Brooks - 6 months

This month has been a big one for you Brooks!

You have moved into your 2nd home, you now have your own room, and you are eating so many new foods.

 

 You love to be outside, especially when you are watching your brother, sister, and dogs running around.

You talk all the time and love playing with your voice. 

You are saying "dada" and lots of silly sounds too.

 

 You are not rolling over from your back to your tummy yet but that's ok...you are really good at rolling from your tummy to your back. You love books and toys that make noise.
You weigh 23 lbs and are such a big boy!  Many people comment on your size.

 No teeth have arrived, but you are chewing on everything and drooling a lot so teeth are close.

Your giggle is contagious and everywhere we go we hear comments about how happy you are.

You rarely cry because you are so content and happy.

 The dogs are much more interesting to you now and you often reach for them. Gus and Maya are patient and love having you pet them, especially Gus.

He tends to look out for you often.

 I am so thankful you are content, laid back, and relaxed because this past month has been such a busy one for our family. But you have adjusted so well.

What a blessing you are, Brooks Richard.
Slow down, life is moving too fast!

Uncle Nathan is Here!

 With Andy finishing his residency in Sioux City, the kids and I are needing to find ways to fill our time. Thankfully we have lots of family around to help us out!

This past week, Uncle Nathan came to play!

A little rain didn't slow us down.

Trips to the Maritime museum and Arnold's Park passed the time until the sunshine came!

 We enjoyed time on the boat with plenty of swimming and even tubing.

 Bennett enjoyed his first tube ride...constantly saying, 'faster faster faster!'

 Brooks loved spending the hot afternoon on the floor of the boat.

He had snacks, Papa, and plenty of attention.

Thanks Uncle Nathan - it was such a great weekend!

Aberdeen Trip

After living in our house for approximately 6 days, we decided a little break from unpacking would be nice. So we loaded up for a trip to Aberdeen, SD to visit Eddie, Jess, Hudson, and Beckett.

Everyone of us was ready for some play time!

We packed in a lot of fun in just 2 days.

Friday night was full of celebrating as we enjoyed treats and gifts for several birthdays, anniversaries, Andy's upcoming graduation from residency, and the new baby coming to the Dickes clan October 2015!

Saturday started out with a trip to Storybook Land. So many photos, so little time!

They followed the yellow brick road to all the slides and characters. 

 Beckett found a favorite spot early on.

 Captain Hook was there too!

 Of course our kids found the horses.

 We finished the trip with a ride on the carousel!

After some lunch and rest time, we decided to take the kids to the pool!  I have no pictures, but it was a great time...evidenced by the sound asleep kiddos.

 We had such a great visit - thanks for the hospitality Dickes Family!

Fun with Cousins

We spent some time in Sheldon last week playing with the Van Beek girls.

I love that the kids have cousins close to their age.  

At the end of our visits everyone is tired, sweaty, and ready to collapse - sign of a good time, right?

The kids played at the park, watched Abby play her softball game, and played with the puppies out at their farm.

Marie is Six

When I was One, I had just begun.

When I was Two, I was nearly new.

When I was Three, I was hardly me.

When I was Four, I was not much more.

When I was Five, I was just alive.

But now I am Six, I'm as clever as ever. 

So I think I'll be six now and forever. 

by A.A. Milne

 Marie celebrated her 6th birthday with pizza, ice cream, new skates, and playing with puppies. 

At 6, she wants to be a singer when she grows up.

Her favorite color is pink, she likes riding her bike and her scooter, she likes playing on the iPad.

She will be entering Kindergarten in the fall.

Marie, you are such a smart girl who is very helpful with your brothers and our dogs. 

You are sensitive and thoughtful, funny, and silly. 

We love watching you grow, but you can slow down anytime...

Hello Spirit Lake

If I were to list the things we have done and accomplished in the matter of one week it would probably blow up my computer....it's amazing. 

Every box is unpacked, the house is coming together, and we are settling in.

 One of the many projects Andy has completed is our kitchen table redo. He sanded it down and painted it turquoise and brown. It is gorgeous and here we are enjoying our first home cooked meal in the new house on the table.

 We have made time for fun, too.

We went to Arnold's Park, ate at Bob's, had ice cream, went fishing, played in the water, played at parks, and ventured out in the town exploring.

 We are really starting to feel at home!