Marvelous Minnesota

The kids and I were able to squeeze every minute out of a week in the midwest. We started in Wisconsin, drove to Minnesota, and returned quicker than planned to Wisconsin when we learned about Eric's surgery.

Minnesota was marvelous, mosquito-y, and memory-filled. We enjoyed: rides at the Mall of America, special dolls and stuffed animals, Aunt Brook's horses, Grandpa and Grandma's new house, sprinklers, camping with Uncle Steve, catching fireflies, roasting s'mores, the DQ, the jet ski with Cara and her family, Wii with Brandon, the lake with Ali, Uncle Mark's new dog, a visit to the house I grew up in.

What a big event! We go to a mall about once a year so THE Mall of America was mind-blowing.

At the end of the school year, we told Elise that we would get her a Build-A-Bear for doing a great job in preschool. She made "Star" - a 4th of July puppy. She sang her the "Star Spangle Banner" as she was stuffed and then carried her around the rest of the trip.

Since last fall, Maddie and I have been reading some American Girl stories. We told her if she was reading well by summer, we'd get her a historical doll for her 7th birthday.

After lots of searching, Maddie chose the 70s doll named Julie. She told us she picked her because "my aunt is named Julie, I love sports and so does Julie, I look like Julie, I want to save animals like Julie, and I want to know what it is like to have divorced parents since one of my friends from school's parents are divorced."

You wouldn't believe this experience! Crazy! You can get the doll's hair styled! You can buy matching clothes! We did NOT do these things. We were overwhelmed but it was the other planned stop at the Mall of America. We found out that kids eat free on Tuesdays so Uncle Steve met us for dinner at the American Girl Bistro with "Julie" and "Star." You should have seen Steve's face! :)



Everyone agreed this "American Girl" was the cutest!

"WHOA!!"
We've never been to Disneyland or the local amusement park. This really was awe-some for the kids!

Elise couldn't wait to meet Dora. But after her hug, she said, "That's not the real Dora. There is a person inside." :) It was Gus who couldn't stay away from Dora! We went back many times for another hug or a high five.

Uncle Steve scored big points as he rode on Blue's Skidoo, the Balloon Race, Dora's Ferris Wheel, and Maddie's first real roller coaster.


Steve and Maddie bonded as they went together on this scary up-side down, inside-out ride. I held my breath and prayed that I would see happy smiles as they turned the corners. Maddie loved it and I'm sure this will forever be a big moment for them!

Grandpa Les and Grandma Sandy moved the week we were there. No photos as the furniture was halued and new flooring was put in but we did enjoy the DQ with Grandpa and Grandma. Hard to believe I worked at a DQ 20 years ago!

We stopped at the Riverwood, where Eric and I got married. We have a kissing photo of us in this same spot 12 years ago.

Aunt Brook gave the kids a chance to brush, feed, and ride horses. Gus was mesmerized and surprisingly unafraid. The girls loved it!

Beach and lake fun with Ali who is enjoying the adventures of college now. Time flies!

Brandon helped Elise beat Maddie in tennis.

Dykhuizen Cousins

The fireflies were cruising and we caught two in a jar. What a cool nightlight as they slept in the tent with Uncle Steve.

Uncle Steve borrowed a HUGE tent, set up the air bed, and slept with the girls. He even helped Maddie get back in the house at 3am. Brook and Steve gave the kids some great Minnesota memories.

A hot and humid afternoon on the lake with the Ottos and grandparents felt great. They spoiled us with treats and jet ski rides. It was great for me to see the girls loving the lake like I did as a kid.

We miss you Uncle Hedgehog (aka Doctor Steve)!

Wonderful Wisconsin

Wisconsin was wonderful, warm, and wet! We started and ended the trip in Milwaukee with non-stop cousin fun. Aunt Julie made sure this was a good visit! Thanks for EVERYTHING!

We enjoyed: an afternoon on Lake Michigan, fairy shows, Gus learning how to somersault, strawberry picking with Grandma, water slide giggling, art camp, tennis, playgrounds, smoke bombs, sparklers, Samantha's dance recital, Maddie's birthday with Grandma, the zoo, and lots of love from Aunt Julie, Uncle Jerry, and Grandma Inez!

There was a lot of rehearsal for the "Five Chapters" show about the Fall, Winter, and Summer Fairies' search for the Spring Fairy. (Gus was the Spring Fairy's boyfriend!)


Did we eat as many strawberries as we picked?

You have to love the water fun and laughing in the backyard!

Maddie (NM) and her cousins Samantha (WI) and Emma (NY) all just finished 1st grade. It is so great to see how the cousins just settle into being together even though we don't get to be together often. We didn't get to see Emma and her brother Evan this year because of Eric's surgery. :( We assume there would have even more great memories to be made.

Gus crawled right into Grandma's lap. Then, Grandma and the kids relaxed on the couch.


Maddie was fortunate to join Samantha and her pal Kyle at art camp and tennis lessons. She LOVED it!

We can always count on Uncle Jerry for fireworks fun!

There is nothing better than hanging with your cousins. The hand holding says so much.

Grandma got to show Gus all around the zoo, one of Eric's favorite spots. We called him and it made us all miss each other more! We were headed out on an 8am flight the next morning. Thanks for all the rides, Julie!

Grandma is always good! Maddie has worn those new socks three times already!

Gus did a good job keeping up with the big cousins.

Since we returned to WI sooner than planned, we were able to see Samantha's dance recital. She was a tapping machine!

Does Gus look like cousin Joseph?
He couldn't say, "Joseph" so Gus called him "Ryan" all week. :)

Maddie loved her first cheese curds (aka Squeezy Cheese).

We love our Dad

We had a blast celebrating Eric for Father's Day! He hadn't been feeling well, but we spent the day in Albuquerque: the aquarium, a hotel with a swimming pool, and an Isotopes baseball game.

The kids made him a special t-shirt that he wore all day and a book with pictures and lists of their favorite things.

The game was awesome! We sat in the open grassy section, ate popcorn, and relaxed as the kids all rolled down the hill. Gus shook his little booty to the organ music. Maddie wanted to know the rules. Elise tried to jump up and down to get a t-shirt. We miss all the fun of living in a place with sports teams to follow.

The kids and I flew to the midwest the following morning at 8am.

Every year, when we ask him what he would like for his birthday or father's day, Eric says, "A scooter!" Then we laugh because it is one of those expensive goofy toys that would be fun...when we were in college. As the kids got their homemade gifts ready, we talked about if we could ever get dad a scooter and Elise decided we needed to find him a blue one with dogs on it. Then, a blue scooter (sans dogs) showed up in the Lemon Lot. We looked at it...used, 75 mpg, ... hmmm... Eric tested it out. It could save us a lot in gas if he drove it to work, but really, a scooter? The following day he got a parking ticket at the lab and we said it was a sign...

Check out his Father's Day gift/new ride to work!