Minnesota Adventure

The first weekend in July, we were able to meet up with Bryce and Kayla at Sibley State Park outside Willmar for a weekend of camping and boating. Thankfully, the heat let up about mid-Friday afternoon so we could sleep comfortably and even pull out the pants (not because of mosquitos) and enjoy a campfire (although not sitting too closely.)

We were able experience something new with the girls: geo-caching. They loved it, as long as every girl was able to take turns carrying the GSP. (Hearing a 3-year old say geo-caching and GPS is absolutely adorable.) Madison and Breanne found the treasure at the last coordinates and on our way to check out the Interpretive Center, they ran back on the trail to Derrick and I to report they had found some baby "birds" on the trail. As we approached to investigate, an angry momma-turkey ruffled up her feathers and with much squaking, caused us all to jump. It gave us quite a scare, but as Derrick said, better to see an angry momma-turkey on the trail than an angry momma-bear.

 Of course, the girls loved to spend time with Kayla. (The famous Uncle Bryce has now been replaced by Miss Kayla.) And Madison and Breanne are aspiring to become a photograph hound like their momma. I've created monsters...oh well, it could be worse.

Madison and Breanne are becoming quite the tubing hounds. I think spending time with their wilder cousins has rubbed off on them. Surprisingly, it is Breanne who actually enjoys a more wild ride. However, after all that crazy riding, it's time to relax...

Aliya is quite brave on the tube for a 3-year-old. "Sometimes I forget she's only 3," Derrick says when the bumps get a little bigger. But after a 5-minute ride or so, it's time to refuel...the tummy and the whole body.

Thanking God for...

What a privilege we had last week Friday when my cousin Ashley stopped in the area to see us for a couple hours. It was a pretty low-key afternoon with a small sweat-away-the-pounds, wood tick hopping hike, gatorade run, picnic lunch, game of "Sorry," and a great visit. Thank you God for being able to facilitate more drop-ins!

This week, we are thanking God for new shoes. Why not, He is the giver of all things! Madison was able to pick out a new pair of school shoes (size 4 already...I'm already struggling with sharing everything with them...Derrick, my kitchen, my bathroom, my favorite foods...before long I'll be sharing my shoes!) Meanwhile, Breanne scored a great deal on her first pair of Chacos. (Yes, she finally spent some of her moldy money but not before giving Madison a ten-dollar bill because, "I have so much money and Madi really doesn't.") It just happened that the on-line ordered Chacos arrived the same day Madi picked out her shoes. We celebrated by modeling and Aliya inaugurated the shoes by trying them on her little Toddler size 11s. Hey, nobody ever said this DeWilde family has little feet!

Amazing Grace

Often times when Aliya was a baby, I would sing "Amazing Grace" to her before putting her to bed. Madison and Breanne have always called it Aliya's song because apparently I only ever sing it to her. The other day while driving, Derrick turned off the radio and asked Aliya to sing "Amazing Grace" for him. She very willingly belted it out as we drove along. Last week, Auntie Deb was tickled when Aliya requested they sing "Amazing Grace" while riding on the tube. Tonight, while Derrick was practicing "Amazing Grace" on piano, we heard Aliya belting out the words while in the bathroom. I dropped everything to get her to sit down (at the kitchen table, not on the toilet) and sing for you...

Slip & Slide...thank God for cousins!

We were so blessed to celebrate Breanne's 7th birthday with our families and the weather was perfect for a slip & slide. Cousin Braelyn, about summed up the event with two phrases: with hands on hips and just arrived, "woa, that's a big slip and slide," and as we tore the cousins (and dads) away from the slip & slide to have cake and open presents, as soon as the cake is served, "when are we going to turn the slip & slide back on?"

We laid 10'x100' black plastic down the hill and used the backyard pool as a "bumper" to stop people from sliding into the garden. At one point, the pool began creeping overtop the cucumber plant. Thankfully, Derrick & Luke were able to move the pool back out of the garden. The garden has sure taken off after all the water and the high humidity the past week.

You can view video Mike took at the party here.

We sure missed Micah & Traci, who couldn't make it since Micah was admitted to Mayo. But I think Daniel was right on when he asked, "Can we do this again next year, because Micah would really like this." I think we will!

Unfortunately, Aliya did not want anything to do with getting wet...fortunately, Grandma Barb was ready and willing to snuggle!

We found out that Carter is 1/2 Seal. He flew down the hill, then just popped up and over the edge of the swimming pool. It was just a fluent movement, it was amazing! Then everyone else starting trying to replicate the move, but nobody mastered it quite like "Carter the Seal Kracht!"

You never know what to expect when these cousins are together...but they sure are cute!

 Breanne is quite the diva in her new floppy sunhat, sunglasses and coverup!

 We were so blessed to have my grandpa and aunt Dar make the trip up for the party! He even called on Monday to sing "Happy Birthday" to Breanne! Grandma passed away the week before Mother's Day...he misses her so, but he is showing us all that he is here for our family and will carry on the legacy of love and commitment to family!

 I think it's a tradition...gotta have the grandpa & grandma with birthday girl pictures.

We were lucky to have cousins spend two nights with us after the party! Six girls and Derrick in the house. It didn't phase him too much, face it, he's used to being out numbered. We got to spend the evening with them after the party: cowboy golf, sunglasses, Crush (or Mountain Dew), campfire, s'mores and hot tub! It was so fun to watch them interact and enjoy each others' company!

 We even got to take all these girls to the lake on Sunday for an afternoon of tubbing and water skiing. Deb and her girls were able to join us and Deb got video of Braelyn water skiing.
On Monday morning, Bre's actual birthday, she got to open her presents from us, mom & dad. She got a cupcake decorator. Braelyn says, "Oh, I always wanted one of these." And before we know it they decided they'd take the mess outside and make cupcakes on the front step.

Needless to say, the porch needed a hose down after their endeavor..but the smiles it brought were oh so worth it!