Weekend Wrap-Up

Andy is back on night for 2 weeks which means a change in schedules again. This is not our favorite rotation in residency and we are excited that this will be the last for nights (except for call) until this spring.  It's amazing how quickly the kids react to this schedule change...and by "react" I mean "decide to throw fits and be as naughty as possible right before dad needs to leave for work at 6."

Uggh residency. 

Anyway, we are "adjusting" which is just a nice way of saying "getting through it and counting the days until the rotation ends."

After Andy left for work on Friday night he called me to tell me to get into the basement - we were under a tornado warning. I quickly got the kids and Gus downstairs. 

We ended up having to stay in the basement for about 2 hrs until it was past us. Thankfully we only had a bit of wind and rain. 

The kids handled it well and now Marie knows our safety plans for fire and tornado by heart.  While I was explaining it all to her she interrupted me and asked, "do we have a snow plan too?"  I assured her we did - go to the store to get milk, bread, and rush home to watch movies and drink hot chocolate!

After a few hours of sleep for Andy on Saturday, we went out for lunch so we could watch part of the Husker game.  The kids love sporting events and Marie was disappointed we were watching it on TV and not at the stadium. 

Randomly while eating pizza and coloring on the menu she would yell "Go Big Red - Get 'em!"

We were given a bit of relief this weekend when Grammy & Papa came to spend the afternoon and evening with the kiddos.  

Andy & I made the most with our time away by getting haircuts, running errands, going to a movie, and even grabbing dinner & drinks. 

It was a great night and we are so thankful our parents are always willing to help out when we need it.

Sunday was very relaxed as we tried to rest up after a busy Saturday while enjoying family time- something we never seem to have enough of during these busy weeks. 

 The boys slept quite a bit while the girls baked brownies and colored. 

We are having a week of beautiful fall weather so we hope to get outside as much as we can while it lasts!

So much fun!

 Sunday morning we welcomed the Van Meeteren Family to our house for a little visit.  We were happy to host them for brunch and caught up as best we could for a few hours while the kiddos played.  Marie was smitten with baby Max of course while Piper & Bennett played with the toys. 

Once again - too short of a visit but we hope to see them again soon!  

We love getting together with them!

***
After a little rest, we headed to the pumpkin patch near Sioux City with some of the other residents and their families.

The kids LOVED the visit. 

They spent so much time in the corn pool it was crazy - corn was everywhere when we got home. 

 Another big hit was the jumping pillow. 

Andy & I love this activity too - it's so much fun. 

Bennett was giggling so hard he could hardly catch his breath at one point.

 We climbed on giant pumpkins, pet the animals, fed the animals, and even had s'mores by the bonfire.

 Bennett loved walking through the pumpkins and always tried lifting the heaviest ones. 

Marie is like her dad - always searching for the perfect pumpkin.

 

This was such a fun trip to the pumpkin patch!

Marie is already asking to go back for more...

Until next year!

Saturday Projects

 Saturday was a day full of projects at our house. Andy worked all day on our new entryway floor.  

He ripped up an area of carpet and put down some laminate flooring that matches our kitchen floor. 

It was a big project that we have been wanting to do since we bought the house.

Andy had lots of help from the kids, too!

 

While Andy worked on the floor, the kids and I played outside. 

Marie has been working on her own project - riding her bike on the hills around our house.  She has been practicing in our garage, then moved to our driveway, then a flat parking lot near our house, and she is officially able to go down on the sidewalk past 2 houses, turn around, and then make it back to our house.  She is so proud of herself and we are proud of her too!

 

We also made a family tree canvas to hang near our front door.  

We needed a new one that included Gus. 

Marie loved helping me get it put together. 

 

After a quick supper we headed the park until sunset.

What a busy Saturday!

Friday Night Lights

On Friday night we made a quick trip down to Omaha to watch Andy's cousin, Hunter, play in a high school football game. It was the perfect night for a football game. 

The kids absolutely loved being able to be at the game, watch and cheer for our #44, and of course eat concession stand snacks. 

We also got to see his mom & brother Jackson.  

Bennett and Jackson hit it off right away.

 We also got to visit with the new baby in the Mueting Family - Kinsley Sheldon.  Andy's cousin Courtney and her husband Dustin just welcomed her to their family 2 weeks ago - Marie was in love.

 

 What a great night!  

Ahhh Fall

 We woke up Sunday morning to crisp cool air blowing in through the windows. 

Immediately we had the idea to take a hike at one of our favorite parks. 

So, after french toast and a nice big pot of coffee we took off for our hike!

 

We really love spending time outdoors...in any season really. 

Marie & I spotted a giant spider that was yellow and black. 

Benny watched turkey vultures fly overhead.

We played at the park and hiked through tall, tall grass.

 

We all took turns throwing the pheasant scented dummy for Gus while he searched through the fields. This dog would play fetch every second of every day if possible. 

It's so fun to watch him be trained by Andy.  Brings back so many fun memories of the two of us training Charlie. 

 

The boys split off to do some serious training while the girls played at the park some more and searched for butterflies.

Marie & I have been spending so much time playing "pretend' lately.  Even on this walk while we were consumed with nature we had to pretend that we were Pocahontas searching for treasure. 

This big imagination of hers continues to grow and grow.

 

We had such a wonderful morning enjoying our hike and each other. 

Andy is currently finishing his last night of his 2 week night float. 

We have 2 weeks of him working days and then another 2 weeks of nights. 

We are so thankful we have 2 weeks of a regular schedule ahead of us!

Poor Bennett

After Andy left for work on Friday night, the kids and I decided to go the park.  We spent time swinging, eating a little picnic, and went down the slide a time or two.  During one of the trips down the slide, Bennett's leg got caught and twisted behind him.  He cried and whined a bit but I thought it was mostly due to him being tired. 
We went home soon after and noticed he wouldn't walk.  I stood him up and he immediately lifted his left leg and wouldn't put pressure on it.  I wasn't too worried so I waited a little while and then after about 20 minutes or so he was starting to appear in pain.  

I texted Andy and he suggested to bring him in to see him at the hospital.  Unfortunately when we got there Andy was called to a c-section.  

We ended up being seen in the ER by several physicians who work with Andy so we were well taken care of.  Andy came down and was able to be with us as Bennett got some pain medication and an X-Ray which showed a fracture in his tibia.

He doesn't have to be in a full cast, just wrapped tightly with an ace wrap bandage and we are managing his pain with Motrin and Tylenol.  Bennett was such a trooper through the entire ER visit.  Marie kept busy with popsicles and asking many questions. We didn't get back home until about 10:00 pm so the kids and I were all exhausted.

He can't walk on his leg but is able to crawl. Today he started putting tiptoe pressure on it while standing.  He seems annoyed that he can't get around easily but overall he is handling this pretty well.

Hopefully he heals quickly so we can get back to normal!

Fun at Spencer Fair

We headed to the fair in Spencer this weekend with 

Grandma Nel, Papa, & Grammy.

 It was so hot we just kept on moving right along barely stopping for anything...except to pet as many animals as we could find,

 

moo at the cows endlessly,

 

ride the carousel,

 

fly a plane or two,

 

ride the ferris wheel,

 

and of course eat as much as we could!

Bennett loved the fried mac 'n cheese (as does his mother) and root beer floats.

Marie enjoyed her chocolate shake and kettle corn. 

We also devoured a bloomin' onion and salted nut rolls.

 Ahh fair food.

Andy & I went on one "adult ride" as Marie put it.  

I love riding scary amusement park rides with Andy - he gets so nervous and half the fun is watching him.

The last adventure was the big slide. Bennett was sound asleep in the stroller so Marie, Dad, and Mom went down together. 

We wrapped up our day with popcorn and football.

It was such a fun way to spend a Saturday and a rare day off for Andy.

Andy is working nights right now so we are in an odd schedule.  He is pretty much always tired with this schedule and sacrifices sleep so he can play with the kids. 

The kids are missing him, I'm missing him, and he is missing all of us.

We will be ready for this schedule to be over!