Thanksgiving 2016

 

This Thanksgiving Holiday can be described in one word: laughter.

We enjoyed silly games with both sides of our family using these crazy and uncomfortable mouth pieces.

Only family can put themselves in these odd situations and still love each other right? So much fun for adults and the kids. 

 Marie enjoyed a special one on one day with Dad and Maya Thanksgiving morning. 

I love that the two of them were able to sneak away and spend some time together. This girl is strong and capable and I love that about her.

 

 Seeing all our aunts and uncles makes our kids sooo happy.

Our kids have some of the best.

 Cheering at the tv for football was also a way we spent our Holiday while cuddling babies and shopping too!

 Marie is a special helper and she loved taking care of Allie and Ryan.

 

 

 Best photobomb ever!

 We are so very thankful and this weekend was a perfect reminder of our blessings: 

a warm and happy house that is filled with people we love and a

family who loves us no matter what and will always be there for us.

New Adventures

 Bennett was able to finally cross"learn ice skating," off his to-do list. 

He was so excited to spend a night with us on the ice and it was so much fun! Brooks even gave it a go on the ice with his boots. He was brave and loved learning.  We will definitely go back again.

The next day Marie was in her first fashion show put on by our local mall.

She was able to pick out 2 outfits and modeled them down the runway. She was a little nervous but did a great job!

 Bennett is loving his first experience of real school in the preschool program at the elementary school. He was recognized for "fairness" by the principal and got to eat a snack in the principal's office!

 Bennett and Brooks have loved going to our local library for storytime. This fall we made our own artisan bread with ingredients mixed together at the library and then baked at home. These two are forming quite the brotherly bond.

We attended the "Disney on Ice" show in Sioux Falls with Grandma Nel, Mindy, Alissa, Abby, and Anneke. 

The kids loved it, especially Brooks. When he saw Mickey & Minnie skate on the ice he jumped up and down and yelled, "Hi!"

Watertown Visit

 It was our turn to take the trip to see the Dickes clan.

We enjoyed a beautiful fall weekend full of shopping, eating, playing, football, parks, walks, and just about everything else you can think of.

Bennett has proven to be such a good helper with babies and he loved spending time with little Everett. He was always helping him and holding him.

 We love our time with this crew...even if the Huskers had a loss that weekend.

Halloween 2016

 This year Marie had the great idea to dress up as the Incredibles family from the Disney movie and in a weak moment, we agreed.

I have to admit I was a little hesitant about all this...but it turned out to be such a fun and memorable Halloween for our family!

 Carving pumpkins is always such a fun but big mess. This year Marie was able to do a lot of the work herself - even the carving!

 They were pretty proud of their Jack-O-Lanterns.

 We also enjoyed trick-or-treating around town and the businesses. Grammy came along to help on one of our adventures, too. Brooks did a great job this year and said "Thank you" at every stop!

Halloween has become such a fun holiday for our family to celebrate and we are already thinking of plans for next year!