It's going to be a bright sun-shiny day!

This is Grace's new smile. She squints her eyes (usually more than this) and flashes a cheesy grin showing all teeth. I love it!

Since I usually complain about the MN weather, I thought I'd say how wonderful it has been this week. While we were having 60's in IL and MS this past weekend, so was MN. Grace and I took a walk yesterday, and I was even getting hot! We've got our back yard to drain so it isn't a pond, but I think it might be going to the basement! Thank goodness we've never carpeted it.

My siblings gave Grace blocks for Christmas. She loves building towers and destroying them. Usually hers fall before she gets a chance, so she really likes it if I build the tower.

She's also into trying on our shoes. Here she's trying to get my boots on. Once on they went up to her butt. I could never get a good shot!

Last Wednesday we started out for IL. I was amazed at how well Grace travelled. Other than wanting to eat every five minutes, she napped or looked out the window the entire time. Rustin and I listened to Amazing Grace by Danielle Steel. (He actually liked it.) In fact, we almost ran out of gas because we were both so into the book. On the way home we listened to Where the Red Fern Grows. I forgot how good that story is. It sure makes the time go by faster.

We stayed in Owatonna that night and Grace slept ok. On Thurs. we hit Tremont about 3:30. Jenny came over for supper so we got to spend time with her and the family.

What a cute couple!!! They are perfect for each other.

That night Grace's pants kept falling down so we had to get a px!

On Friday Grace and I went to visit Kelly and Sam. (Allison was sleeping.) Sam and Grace played together pretty well as long as Sam kept his distance from Grace and as long as she stayed away from his endloader. The first thing he said when he saw me was, "We're going to your house on 'cation." They are hoping to come up in July for a reunion. Hopefully the time passes by fast for him because July seems like a long ways off. Friday afternoon Mom and I went dress shopping for Bob and Jenny's wedding. Grace was the only lucky finder that trip. She was able to stay home with Daddy and Grandpa and take a much needed nap. Susan came home that afternoon and watched/played with her while the men went to Sears and Menards. That evening Jenny and Michelle came over for pizza. Us girls played Dutch Blitz for a long time. Jenny creamed us all by over 100 points.

Sat. morning we visited both Grandparents.

Grace enjoyed the cuckoo clock at Koch's. She was toodling around and opened a cupboard door and took out a squirrel figurine. For some reason she didn't want to let go of it. When she gets something in her head, watch out!

We went to Beutel's where she found the Dutch shoes which have been worn by all kids who have entered there!

She also found her Daddy's hat and her stinky diaper!

They gave her the dog Grandma is holding and she played with it about the whole trip home. She loves dogs and saying "woof woof."

Saturday afternoon we drove to Quincy to the Stoney Creek Inn. I noticed a Steak and Shake within walking distance so I knew where I'd be eating supper! We helped Rob and Marcia watch Tim and Jenny and Daryl and Christy kids while they went to the rehearsal dinner. The older kids played together and the younger ones just wanted to wander the halls. After helping the kids with pizza, Dad Mom Matt and us went to S and S for supper. It was sooooo good. I haven't had it in a long time. Minnesotans just don't know what they're missing. Mom and I went shopping afterwards for dresses. Mom was successful!!! I was not, but still have a month to find something.

Grace and Darcy! Poor thing had a cold and looks shot. She is such a happy-go-lucky girl. Grace kept trying to tickle her so it was hard to get a good px.

Finally Grace met her match - Max! He wouldn't let her push him around without a rebound.

The wedding was great. I met Ashley for the first time and feel she will be a blessing to Mark and our family. It's so exciting to welcome new additions to the family.

This weekend ReKeeta's are coming up and so is Bell - the Schmidgall's foreign exchange student from when Rustin was in high school. Looking forward to another great weekend!