Family Vacations

 This August Ruthie got to meet her entire (this is not an exaggeration) Howe family, and her immediate Lucius family.  Jerod, Rachel, and Ruthie spent two weeks at a vacation house in Prescott, WI.  The first week they were joined by Rachel's family and the second week by Jerod's.  Ruthie's baptism was the Sunday in the middle of the two weeks.  It was wonderful to have both families present to celebrate this special day with us.  Here are some of the many pictures from those two weeks.

Annikka at the beach.

Grandpa Dave at the beach.  I really like this picture of him.

Ruthie at the beach.

Meeting Aunt Liz.

Meeting cousin Ashely.

Snuggling with cousin Megan.  

(Wondering why Ruthie is so content with Megan?  It's because she's a certified babysitter.)

We went up to St. Croix Falls and took a paddle boat ride down our beautiful river.  That brought back many good memories for us.

Mom, Grandma Kathy, and Ruthie on the boat.

Joel and Rachel with their little girls on the boat.

Eila looking over the railing at the water.  Such a pretty picture!

Hanging out with Grandma Kathy in the morning.

Purple Bliss!

A less successful attempt at a picture of the three cousins, but this post just wouldn't be complete without a picture of Ruthie, the vampire baby.  Isn't Eila's face hilarious?

We also rented a pontoon boat in Prescott.  

Sweet Eila.

Pretty mom and her two daughters.

Joel and Annikka driving the boat.

The Howe Girls!

Annikka spending some quality time with Grandpa Dave and Grandma Kathy.

All of Dave and Kathy's children and grandchildren.

Peekaboo!

Taking a little nap with Grandma Kathy on the deck.

Ruthie being baptized by our wonderful pastor, Michele.

It was so special to have Ruthie baptized at Oak Knoll by Pastor Michele.  I love looking at these pictures knowing that this is the same spot that Jerod and I stood when we got married.

Ruth Kathryn

Annikka and Olivia coming back from the children's sermon.

Both of Ruthie's families together!

Our family.

Picnic after the baptism.

Olivia and Annikka playing together at the baptism.  

Before their visit, Olivia told Kim she was excited to meet Baby Ruth, but was wondering if she had a big sister who could talk and play with her.  I love that! It is too bad that they didn't have each other to play with for longer than this afternoon.  

Amado Jr. eating cake!

Ruthie playing with Grandpa Mike.

Amado Jr. at the beach.

Olivia at the beach.

Kim's family at the beach.

Grandma Jan and Olivia playing in the water.

Bonfire!

Roasting marshmallows with Uncle Andrew.

Yummy smores!

Just a picture that I liked of Kim and Andrew at dinner.

Grandma Jan and Ruthie.

Amado Jr. and Olivia sharing Ruthie's stroller on a hike.

The view of the pretty St. Croix River from a vista on our hike.