On Sunday, we celebrated Mama and Daddy's 25th wedding anniversary at a lovely restaurant in St Paul called Forepaugh's. The food was excellent and we had such pleansant ladies serving us. 
The restaurant is in a beautiful old mansion in St Paul, and the food was delightful, but it also has family history. Grandma and Grandpa Rees (Mama's parents) celebrated their 25th anniversary at Forepaughs as well...even in the same room!
After eating, we revisited the place where God started our family!
In this small chapel Craig and Karen Lenz, our dear mother and father, covenanted together in marriage.
As their children, it was amazing to be in this historical place. Mama and Daddy verbally remembered not only that day but all the following days. They said again and again that they marvel at what God has done in their lives. We marveled together at the beauty and blessing God has showered on our family.
Family hikes are always fun. This one did not look at all difficult or strenuous at first.
And of course the views were breathtaking. When we took this picture, there was a train snaking across the valley and sending out its whistle to echo in the hills. The sound of a train whistle always fills me with a strange and wonderful excitement. :) Up there, combined with the landscape spread out like a map, it sent shivers down my spine. Unfortunately, it was only a whisper when Aubrey tried to record it on camera and you couldn't hear it. 
We were continually amazed at the steep and precipitous nature of the path. At this point, we had no idea we were heading for the lake, or we probably wouldn't have kept walking. :)
Along the trail on the face of the bluff were remains of an old stone quarry. Reportedly, the iron ring Aubrey is pulling at was used to hoist and anchor heavy equipment, but I liked to imagine the rock in which it was embedded was the colossal stone door to a forgotten treasure chamber. :)
We were amazed when we realized that we had marched all the way down that hill and were on a level with the lake.
The water was so inviting that Aubrey and I had to put our feet in.
The boys preferred throwing things in the water to going in themselves. 
They are very good at skipping stones! I took pictures of the skips, and I think this was one of the better shots I got, but you can't see that this stone skipped nearly seven times!
The climb back up the bluff was of course daunting, and by the time we reached the top, the sun had nearly set. The last few steps to the top looked like the gateway to heaven in more ways than one. :)
Sam spotted this empty June bug skin on our way back to the car. :)
We watched the sun set and the lights of the city come on from a high bluff. It was gorgeous!
Another remarkable testimony in Creation to the handiwork of God!
Charlie is a senior this year!
In 1862, Wasioja was bustling with business... Now it hardly appears on the map with a population of only 84 people. We were drawn there because of the little stone building below, originally built in 1855. It was converted into a military recruiting station in April of 1861 to aid in organizing Company C of the Second Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment for service in the War Between the States.
