From Minnesota and the Big House in the Big Woods!

When I was making my summer plans I told Anna (my sister's oldest) that I was going to Minnesota to visit Carter's family. One moment I was going alone, and the next moment I had a travel companion. It was so fun for her to be with cousins, to be away from parents (at eleven years old, I think that's all they want), and to be the only Osguthorpe for a change. We had a great trip.

At the airport about to get on the plane for Minnesota! The person taking it thought we were sisters. We actually had some commotion on our flight there. There was a bad storm in Minneapolis but we were about to land nonethless. We were abut 5 feet from the runway when the plane took off back up again. We had to continue traveling and land in Deluth to refuel before going back to the Minneapolis airport.

I didn't take a ton of pictures while on the trip, but I did on Friday. We went to an exhibit of replicas of the Nina and Pinta ships. They were made in Brazil (Salvador, Bahia) as this is the only place in the world that still practices the 15th century method of ship making. They've sailed all over the world and are now ported at the Hudson River in Wisconsin. 

Davis, Mason, Harrison, and some of the boys from families that went with us. 

Sadie and Harrison 

Mason

We also went to the Mall of America on Friday. It was fun to see the largest mall in the U.S. and to go on a couple rides. My cousin, Travis, also came in on Friday. He's been in Chicago for the summer and decided to  come up for the weekend.

Cute Mason and Harrison

Brooke, Sadie, and Harrison

It was such a fun weekend full of hanging out by (many) lakes and the pool, and in their woods, playing a ton of mafia (the kids are so obsessed with this game), water skiing, camping (the kids -- not me), campfires, pedicures, repeated conversations of who everybody likes (the first night there we couldn't get them to be quiet and go to sleep -- they just wanted to stay up and talk about who everybody likes or is "going with"), and just catching up with Carter and Brooke. Probably the best quote from Harrison for the week is: "Anna, do you want to go downstairs and party with me?" Harrison was just a little attached to Anna and wanted to be near her 24/7. Thanks Cart and Brooke for such a fun trip!                                                                                    

A Johnson Wedding!

I grew up with the Johnsons and they're such an important part of my life. Katie is the youngest of the Johnson girls. I grew up with her older sisters and she was always this tiny girl hanging around who grew up to be totally awesome and hilarious. It was a wonderful wedding and I'm so happy for her!

At the shower at Erin's house in her Matt and Katie Critchfield shirt

Jenny and Katie

Sweetest Brooke

Mark with cute Justin at the wedding reception 

The Johnson family watching Matt dance with his mom, I think

The Champoux fam!

Katie S. made the point that Matt and Katie J. really seem to be close friends. I totally agree and this is why it's so fun to see them together. Congratulations, Katie! 

Ann's Wedding

We did Ann's shower just 10 days after her parents got home from their mission. Nobody moved from the foyer of Page's house for like 45 minutes. Everybody was just so happy to see each other. For some of us it had been a really long time -- even longer than the 3 years since the Coltons were gone.

Ann (front and center) and all of us who planned the shower. 

Page with the buffet.

And again! Adding Liz!

Ashley, Katie, and Bekah going in. 

Love this darling picture of Kathryn and Ann. 

Ann opening presents -- it's a good shot of all the sisters -- Katie, Lynne, Lauren, and Ann.

Catching up with Katie. 

My sister, Stephanie, and baby Daniel. 

Oliver and Jessie, Steph and Daniel, Lynne and Wren, Jenny and Brooke, Alexandra and Porter. SO darling. 

Jessica and baby Dellin hiding. 

The whole group. 

And from above!

Getting pedicures -- just a couple more days now!!

And we get to the reception! The reception was beautiful and was held at the Colton home. Everything was perfect. 

My brother-in-law with Daniel. 

Lynne and her newest addition. 

It was so special to be with Ann on her wedding day. I have so many memories of our growing up years -- I can't even imagine growing up without her and the Colton family. She is seriously one of the very best people I know and Dan has chosen very, very well. I loved seeing their sealing. They walked into the room, and I know everybody says this about brides, but she was totally glowing. Ann is always beautiful but she just looked amazing. Ann doesn't really cry and held it together through the whole sealing, but as people were exiting and saying congratulations she started to cry. It was a wonderful day and I loved seeing the Colton family altogether. Congratulations, Ann! 

A new decade

I'm 30!

Thanks to every one of you for being in my life and making my birthday so special. It was fun to see good friends.

Hunter made me a birthday card and had people sign it. He put pictures of me all over it. He also brought me the beautiful flowers. He put up a birthday sign too outside my house.

My friend made the most delicious ice cream cake ever. My other friend got me a beautiful fruit tart. I went to see Mary Poppins (which was SO wonderful) at the Kennedy Center with friends the day prior and didn't even pay. I received fun little gifts from other friends.

Thank you, everyone! I have amazing friends and family.

Summer Soiree

A month or two ago I went out past Leesburg (I don't really know where I was, but it was West -- Northern Virginians don't know anything further out than Reston, I'd say) for a "summer soiree." It was so darling, and the people who planned it really did a great job. It was in the backyard of a country home (they didn't have cows or anything, but still country) with beautiful little lights strewn from the trees above, delicious food, sparklers, and the theme asked that we all dress in our best khaki and white. It was a delightful summer's eve.

Some pictures...