In-law Love

My cup runneth over with laughter when I'm with my in-laws. We just like to be together and all six siblings, five spouses, Mom and Dad and twenty grandchildren (with boyfriends and a fiancé), make a whole lot of noise at a family gathering. But when we spend a weekend together, it's just a rip-roaring good time!

Ed and Kim's 25th wedding anniversary (their kids)

Dad gets a little carried away :)

Sooo thankful Kim is in remission. Praise God!

Ed and Kim's family  

weekend at a resort and boat tour with Mom and Dad for their 50th anniversary (and Dad's birthday)

although, it was cool and wet, some of us still ventured up to the fly bridge of their boat

Kevin, the linesman

peek-a-boo

the local variety store hats--cheap fun

lovebirds

Terry's crazy jumps are always entertaining

yes, these guys sneaked into the hot tub at the next hotel since we didn't have one

chatting and enjoying the sun on the porch

the whole fam-jam  

laughing hysterically over the birthday gifts

 

There were so many fantastic memories from this weekend, such as, Linda being well-enough to join us, treats and great conversations at night, eating together, the guys using the hot tub in the adjacent hotel, and the wrestling match between siblings to throw each other into the lake. But the best moment was when Rob, Kevin and Mike sat down at the lengthened restaurant breakfast table each wearing the dress-shirts we were giving Dad as gifts for his birthday. He finally noticed there were tags hanging out on the fronts of these guys and pointed it out in bewilderment. We burst out laughing and he finally figured it out. They stood and unbuttoned and handed the shirts over right there. Beats wrapping :)  

 

 

Holding Onto Family

We held onto our family a few weeks ago as we celebrated my in-laws fiftieth anniversary by renting condos at a fabulous resort. We've recently learned that my husband's other sister will begin her own battle against cancer and so that weekend is a little dearer in my memory and my family a little more precious. 

 

Gratitude:

1445. how he insisted all of us join in one room for a Sunday morning devotional 

1446. this beautiful square filled with shops and restaurants and this fireplace right in the middle

1447. these two crazy people and their special kind of love

1448. late night hot tub runs!

1449. how he always talks of owning one of these someday

1450. their closeness and how they'll be supporting each other through it all

1451. how she calls us the "out-laws" :)

1452. this time of year and how God paints everything so I'll notice just a little more

1453. impromptu photo moments

1454. trying on hats over and over in many stores

1455. for this exhilarating ride--Ridge Runner

1456. how I was able to control my speed--yeah, that works for me so much better than other roller coasters!

1457. how he kept his distance from me but could have easily caught up--yikes!

1458. how my mom-in-law is such a good sport and joins us in everything!

1459. this sweet soul and how I look up to her

1460. how he's always smiling

1461. one of my dearest "besties" (such a blessing for a sister-in-law!)

1462. never-ending laughs with this guy

1463. watching him help her and how she was feeling well enough to enjoy the weekend!

 1464. how he can always make me laugh with his ever-ready antics

1465. night scenery here

1466. how we stayed in there, all through the hail--woo hoo!

1467. the good-natured competition that flows through their veins

1468. my husband's older brother--his stable personality and how he laughs easily

1469. this beautiful mini-golf course between two ski hills

1470. for fabulous, delicious, patriotic, scrumptious Beaver Tails, which I should never eat again

 

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. I Chronicles 16:34

Celebrating 50 Years of Marriage

Loving this family a WHOLE LOT!

Congratulations Mom and Dad Vanderkruk!

You are an example of God's beautiful plan for marriage. xo

 

Leaf-Blower Laughter

She packs her cheeks with large grapes and resembles a pre-hibernation chipmunk. I've seen her do it with marshmallows too and it's belly-laughing entertainment for my husband's side of the family. Today, she trumped her cheeky tricks and brought the leaf blower she received as a Mother's Day gift and blew us all away... literally :)

Queen-of-all-cheeky-lady, Leanne (you do invent good times around here).

She coached us to also open our eyes for a flappier look but in the end, she was the only one able to accomplish this feat so frightfully.

Oliver couldn't resist the dry-mouthed fun.

 I couldn't stop laughing whilst that tornadic wind nearly knocked the breath out of me. 

 Braden, having a blast!

 Leanne attempted to get Kevin to relax a little more and let the flesh flow, but it only resulted in a wide-cheeked silent opera singer.

 Rob's face was perfectly loose and supple--just right for the task.

Kim raised her hand in surrender after she received a large, gusty blast.

 My husband drove his face into the wind and I'm not sure his bottom lip will ever be able to

sip through a straw again.

Leanne, proudly displaying her tool of joy and cause of all the leaf-blowin' laughter. Happy Mother's Day to my hysterical sister-in-law and dear friend.
 

To all moms out there who are celebrating the amazing occupation that includes small people (and big), God bless you. And, to the women who love on kiddos who aren't their own, you mean the world to us.