Happy 5th Birthday, Marie Beth!

Marie is 5!  

She woke up this morning claiming she felt older, bigger, and taller. 

She requested french toast for her birthday breakfast and wore her brand new maxi skirt and tank top to school - an outfit from Grammy & Papa that she had been wanting for soooo long.  

What a big girl.

During breakfast I gave her a birthday interview and here are her answers:

Favorite color - "blue, no pink, no yellow, well really I love rainbows so I guess rainbows are my favorite color!"

Favorite food - "pizza, no tacos, no watermelon. Well I like all of those things, and cheeseburgers."

Future career - "a mommy...but if I want to do 2 things like you do then I should be a speech teacher and a mommy because it looks like you are having fun, mom"

Best Friend - Alissa, Abby, Lauren, Bella, and Sophie.

Favorite Movie - Sleeping Beauty, Ariel, Frozen, and Despicable Me

Favorite Toy - Baby Aurora

Favorite Dessert - Ice Cream

Favorite Summer Activity - swimming and boating

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For her birthday she invited 6 friends from preschool. They had a blast at our house doing an obstacle course designed by Dad which included throwing water balloons at him.

She picked out a castle birthday cake which was constructed by dad, mom, and Marie. 

It turned out well with help from all of us.

 

******

Marie, you are such a sweet girl who truly cares about others feelings. You have such great empathy for your family, friends, and animals. You are bright, silly, humorous, smart, inquisitive, and kind. 

We can't wait to experience age 5 with you as you continue to grow!

Boat Birthday Party

With Bennett and Marie's birthdays so close together, we decided to have a joint birthday bash with family this year. Immediately Marie suggested a boat party at Okoboji.

After a few gifts at Grammy & Papa's house, we went to Arnold's Park to ride a few rides. 

 

Next we enjoyed dinner, campfire, and presents with everybody at Cutty's.  Both Chris & Mindy and Paul & Keri were camping there for the weekend which gave us the perfect place for our little get together.  

The kids were spoiled like crazy with presents and lots of attention.  It was a little cool that day so the campfire was definitely needed!

On Sunday we all met on the lake with 2 boats, 1 lily pad, 1 tube, and lots of snacks!

The kids and adults had a blast swimming, eating, relaxing on the lake.  

The weather was perfect for the boat party!

First Bennett took a little snooze - the boat always puts him right to sleep

 

We ended our night with dinner at Braco's and ice cream at Arnold's Park. 

It was a long day but so much fun!

We drove back to Sioux City that night with a car load full of gifts and tired kiddos.

Vacation Time

Andy took a few days off to end May so we have been enjoying a little vacation time.

The kids have loved having Dad around all day. 

It became hot very quickly so we had fun playing in the water in our backyard.

 

Marie and Andy also got to spend a night in the tent until it started to rain on them.  At 12:30 the 2 of them came back into the house. Marie loves to camp in the backyard. Before they fell asleep, she took the flashlight and checked the yard for "dangers."

We also took a trip to the Omaha Zoo.

 Even though it was a hot day we still made sure to see just about every animal we could find. 

Marie loved the tigers and Bennett had so much fun seeing the fish in the aquarium.

 These kids love carousels...

 

At the end of the day - ice cream was in order!

Poor Bennett couldn't even finish his treat before falling asleep. 

It was a great day!

Memorial Day

To celebrate Memorial day we traveled to Rock Valley to remember our Grandpa Rick together as a family with the Van Beek family. 

First we enjoyed lunch at Paul and Keri's home and then spent time at the cemetary. 

 

The kids helped Grandma Nel clean of the headstones while we shared memories and stories. 

This is a very important time every year and I am thankful the kids are getting used to this tradition. 

 That evening we also had a BBQ with some of Andy's coworkers. It was held at an acreage outside of town so the kids were very busy exploring and going on adventures.  

After dinner and a giant bonfire, we headed home before the thunderstorm.

On Monday, we enjoyed time at home finishing up our planting in the garden.  We have several vegetables this year and we are anxious to see them grow!

Happy Birthday Dad!

To celebrate Andy's birthday, we went out for pizza and to the Explorer's baseball game as a family.

The kids loved the baseball game and we had great weather to celebrate.

Bennett we really into the game and seemed to be taking it all in very carefully. 

Marie loved the cotton candy, nachos, pop, and popcorn.

Happy Birthday, Dad!  

We love you so much and are so thankful for you!

Successful Surgery Day

We are all smiles!

Bennett's surgery went very well this morning and it was as fast as ever. 

Andy brought Bennett to the surgery center while I brought Marie to school.

I walked in just in time to give Bennett a hug & kiss and put him in the wagon.

The past day or 2 he was been attached to this baby doll and it even went with him in the wagon to surgery.

 

About 10 minutes after he was pulled away the surgery was finished and we were getting ready to go see him already.

He was calm, sleepy, and very thirsty when he arrived in the recovery room. 

We were home by 9 a.m. ready to eat and play.

We are hoping this makes a positive change in our little guy and how he feels!