Friday, December 18, 2020

Brooks is 6!

 There is something about a child having to use both hands to explain how old he is that makes me choke up...how can this be?


Brooks Richard is 6 years old!




When Andy and I thought about having a third child, I knew in my heart it was our last.  Everything about the experience of trying to get pregnant to carrying him to delivering him told me it was the end of the line.  When he was born, I felt this sense of relief and calm come over me.  As a baby he was content and always loved to be where the action was.  Everyone will remember the scare of a lifetime he gave us, but what I remember most about that time was how strong he was.

He knows how to captivate the room, he loves adventure, will try almost anything, and somehow everyone knows who he is!  We will be around town and hear people yell, "hey Brooks,"  and Andy and I will have no idea who that person is. He makes people smile and laugh, he gives the best cuddles, and I know he has many adventures ahead of him.

 He loves to hunt, practice his aim with his bow and arrow and BB gun, play sports, read books, watch movies, build Lego sets, and pretend the floor is lava.  He raises the bar all the time for us and his birthday cake request was a perfect example of this - an ocean battle with a sperm whale and a giant squid!

 Brooks-you are just what we needed when we asked God for a 3rd child and we are so thankful for you. 

 Love you buddy, Mom & Dad

Tuesday, December 1, 2020

November 2020

November brought the excitement of holidays...with Covid we didn't know what our holidays would be like, but thankfully our families were healthy and close by so we chose to gather.  We enjoyed time with both sides of the family and had beautiful weather.  


The kids had plenty of play time with cousins and even got to spend a night in Sioux Falls with Paul and Keri. Nathan and Maxine ran an official Turkey Trot and the we all got to cheer them on at the finish.  Pip got to run too! 



November also brought plenty of opportunities for hunting.  Our good friends Eddie and Jess came over with their new dog, Boomer.  Boomer was introduced to hunting and we all had fun shooting at the range. One very special event was Brooks hunting with his Dad and Papa and getting to carry his own pheasant in his vest.  That was a special moment for that boy. 



Swimming with the Dickes kids at Bridge's Bay Water Park

Eddie and Andy with a few of their birds


One final warm November day we played at the brand new park in town along the lake.  Our kids are getting old for parks but that afternoon brought back memories of park play dates and it made this mama's heart happy.