Fun with Friends in January...

Yeah, I know…it’s February…which is why I'd better finish this post pronto! We were blessed with TWO visits from friends in January, both of which were fabulous!

Our first visit was from the Calvarese family. Jessica is one of my closest friends from Oklahoma. We met Jessica and her husband Justin in our Newlyweds flock at Henderson Hills Baptist Church back in 2007. My friendship with Jessica flourished over email, actually, as we would encourage each other through tough work days (and then when Jessica was done working, she’d encourage me through tough work days while I could encourage her in her new job as a mommy!). They have two precious boys, Ian and Owen, whom I call my “Oklahoma nephews.” It just melts my heart when I hear Ian call us “Aunt Liesl” and “Uncle Steve.” LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that.

The Calvareses came for New Year’s Eve weekend and we had a blast, despite some very cold temperatures! Since our favorite activities revolve around Shawnee Mission Park, it was a bummer that it was so cold! But Justin, Jessica, Ian, and Owen were troopers and we were able to show them a little bit of the park.

We also went to some fun local places that I hadn’t seen yet, like shopping at The Legends, and lunch at Winsteads, a super cool (and tasty!) local diner. I was so excited to introduce Jessica and Justin to my favorite coffee in the world…Caribou Coffee! They loved it.

(Photo courtesy of Jessica)

We also went swimming at their hotel, and just enjoyed each others’ company! We are so blessed by them!

Here are some more photos courtesy of Jessica...

A couple weeks later, we had a visit from our friends Jen and Jason, as they passed through Kansas City on their way to visit some more friends in Arkansas. Jen is actually one of my sister Christi’s college roommates and Marching Band buddies from the U of MN, and during my sophomore year at the U of MN, we all lived together as my sister finished medical school, Jen went to grad school, and my friend Julie and I were undergrads. So Jen has always been like another big sister to me. When I followed Christi’s footsteps and joined the U of MN Marching Band (I’ve always looked up to her and wanted to do things she did!), Jen was on staff and I can’t even tell you how much that put me at ease during my first weeks at college.

Jen and Jason were married just 5 weeks before Steve and I were, so we have that fun bond as well! Jen and Jason are avid outdoorsmen (outdoorspeople?) and I could not wait to show them “our” park. I knew they were going to love it. Even better, we had gotten some snow right before their arrival, so that added a whole new adventure! Jason especially enjoyed collecting acorns at the park so he can plant his own tree.

We had so much fun hiking and laughing. And, since Jen works at an environmental learning center in Northern Minnesota, their visit was also very educational!

Jason taught us about deer markings on trees...

Jen found a bird nest with a nice little blanket of snow on it...

Jason displayed his love for trees...

And Jen and I met a new friend!

Such a fun day of hiking through a beautiful snow-filled park!

We really enjoyed our time with our friends! Thanks, guys, for coming to see us!