Brooks is 6!

 There is something about a child having to use both hands to explain how old he is that makes me choke up...how can this be?

Brooks Richard is 6 years old!

When Andy and I thought about having a third child, I knew in my heart it was our last.  Everything about the experience of trying to get pregnant to carrying him to delivering him told me it was the end of the line.  When he was born, I felt this sense of relief and calm come over me.  As a baby he was content and always loved to be where the action was.  Everyone will remember the scare of a lifetime he gave us, but what I remember most about that time was how strong he was.

He knows how to captivate the room, he loves adventure, will try almost anything, and somehow everyone knows who he is!  We will be around town and hear people yell, "hey Brooks,"  and Andy and I will have no idea who that person is. He makes people smile and laugh, he gives the best cuddles, and I know he has many adventures ahead of him.

 He loves to hunt, practice his aim with his bow and arrow and BB gun, play sports, read books, watch movies, build Lego sets, and pretend the floor is lava.  He raises the bar all the time for us and his birthday cake request was a perfect example of this - an ocean battle with a sperm whale and a giant squid!

 Brooks-you are just what we needed when we asked God for a 3rd child and we are so thankful for you. 

 Love you buddy, Mom & Dad

November 2020

November brought the excitement of holidays...with Covid we didn't know what our holidays would be like, but thankfully our families were healthy and close by so we chose to gather.  We enjoyed time with both sides of the family and had beautiful weather.  

The kids had plenty of play time with cousins and even got to spend a night in Sioux Falls with Paul and Keri. Nathan and Maxine ran an official Turkey Trot and the we all got to cheer them on at the finish.  Pip got to run too! 

November also brought plenty of opportunities for hunting.  Our good friends Eddie and Jess came over with their new dog, Boomer.  Boomer was introduced to hunting and we all had fun shooting at the range. One very special event was Brooks hunting with his Dad and Papa and getting to carry his own pheasant in his vest.  That was a special moment for that boy. 

Swimming with the Dickes kids at Bridge's Bay Water Park

Eddie and Andy with a few of their birds

One final warm November day we played at the brand new park in town along the lake.  Our kids are getting old for parks but that afternoon brought back memories of park play dates and it made this mama's heart happy.  

October 2020

 October is one of my favorite months.  Not only do we still get outside time but we also get the crisp fall air mixed in with the crunching of leaves and Halloween.  This year we weren't sure what Halloween would look like, we still went to a few houses but ended our night with neighbors and a pizza party.  

October brought school pictures, wrapping up fall sports, traveling to see Liz, Andrew, and the kids as well as hunting, caramel apple making, pumpkin carving, leaf raking and jumping.   Our days were busy in October rushing to sports and school and getting used to being back in the school groove. 

Marie 5th Grade - 11 years old

Bennett 2nd Grade - 8 years old

Brooks Kindergarten - 5 1/2 years old 

September 2020

September came in with a final swim in the lake over Labor Day. We love where we live and we try our best to enjoy as much time as we can on and in the water. These two crazy boys below also that it would be fun to do a long 100 mile ride - their faces say it all! 

         

  

We said Happy Birthday to Grandma Nel and spent the day with her helping to redecorate and create a large family photo wall. 

We were also excited to finally meeting Josie in person! Katie, Greg, and Josie made the long trip from D.C. to visit us all this fall. We were able to enjoy time with the whole family as well as get our family photos taken with everyone home. What's a backyard BBQ without a game of football right? 

      

        

September also brought in flag football for the boys and volleyball for Marie. Our kids know how to stay active and watching them learn and play with teammates is a blessing. Coaching them has been pretty fun too - Andy coached the boys and I tried my hand at coaching volleyball - I came home with a smile on my face after every practice - I love that game! We picked apples, picked pumpkins, celebrated Homecoming, and took as many fall walks as we could.

We also said goodbye to Andy's Uncle Tom. He passed away late September and celebrating his life at the farm where Karen grew up was just what we all needed. Time together hearing stories, playing with the animals was good for our souls.