Summer 2020

 The summer of 2020 has been a whirlwind of our favorite things. We have very few organized activities, many of our camps were shut down, and we have limited responsibilities or things on the schedule besides work. This has been a blessing that has opened us up to more time together enjoying many of the things we love.

Our babysitter from the previous summer returned and has spent her days playing with the kids just like they hoped.  Emily takes them swimming at the lake, out for ice cream, hiking, picnics to the parks, and she is learning how to bake thanks to Marie. 

Our free time is spent playing all of our favorite sports outside, riding bikes, hiking with dogs, camping, finding frogs, fishing, swimming in the lakes, boating, enjoying our fire pits, and getting as much family time as we can. 

 Here are some highlights:

getting better at family selfies

Falls Park

Bennett is the king of jumping off the boat

4th of July fireworks on the boat

date night thanks to Grandma Nel

time with the Dickes clan

4-H photo entries

drive in movie night

Brooks the frog whisperer

family camping trip

new hog barn in the family

these kiddos are too good at mini golf

Marie completed the BEST shooting program

Camp Foster still happened!

Eight is Great for Bennett

Summer is a time of cake and ice cream at our house and Bennett knew just how he wanted to celebrate his big birthday.  We had to make some minor adjustments due to Covid, but we still had a fabulous time.

We invited a few friends to play outside, eat donuts, and socialize...it had been so long since I had seen him run and play with friends and really laugh the way your friends can make you laugh.

His friends were so thoughtful and kind with the way they greeted him, celebrated him, and even found just the right gifts for him. 

We also celebrated with family - lasagna, cousin time, a difficult yet amazingly fun cake, and fireworks.

Happy birthday Bennett...you are smart, funny, and I know you will do great things!

Marie is 11!

 This girl turned 11!!  

It was only fitting that on her birthday she was able to demonstrate her variety of interests by having her dance recital (Covid style) and also receiving a new basketball, volleyball, and net!

Marie is a good student, great friend, and even better daughter and sister.  

She continues to grow and mature in ways that are astounding to us.  She loves to read, play outside, be with her dogs, make her friends laugh, and help her brothers.  

Marie - you are a delight and we are so blessed to have you in our life. 

Spring Time Happenings

It's always hard to believe how fast time flies.  This spring was unique and different in so many ways: no soccer, no baseball, no end of school year celebrations.  Even though our events were cancelled and life was a little more quiet, time still flew by.  We have been challenging ourselves by trying new things, staying active, and spending as much time with family as we can.  So one night enjoyed ourselves on the boat together with pizza and a sunset.

 Another adventure we fit in was a trip on the Queen with Grandma Nel.  The wind was blowing but the ride was smooth and fun to take in.  The last time we made time for this ride was when Brooks was only 7 months old.

The kids also learned how quickly litter can add up...we took some time on a Friday picking up litter around Spirit Lake.  They began to get excited each time they found something to pick up and often uttered, "C'mon people use the trash cans!"

Along with the end of the school year and beginning of summer, we welcome in our full month of celebrations.  Dad started us out with his birthday May 23.  Bennett made him breakfast, blueberry scones, and Marie made him a delicious pie and we all got to enjoy it together.  

With the end of May sneaking up on us came the end of the school year and the anticipation of summer!

We all learned a lot with our home school experience this spring...these kids were troopers but they are definitely hoping for a regular school year starting in the fall!