F.O.G. Presidency Retreat

In anticipation of our upcoming loss of freedom (by baby #4, we really knew what we were in for!), Ben and I decided we needed one last getaway.  It turned out that the Seversons owed us some overnight babysitting, and they offered to take the boys for a few days.  Sarah took Henry and Ellis to a fun summer camp with her boys, and Sam got to play with Andrew.  We were free!  

We used the opportunity to spend time with some of our dearest friends - the old F.O.G. presidency . . . a.k.a. our high school buddies, Jacob and Robbie (plus bonus addition: Lyndee Mower!).  Boy, do we love these guys!  We rented a really cool house in Michigan City, IN - near Sawyer, Michigan - on the other side of the lake.  What did we do?  Not much of anything.  Which is our favorite thing to do.  

We mostly talked and ate good food (I made Ina Garten's roasted vegetable and orzo salad with chicken, and it was beautiful).  

We explored a little too.

We really enjoyed visiting the sand dunes - which I would define as sandy, barefoot, beach hiking.  Unlike anything I had ever done before, and it was beautiful!

Check out those roots!  We were trying to figure out how these trees stay in the ground!

We got some pictures with Robbie and Lyndee on Sunday before they left town.

We love these people!

Latergrams, in which winter finally ends, the boys create, and Robbie ties the knot

 I can't believe this is happening to me.  #retainer #juniorhighthrowback #mylife

 Taking Ninjago to a whole new level with two extra ninjas at our house this week.  I have actually gotten a lot done while they all played (mostly) happily.  #legoninjago #thelatestcraze

 Everyone wants a peek at Sam's new Ninjago book.  At the same time, of course.  How do you think Ben looks with 5 boys?

 Sam has been waiting all winter for this moment!  The snow has literally been un-packable until today.  So grateful for our 43 degrees.  #warmwinterday #doyouwanttobuildasnowman? #olaf #samsdreamcometrue

 Caught Ellis reading some "Morris Goes to School" to Sam.  Sam was a diligent listener.  #readingtogether #makesmehappy

 Looking out our front window at the new snowfall this morning, Sam says, "Mom!  I see a leaf!  That means it's Spring now!"  I'm not sure if he even has any real memories of what Spring looks like.  #hopefulforspring #prettyprettyplease #marchsnow

 Happy St. Paddy's Day!  #greendinner #thatsascoolasitgets #costcoshamrockravioli

 Starting to see the ground!  This is reason for rejoicing.  #herecomesthesun #itsbeenalongcoldlonelywinter

 Risky business, swinging with the icy waters below...but we couldn't resist!  No one fell off, but Sam's boot fell in the water, which made for a chilly walk home.  #starvedforsun

 Light jackets were almost warm enough for a tour of Northwestern on Saturday.  We love having Jacob stop in occasionally as our closest "family."  Fun weekend with him before he flew out of Chicago for a trip.  #weekendgram

 It brought tears to my eyes when I saw that Ellis had finished this huge "challenging work" at preschool while I was in Utah.  He punched out the continents one pinhole at a time, perforating the edges and punching them out.  He also wrote the names of all of the continents in his cute handwriting.  It was not easy, but he worked hard, and his teachers were very patient!  #icandohardthings #montessoripreschool #proudmama

 This boy is proud to be taking a community art class with Ellis and some friends!  He came home yesterday to report what he had learned from the teacher: "She said to don't take a boogie on your finger and put it on your pants."  #lifelessons #education #thingsIlearnedinartclass

 At least when the tree workers turned off our power, they were thoughtful enough to provide the entertainment.  #treechipper #noTVwednesday #screenfreeentertainment #boystuff

 When we took Henry out of school 7 extra days for vacation last fall (and a few more here and there), we were planning on him never getting sick.  #strepthroat #absent3days #hopetheschoolisntcounting

 Using the sick day to tackle Cub Scout requirements.  Otherwise this would never be happening!  #paintparty #scenery #jacksonpollocksintraining

Many months of looking out the windwo longingly culminate in this moment.  #outside #nosnow #43degrees #outsidelover #unlikehisbrothers #samo

These boys have jokes that date back as far as their junior high days.  I think we still have just as much fun together!  All three of us moved to the Midwest within the last 8 months, just in time for Robbie's Nauvoo wedding today!  #sleepover #foreverfriends #healthykidsunite

 #temple #nauvoo #firsttime #beautifulday

 We are so happy to see Robbie looking so absolutely elated.  #gorgeousbride #robbieandlyndee

It was so fulfilling to spend the day with these people, who feel more like brothers than friends.  #foreverfriends #apparentlyiamtheshortone #robbieandlyndee #nauvoowedding