Independence Day Celebration - July 4

After a good sleep-in, we woke up on the 4th ready for more fun!

Everyone ate a big breakfast and put on their suits so we were ready for the boat with the Mueting side of the family. 

We spent hours swimming, laying on the tube, having water gun fights, snacking, and then finally driving around the lake looking at all the people celebrating the 4th.

Liz and Andrew were also here to celebrate this year making the kids excited for some extra play time with them.

All kids fell asleep at some point on the boat making it a great way to relax after a busy few days.

After a delicious BBQ at our place, Andy entertained us all with fireworks as he trained Bennett in the art of lighting fireworks...oh boy.

We had such a fabulous 4th of July weekend and we are so thankful for the time with family!

Independence Day Celebration - July 3

We are so blessed to be close to family and this past holiday weekend is a great example of this.

On July 3 we celebrated Independence Day with the Van Beek side of the family.

Great food, campfire, company, playtime, and fireworks to top it all off. 

The kids love going to Cutty's Campground to see their cousins, aunts, and uncles.

Quite often we hear, "can we go to Cutty's?"

On this particular day, they played at the lake, mini golf course, made s'mores, rode bikes, went for a walk, and played at the park.

 To say they come home exhausted is an understatement. 

We watched the fireworks right on the sand on the beach. 

It was a perfect evening and we are so thankful we were right up front for the big fireworks show!

Residency Graduation Celebrations - Friday

Andy had a few seminars to attend on Friday, so the kids and I stayed busy by meeting up with Nina, Marie's best friend from Holy Cross School in Sioux City.

We played at a park and had a picnic at the "Big Pencil" aka Floyd Monument.

They were so happy to play with each other again.

We were all ready for some resting that afternoon.

After a nap, more swimming of course!  

Then it was time to get dressed up for Andy's Graduation Ceremony.

Grammy, Papa, and Grandma Nel joined us for the evening. 

Andy did a great job with his speech and he also accepted 2 awards - 1 for being the Chief Resident for 2014-2015, and 1 for his teaching of medical students when they rotate through the residency program. 

 Marie and Bennett went home with Grammy and Papa while Brooks stayed back with Grandma Nel at hotel. Andy and I enjoyed an evening out with our friends to celebrate his big accomplishment.

We are so proud of Andy and it's unbelievable to think that we are completely done with his medical school journey.

It was rough and bumpy but it has brought our family even closer. Andy works so hard at his career choice and I know he is such a good and passionate physician.

Residency Graduation Celebrations-Thursday

Thursday morning the kids and I packed up and headed to Sioux City to start our celebrations for Andy's graduation from the Siouxland Medical Education Foundation Residency Program.

Thanks to Aunt Liz, we made it out the door in time!

The boys had their final appointment at the clinic that morning, followed by lunch with Mara - our friend who was Andy's junior chief resident this past year.

It was a beautiful day, so after the check in at the hotel, we all went swimming!

Brooks loved his first adventure in the pool! He was splashing right along with his big brother and sister.

That evening was the annual picnic at Leif Erickson Park. 

The kids ran until they couldn't even walk anymore...they had a great time with their friends from the residency. It was a great way to say goodbye to them!

Community Heroes

The kids and I have been enjoying our summer library program in Spirit Lake. The theme was "Community Heroes."

We have been able to meet the police dog, doctors, nurses, firemen, and men & women in the armed forces.

The culmination was a Community Hero fair where the kids were able to tour and have hands-on experiences with the heroes themselves.

The firetruck was a huge hit!

Fathers Day

 On Sunday we enjoyed a low key family day at home to celebrate our super Dad.

We went to church, made him breakfast in bed and brunch, and took a little rest.

Then, when everyone was ready to roll, we played on the slip 'n slide for hours!

 It was a hot and sunny day so enjoyed the refreshing water.

The dogs even took a little dip, too.

 It wasn't all fun though, Dad took some time to build a sandbox under our new swing set. The kids love the added room for sand play and the shade provided by the swing set.

Great job, Dad!

We love you so much and are so proud of all your hard work...you are so close to being done with residency.  We can't wait to see you and play all month long in July!

Ahoy, Matee - Bennett is Three!

We continued our month of celebrations with Bennett's birthday. 

Somehow, he is already 3 years old!

We started the day off with a trip to a local donut shop. 

The kids love these donuts and had fun picking out the kind they wanted.

Bennett was showered with gifts and so many people came to help us celebrate.

We had tacos and chips - just what the birthday boy asked for!

 We have had a lot of fun playing with his new toys already: golf clubs, tractors, remote control car, slip 'n slide, and water guns too!

In the evening we had a Jake the Neverland Pirate Birthday party for our Pirate, Benny Boy.

He loved the theme and was so excited over the smallest part....treasure map napkins.

Andy and I worked hard on his pirate ship cake.

Unfortunately by party time the ship had run into some bad weather, but it still tasted good!

At three years old, Bennett is quite the comedian.

He keeps us all laughing most of the day with the things he says. 

Many things are not blog appropriate, so you'll just have to imagine!

He is tall, athletic, independent, spirited, and all boy. 

He has a sensitive side which leads to his feelings being hurt easily. 

His eyes are my downfall...he will get away with so many things because of those beauties. 

He loves his sister and brother, aunts, uncles, Grandmas, and Papa. 

Lately he has developed an interest in golf. He loves wearing his hunting boots, playing on the swing set, pretend fighting, wrestling, and riding his bike.

Bennett, you are a boy who changes all the time. Just when we think we have you figured out, you decide to be a little bit different which keeps us on our toes.

We love you so much and are so thankful for the boy you are growing up to be!

Happy Birthday!