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!

Goodbye Sioux City

During the last week in May, we were packed up and moved out of our home in Sioux City.

It was bittersweet as all of our moves have been. 

We made sure to enjoy a few of our favorite places the last week.

We stopped by "Play All Day" and the kids had a great time...even Brooks was old enough to play.

We ate dinner at The North End Zone...our favorite place. The kids played video games while we ate the best.pizza.ever. 

We also celebrated Andy's birthday during that last week.

Andy is finishing up the last few weeks of residency here and there with his graduation to come the end of June.

Sioux City was a great place to live and we really enjoyed our 3 years there. 

That home was perfect for us and it will always be special to us. 

We not only welcomed 2 boys while living there, but also 2 dogs!

It was a busy, fast, and memorable 3 years!

Brooks - 5 Months

 You have grown so much this month Brooks!

You roll from your tummy to your back very well now and are trying really hard to go from your back to your tummy.

You talk, talk, talk and love it when your sister and brother read you books.

 You laugh the hardest at your sister...she can always get a good smile out of you.

You love to chew on toys and everyone's fingers because you are teething.

 

We have tried some foods this month. So far, you like everything you have tried: pears, avocado, raspberries, bananas, and grapes.

 This month will be a big step for you as we move into our new house! 

Grandpa Rick

Dear Marie, Bennett, and Brooks,

It has been 21 years since my dad passed away.

I remember getting ready for his funeral that morning, I can still hear the blow dryer in my ears while my mom continued on with her "mom" duties even though she wished she could fall apart. 

I remember calling my friend and wanting to go play even though I wasn't sure it was ok to wish for "normal."

I remember riding my bike in the wind and barely being able to pedal up the hill because the wind was so strong.

I remember listening to his friends and the minister talk about him with such positivity. 

They spoke about how he faced his trials and troubles head on even when most people would fall apart.

Sitting in the pew, I never imagined my life as an adult.  I never pictured going to college and graduating without him.  I never pictured me walking down the aisle without him. I never pictured my kids not having their Grandpa Rick.

 

All I could do at the age of 10 was simply put one foot in front of the other.

I woke up the next morning and went to school.

I played with my friends.

I watched cartoons, I ate popsicles, and I rode my bike.

Grandma Nel worked so hard as my mom. 

She took on the role of mother and father.

 Even though he wasn't with me every day, his attitude and example guided me.

When life was hard, I looked back to how he handled his injury.

When I began dating, I imagined him interviewing the poor guys.

When I got married, I actually pictured/saw him next to me in the aisle.

When I had my children, he helped me get through the deliveries safely.

On a recent trip to the cemetery, we did our usual cleaning and talking. 

But this time, Marie and Bennett, you were intensely present. 

You asked such good questions and you really wanted to know as much about Grandpa Rick as possible. 

You spoke about horses (his favorite), we talked about how he liked to play basketball and golf, you climbed on his stone and said it was his lap, you sang songs, you ran around, and you almost seemed giddy. 

At first, I didn't think much of it. But now I know that Grandpa Rick was there with us that night. 

I truly believe you were sitting on his lap. I believe he watched you run around and that he was laughing at our silly games. 

I believe he calmed the winds so we could set our flowers out. 

I believe he rubbed your head, Brooks, and calmed you.

And I believe he gave me the words to say as you asked your many questions. 

 So, as you get older. We will continue this tradition of visiting Grandpa Rick. 

I believe he has more in store for you that we can ever imagine.