Hello dear friends! It has been a while since we've posted on here and summer (feels like) it's coming to a close around our house. Aaron started school (with kids) on Monday and since I'm working full time now we're adjusting to a new routine.

One thing that I miss about being in the city are the open spaces and exposed sunrises. The summer before I left for college I remember I wanted to take a photo of the sunrise from one of my favorite spots. I woke up late that morning and I had planned to ride my bike to the location, so I remember pedaling as fast as I could with my camera bulging in my jacket pocket.

I made it to my spot just in time to catch the sunrise and I captured a couple of wild sunflowers in the photo as well. These photos below are not mine, but they remind me a lot of that morning and the picture I printed out and have had with me in every season since then.

Thanks to Meg Duerksen for sharing her photos from her home in Kansas. I just can't get enough of 'em so I wanted to share them with you. By the way, you'll love Meg's blog as well. Stop by!

Love to you all!
Laura

We had a terrific vacation to Seattle! We made it home last night about midnight and hit the ground running today. Here are some photos from our trip. You can view the entire album on Facebook.

Big thanks to D+C for hosting us and helping us experience Seattle to its fullest!


Pikes Place Market, downtown Seattle


Lake Diablo in the Cascade Mountains


Seattle skyline from Gasworks Park

> Visit Facebook album

Hello from Seattle! We have had the best time in Seattle, I have lots of photos to share from our days in the city, the space needle and puget sound. Today, however, we are headed here:

..when's the party?



Sweet Giana is turning one on Saturday, July 11. It's hard to believe that she is a year old. One year ago I was frantically checking my email from somewhere in Africa waiting to hear the good news. Oh what I would give to have been there! I won't be missing the party, that's for sure! The party is "ABC Theme"...



and of course while the rest of us will be enjoying birthday cupcakes I hear Miss G will be having her very own big girl cake! I can't wait!



Here are some pictures I had on my computer. See you Saturday G!

We are headed to Seattle this summer to visit D&C and we're very excited! I've visited Seattle with my family years ago and Aaron has never been, so we have much to look forward to. Today Aaron is narrowing down our list of things to do/see. Here's our research list thus far ...

Pikes Market

Experience Music Project, http://www.empsfm.org/

Bainbridge Island

Cascade Loop

Vancouver Island, Whale Watching

National Geographic Seattle Guide

Seattle Times, "Seattle on the cheap"'

Have you been to Seattle? What would you suggest we do/see? Comment on this post or send us an email at lauraleighbrooker@gmail.com.

We had a great weekend in Merna for the Fourth of July weekend. My Dad's birthday is the 4th and my Uncle C's bday is the 8th so we go the extra mile to enjoy each other and the weekend.


The weekend even included a "girls night" with my friend Miss Amy Lynn and her mom. We felt so special and declared the evening, complete with the festive tray from Sur la Table, a new tradition!


Aaron and would both agree there was no shortage of scrumptious food. We spent most of our dining time on the deck ... Aaron is obviously thrilled!



Highlights (in no particular order)

1. Parade - "the best parade I've been to in years!" said Aaron
2. Eating sunflower seeds while watching softball
3. Seeing friends from high school - "cheer cheer for 'ol A-M High..."
4. Girls Night
5. Tiffany Theater in Broken Bow - you should go, it's nice!
6. Merna Bar?
7. Seeing my brother J
8. Howie had a handkerchief on; super cute!
9. Giving away heirloom books

We hope you all had a great weekend!

Love,
Aaron & Laura

I finished my Heirloom Project- Yipee!!- and over the weekend I gave my Dad, my uncle and my grandma albums with photos of our family and homestead. It was really special!

I also organized and archived the photos, which is a relief because it is a much better way to store the photos.

Here are some page views. You can also view a preview of the book by visiting my profile on Blurb.com. Here's the link.



Thanks for reading. Now, go tell your family you love 'em!
~ Laura

Check it out! We had our first official Kettle Corn show over the weekend. My brother met up with us and brought his popcorn popper (CapitolKettleKorn.com) and we setup for the four day show.





Aaron was the salesman. I was the bagger. Jeff was the popper. I am so thankful for my parents, for the way they planted this entrepreneurial spirit within us. I know we will look back and be even more thankful for this time we spent together doing these things. I already am thankful!



Thanks again Jeff for spending time with us. I loved having you around and I'm so proud of you!



Oh, and if you live in the Lincoln/Omaha area and didn't make it to Papillion Days you can order Kettle Corn online! Visit http://capitolkettlekorn.com/contact.html

Happy snacking!

We welcomed Uncle Doug to Omaha on Tuesday. He was visiting from Seattle to visit family & friends and what fun it was to spend some time with him AND Jake who joined us from Lincoln.

We had a lot of laughs! Here's picture of Doug getting out of the Park Ave after we parked it in our tiny garage!


When it came time for dinner Aaron was quick to suggest The Ethiopian Restaurant just North of our house. You run the risk of them having run out of food (no joke) but this time we ended up being the only ones in the restaurant and the food was terrific! We shared two plates, lamb and vegetarian with injera.



We always so glad to have company and every time that Doug comes he brings something special. It really makes me feel just that - special! - for days after! This time he brought some wine and flowers.


A gal's workspace just looks so much more inspiring with some fresh flowers! Thanks Doug :)



All for now.
Lots of love!
A&L

Did I mention that this guy right here is a professional disc golf player. Just look him!


Official gear. Check. Plethora of discs for every shot. Check.
Oh, and did I tell you that he is rated 3rd IN THE STATE!


Yep! Reason enough for a big grin! We'll keep you posted on the rankings as the season goes. Here are just a few more summer shots. We now have a yard worthy of laying on. Awww...the little things.