the past couple of weeks

Dave, myself, and another couple are youth group leaders for the high schoolers here in Red Lake. The Sunday before Valentines Day we did a fundraiser so the youth could go to Youth Quake. We got the idea from my church back home...it's called Sweet Sundae Shoppe, and it's an ice cream social. People come, choose different ice cream dishes from our decadent menu, and leave a donation. The youth did a wonderful job decorating, serving people, and helping with the clean up. 

socializing over ice cream :)

2 of our very talented ice cream connoisseurs 

our drink table servers

 Kevin enjoying his freshly roasted, ground, and brewed coffee along w/ a toffee crunch sundae

Carlin and his brownie delight :)

Thanks to everyone who came out to support the youth. We made almost enough to cover what was needed for registration fees!

For Valentines Day, Dave took me out to Antonio's...a cute little Italian restaurant we have here in Red Lake. I had a delicious salad, a garlic knot, filet mignon, roasted veggies, and herbed rice (along w/ a few bites of French onion soup and stuffed chicken from Dave's plate)...it was delicious! What made the evening even more special was that we got to spend it alone! Some friends offered to take Brighton for the evening so Dave and I were able to relax and enjoy each other w/out needing to constantly tend to our babe. :) We ended the evening w/ a fun movie :) I feel so incredibly blessed to have such a caring and thoughtful husband. He really does take beyond excellent care of me!

a card i made for Dave for Valentines Day (an idea found on Pinterest)

in other news, our house is coming right along! we are currently painting walls and staining kitchen cabinets. we are hoping to be able to move in sometime in the middle of March. 

looking from the entryway into the living room 

 this is what you will see when you first come in the door...the entryway, w/ a newly added closet and a place to the left for firewood

 the entrance door

 our bedroom

 looking from the kitchen towards the living room

 Dave painting in the kitchen

 the beginnings of our much improved stairs to the basement

and of course, now that we have an addition in our family, i can't quite end a post w/out a few pictures of  our munchy :)

playtime with mom

sleeping soundly

now, lest you think i have a perfect little angel on my hands, i assure you i do not!!!

unfortunately most of Bump's waking hours are spent fussing...

this is quite a common sight in our house!

 7 weeks

8 weeks

We had a doctor's appointment on Bump's 8 week bday. She weighed 10 lbs. and measured 21.5 in. So since she was born she has gained 3 lbs. and grown 2.5 in. 

She's definitely not a newborn anymore!!!

our 6 week old munchy

our trip to virginia

Two and a half weeks ago, hubby, myself, and our little bumpkin left the blistery northlands for a nice little vacation to Virginia (where he and i both grew up). We went down, not only to show off our new little baby, but to get my brother married off as well :)

It's a 28 hr. drive. I was a little nervous about attempting the trip w/ a 3 week old baby, but Brighton did so good :) she traveled like a pro! the problem always came when we stopped traveling...that's when she decided it was time to fuss! I guess she liked the movement of the car.

Part way through our trip we actually passed through the town of Brighton, MI.  

 Mom and Grandmother making gourmet potatoes for the wedding. 

Family picture before heading to the church.

A very happy groom and new uncle!

youngest to oldest: Autumn (20), Rebecca (21), Benjamin (22), Christian (24), and Me (25)

a big ol' smile when Ben first saw his beautiful bride coming down the isle :) :) :)

"you may now kiss the bride"

Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Cline!!!

welcome to the family Melissa...we are so glad to have you :)

the beautifully decorated fellowship hall for the reception

Melissa chose gold and pink for her colors.

While home i took the opportunity to get a "4 generations" picture with both my Mom and Dad's side of the family:

 Mom, Grandmother, myself, and Brighton

Granddaddy, Grammy, myself, Dad, and Brighton

on this side of the family Brighton is the oldest child of an oldest child of an oldest child :)

One evening my family went out to eat to celebrate Mom's 50th. Her birthday was in November but she wanted to wait until all of her children were home to celebrate. 

Myself, Mom, Dad, Autumn, and Rebecca

Abe (Rebecca's boyfriend for those of you who don't know), Melissa, Benjamin, Christian, and Dave, and little Brighton was in her car seat at the end of the table...she slept through the whole thing lol

Mom, you are the best! You have taught me so much about what it means and what it looks like to be a woman of God. Your gentleness, kindness, devotion, and love surpass that of almost any woman i know. I am so thankful that you are my mom. I feel that i could not have been given a better example to follow as I now step into motherhood and raising my own daughter. Thank you!

Brighton spending some quality time w/ family who won't get to see her for approx. 6 more months:

Brighton and my Grammy

Brighton and Dave's Grandma

Brighton and her Grandpa (Dave's dad)

Brighton and Grandma (Dave's mom)

with Auntie Bec

and with Auntie Autumn

getting some quality time in with Dad:

 nap time

 play time :)

The week immediately following Ben and Melissa's wedding was the week of my family's annual sewing retreat...when my mom, her sisters, and any of the rest of the family who wants to join, get together for 7-10 days to sew!!! It's amazing what all they accomplish!!! I come from a very creative and talented family :)

 the "workshop"

 Grandmother sewing away

 Autumn working on her newest project

 Brighton keeping up with the action

 and hanging out on one of Mom's quilts

It was unusually warm while we were in the States. In some areas the grass was green!!! It even got up to 70F one day!!!

 I sure do miss my rolling hills and beautiful mountains!!!

 a few more snapshots:

 snuggled up in warm, fuzzy towel after a bath

 a bit of tummy time on Dad's chest

 bright eyes!!!!!

We left Virginia on Friday, traveled 6 hrs, and stayed at Dave's grandma's house that night.

Saturday we traveled 14 hrs, and stayed at a Super 8 for the night. Unfortunately Brighton left a bit of a surprise on the bed for the cleaning ladies :(

she doesn't seem too bothered about the fact...

she woke up around 5:30 and was fussing around so i picked her up and laid her up on the bed w/ Dave and i...i soon learned why she was grunting and groaning!!!

sorry about that Super 8!!!!

hanging out on the bed after we got her all cleaned up :)

and since we've been home...

 Brighton got her 1st piece of mail!!!

her Canadian health card :)

 SMILE!!! --- 5.5 weeks old