Happy 2nd Birthday to Brooks Richard

Somehow this little child of ours is 2!  

Nevermind, I know exactly how he is 2...he eats, plays, sleeps, laughs, reads, learns, tests us, stumbles, and perseveres every single day. He is a joy to us and we are beyond thankful for this sweet boy. 

To celebrate his birthday on this cold and snowy weekend, we enjoyed time as a family - scooping snow, playing basketball, watching movies, reading books, and decorating cookies.

We also enjoyed presents, songs, games, pizza, and cake with Brooks' Grandparents. 

Brooks Richard, you are turning into such a sweet and smart boy. 

You love to be with your Daddy, Uncles, Papa, and brother - guy time is one of your favorite things.

However, you also need cuddle time with your Mommy, Grandmas, Aunts, and sister. 

You are very smart and you love to learn new things, trying as hard as you can until you get it right. 

Just like your brother, you were a strong silent type until recently when you started putting so many words together. You ask many questions and need to know where everyone is at all times. 

"Where Daddy go?"  (I can't even tell you HOW MANY TIMES you ask that question...)

Trucks, superheros, Mickey Mouse, and sports are some of your favorite toys. 

You also love to play with your baby doll - feeding him and changing his diaper.  

Maya is a favorite of yours as well. You like to cuddle with her during the day right before nap time.

We love you so very much and are excited to see what you learn over this next year!

Christmas Baking

We have had some busy bakers in our house this week. Extra time and care was spent on our sugar cookies and gingerbread cookies this year. 

Everyone was full of flour and frosting after this event!

  

 Brooks was pretty helpful this year actually...cutting out and frosting one cookie.

 

Marie and Bennett take their time and they both have their specific talents. Marie loves to decorate while Bennett loves to make his cookies as tall as possible with as much frosting as the cookie can hold!

Marie's Christmas Program

 Marie was a part of the elementary Christmas program on December 8. 

This girl loves to sing, dance, perform, and have just a little attention on her. 

The kids did a great job and the songs were in our heads for a few days afterwards!

Following the performance, we were joined by all the grandparents for dinner and Christmas treats. 

Thanksgiving 2016

 

This Thanksgiving Holiday can be described in one word: laughter.

We enjoyed silly games with both sides of our family using these crazy and uncomfortable mouth pieces.

Only family can put themselves in these odd situations and still love each other right? So much fun for adults and the kids. 

 Marie enjoyed a special one on one day with Dad and Maya Thanksgiving morning. 

I love that the two of them were able to sneak away and spend some time together. This girl is strong and capable and I love that about her.

 

 Seeing all our aunts and uncles makes our kids sooo happy.

Our kids have some of the best.

 Cheering at the tv for football was also a way we spent our Holiday while cuddling babies and shopping too!

 Marie is a special helper and she loved taking care of Allie and Ryan.

 

 

 Best photobomb ever!

 We are so very thankful and this weekend was a perfect reminder of our blessings: 

a warm and happy house that is filled with people we love and a

family who loves us no matter what and will always be there for us.

New Adventures

 Bennett was able to finally cross"learn ice skating," off his to-do list. 

He was so excited to spend a night with us on the ice and it was so much fun! Brooks even gave it a go on the ice with his boots. He was brave and loved learning.  We will definitely go back again.

The next day Marie was in her first fashion show put on by our local mall.

She was able to pick out 2 outfits and modeled them down the runway. She was a little nervous but did a great job!

 Bennett is loving his first experience of real school in the preschool program at the elementary school. He was recognized for "fairness" by the principal and got to eat a snack in the principal's office!

 Bennett and Brooks have loved going to our local library for storytime. This fall we made our own artisan bread with ingredients mixed together at the library and then baked at home. These two are forming quite the brotherly bond.

We attended the "Disney on Ice" show in Sioux Falls with Grandma Nel, Mindy, Alissa, Abby, and Anneke. 

The kids loved it, especially Brooks. When he saw Mickey & Minnie skate on the ice he jumped up and down and yelled, "Hi!"

Watertown Visit

 It was our turn to take the trip to see the Dickes clan.

We enjoyed a beautiful fall weekend full of shopping, eating, playing, football, parks, walks, and just about everything else you can think of.

Bennett has proven to be such a good helper with babies and he loved spending time with little Everett. He was always helping him and holding him.

 We love our time with this crew...even if the Huskers had a loss that weekend.