Youth missions week

 This week Colsen and Rayna had the opportunity to serve some local ministries with the youth group as they did an "in-town mission trip."  Every day they helped out at various places in Monroe, sorting clothes, bringing new homeowners mattresses, visiting some elderly folks, working in the community gardens, making food bags and delivering them, serving food at the community shelter, etc.

And, as kids are wont to do, even though it was hot sweaty work, they all had a great time!

Notes from Jinna

We always love getting notes from Jinna Rai -- which happens on almost a daily basis.  Here is one recent example:

MidWest Regional Yo-Yo Competition

The MidWest Regionals (as all the yo-yo world refers to this competition) was once again held at Mall of America in Minneapolis, so we couldn't resist the opportunity to go (and see the Bains as well!).

 It was a really fun venue because the stage was right in the rotunda with 4 levels of balconies surrounding it.  The bystanders and shoppers were fun to watch as their jaws dropped watching some of the tricks going on on stage!

Colsen was so excited to participate this year, and his big goal was to make the Finals.  Over 30 people competed in the "Prelims" and only 12 advanced... and he was one of them!  So, just as in Arizona, he was the youngest of the Finalists.

And, Miles made his yo-yo competition debut, participating in the Sport Ladder event!  He showed his several tricks... and then was anxious to get on with exploring the Mall of America.  :)

The highlight of his day was doing a big zip line from the very top of the building all the way across to where I couldn't even see him anymore.  (The M of A is quite big in case you didn't know.)

So it was VERY fun day, to say the least.  Probably one of Colsen's best days ever.

Minnesota trip!

Thanks to the MidWest Regional Yo-Yo competition taking place just 20 minutes from Sue and Al's house, we had a good reason to head back out to Minnesota this year!

 The whole Bain family, all 9 of them, were so supportive and came to watch the boys compete at the Mall of America on Saturday, and that night we all had dinner at Sue and Al's.  It was especially fun to get to meet little Lainey!

 Th next few days were spent going to brunch in St. Paul, doing some hiking and fishing at local parks, playing the game "Life," and seeing the movie "Aladdin."  (That was the first time I had seen a movie in a theater in about 15 years!)

It was a fun trip and I treasured having adventurous time with just these 2 boys!  They are a lot of fun to travel (and play, walk, eat, and explore) with!

Church family gatherings

Summer is a great time for parties.... and we've loved partying with our fellow Redeemer-ites!  Women's gatherings and life group game nights have been soul-builders this summer...

AND, speaking of gatherings, our Sunday gatherings (church services) have a new home -- our brand new building!!  After about 11 years of saving and waiting, the new building is finally done and open.  Even our kids are amazed at what a difference this makes and they insist they'll never take for granted having our own church building.  :)

19!

Strider turned 19 this week.... and he insisted it was going to be no big deal. (So we played along when we made the sign)
  He had plans with people most of the day, but we at least got to see him for a few hours during the day and a special dinner.  I still can't over the fact that I have a son who is a MAN!

More fun times with fun people

Memorial Day fun at Nonna and Poppa's..

 Surprise party for Joanne:

Bobbie Lane reunion dinner, with the new, honored guest, Abigail McIntyre!

Love seeing these families intertwined now.... 

Our life is so rich with awesome people!

Last Day of School

What better way to spend the last day of school than on a simple field trip?

All year we've been focusing on truth, goodness, and beauty, so for the last day we decided to soak up some BEAUTY at a state park close by with our friends the Bedingfields.  The kids found all kind of interesting flora and fauna.

 And then, as a grand finale for the morning, Cooper and Miles decided to play in this row boat that they insisted was firmly attached to the dock.... until it wasn't.  Suddenly they were drifting into the middle of the lake without any paddles!  Quick-thinking, sacrificial Leigh Anne jumped into the water and pulled them back to shore.  Disaster averted!