Grandma D

I feel the city too much these days.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Minneapolis, but there's something rewarding and fruitful about getting away...and not to just another house away from the city, but to a place where you can't see or hear anyone.  Only you, your thoughts and God.  We (my fam) packed up our vehicle and headed to Northern Wisconsin a couple weekends ago.  This was a trip that had been planned since Spring and I was really looking forward to it.  A while back, I had a dream of photographing my Grandma. The reality of schedules and conflicts kept delaying things, but God saved one weekend for us.  Shortly after arriving at my Grandma's house in Rice Lake, I started photographing some of the amazing flower gardens my Uncle had helped create with my Grandma and soon we were off to our ultimate destination..."The Shack."  There were many layers to this brief trip, but a few that stood out to me were; my daughter's first time at "The Shack" and my Grandma's house, a road trip that actually happened this year, spending time with my only living grandparent, experiencing the smell of a REAL northwoods cabin that brought back memories from my childhood and having my wife actually say, "I think I could spend more time here."  AMAZING!  I wish I could somehow transfer the smell and sounds of this place.   My grandma is an amazing woman who has been through so much in her life.  LOVE YOU GRANDMA!  Here's a brief blurb my Grandma sent me after we left...

The "Shack" has been a place of refuge and solace to me for over sixty years now. It started as a small tar paper covered hut with a screened in porch, a necessity in this wild and beautiful mosquito infested, secluded woods of Northern Wisconsin.  It over-looks the equally small and secluded Pickerel Lake. There is no sandy beach, only a long, rustic dock extending out over the dark, murky water. The lake is fed by a creek that seems to come from nowhere and is often regulated by beaver dams. The "Shack" is bigger now and constructed of cement blocks.  There is still no inside plumbing or electricity. This is where I spent my honeymoon and many vacations throughout my life.  This is where the peace of God overflows within me.

Family Trip / Stillwater, MN

Last Saturday the Stadler Fam took a half day trip to Stillwater. The weather was beautiful and the shops were hopping. First stop...Teddy Bear Park. From there, we just walked around and took in the Art and Food scene. All in all, a very relaxing and great start to Fall. Many thanks to my Sister-In-Law for planning this and getting everyone motivated to HAVE FUN! here are some pics from the day.

Nicholas + Rachael's Wedding

I photographed this wedding back in July.  Here's a quick summary of the wedding...HOT, humid, small town, low key, SANDWICHES IN THE CHURCH BASEMENT, dance in the park, BRIDE MADE HER DRESS, farm, BEAUTIFUL SUNSET, joy filled. I loved being a small part of this big event for Nicholas and Rachael. May God bless your marriage and your drinking of non-pasteurized milk!