Camping Trip: Rifle River Recreation Area

This past weekend we drove a couple of hours north with some friends and had a wonderful weekend in the woods with mother nature and s'mores. Lots of s'mores!

Disclaimer: All of these pictures are stolen by Abbie because she was the only responsible one of the bunch who remembered to bring her camera. 

We left after work Friday and after fighting every other southeast Michigan resident for space on the highway we made it to the campsite about an hour before sunset. We set up the tents quickly and started the fire for dinner. The hungry boys wasted no time with burgers and brats. Nothing too fancy, but definitely delicious!

After a failed attempt at renting canoes Saturday morning we decided to spent the day sitting in inner tubes on the lake. Minus a slight incident with some broken glass it was an enjoyable day in the sun!

We soaked up the sunrise on Saturday night and it was absolutely beautiful! We are so grateful for weekends spent with such wonderful and hilarious friends!

West Coast Road Trip: 2015 Edition

We just got back from a 10 day road trip through the west coast and despite the fact that the laundry basket is overflowing and we have no food in the fridge our hearts are so full and rejuvenated from such a wonderful trip.

OVERVIEW:
Our first stop was Seattle for the weekend. Then we spent a day Keeping Portland Weird while also celebrating our 2 year wedding anniversary. After that we drove along the Oregon Coast via Highway 101. We took that all the way through the Redwood Forest and into Napa, California. After stuffing our faces with delicious food and wine we headed towards the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco. We ended our trip stalking the tech companies in Silicon Valley before flying out of San Jose.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Catching up with and creating memories alongside our dear friends Matt and Melissa. Jameson seeing the Pacific Ocean for the first time. Crossing Oregon off my list of States to Visit. Experiencing possibly the best meals of our lives in Napa. And most of all spending quality time with my best friend and adventure partner for life!

I'm plan on dedicating a blog post to each state that way we don't forget any of the memories we made on our #LietzkeSummerRoadtrip

Recent Reads: Library Edition

One of my goals this year was to get a library card and I successfully completed that task a couple of months ago. Ever since I have been visiting the library on almost a weekly basis to drop off and pick up more books! Prior to getting this card I am pretty sure the last time I actually checked out a book from a library was around 2002 (give or take a couple of years). Needless to say I was pleasantly surprised when I learned about some of the newer "technologies" libraries have to offer these days. My local library allows you to create an online account where you can check out electronic books and then download them onto your e-reader device. I have found so far that almost every book I looked up to check out comes in a digital copy as well. But just because its digital does not mean that you can check it out immediately, there is still a waiting list for more popular books. I generally prefer reading the old fashioned physical copy but for those of you who are more technologically inclined this is a very nice feature. I have also been placing holds online for all my books and then just pop into the library when I get notified that they have been pulled for me. This eliminates the long searches around the bookshelves and allows me to be in and out in just a couple of minutes.Our library also had a large DVD and books on tape section which I haven't explored too much yet, but will in the near future.

Another thing I love about our library is it's location. It is right in the heart of our cities downtown area which makes it extremely convenient to visit before or after we go to dinner, get ice cream, coffee runs, or stop by the farmers market. I have even walked Milton there and just tied him up outside for a brief minute while I went it to check out my books. I cannot believe how much I have enjoyed using the library over the past 2 months and my bank account is very thankful as well!!

I am not the most adventurous reader in terms of genre and tend to stick mostly with fictional "girl" books but if that is what you like too then I have some great recent finds.

The Husband's Secret   ||  Family Pictures   ||  The Secrets of Midwives

All three of these books were light, quick reads that kept me engaged until the very end. I have a couple of more Liane Moriarty books already checked out so hopefully I will enjoy those just as much. Happy Reading folks!!

Dear Baby Wyatt

Wyatt Paul,
You entered into our lives last month and needless to say we are already so smitten with you! We were lucky enough to get to spend time with you and your parents your very first weekend at home and I will cherish those memories for years to come. (even you peeing on me while I was changing your diaper) Considering you are the first grandchild/nephew/baby in the family I know you will get your fair share of spoiling, but you will also be surrounded by so much love and laughter. I already miss cuddling with you and giving those squishy cheeks of your big ol' kisses. I look forward to watching you grow up and who knows maybe you will live up to your honorary nickname "Scooby" and be Penn State's next great linebacker. But no matter where life takes you I pray that you will always know your value comes from the Lord and that you are a perfect gift from God.

Love,                  

Your Auntie Val