Snow, Swimming, and Spring

This weekend was jam packed with so many fun adventures.  When we told Marie about our plans for the weekend she described it as a "party weekend" and she was exactly right!

It started on Friday with an unexpected spring snowfall which finally gave us the right kind of snow for our first real snowman this year.  The kids had a blast playing in the yard and enjoying what is hopefully our final snow for this season. It is spring after all, right?

After playing in our yard we decided to take Gus on a little hike for some fetch. While Gus was chasing the tennis ball Marie was busy rolling down the hill over and over again.

Saturday morning we woke up on time and took off for Storm Lake. Papa and Grammy met us at the King's Pointe indoor waterpark for a day of swimming. What a great time!  The kids didn't stop moving until their tummies were grumbling. After a quick lunch they were back in the water for more. Marie loved the big slides and Bennett loved the splashing area and slides, too. Needless to say both kids were exhausted and they enjoyed a good nap in the car on the way back to Sioux City. 

But they couldn't rest for long...Saturday evening we hosted a residency get-together at our house to watch the Final Four games as well as welcome a new resident and her family to the program.  The kids played with all the other kids all night long.  It was definitely a full Saturday for us all!

Sunday was a day of rest...church, naps for all of us, and a trip to one of our favorite places. 

Gus was in need of a good run and the kids were ready to play at the playground. Sunday was gorgeous weather and we couldn't resist getting outside to enjoy the spring day.  

 

 

 

 

 

    

Spring Fever...Coming on Strong!

What a beautiful weekend!

We were finally able to get outside and play...this house is ready for warmer weather and outside time. 

This past week was kind of a crazy one so we were ready to relax and enjoy the weekend.

Grandma Nel came on Saturday afternoon to play and stay overnight for some extra time with the kids. We enjoyed the park, church, delicious brunch, and even some shopping.

The kids were so happy to have her here to play. They love their time with their Grandparents.

 Our "blue park" (as Marie calls it) was missed over the winter. The kids ran to the equipment ready to explore!  It's fun to see how they are a little unsure of themselves on some of the more difficult parts of the playground their first trip in the spring but then their confidence builds so quickly!  Bennett was much more into it than I remember compared to this past fall.

After our first grilled brats of the summer we enjoyed a little more play time with chalk before relaxing with a movie.  Weekends are so important for our family to reconnect and we are always thankful for the time we get to share together.

Goodbye Sadie Girl

On Tuesday morning we had to say goodbye to our Sadie girl.

She came to my house when I was 16 years old and she needed a home. Right away I had a connection with this little black dog with tiny and rather silly looking ears. 

She was such a stinker as a puppy. She ran, she chewed, she destroyed furniture. 

Sadie loved to run in open areas, roll in the snow, lay in the sun, chew and hide bones, and eat anything that came across her path.  She never liked to hear people cry and would often hide if the room got to loud.

Sadie mastered the skill of whining until you get what you want early on in life which made eating meals around her interesting.

She loved to play fetch in her early days and would often go running with me while I went rollerblading in high school.

 

Sadie lived through so many adventures with our family.  

Everyone of the grandchildren knew and loved Sadie.

She lived through more ear pulling then any other dog I know. 

 We are so thankful for the 14 years we had with her. 

Sadie was such a companion for us all, but especially my mom. 

She will be missed greatly.

Happy Birthday Anneke

 On Saturday we got to head over to Chris and Mindy's new house to celebrate Anneke's 2nd Birthday!

The kids love playing with their cousins and with their new house they had even more room to do so.

Anneke and Bennett played trains, kitchen, and would randomly just hug each other over and over.

Meanwhile the big girls stayed busy with hide-and-seek and watching/singing "Frozen."

 Andy also got to take Bennett on a tractor ride. 

I am not sure who enjoyed it more!

We left pretty late so the kiddos fell asleep quickly on the ride back to Sioux City which made it a nice peaceful ride for mom and dad!

C'mon Spring!

Even though we have had some nice weather this past week we have also been dealing with a sickness bug...that lasted, and lasted, and lasted! It started with Bennett and then hit Marie. So we have had a lot of togetherness time at home with movies, books, and anything we could do while trying to get better. 

So we played farm and fed our animals.

 Made a little trip to the book store to avoid the stir craziness we were feeling.

 Kicked the soccer ball in the backyard.

 And Bennett tried to follow in his big sister's footsteps.

During this time, Andy was on a big trip with the guys to the Big 10 Basketball Tournament in Indianapolis. Uncle Don, Andy, Nathan, Joe, and Andrew were all there.

They had a great time watching basketball, watching basketball, watching basketball, oh and playing basketball. This was just the trip they wanted to celebrate Papa Joe's 60th Birthday!

We also got to enjoy a visit from Aunt Liz!  The kids had so much fun playing all day with her and were officially exhausted at the end of the day.

 

Now we are hoping that everyone stays healthy as we get ready for warmer weather and more time outside!

March Mudness

Sunday was such a beautiful day we just knew we had to spend as much time outside as possible. 

After doing a few chores outside and inside it was play time!

Marie was outside for over 4 hours straight barely even taking time for a sip of water!

She stayed busy helping Dad move sticks, swinging, going down the slide, filling the bird feeder with seed, and playing fetch with Gus of course.

 

Gus was just a little excited for this day too!

 

With the warm weather came a muddy mess of a backyard.

We all wore our boots and continued on!

These 2 kids are becoming pretty good friends...looking forward to summer already!

 After all this mud came a much needed bath- this time with bath crayons!  

The kids (and mom & dad) had a great time doodling all over the tub and shower.

Everyone was exhausted after this fun day!

 

Mr. Gus is One!

Gus, you officially turned 1 year old on March 6th...and what a year it has been!

You came to us at a time where we definitely needed a little pick-me-up as your big brother Charlie wasn't feeling too well.

The kids instantly loved your playful, cheerful, and loving demeanor.

You learn things so quickly which is why we get a little upset when you choose to do something naughty...you are just too smart sometimes Mr. Gus. 

Some of your not-so-nice habits - begging and stealing food, pulling the leash on a walk, laying on our lay-z-boy when we are not home, chewing on things that are not yours, and digging...oh the digging.

However, your good habits definitely outweigh those naughty ones.

You enjoy so many things but your absolute favorite thing to do is play fetch...with anything - a shoe, a broken stick, a ball, one of the kids' toys, even a clump of dirt.

"Full of energy" is a phrase that describes you quite perfectly.  But, at night when the kids are calming down you like to find a spot to curl up and fall fast asleep. Cuddling is definitely one of your best qualities...you like to sit as close to us as possible and enjoy your ears being scratched.

Hunting is also something you enjoy especially when you are with Dad and your friends. 

You make friends very well and love to play with other dogs.
You enjoy chewing on bones, peanut butter, biscuits, and just about anything that Bennett is eating.
You sleep at the foot of our bed on your own little bed but usually try to make it up to our bed during the night. You are protective of the kids and our home especially when Dad is out of the house.


Happy Birthday Gussie!  We love you so much!