RiseFest 2017

For Steve and my birthdays this year, we requested RiseFest tickets

to the Christian festival in Sheldon. 

Day 1: Friday night!

We left Rock Valley about 5:00 and decided to quick grab a bite to eat

at McDonalds before going in.

While we were there - it POURED and got super windy!

We were a little wary of going or not but decided to risk it.

It rained on and off for the next hour or so!

Aubrey and Mommy in between the rains! 

Grandpa and Grandma VG came with us, too!

The speaker was talking about married couples

so Aubrey thought we should hold hands and take a pic :)

7:00 show - Danny Gokey!

Raining again so under the umbrella we went and the concert went on!

Yikes...but the sun was peeking through! 

Aubrey trying on Jessica's glasses

Josh and Jessica joined us later, too!

These 3 went up close during the second band: MercyMe  at 9:00

and got some cool glow sticks from a nice man. 

We stayed pretty dry during the duration of MercyMe 

and the girls made it to the end, just leaving 10 minutes early to beat traffic! 

DAY 2: We heard there was a pretty good storm that went through Sheldon

that afternoon where people were asked to evacuate and head to their cars.

We still wanted to try.

We left Rock Valley at 5:30 and decided to eat supper 

at Pizza Ranch in Hull.

While we were there, a big storm came through

and we weren't  sure we should go or not, but we said we 

might as well try!

Sitting in the car waiting out the rain for just a bit...

It stopped lightning, but it was still raining so we decided to go in

for the 7:00 show (now postponed until 7:45).

It rained for only a little while longer...

And then CROWDER performed! 

Aubrey loved it! 

YUCK!! It was a muddy mess!

We really came at the PERFECT time...

only sat in rain for about 20 minutes

and then the SUN CAME OUT and no more rain!

TOBY MAC - the 9:00 show

We were pretty much the first row of sitters

after the jumpers/standers/mosh-pitters :)

Avery was pretty snuggly with Grandpa for awhile :)

G and G VG bought the girls these cool glow sticks! 

Yup, we may have been dancing our best at Mom's favorite rap songs :)

Using the glow sticks as trumpets like the Diverse City Band! 

Avery was getting into in toward the end, too!

We LOVED Toby Mac - so good in concert! 

(even Grandpa said he recognized most of his songs!)