Saturday, April 11, 2020

Spring Break Shenanigans

This week was our kids' spring break, and although our original plans were cancelled due to the corona virus regulations, we decided at the last minute to spend a couple of days quarantining in a cabin in the woods near Yankton. The weather was beautiful, and we packed as much hiking, biking, fishing, geocaching, and hot-tubbing in as we possibly could! :)


Hannah's first time at the beach! Although this picture doesn't show it, she seemed to really enjoy it (until she managed to sneak a handful of sand into her mouth!)





Luke, Kara, & Mary fishing and hunting for shells along the shore





Ryan was a good sport and allowed his siblings to bury him in the sand.





Happy to be outside in the sunshine! :)





We had a great time exploring the "doubledecker" Meridian Bridge, which was built in 1924 and is the longest pedestrian bridge connecting two states, Nebraska and South Dakota. (It has been closed to vehicle traffic since 2008, as a new 2-lane bridge now spans the river.)

We walked across on the top level...


and then headed back on the bottom level.




We had some delicious grilled burgers for supper on the deck of the cabin that evening... the weather was perfect and there were no bugs or wind, which we really appreciated as that doesn't happen all that often in South Dakota! ;) We saw wild turkeys and deer in the trees just outside the cabin several times during our stay. :)





Playing board games!




The cabin we stayed in was truly one-of-a-kind, both in design and decor. Here's Hannah busy playing under the antler chandelier and various mounted animals. :)





Hot tub time!








Hannah loved having all new toys to play with, and a new place to explore via army crawling, which she has recently gotten very good at. :)




We saw some beautiful views of the lake while hiking the Gavins Point Nature Trail.








On the deck of the cabin







Back in the hot tub one last time!




Relaxing by the fire and having some s'mores & camper pies.




One last stop on the way home...
1021 West Clark Street in Vermillion, where we lived the first year we were married. We have fond memories of evenings spent studying together in our cozy one-bedroom apartment. The building hasn't changed much, and we'll pretend we haven't either. ;) Never would have dreamed we'd be back 19 years later with a van-load full of kids on the way home from a spring break quarantining adventure! God is good. So thankful for memories made and His abundant blessings!



Thursday, April 9, 2020

Happy Birthday Mary!

Happy 4th Birthday, Mary!
Since we couldn't have a party due to the corona virus restrictions, we had a birthday parade instead! Thanks to our family & friends who helped make her day special. She said it was her "best day ever!"


Getting Jenna's car ready for the parade




The birthday girl all ready for the parade to start



Here are a couple videos from the parade...




*Click here to see more pictures from the parade.*



SO excited to get a "hoop-dee-hoop" for her birthday





Sleeping Beauty birthday cake
made by Laura Kuiper





A new "Ladybug Girl" outfit & a book to go with it!





Princess Mary had a very Happy Birthday!💜


Saturday, March 21, 2020

Little Miss Hannah

Look who's 9 months old today!
She's not a fan of strange people or places, so she was a little stingy with her smiles while having her pictures taken...
















Big sister Mary came along, and she was full of smiles!







Mary will be 4 years old in just a couple of weeks!




Hannah scoots around the house in her little walker, and keeps us on our toes as she explores!
Here she is getting into the snack cupboard when it was left open.




Checking out the spinning part of the dishwasher...




Sister snuggles




Uh oh... she got a hold of the toilet paper, and was pretty happy about it!




Here's our studious home school crew, who have been working hard over the past few days!





Miss Hannah is army crawling all over the place!
She sometimes makes it a little difficult for the kids to focus on their school work! ;)


Friday, March 13, 2020

All School Program 2020

This past Friday night was our school's annual spring program.
The students & teachers put a great deal of work into memorizing, reciting, and singing songs of praise to our Savior. This year's theme was "The Goodly Tree." Enjoy! :)



Psalter #250, "Tree Song"




Genesis 1:11, Psalter #286, Genesis 1:12, Psalter #258, Psalm 33:6-9, Psalter #404, Psalm 139:14, Psalter #383




Psalm 1:2, Jeremiah 12:2a, Psalter #2, I Peter 2:2, Jeremiah 17:8, I Timothy 4:6, II Timothy 4:2, Psalter #336, Psalm 119:10, 40-41,64-65,73, Psalter #225




Psalter #25, Psalm 1:3, Psalm 92:12-15, Ephesians 2:8-10, "Blessed is the Man", Matthew 7:17-20, Luke 6:45, Galatians 5:22-25, II Peter 1:5-8, Psalter #26, Ephesians 4:1-3, 14-15, Colossians 1:10-11a, "Walk Worthy"




Psalter #1, "Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah"


Wednesday, March 11, 2020

Piano Festival February 2020

Ryan, Kara, & Evan recently participated in a Piano Festival at Dordt College. They each had to memorize two songs & play them for a judge. They practiced their songs many times over the past few months and were a little nervous, but it went well! We are thankful for the musical talents God has given them, and hope that they will always use them for His glory.

(There is no photography or recording allowed at the festival, but they were kind enough to play their songs one more time for Mom. ;)


Ryan playing "Airplane Ticket" and "Dancing Shoes"


Kara playing a Clementi "Sonatina" and "Knights of the Castle"


Evan playing "Waltz" and "Robotics"

Friday, February 28, 2020

January & February Photo Recap


Tea party time with Mary




Hannah's ready for some sunshine




She loves to play in her exersaucer




Just rolling around



Smiley girl




Mary likes to sort buttons while Mom is sewing




Doing her best to enjoy a basketball game
(with the help of noise-cancelling headphones ;)




Helping Mom make strawberry jam




Here she comes!




Sweet sisters




Happy Valentine's Day!



Our annual family Valentine's supper 💗




Mary loves to hold Hannah




Making stromboli for supper




Zoo animal day at Trinity
(In case you can't tell, Jenna is a koala :)




Mom & Hannah in the van waiting patiently for one of the kids to finish lessons




President's Day at Great Bear
Moriah, Kara, Kate, Levi, Jacob, Evan Luke, & Grandma
Tyler, Ryan, & Jesse




Luke & Evan headed up to tame the mountain




Licking the brownie batter bowl clean... yum!




Cowgirl Mary


That's it for our January/February round-up! :)