Home!

I am with my family right now, and it's been so wonderful! I'm actually in town to learn more about my dad's new business, Colonial Apps, which builds apps for small businesses. While I am here for the business, it's also provided a much-needed chance for me to spend quality time with those I love best in this world.

Here are some shots of my amazing family. All ten of us were able to be together, and it was absolutely heaven. I am so truly grateful for my family, especially as time passes and Jody and I continue to make our home far away. There's nobody like family. Love every single one of 'em!

Respite

December was a tough month for me. Now that I've had some time to process it, I realized that I was struggling to find a new way to rest and recuperate in our new home. When we lived in Denver, it was easy. Head west! We would pack up our gear (or maybe just pack a quick bag), load up the wienie dogs, and head into the mountains. Whether it was a day hike or a long weekend backpacking trip, Jody and I found that the surest way to rest was to spend time outdoors. 

So, after experiencing subzero temperatures, a foot of snow before Thanksgiving, and no view of the sun for a month (yes, you read that correctly), Jody and I decided we needed a break. We did what all Wisconsinites do to vacation (or at least it seems that way)... we went "up north" and rented a cabin. 

We did some research online and found a fully furnished cabin near the small town of Glidden, right near the Chequamegon National Forest - about a five hour drive northwest of us. So, the day after Christmas we got up early, packed up all our things and headed north. :)

It wasn't a long trip, but it was just enough to fill my tank. Jody and I had a blast! We hiked in the nearby National Forest, watched Band of Brothers, played board games, got warm next to the wood-burning stoves and ate home-cooked meals that I'd prepared before we left and brought with us. It was heavenly.

Your New Year's card picture. Ha!

Martens? We're not in Colorado anymore...

There were TWO heavenly wood-burning stoves.

Complete with an old school home entertainment system!

It was a fantastic trip, and I loved every moment of it. It truly helped to hit the "reset" button and to prepare for all the challenges that 2015 will bring. We came back home refreshed and grateful for the life God has given us.

Eu-mi's Impromptu Photoshot

One day Eu-mi was sitting in the chair, and the light hit her just right... so I started snapping pictures with my phone. I'm pretty amazed at how they turned out!

Introducing... The Many Faces of Eu-mi

And... my personal favorite...

More Adventures in Wisconsin

We've been in Wisconsin for six months now. It's hard to believe how the time has flown. In that time, we have done so many fun things. It's fun to look through the pictures and revisit the experience as I blog about each one... Forgive me for the delay, as I know these pictures are from a few months ago. But better late than never, right? And I didn't want to miss out on sharing with you all the grand adventures we've had of a new state to explore and experience!

We celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary at a Korean restaurant in downtown Milwaukee, followed by a short walk to see Lake Michigan. I still get the hankering for Korean food every now and then, so we hunted online to find out that there were two - yes, two - Korean restaurants in all of Milwaukee. Tragic, I know. But we're grateful nonetheless! It was a fun way to remember our time in Korea. It's crazy to believe that almost eight years ago we met at our dear friends' Stefanie and Brittany's apartment in the "small" suburban town of Suji, South Korea. Going to a Korean restaurant reminds me of our brief dating and courtship. Bam - ten months from meeting to saying, "I do!" 

After lunch we walked from the restaurant down to the yacht club and pier along the lake. In many ways Lake Michigan does seem like the ocean. The broad expanse. The endlessness of it. There are even seagulls! And yet, the waves are absent. And the smell of salt in the air. It was beautiful, and I loved seeing and experiencing a Great Lake for the first time. 

Happy Anniversary, my love! Words cannot express how grateful I am to be married to you! 

We also visited a local dairy farm just north of Oconomowoc!! A family in our church has a dairy farm that has been in their family for many generations. They invited us over for a tour of the farm, as well as a bonfire. It was so much fun! I've never been to a dairy farm, so this was a grand experience to see this family's daily life. All I know about dairy farmers is that my grandfather was the youngest (7th child) of a dairy farmer in Menomenee, right here in Wisconsin, back in the early 1900s. Yup - I have returned to the land of my peoples, coming to Wisconsin!!! :) The military took my grandfather to Virginia before WWII, and he met my grandmother at a military ball before he left to serve in Europe. He never moved back to WI. So that's my connection with dairy farms. :)

Where the cows are milked

I like the cow that's totally just chilling

Where all the milk goes just after the cows are milked 

Jody befriending a calf

I cannot imagine the daily life of a dairy farmer. Milking the cows twice a day. EVERY DAY. But it was so wonderful to get just a small glimpse of their world, and to hear the contentment and love for their farm in their voices. And to see the views from their home. These native Wisconsinites are pretty awesome people. I'm glad I get to know them. 

Fall Colors

One of the most exciting parts of living in a state with lots of trees is the whole fall season. As much as I love Colorado and the beautiful aspens in their gold splendor, the brilliance of the fall colors here in southeastern Wisconsin was breathtaking. I cannot express how much I loved watching all the trees as they turned brilliant shades of yellow, orange and red. 

During peak leave-color-changing time, over my lunch break I would take the dogs for walks and snap shots of the trees just around the neighborhoods. It was so fun to see the variations, and to watch them change from day to day. 

I didn't touch up these pictures at all. They are simply quick snapshots from right in Oconomowoc. So grateful for God's creativity!

Fall is truly one of my favorite times of the year, and I loved every minute of it! Next year I'll see if I can get some snapshots of the leaves turning colors around the lakes. :)