Thanksgiving #1

On Saturday after Marie's final t-ball game, we packed up and drove to Sheldon for the Van Beek Thanksgiving.

The kids were so anxious to see everyone and play, play, play!

The meal was delicious, the house was loud and full of people, the games were rowdy, tummies were stuffed, and the kids were exhausted. 

Due to above fun NO pictures were taken!!! I felt terrible at the end of the night but honestly I was just having too much fun to stop and take a photo. Plus, we tend to not see our kids at the Van Beek gatherings because all the grand-kids are playing so hard together down in the basement...they usually come upstairs all sweaty and looking for more snacks and drinks before running back down.

 

Due to Andy's need for more hunting early Sunday morning, we randomly decided to stay overnight in Sheldon even though we were not prepared. 

The kids were so happy they got to stay overnight instead of drive back to Sioux City after the celebration. 

In the morning, we stayed in our jammies while helping Grandma Nel start her Christmas decorating. 

The night before we had taken down all her decorations from the attic while enjoying a trip down memory lane.  My mom saved a lot from our childhood and it is really fun to look through at favorite toys, books, and even diaries.

While Andy was up in the attic he found the Lincoln Logs.  He enjoyed helping the kids set a few cabins up before bed Thanksgiving night. 

Before leaving for home on Sunday, we enjoyed Thanksgiving meal leftovers (the best part) for lunch. 

We had a wonderful first Thanksgiving celebration and look forward to more later this week!

Welcoming a Long Winter

 On Saturday we welcomed our first big snowfall!

So our pumpkins outside are frozen and covered in the white stuff.  It doesn't exactly look like fall so I guess we are in for a loooong winter.

 It's a good thing this family likes snow. I have to admit I loved watching it fall down while I was inside listening to Christmas music and sipping my hot cocoa. 

Andy was of course out hunting while the kids were watching Frosty the Snowman.

We all took turns shoveling and even though I was advised against it, I did too. I love shoveling the first snow and I wasn't going to let being pregnant get in my way this time!

 Because of the road conditions our babysitter fell through for Saturday evening. So we decided to stay at home until we felt stir crazy at night. The boys went to a dinner/get-together for the residency while the girls went to a movie. 

Meanwhile, the dogs stayed warm at home!

Sometimes you just have to lick the plate...

 The past 2 weeks have been busy to say the least. Usually when Andy is on night float (2 more nights!!!) we try to keep our schedule pretty clear. However, sometimes real life just takes over!

On one of their hunting trips Gus came home with a sore paw. After a night he was limping and needed to go to the vet for medicine. Feeling sorry for himself, he refused to get out of the kennel so Marie decided to keep him company. 

This girl loves her dogs. 

Bennett has been transitioning to the toddler bed for a few weeks. 

He is doing pretty well with a few exceptions. 

1. He needs/wants us to lay next to him until he falls asleep.

2. He wakes up in the middle of the night and decides to sleep in the hallway.

3. He wakes up very early (like 5:15 early) ready for the day.

4. His naps are not very long leaving him quite tired (see number 3) and not very easy-going. 

It is improving and I am glad we are going through this now before I am waking up to feed the baby in the middle of the night.

 Maya girl also had a sore paw (same sore that Gus had) and she had her spay surgery this week.

We thought it would take her awhile to bounce back but less than 24 hours later she was crazy and ready to play with Gus. We are supposed to keep her quiet and calm for 2 weeks...not going to happen. 4 vet appointments later I think they are both on the mend...for now. 

Even though things have seemed out of our control lately, we have had little gifts of time as well. 

We enjoyed a surprise overnight stay from Grandma Nel complete with our favorite pizza and our favorite brunch. The kids enjoyed the chocolate fountain as you can see. 

 At my 31 week appointment, my blood pressure was lower than it has ever been while pregnant! 

This was such a relief to me. The baby is strong, healthy, and hopefully staying put until at least 38 weeks.

After a very tiring day, Andy decided to hang out at home until he was paged. Normally this happens at 6:01 p.m. as his shift starts at 6:00 p.m. 

However, he was able to stay home and play with kids, give them a bath, put them to bed, and put me to bed.

The kids didn't want him out of their sight all night...they love playing with their Dad.

Andy was able to bring Marie to school for the first time this year. It may seem like a small thing but I know it meant a lot to her.

Bennett was able to spend some time along with Mom and Dad as we had an appointment. Since he was such a good boy we took him out for a doughnut afterwards.  

So at the end of the past 2 weeks, we are tired, have a few scars, and are ready for life to be back to "normal;" however, we have made some pretty good memories along the way.

Like the chocolate fountain, life is messy; but we are never too busy to lick the plate.

A Busy Halloween Weekend

After a full night of trick-or-treating throughout the neighborhood with some friends, the kids were exhausted and so were Mom & Dad.

But, we had to wake up bright and early in the morning for Marie's T-Ball game and pictures. 

Andy is coaching Marie's team every Saturday morning through the end of November. 

It's been a good experience so far and a great way for the two of them to spend some time together. 

 After T-Ball we packed up into the van for a trip to Spirit Lake. 

We are moving forward with a house there and had some business to do in town. 

We enjoyed a trip to our favorite cookie store as well as Horseshoe Bend. 

The kids and dogs ran around and around climbing trees and discovering the paths.

It was definitely chilly but a good way to use up some energy from the long drive.

We were able to spend some time at Grammy & Papa's house too. 

The kids got to stay and play with them while we worked on more housing business on Sunday. 

It was a busy, full, and productive weekend for us!

Andy begins night float again this week - it's our final 2 weeks of night float...ever!

We are all more than happy this stage of residency will be over!

Pheasants, Parties, & Pumpkins, oh my!

This weekend marked the Iowa pheasant opener.  

After coaching Marie in her t-ball game, Andy, Papa Joe, and Nathan headed out with the dogs in search of pheasants while Grammy, Marie, Bennett and I went to lunch and enjoyed the beautiful fall day including relaxing, going for a walk, swinging, and playing outside.

The dogs and guys were successful and they had a great first day out.

 

 In the evening we attended a Halloween party given by Marie's school.

The kids were anxious to wear their costumes (one girl more than one boy) and off we went!

Marie dressed as "Merida" from "Brave; Bennett a Nebraska Football Player

We played Bingo, jumped in the bounce house, and Marie even got her nails painted.

After the party we went for ice cream followed by telling spooky ghost stories before bed. 

Uncle Nathan stayed overnight for a slumber party.

Both kids were so happy he was here to play with them for awhile this weekend!

*****

We also carved out some time to carve our family pumpkins this weekend. 

Marie and Bennett both wanted to design their own jack-o-lantern faces while Andy carved the requested dragon "Toothless" from the "How to Train your Dragon" movies. 

 We carved, danced and sang to spooky music, and even roasted pumpkin seeds.

Happy Halloween!

Dog Training

Everyone knows we love our dogs.

But during the fall, we spend even more time with them because of hunting season.  

Although I am not the one hunting, we all pitch in with training.

Marie and Bennett are no different...they love to take the dogs out and work on commands with the dogs. 

One of their favorite games to play with the dogs is "bird down." 

This is where they drag a dummy with pheasant scent around in the tall grass without the dogs seeing.

Then they open the kennel and yell "bird down."

The dogs run out and try to find the hidden treasure.

Training also includes making sure the dogs are not "gun shy" by introducing the loud noise of a shot gun followed by praise.

With this being Maya's first hunting season and only the second season for Gus, we have been spending a lot of time training.

The kids are always anxious for this job but with it comes a lot of safety training and responsibility. 

Andy spends a lot of time teaching the kids about safe ways to train and hunt. 

This marked the first year that Marie was allowed to help with the gun sound training. 

She (with a LOT of Daddy's help) shot the gun (with proper ear protection).

She loved the experience and was very responsible with it. 

Even I took my turn with the gun...belly and all.

Thankfully Maya kept running around playing as if she heard nothing at all. 

We are anxious for a fun and safe hunting season for Andy & the dogs!

Still Here...

Life has taken over and I can't believe how busy we can feel at times!

In between school activities, appointments, and work we are finding time to have fun.  

 One Sunday afternoon we helped Grandma Nel with some yard work. Everyone ended up coming to help so the kids had a great time with their cousins followed by pizza at night. 

This was an unplanned get together but it was just what we all needed. Lots of laughter and family time.

 Marie attended a big sister class at St. Luke's Hospital.

She learned how to put a diaper on, toured the labor & delivery unit and postpartum areas, and talked with other siblings about how they can help when the new baby arrives. 

She had a great time and jumped right in on the diaper changing....good news for mom and dad!

 At the end of the night they all put on their big sister/big brother backpacks and visited a newborn in the nursery.

As I am approaching week 29, I am noticing that my tummy is much bigger and chores around the house are taking their toll!  Today as I was folding laundry and making beds, Marie noticed I was tired and offered to help.  God knew what he was doing when he gave Marie to us first. She is such a big helper and I know I will be so thankful to have her around to keep the younger boys and dogs in line.

 Bennett is following in his Dad's footsteps and can only talk about football and hunting this fall.

Dad picked up a few toy shotguns which Bennett and Marie love to play "hunting" with in the basement while they look for pheasants and turkeys.

He loves helping Dad train the dogs and he is always ready to put on his Husker gear for Saturday football games. 

He is also taking up driving...he needs some work but doesn't he look cute?

This fall is flying by but we are having a ball so far!