Thanksgiving and Baby Lauren

 

On November 19 we welcomed a new baby girl into the family!

Andrew & Liz welcomed Lauren Drew on November 19th. 

 We were all able to go visit her after Thanksgiving and get some play time in with Ryan & Allie. 

 

We all took our turns oohing and aahing while holding the little sweetie.  

We also took a little trip into Cedar Falls for a Santa welcoming party.  This turned into a rainy mess but we had fun, danced, and ate cupcakes. After we were soaked, we headed to the hotel for swim time!

 

 We also squeezed in a little trip to the Falls in Sioux Falls.  

The kids were cold but we loved climbing on the rocks, hearing the music, and seeing the changing lights.   

Halloween

Our Halloween was cooooollllddd...but we still had a blast.  

Every year our elementary school puts on a Halloween parade for the kids and teachers.  The grade levels really get into it and all the parents are invited to watch and enjoy the show.  It has become one of my favorite traditions. 

After a full day of Halloween fun at school and work, we headed out for some trick or treat fun!

Marie spent some time going around different neighborhoods with friends while the boys went around with their dear old parents.  

These kids are growing up and we are trying to soak in all the moments that we can.  

Halloween will always be a fun way to spend time with them for us.

Running, Kicking, Hitting, and Jumping

 These 3 had a busy fall sports season - Brooks tried soccer for the first time and he loved it - even if his mom was his coach.

We had a great team full of fun kiddos who loved to learn more and have a good time!

 Andy helped coach Bennett in flag football again this fall.  He did great, learned a lot, and had fun.  He had some cold games and in one of them he made one of the greatest catches that ever occurred in the history of flag football.

 Marie tried her hand in volleyball this fall. She learned a lot, had fun, and her team improved every game! She worked hard at getting her serves over the net especially.  

Way to go kids - we love watching you work hard and have fun!

Jumping into fall

 Our fall was full of sports, wrapping up our house project, driving kids to activities, seeing our kids literally grow before our eyes in their school pictures, and even taking some time to enjoy the small things.

   One fall day we jumped in the leaves, went for a bike ride, went fishing, and ended the perfect fall day with a bonfire and s'mores.

 These kids know how to fill a day up just like mom and dad.  

 

New backyard patio attached to our extended basement space.  

We are so happy this project is complete!

 

 Marie - 4th grade

 Bennett-1st grade

Brooks-Pre-K

The summer of Root Beer

Meet Root Beer - this cow was loved and loved and loved.  

All 3 kids worked together this summer to take care of this cow.  She was calm and easy going - easy to love. 

Chores occurred 2 times per day and they took turns filling the buckets of feed, giving Root Beer water, and leading her.

Fair week was busy but great!  Lots of scrubbing at bath time and time with all the animals we could find.

Until next year!

More summer adventures

 What do you get when you grab your mama tribe and all their kids and you pack your whole house into your husband's truck????

Answer: an insanely fun camping trip that I will do again and again and again. 

One evening during a loooong mama's night out dinner we got this plan and we pulled through.  

 We cooked dinner, kayaked, paddle boarded, had epic smores, told ghost stories, and slept in tents with an amazing fire.  Each husband checked in once during the evening and let's face it, they were jealous and surprised it was going so well!

I will remember this trip forever...I hope the kids do too!

 We also welcomed Chris' new wife Amanda and her daughter Delaney into our family.  

They got married on a beautiful morning in July on the boat in the middle of Miller's Bay. 

It was gorgeous.

We also headed to Minnesota for a Twins game, world's largest candy store, and a walk around the sculpture garden. 

 The Twins had a great game, we had beautiful weather, and we even me the organ player!