. . . And LIFE Goes On . . .

and so . . . the summer is surely coming to an end. my month of august was full of craziness. it was amazing though. i cannot believe it is actually almost over -- gone -- history. and now september is nearly upon us, which means fall. with the sweltering hot weather we've had the past few days -- fall seems a little crazy to think about. but the leaves are already beginning to change some -- which is proof fall is on it's way. and i know before i know it, summer will really be over.

anyhow my past two weeks. first off was our schnupp family reunion in dryden that we have every year. that was incredible in so many ways -- like it always is. i will upload pictures -- since that is always the best way to go about it!

my boyfriend, eric, was able to make it for most of the gathering . . . that was amazing having him there!

this picture cracks me up . . . he had just arrived . . . and this is a typical "us" moment :-] him talking -- me giving him that "look" . . .

my cousin amy and i, producing our grandpa's birthday cake

 of course there's always time for swimming :-}

my handsome cousins/brother!

a snake is NOT so fun to swim with!

family time . . . 

the product of the fresh wild blueberries that were picked

love this girl SO much!

-- amethyst --

a plateful of yummy-ness . . .

brother-sister time :-}

i never tire of spending time with this man!

he is amazing :-}

and i LOVE being with him.

too much coffee, mike? :-)

my grandparents

my heros

my role models

they have taught me so much

they have invested in my life in so many ways

i love them!

amy and i greatly trust our brothers :-} apparently. 

and no, as deceiving as this picture is . . .

i did not die! 

mike jumped a great distance above my head :-}

just because this picture makes me smile. 

a wild and painful game of jug-a-lug 

from my five-year-old cousin

to

my 77-year-old grandpa.

THIS is why i love the north!

an annual canoe trip -- 

across the beaver dams . . . 

quality time with my man :-} 

blue-berry picking! 

yes -- we can talk 

AND 

pick berries at the same time :-} 

many fillets of fish caught -- 

made for some wonderful fish fries at the lake . . . 

sometimes when they are tired and fall asleep -- 

crazy things take place -- 

when amy and i get together :-] 

this picture is proof of our craziness :-}

egg omelets and milk at 2 am?

we think so! 

fishing :-} 

he even got himself a small catch :-} 

bannock i made to go with the fish fry :-}

my favorite amsies :]

and then it was down to minnesota . . .

some time spent with eric's family . . .

and also, a week at focis.

i forgot to rotate the next few pictures -- so my apologies as you have to crank your neck to look at them :-} my computer is being slightly slow and annoying tonight -- or else i would upload them again -- flipped the right way!

our families -- bylers and mine . . .

gave the program we had done --

four years ago in LA, Mexico, and California

and then i said goodbye to this man . . . we have less than four months to make it through until he moves home -- which will make the distance a wonderful four hours in between us instead of 20! 

the past two weeks were amazing . . . i was blessed and encouraged by the speakers at focis. spending time with my family was so special. being with eric was wonderful. and being with friends and hearing the speaker at the mission conference last weekend was also very good. i came away from this all feeling extremely blessed. God is good. live for Him! He will bless you in incredible ways!