the millers: I-o-way

The end of June saw our van hitting the road on our way to Iowa...it was my cousin Tara's wedding weekend, my Mom's birthday & a Fourth of July trip all rolled into one! We were able to enjoy time with family yet keep my Mom hopping from place to place with lots of activities during our 6 night/7 day stay.

pathetic, yet true, is the fact that I didn't take any pictures of Tara & Jeff's wedding, so I stole these two from FB (thanks Dawn!)...Congratulations Tara & Jeff! It was a beautiful day!

since good friends from Tremont were in charge of the reception, Arlan and I offered our services Sunday morning to help set up the food line...it was so much fun to catch up with some friends! Great job Dawn & JR & Travis...the decor, flowers and food were great!

the design team: Travis, Dawn, JR, Linda & Beth

we then headed to Maden's birthday party in Rock Rapids for the evening...here is little Burkelle eating her dinner

Macy, Haven & Mali...Haven was very excited to see her Kberger cousins!!

Michael & the birthday boy!

Ms. Aisley...Aunt Katie had just told Aisley "no"...she wasn't very happy about that!

Uncle Mike with Burkelle

Mom is going to HATE this picture :)

Haven's favorite part of any party...the cake!!!

ahh...a girl after my heart!

Emmy & Burkelle

the kiddos loving the park!

Haven once again enjoyed the Lester park...this park holds many memories in my childhood as we spent loads of time playing swing tag, Summer Rec & just plain fun...this totem pole slide was played on a many a time when I was a girl :)

we shopped with Grandma...and got tired :)

we even spent an afternoon at the Sioux Falls zoo where Haven got the crazy treat of riding her dromedary friend, Cletus...excited was an understatement!

Haven and Burkelle

here is Haven waiting patiently while Grandma & Mommy got pedicures

and the highlight of my (& prayerfully Haven's as well) was getting to serve at the Sioux Falls soup kitchen called The Banquet...it was a neat experience to see Jesus' words of serving others in action, especially through the eyes of my 3 year old. Mom, I & Haven volunteered alongside the Lester Axillary group & served dinner to about 370 people on July 3rd. Haven got to hand out color tokens as a way to count how many we serve each night: red to kids & blue/white to adults. It was a great job for a 3 year old and even I was impressed how she tagged along with whomever to wipe off chairs, pass trays or just play "follow-the-leader" while I refilled drinks. I pray she remembers this service as much as Mom & I do.

Haven with another volunteer waiting at the door...I tried to respect the privacy of those coming in for dinner & thus didn't get the best pictures. Many of the people who receive meals aren't necessarily homeless but in need of food assistance and a nice hot meal is a great way to receive that assistance and socialize.

and then we headed to Inwood for the Fourth of July festivities...parade, lunch in the park & kid's activities made for a fun way for us to spend a beautiful non-humid summer day!
This is Betsy's oldest, Marlys...she and Haven are pals as Marlys is only 5 months younger than Haven.

Grandma Kathy & Ward (Betsy's 3rd)

Ms. Burkelle sporting her fancy red/white/blue outfit!

Aisley was ready to run for candy

attempt #1 at cousin picture...

attempt #2...and then I just gave up :)

Hanston (Betsy's 2nd) LOVED the parade...he would look up every now & then from his stock pile of candy when farm equipment came by :)

Haven and her bag of candy...including playing cards that were thrown by the casino float!

she rode her first ferris wheel in the park...she looks a bit apprehensive in this picture, but she LOVED it!

and of course the barrel train is always fun.

and we finished the evening watching fireworks in Alvord...while Haven loved looking at the colors, she kept her ears covered the ENTIRE time...it's at least progress from the previous year.

Arlan headed home on the Monday after the wedding so he was unable to join us for the holiday...however, we got great traveling companions in the form of Grandma Marge, Abby Feucht & Megan Endress...Haven now has three new BFF's :)

What, you think, did my dear husband do for 4 whole days without us?
Well...