What a weekend! Things were busy at work this week, but then we got to have Connor and Tessa beginning Thursday night through today. What a ball! They are always on the go. Needless to say, we went to bed early each night too! The hugs and snuggles make it all worthwhile!
Of course, it started off with building a fort! Connor had to name it something, so it was for the last 4 days “Fort Scrambled Eggs”! I am not sure where that came from, but whatever, they had a ball. Connor even took a nap in it one day–2 hours! Now those are some scrambled eggs!
Sarah had Friday off and took them to the park. The weather was decent that day too so lots of swings, and even took turns throwing pebbles in the lake!
Then back home, and it was time for Connor to ride his bike, and Tessa got to ride the tractor! Both of them were cruising. It was a good thing it was nice out Friday, because it rained all day Saturday. So Saturday I took Connor to Target, and then Menards, so we could, according to him, go “Man shopping”! Then we met my daughter Megan for lunch at Perkins. Great day!
I lost count how many books we read this weekend. Both of them were glued to them all! As you can see, the shelves behind them are full of books– (in fact, that entire book shelf/drawers are full of books!) So were the same one we read to our kids all those years ago. We saved them all for a reason. They never outdate. Never a dull moment. Grandkids really do make life Grand! All the experience of raising kids helps here. Now we are again a pro. I did forget how tired out we get from it all too. We all slept well at night. Afterall, we have to get ready to go at it again the next day! Enjoy all those memory making times. Keep moving everybody!
Every week life brings new adventures and challenges. Are we always ready for them? Maybe not. But you do learn to go with the flow. Make the best of everything that comes up, and you may just find that it also brings about some of the best things for the day, or the week, or maybe even for the year. Never a dull moment!
Wednesday night our run club ended the day with having a costume run just before Halloween. It was windy and cold, but it was still a good time going for a run all decked out in costumes. Sarah and I joined in, and I was a gallon of milk, and Sarah was a chocolate chip cookie. So, of course, I spent the run chasing her! I had to be the milk as she is “lactose intolerant!” Ha! We then went out to Dempseys afterwards and do what we runners do even better than running–Eat!
Our grandson Connor went out on Halloween as a dinosaur! He was having a ball! We got pictures and videos but were not able to be there in person. We do get the grandkids next weekend though! Yay!!
Plenty of costumes at the hospital and clinic. Here our radiation oncologist Dr. Buechler, went as an inflatable dinosaur as well. Their motto was “we make cancer extinct”! Awesome! Several of the clinic nurses all dressed up as Dr. Larson.
They had their mustaches, plaid shirt, and black pants! What a riot! It is even more funny when we know someone well enough to predict what to wear!
Of course, I am still taking advantage of the decent weather and try to get out for pictures when the clouds and skies cooperate! Some awesome sunsets this week! Here a few more!
And a sunrise…
The colder weather will be coming. Try to get out and do more while the weather cooperates. It is also a great time to be watching all of the scenery. Winter still has it beautiful moments too, it is just the wind and the cold to have to deal with. Enjoy every day we have. Each week brings new adventures. What is it you are looking forward too? What are your plans? Goals? Always keep thinking. Always keep trying. Life is short. Experience everything you can and enjoy each week…and each day! Keep moving everybody!
Last weekend was great! Our son Nick got married to Hannah. Our last child to get married, and the second one of our kids in 3 months. Whew! It was great weather as well. Hannah is from Spirit Lake, Iowa, and the wedding was in Okoboji! Beautiful area, especially this time of year. It was time to get our kids, and grandkids, as well as the rest of our families, back together again to celebrate.
The actual venue was in two barns…one for the marriage, and one for the reception. Very beautiful!
Of course, I got to spend some time dancing with my granddaughter Tessa as well.
Later, she was so tired, she fell asleep on my shoulder, and I got to hold her for an hour and take in all of the snuggles. Grandkid snuggles are priceless! I don’t just like grandkids, I love them! There is something about them that is just hard to describe. You love them with all of your heart, and in essence, it is like taking care of your kids, but now we have become smarter and wiser. We get a second chance of doing things we learned from our own kids as the first round. They melt my heart.
This wedding for me was a little different. I got to walk my girls down the aisle, waiting for their husband to be at the end. Nick walked Sarah and I down, and I got to watch the look on Nick’s face as Hannah and her dad walked down. That look on his face! It brought back memories when I was standing down at the end waiting for Sarah and her dad to walk down. That just seems like yesterday! 34 years later though…and what can I say…I thought I was in love the day I got married, and I was, but the love has grown so much more over the years that is does not even compare. I hope the same for my kids! There are always challenges. Always things to work out. But you work them out together. Now I get to sit back and wait for more grandkids to come!
Good luck to your future Hannah and Nick! We are always there for you, just like we are for Molly and Tanner, and Dan and Megan…and of course the grandkids, Tessa and Connor. The future is bright. Take care of yourself and stay healthy. We took the grandkids for a walk the morning of the wedding while everyone else was getting ready. It is never too early to get them moving! Keep moving everybody!
A week ago, Sarah and I went on vacation to the Black Hills and stayed in Hill City. The color changes were awesome. I met up with 2 of my brothers and sisters-in-law, and also spent a few days hiking with friends, Tom and Sue Beaudry. What a great week! The weather was great, and the scenery was even better. Here are some shots of activities!
Here are some with Tom and Sue! And of course, Charlie!
Here are some with my brother Ray and his wife Joni!
The colors were so beautiful! I spent a lot of time taking pictures on this trip. Of course, Sarah and I got a few runs in as well. I did some experimenting with us running through some of the tunnels for pictures.
There was never a dull moment. We hiked Crazy Horse, hit Spearfish Canyon, hiked numerous different trails. We tried to find the Northern Lights at Sylvan Lake, but no luck. In fact, we had better luck this week back at home at Jackson Park seeing them Thursday night! We even had some company out on the Mickelson Trail one day when we were running!
We had turkeys out every day at the cabin we were staying at, with as many as 13 at one time. I love spending a week out in the Hills each year, and the Fall is my favorite time. It never disappoints. I will be posting pictures on my Facebook page for a while, because there were just too many to only use a few. As you can tell, we were active every day. This is how you get to see different things. Move and explore. You never know what you are going to come across. Until next time…keep moving everybody!
Well, it was a great weekend! We had our two grandkids for the weekend, starting Friday night. Tessa turned one on Friday! Happy Birthday smiling girl! She has always been such a happy kid. The only time I have seen her really crabby is when she is hungry, and then look out!!! I think she takes after her Grandma Sarah, and Aunt Megan in this department! We had gotten together earlier in the month because Connor turned three, and we celebrated both of their birthdays with family then. Now, it was just Grandpa Dan and Grandma Sarah’s weekend!
We got started later in the evening Friday, but we started out with plenty of giggles and hugs! We were just getting geared up for the rest of the weekend.
After everybody was up, and ate breakfast, we took off for Jackson Park to hit the playground. We walked over there…or rode in the burley, or biked for Connor…or Connor was even giving piggyback rides…
…whatever it took to get there! Once we got there, we had a ball! Climbing, sliding, laughing…repeat…x 50!
Tessa, though, as the birthday girl, got the best ride out of anybody! Just kick back and enjoy the ride! Connor would get a burst of energy and then have a race on his bike and made Grandma run to try and keep up!
He was cruising on that bike, though!
It was a great weekend. One thing is for sure, our grandkids are going to know their grandparents, and we are definitely going to be having them moving. We can have fun, explore, get some exercise, and have a great way to spend some time together, and just play. This is why we stay in shape. This is why we want to take care of our health, and at least have a say in overall controlling our health as much as we can. Strive to Survive! Enjoy the ride along the way. Keep moving everybody!
