grandma. :)

We took the opportunity to take some family pictures with the beautiful background.

My Mom and Dad

all the grandkids

my sister's family

our family

There was lots of fishing- which is one of Drew's favorite things!

He caught a big one!

We did a lot of cooking

and eating.

There were more games,

more sunsets,

more fishing,

and another campfire.

It was a great week filled with family, sunshine, water, and new memories!