Grandma Gietzen

Tonight my wonderful, sweet, beautiful Grandma left this earth and headed to her heavenly home. I was so glad to spend a little time with her this summer. For once she was very talkative and shared with my family many of her memories as a girl and young woman. I was amazed at her memory of these details. I love her so much and will miss her so very much. Going home will not be the same for me as there will be an empty whole where she should be. Thank you Grandma for helping me to be the person I am today. I love you.

Walnut Grove

So since I have the best husband ever, he drove us to Walnut Grove, MN on the way home this summer. We had fun eating at Nellies Cafe, going through the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum, and wading in Plum Creek. The girls had fun as they have been reading my old Laura Ingalls Wilder books. And they love to wear their bonnets!!

Minnesota Trip

This summer we were also able to visit Ron's Mom and sister in Minn. The girls had fun getting to spend time with their cousins. Here is Addison and Brittany, Kylee and Robin, and Brynja and Craig and all 9 kids.

Riskedahl Family

This is my family - all 22 of us. We were able to get together in July and have a fun time together. We were also able to have the baptism of Braden Swenson and the baby blessing of the newest family member Andrew Jones. It was fun to all be together.

Old Faithful

Finally a trip to Yellowstone. The girls have been telling us they are the ONLY kids in their school that have not been there. So this summer we took the time to stop on our way to ND. The girls all look like orphans due to the wind and 7 hours in the car but now they can say they have seen Old Faithful!

Happy 27th Birthday Andrew

Happy 27th Birthday to my little brother who left this world almost 16 years ago. This picture we had drawn sits on my piano to remember daily that even though he is not here now we can be together again someday. I miss him and wish to have him involved in my daily life but his mission on earth ended at the time it needed to for him. Today we as a family all join in and eat a spaghetti dinner in his memory as that was his most favorite food ever. Hard to imagine him at 27 when he left us at 11. I love my little brother and miss him every day.

Brynja's 2nd birthday trip

For Brynja's 2nd birthday we drove to Orem and went to the Disney store. Her most favorite things right now as a 2 year old are Mickey Mouse and gang, Nemo, and Buzz and Woody. It was really fun to see her face light up as she walked into that store and saw all of her favorite things in the same place. We couldn't keep up with her as she ran from toy to toy grabbing and hugging everything. She also got her first Build a Bear, bear so thanks Maria.