Summer in South Dakota

Spending the summer in South Dakota while Paul worked on getting the house sold and our stuff put in storage was a blessing beyond words.  The kids and I will treasure the memories we made this summer forever.  Our days were relaxing but busy, and jam-packed with joy.  How I loved watching my kids bond with my parents and watching my parents find so much joy in spending time with my kids.  When you live far away from family like we do, simple things like fishing with grandpa or baking cookies with grandma are all the more special.  I admit it was hard for the boys and I to be away from Paul for so long, but our days were always filled with so much fun and activity that time swept by, and thankfully, Paul was able to come for three visits over the summer.  Here's a list of some of the treasured memories we made while in South Dakota, followed by some of them that I captured on camera:

• playing countless card games with Grandma and Grandpa (4-corner Kings, Tick, Golf, Garbage, Canasta, and Speed)
• building card houses
• swimming at the YMCA
• bowling
• fishing with Grandpa and Uncle Mike
• swimming, tubing, jet skiing, and fishing at Uncle Mike and Aunt Shawna's house
• numerous trips to Storybook Land
• walking to parks
• playing tennis (this year my 12-year-old could beat me fair and square!)  :(
• lots and lots and lots of baseball for the oldest 3
• staying up late to watch MLB
• baking cookies with Grandma
• Dominic and Natey building with Legos for hours on end
• 4th of July reunion with Maria's side of the family
• my college roommate, Chrissy, coming for a visit

Our boys with Babe and Paul Bunyan at Storybook Land

Our boys at the Wizard of Oz section of Storybook Land.  

Frank Baum, author of  Oz, lived in Aberdeen for a short period of his life, 

which is our small town's only claim to fame (so they built a theme park) :)

Maria and the youngest 3 at Storybook Land.

These boys never tired of the place, especially now that it has a roller coaster!

Maria and her college friend Chrissy at Storybook Land

Maria and Chrissy--still friends despite the distance!

I was able to spend time with many of my old friends from Aberdeen over the summer.

It was so special to reconnect with all of them and encourage each other on this journey towards heaven, where hopefully we will all be together forever someday.

Grandma Theresa and Grandpa Pat having a treat at Storybook Land.

They treated us to countless meals, snacks, gifts, and fun memories all summer long!

We are forever grateful and feel so blessed for their presence in our lives!!!

Grandma Jean gifted us with a month pass to use the YMCA water park!

All of the boys enjoyed it, but especially the little ones.

Grandpa Pat took Joseph and Michael on many fishing expeditions.

Treasured memories and tasty walleye to eat!

The local bowling alley allowed 1 free game per kid per day,

so we did lots of bowling, especially on the hottest days of the summer!

Dominic is our master builder---he loves building with Legos or cards or just about anything!

Isaiah loved bonding with Grandma Theresa all summer,

especially when she was baking cookies!  :)

Isaiah also loved Grandma's toy box...

especially throwing all the toys out and climbing in!

Dominic loved jet-skiing and tubing...

His mommy loved his crazy hair :)

Paul and the little ones having fun on the jet ski!

Michael and Dominic were fearless on the tube and loved taunting Uncle Mike to see if he could throw them off (which he always did!)  :)

Maria's side of the family had a fun reunion on the 4th of July.

I am so blessed to have such a loving and fun family!

Paul and I at Storybook Land during one of his trips to come see us in South Dakota.

The past year has been a very difficult one for Paul and I,
but this summer did wonders for us.
The periods of being apart made our hearts grow fonder,
and the graces we received in Medjugorje gave us some healing and renewed hope.
God is good.
Please keep praying for us though!  :)

(More summer memories and photos to follow:  including baseball season photos, our trip to Minnesota, and our trip to Medjugorje!)