Memorial Day Fun. . .

This past Memorial Day we had a cook out and had a few friends over to play games and eat divine food!  My dad grilled up some tasty hot dogs, bratwursts, cheeseburgers, and corn on the cob!  After we stuffed ourselves full with scrumptious food we headed out doors to work off all that we had just eaten!  It was a gorgeous day, sunny and nice and warm.  The games we played consisted of corn hole, badminton, basketball, volleyball, and Frisbee.  Mr. Josh and I were unstoppable at badminton, truly we were! :)  Volleyball was lots of fun. . .but sadly I am not so good at that sport.  We headed back inside and played some heated competition of ping pong.  My dad of course was the champion of that! :) Over all we had a great day filled with many memories!

Yummy yummy food!!!! :)

Dad serving. . ..

Nicole and her fiance'

Mom and I. . 

Adorable Midas! ;)

Mr. Josh and I playing badminton. . .

Cedar Point!!

On Monday my family rose up early in the morning and headed over to Cedar point; Jack and Christina were able to come in for the fun as well! We were able to stay there for over 10 hours and enjoy the roller coasters. My favorite was by far the Millennium Force!  I had never been on this one before, but I loved the smooth and thrilling ride!

 
I enjoyed many other roller coasters, and some not so much! I don't mind large drops and loops, however, a constant spinning makes my stomach turn and flip. Such as these swings below! Eeeeeekk. . . .  They weren't bad until the swings started going further and further up, up, up, and up! I looked behind me to see a rather young child looking beneath him grinning and kicking his feet having the time of his life! Why was I wishing only to get out of the swing and be on land, when a child probably 10 years younger than me was having a wonderful time?  I did make it safe on land,. . . and come to find out there were other family members of mine who did not appreciate this ride. ;)

Waiting Oh so patiently in line. . . 

Dad and Jack on the Power Tower. . . 

We had loads of fun!!! :)

Before we made an end to the day we headed over to the Top Thrill Dragster and waited in line for an hour and 1/2 to go on a 17 second ride that took you 420 ft. high.  I must say it was worth it, it was an experience I will never forget! 

The day went by great, the weather was perfect!! We had loads of fun, and I look forward to hopefully heading over to Cedar Point next year!

One Year Down!

Well, I am officially not a freshman anymore!!  This school year has ended, graduation has passed, goodbyes have been said, and now work, and more work must begin.  This school year was one of learning.  I didn't expect college to be much different from high school, but it was.  Balancing work, school, ministries, and homework was no easy thing. I did eventually get used to the schedule and and enjoyed my first year of college.  I made many new friends, and I can't wait to make many more great memories with them.  On Thursday, it was my sister Brooke's graduation ceremony from college. I will miss her deeply in college. I always felt like someone had my back when she was there. She is such a great role model for me and I love her so much.   I am so excited to see what the Lord has in store for her.  

Graduation Rehearsal : May 17,2012

The beautiful graduate!

Graduating Class of 2012

Sisters is probably the most competitive relationship within the family, but once the sisters are grown, it becomes the strongest relationship.  ~Margaret Mead

Other things may change us, but we start and end with the family.  ~Anthony Brandt

Matthew and I :)

Grandpa and Grandma were able to make it up for Brooke's graduation. . 

Quick Update!!

 Wow these past weeks have gown by so quickly!  The end of April we had a great week filled with fantastic  preaching, and fun activities.  One activity we were able to go to the Dunes and go on a windy and chilly hike.  It was freezing down by the lake, but we had a very enjoyable evening none the less. Once we got back from the hike we made yummy smores!

Lake Michigan

Matthew and I eating tasty smores!! :)

       This past Wednesday the college took an activity to Turkey Run State Park and spent the whole day there.  I had been there once before and was hoping one day to get a chance and go back, and I was able too!  We started off the day by canoeing, now. . . unfortunately I did not get any pictures of this very memorable event.  Our canoe got dumped twice, and the water luckily was not that unbearable, however, once out of the water and in the shade I was in a constant state of frigidness, if there is such a thing! The  canoeing was quite an adventure and loads of fun! :)  After we changed into dry clothes we headed to a pavilion at Turkey Run ate lunch and took off of on one of the trails.  The trail was beautiful and I wish we could have gone through it slower.  

Matthew and I taking a picture break!

Kemisha and Brooke

Brooke and I

Matt climbing up the side of the rock wall. . . 

John and Sarah

Sarah and Me. . I had a hard time getting up on that rock! lol

 We had a great day and it went by too quickly! 

   The evening came to an end by having a short devotional and eating some delicious grilled hamburgers, and the 3 hour ride back to the school!  It was a great last activity of my freshman year!

An Ice Skating Adventure!!

This past month has been beyond busy! Just this past week I had seven projects due  and this next week is my church's annual Preaching Conference which I am looking forward to.  At the end of March we had a college activity.  We went ice skating and than went to Cracker Barrel for lunch.  I had a great time as usual! I have never been ice skating so I was a little hesitant on the ice. I did have a "professional" Canadian try to teach me how ice skating works. ;)  However, after a few times around I finally let go of the rail and very cautiously ice skated. :) After the ice skating adventure we went to Cracker Barrel, which is a favorite of mine!  We ate a delicious meal and headed home.  I had a fantastic time! 

Matthew and I on the ice! 

Summer and I taking a break. . 

Outside of Cracker Barrel: the weather was gorgeous!!!

Happy Birthday Nicole!

Today is my sister Nicole Elizabeth's birthday. This young lady is so very special to me, and I am proud to be called her little sister.  Nicole and I fought so much through my elementary years, primarily because I was six years younger than her, and therefore my maturity level was way lower. However, even though we bickered and fought I never loved her any less.  I remember on many occasions being in junior-high and her coming to my class and dropping off a candy bar and note.  Maybe it seemed insignificant and meaningless to her, but to me it meant that my big sister took time out of her day and thought of me.  

As I grow older and now am in my freshman year of college, my sister and I have grown closer.  This young lady has been an incredible example to me and a great role model.  Different things came into her life and I would watch, I am sure without her realizing, but she never got discouraged or grew impatient. She continued to be faithful to God so confident that He was in control and would take care of her, and He did and still is.  I am so thankful for her amazing testimony to me.  

Not only is Nicole a great example and sister but she is talented in so many ways.  Brooke and I often joke that Nicole is capable of doing anything, from cooking to decorating, she is fantastic! She also is so brilliant, and gorgeous to say the least!  I know God has great plans for my sister!

Happy Birthday Nicole, I love you so very much! 

Fun Times

One night this past week my sisters and I made dinner together, which is always a blast.  Most of the time it takes us a little longer to prepare the meal because we are too busy goofing off, and singing crazy songs together. Never the less we did end up up making some very fine Parmesan Chicken. :)

Brooke posing with the noodles!

Not sure what I was doing!

Nicole cooking the Parmesan chicken. 

Yummy chicken fully cooked! 

Brooke and Nicole: Brooke has many different poses she likes to play around with! 

We love cooking! 

The finished product. . . delicious! 

I was also able to go get a manicure with my sisters.  

"She is your mirror, shining back at you with a world of possibilities. She is your witness, who sees you at your worst and best, and loves you anyway. She is your partner in crime, your midnight companion, someone who knows when you are smiling, even in the dark. She is your teacher, your defense attorney, your personal press agent, even your shrink. Some days, she’s the reason you wish you were an only child."