Couples Retreat 09

Call us crazy, but less than 24 hours after returning from Florida we left for our church's weekend Couples Retreat! This was our sixth time attending the retreat and we both love it so much. Especially now that we have kids, it's been so important for us to get away for a weekend. My parents have made that possible by staying with Lily and now Taylor so that we can go. Have I ever mentioned how much my parents do for us?!?!

This was my first time away from Taylor overnight and I definitely missed him. My arms just ached for him while we were gone but I only got teary eyed a couple times. People at Retreat would testify that I did much better this time than I did my first time away from Lily. But I really missed our kids and was itching to get back to them on Sunday. =)

It's become sort of a tradition for some of our friends to meet at our house to carpool up to the retreat. This year a total of six couples left from our house. It's also a tradition to stop at the Quizno's in Little Falls for dinner. It's just so much fun.

Another treat this year is that Lucas and Eir came up from Worthington for the retreat. They are good friends of ours and moved from St. Cloud about a year and a half ago. We miss them terribly. They were a huge part of Calvary and started the Young Couples Ministry (God BLESS them for that!). Anyway, we loved having them there and it felt like old times. They are a blast.

Another special highlight is that all of the "young" husbands surprised their brides with flowers when we got to Shalom House. I got a dozen gorgeous red roses. We girls were definitely feeling romanced. =)

And my dear dad had mailed a little Valentine gift for me and had it waiting in our room when I got there. I burst into tears when I saw it sitting there and I recognized his handwriting. I am so blessed to have two such wonderful men in my life.

So here are a few photo highlights of our weekend away!

Unfortunately, the tubing hill was closed this year due to ice. I had to try the rock wall instead. This is me gearing up to try the wall. The guy on the left is supervising. =)

Scaling the wall like a pro. =)

My honey and I

My precious friend Eir

Andy and Lucas

Playing Settlers, what else???

The whole group

Alex and Diane Kroska, Fred Tuma, John and Steph Rammel, Jude and Pat Mueller, Keith and Lisa Nelson, Lucas and Eir GarciaSilva, Andy and Dawn Becker, Bruce and Bev Hahn, Jon and Lacey Oettel, Jeremy and Michelle Hilden, Roy and Marlys Hohmann, Steve and Barb Avery, Jon and Emily Weaver, Brent and Amy Peterson, Bill and Steph Gardner, and Len and Sandi Carlson

A Valentine's Day Smooch!!!