Cute

Or, like mom says, to remind us how temporary life is.

Duke

If I had to describe Duke in one word it would be 'happy'.  His tail seemed to always be wagging and he was always up for anything this family had in mind, whether it be:

• Hunting with Will,
• or walking with mom,
• or attending dog obedience,
• or traveling back and forth from ND to MN,
• or ferociously killing muskrats,
• or exploring with me back in the trees...

I could go on and on, but the fact of the matter was, he was happy no matter what was going on! He was Miciaha's partner and ally as well as a wonderful companion to us. 

So Duke, like I said on facebook, you won our hearts when you were a puppy and this family loved you every second of your 11 years. Enjoy the happy hunting grounds, we miss you already.

Here are some shots from our engagement pictures that you didn't get to see!

Such precious brown eyes!

What a cutie I'm marrying. :)

The dip that didn't quite go according to plan...
(Looks rather awkward, I know haha)

Under the umbrella...

I'm not quite sure...but, it makes me laugh.

One of my favorites.

And lastly, another one of my favorites.

Aaron and I were so happy with how our pictures turned out. The whole experience was wonderful! Thanks, Annie, a bunch!
Next step on the path to marriage: dress shopping!

Engaged

To check out the rest that Anne Elizabeth Photography has added, click below:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.479126375434882.125393.388404131173774&type=3

1st picture preview!

This weekend Aaron and I traveled back to our college town for some engagement pictures! They were super fun...especially with Annie as our photographer! She's not quite done editing them...but this is a preview she sent.

Our own sea horses

Looking for the best place to lay down...

...and Tobey's down.

Now Rio's turn.

Now both enjoying the water together.

I love these two.

Changes

"Time is a traveler. Where did it go? It left, but it didn't leave you empty handed. No, it left you with the gift of beautiful memories, that you can keep in your heart for safe keeping, to cherish forever, and ever."  -Jane Adams

Today I found out that my grandma on my dad's side had fallen and had broken her hip as well as her wrist.  I couldn't quite grasp it because I had just saw her less than a week ago and she was (and has always been) so great at getting around! When I think of an elderly person breaking a hip, I think of a person who is frail, has trouble walking, and/or is in a nursing home (or close to being in one).  Grandma was none of those things. 
It really got me thinking about life changes. So, I went up to the loft in the stable and dug around for some pictures; I found these.

They were taken the same year (must have been 2004) at a piano recital for me, Elizabeth, and Chelsey.  I look at these pictures and it makes me think, "ah I wish they could just stay that age...just stay like that for the rest of my life". But of course, the pages of life keep turning.
Like the quote at the top of this post says, I am so thankful for the beautiful memories I had growing up with both of my grandparents.