Sleeping Beauty 2013

 Back in September Madelyn tried out for the Sleeping Beauty Ballet.  We had no idea what we were in for but it was a time consuming, intense, and ultimately very exciting ride!  She put in hours and hours of rehearsals.  She danced beautifully this past weekend and we are so proud!

 Curtain Call!

 

 

 The fan club

 

Proud parents!

 

Madelyn and Dorota.  This is the talented lady that choreographed and directed the entire production. It was amazing to watch her work.  Madelyn was very impressed by her eye for detail.  Not a bobby pin or tag was missed!  Not to mention a 2 hour ballet that was practically flawless.  We are thankful for the opportunity we had to be part of the production and we are really thankful for all the extra time we will now have :))

Student of the Week!

Madelyn was selected as the "Student of the Week" at Lincoln Elementary!  She had her name announced over the intercom at school, had an interview with the principal, and then got to have chocolate pie after school to celebrate.  On her poster that is displayed in the hallway she stated she likes dance, softball, playing with her siblings, reading and writing.  That sounds like our Madelyn.  :)

October 2013

 Homecoming 2013.  One of the best Fridays of the year! 

 Jillian walking in the homecoming parade with the rest of the Student Council.  They are known as the Lincoln Leaders which is why they are wearing top hats.

 Lauren is also on the Student Council over at the Middle School.  Here they are passing out candy at the parade.

 Nothing says October in South Dakota like a few men, a dog and a dead pheasant!

 Will turned 39 on October 19th.  The kids and I gave him 39 of his favorite things.  Most of which was candy :) 

 Getting ready to blow out the candles on his birthday cake made by his mom.

 

Halloween 2013.  We are getting ready to Trick or Treat the down town area with our friends the Sercks. 

Madelyn turns 8!

 
 

 On September 19th Madelyn turned 8 and in our house that means you get to have your ears pierced. (if your a girl that is!) She has been looking forward to this day for years! She was nervous but mostly very excited.  We had a girls day in Sioux City that included school shopping, lunch at Red Robin, Cherry Berry and the ear piercing.  It was a great day! 

 

 

 

 Here she is in her classroom the morning of her birthday.  The birthday girl gets to wear a crown and has a special seat cover.  She brought chocolate covered pretzels for her birthday snack.  For supper that night we went to Wendy's. This ended up being a huge hit mainly because Wendy's has a digital pop machine that can mix up to 100 different flavors of pop.  Its very fun!  I have a feeling the other kids might choose this as their birthday restaurant of choice in the future. 

A few weeks later we had the family down to celebrate.  Here she is with her pink flower cake made by Grandma Darlene. 

First day of School 2013

 Getting ready to enjoy our annual back to school supper.  They requested spaghetti this year.

 Our guiding verse for this year is from 1 Timothy 4:12

 Here they are before heading to Lincoln Elementary and Yankton Middle School

Lauren is 11 years old and starting 6th grade at the Yankton Middle School

 Jillian is 9 years old and in the 4th grade. Her teacher is Mrs. Rehurek

 Madelyn is 7 years old and starting 2nd grade.  Her teacher is Mrs. Hoesing

Owen is 5 and starting Kindergarten.  His teacher is Mrs. Moon. 

Summer 2013, Part 2

SOFTBALL!  We played lots of softball this summer!  Each of the girls played on a different traveling team so that kept us plenty busy.  Here is Jillian after her state tourney in Sioux Falls.  She enjoyed playing for the Fury.

Here is Madelyn giving pitching a try at one of her games.  She played for the younger Fury team and loved it as well!  She referred to her uniform as her costume and loved getting dressed up as she would say :)

Here is Lauren with her Shamrock team after the state tourney in Rapid.  They had a great summer together!

Dad and Owen practicing for the Mutton Bustin event at the 2013 Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo

The ride was so quick we didn't get a picture.  But he sure was cute!

We had lots of fun this summer, but also found time to work and help out around the house and yard.  Here is a before shot of some of our trees before we pulled weeds....

After.....  Those poor baby trees have to feel sooo much better now!

Will and the kids after a successful morning of weeding!

Can't beat ending a long summer day of fun and swimming with s'mores around the fire pit with the neighbors!

Summer 2013, Part 1

We started the summer off with a trip to the Black Hills for a Yankton Children's Choir tour.  Lauren and Jillian sang at Wall drug, Mount Rushmore and Story Book Island.  Here they are with Lauren's friend Paige and our neighbor Annika.

After the tour the rest of the family met up along with both sets of grandparents to take part in the Crazy Horse Volks March.  We had a great hike and really enjoyed the experience.  Will and I and our parents had completed it 11 years ago.  Lots has changed since then!  We stayed at our favorite place .  The Pulmer Gulch KOA.  We did some horseback riding, saw the Badlands and even had time for an old time photo!

July 4th at Grandpa Cliff's Farm.  The cousins love being together!  They always line up their chairs and take in the firework show being put on by the adults.

End of the year....

 

Proud Mom Alert!  I have lots to share as it's been a very busy Spring. 

 

 

 AWANA awards night.  Of all the things the kids have accomplished this year, these are the awards that I am most thankful for.  They have spent many hours learning verses and completing projects.  I know having that knowledge of the bible and the word of God in their hearts is going to take them far!

 Celebrating with our neighbor Austin at the reception after an awesome Yankton Children's Choir Spring concert!

 Mother's Day 2013.  I am blessed!

 

 Lauren and Jillian with their piano teacher Muriel.  We loved hearing them play at their recital.
They also earned blue ribbon superior ratings at our local piano contest this past Spring.

 Owen graduates from preschool!  Here he is recieving his diploma.

 

 Lauren recieved the President's Academic Excellence Award at her 5th grade awards banquet.  She works very hard and we are very proud of her!

 She is leaving behind many great memories at Lincoln Elementary School. She is looking very forward to Middle School.   Here she is with her Principal Mr. Struck. 

 Owen's Last day of Preschool at Webster.  Mrs Vondracek and Mrs. Mclure

 Madelyn's last day of 1st grade with Mrs Haceckey

 

 Jillian's last day of 3rd grade with Mrs Fitzsimmons

 

 

 Lauren's last day of 5th grade with Mrs. Roth

 

 

Madelyn preparing for her ballet dance.  We loved watching her in the Dance Recital!   She is a beautiful dancer.