Lake Havasu

Austin and I went to Lake Havasu back in April with a few friends. We had a great, wild, crazy time from sun-up until waaaaaay after sun-down...

Me, Cassie and Chalice

Three girls on one lounge chair...not too shabby...what do you think? Is that my arm around Chalice? What the???? Ha ha.

Boats, boats everywhere

The actual London Bridge...not so much falling down.

Me, Austin, Brandon, Cassie, Gabe, Jesse and Chalice...Gabe, Jesse and Chalice oh my...too much to put into words on the blog. LOL!

Here's the back patio at the nice place we stayed in.

Just when I thought this crazy week was going to end without a hitch....

Don't worry, we blew up the barbecue on the last night there!!!

Mother's Day

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY...

To my mom, who is the best there is or ever was...I mean it.
To my sisters who are excellent sisters and wonderful, amazing mothers.
To all my friends who never cease to amaze me and those of you who have taken me under your wing during the good and the bad times.
To Norma Jean...you are sorely missed.

I LOVE you all!!

Rachel

GRANDPA LEMKE March 15, 1919 - March 13, 2009

GRANDPA LEMKE March 15, 1919 - March 13, 2009

My Grandpa Lemke passed away in March, 2 days before his 90th birthday :(
We knew it was coming, he had been sick for a couple of months and in and out of the hospital... but it was still so hard to take. My parents had already planned a trip out to Wisconsin for his birthday so they already had a flight out and said they would help whoever wanted to come. So of course I jumped on it, cause I really felt like our family should be represented there. So after looking at tons of flights, Me, Gina, Amanda and Jared all got a flight out to Wisconsin. Paul had just arrived home from California and couldn't make it. (We missed having him there with us!)
I really loved my grandpa and will miss him dearly. My only regret is not being able to see him more. Living so far away made it difficult to truly be close with him. The times we did visit, or that he came to visit us were always such a good time though. I will remember it well.
Grandpa was such a fun loving guy, and it makes me realize just where my dad got all of his sense of humor and fun personality from... they are alike in so many ways. I will always remember that about my grandpa, he was always smiling and goofing off. He had a love for bowling and golf and was known as "Geno". My dad's mom had passed away at a young age and he has been without her for I believe it was 37 years? I know they are together again and that makes me so happy!! We love you and will miss you so much grandpa!



When we got to Wisconsin we had to have my parents favorite pizza, NEDS! Mmm, it was so yummy and so much fun to spend time with my family.


Of course we had to hit our FAVORITE frozen custard spot.. KOPPS! Literally the best you will ever have :)


This was the night before the funeral, we went to my aunt Paulette's and helped put picture boards together.


In these two pictures we are in my Grandpa's house, the first, Amanda is showing off her 20 weeks belly! The picture below is all of us with Grandpa.. (literally, I swear the spot in the middle by his picture is Grandpa there with us.. jared.. it's not a thumb print! haha)





This is right after the funeral, putting the casket in the car.


These were the soldiers outside... SO COOL, they shot off gunshots for grandpa and it was the neatest experience. I think every funeral should have this even if they didn't serve! :)



My dad :) I love this picture of him.


Right before they gave this flag to my dad...
which was one of the best moments for me, when they handed it to my dad and did this little ceremonial thing... I am pretty sure it's the first time I have ever seen my dad cry... which in turn made me BAWL!


My dad after receiving the flag



They have everyone splash holy water onto the casket at the end and you then get to take a flower from the top.


This is my mom and Amanda with my grandpa's sister Doris



Jared, mom, dad and Rachel



My dad and his aunt Doris

Fun in February

Okay, so I let the entire month of February pass by...it seemed to go so fast. But, we did do some fun things. The night before Valentine's Day Austin took me to Tucanos for dinner. We had a really fun, romantic time with just the two of us. On Valentine's Day he treated me to breakfast at Village Inn. It was really fun to take time out and do things just for us. Later that night we went to my sister Gina's house and ate steak dinner with them and my other sister Amanda and her husband. After dinner the kiddos joined us for some choclate fondu and treats! It was so fun and I loved spending time with my family and nieces and nephews. I used to make this big deal out of days like Valentine's or birthdays and think that the bigger gift I gave or received, the more love there was. I was so wrong and so lame. Now I understand and realize that it's the little every day things that count and mean so much. I love Austin so much, he is my companion, soul mate, lover and best friend.

Later in the month, on February 27th, was Austins birthday. As many of you know he is from New Orleans and it just happened to be Mardi Gras the week of his birthday. I tried really hard to pull together a big surprise Mardi Gras party and almost did it without a hitch. The big problem? I couldn't get Austin out of the house to set everything up!! What a stinker. I ended up telling him about an hour before the party and made him help me decorate. We had a great time with our friends and everyone dressed up. I was supposed to be a nurse and Austin my patient, but he took the hospital gown off after about 5 whole minutes. Every party needs a pooper I guess.


Pictures of Austins Mardi Gras themed birthday party and Valentine's Day with the Ginn's and the Zoll's.

A New Fertility Update

I just wanted to write a quick update, since a lot has happened. A few short months ago, things felt and seemed pretty hopeless. Then, I went to a doctor appointment with Austin and we got the best news!!! I couldn't believe it. I am usually pretty optimistic, but I had let everything get to me and was expecting the worst. All of a sudden I could see a light at the end of the tunnel! So, I scheduled my surgery, and as some of you know, already had it about a week ago. It's been a somewhat rough recovery. (I kinda expected to be jumping around, back at work and the gym a few days later...that didn't happen.) However, it's been totally worth it. The prognosis is good and there is nothing left to do but get our baby makin' on!!! Ha ha, so wish us luck and keep your fingers crossed.

I also wanted to thank my sisters, mom, my whole family really, for helping me when I've needed it and for the meals and comfy pajamas. You guys are the best! Another thanks to neighbors and friends for the food, presents and flowers. You all keep me going and remind me how blessed I am!

Snow, snow and more snow...

Like everyone else, we found ourselves almost snowed in a couple of weeks ago. It was kind of fun, but a ton of work...for Austin at least, ha! Poor Austin had to shovel snow like five times a day for 4 or 5 days in a row. I got to just admire the beautiful stuff from the window. Now he knows how it feels. I got stuck doing it last year since he was out of town. I get the feeling we'll have a snow blower next year. : ) hee hee.

Look at that wall of snow he shoveled! Keep in mind he is 6'1". What a man!! Thanks honey.

This next picture is of our neighbors roof top. It is flat so it just accumulated all the snow. It's hard to tell without any perspective, but that's like a foot and a half and the snow was still falling strong!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I found myself surrounded by my family and closest friends throughout the holidays and cannot possibly have asked for anything more.
I wanted to take a moment to express my thanks to all of you for your friendship and love. I couldn't expect to have better friends, a more loving family and in-laws than that I have. I LOVE you all! Thank you for blessing mine and Austin's life so much and making us feel so loved.
Austin and I also want to express our deepest gratitude for the gospel in our lives and the guidance and influence it provides. We are so grateful at this time of year, and every time for our savior and all that we have been given and blessed with.

You Are Green Lights

Your holidays are a time of rest and solace. You take time to reflect on the year that's passed. You also enjoy connecting with friends and family you've lost touch with. The holidays are your opportunity to remember what's important in your life.

What Color Christmas Lights Are You?