Beatles and Bowling

Posted by Lori Hurt

They say it’s your birthday
It’s my birthday too, yeah
They say it’s your birthday
We’re gonna have a good time
I’m glad it’s your birthday
Happy birthday to you

Come together, right now
Over me

I’d like to be under the sea
In an octopus’s garden in the shade

Strawberry Fields forever

We all live in a yellow submarine

And I love her

I get by with a little help from my friends

Lucy in the sky with diamonds

Well, shake it up, baby, now! (Shake it up, baby)
Twist and shout! (Twist and shout)

P.S. I love you

Jack’s 8th Birthday

Posted by Lori Hurt

Eight years ago, the day before Mother’s Day 2008, this young man made his entrance. And the world has been better for it.

February 7th was his second spiritual birthday. There is no doubt in our minds that the transformative work of the Holy Spirit is active in his young life.

During yet another heavy snowfall this past winter, Jack decided to shovel the driveway to “suprise Daddy.” Jack told me later he wanted to spend time with Doug after work and didn’t want his dad to have a chore to do when he got home.

Please ignore the Heat jersey. We had no choice. Although young for his grade, Jack was the tallest kid on his team. He is a fierce competitor.

As we wrapped up our Wednesday morning bible study for the year, Jack and the other kids put on a small performance. Jack is usually nervous before being on stage, but surprised me by being the composed spokesperson for the group.

At his first piano competition, even though he was extremely nervous, he scored a superior rating on both his pieces.

Shortly after, he also performed well at his recital.

His party was last Friday and his actual birthday was spent opening presents, playing video games and Pokemon instead of doing school, and choosing the restaurant for dinner.

He ordered the All Meat from Tomacelli’s. His favorite.

Happy 8th Birthday, Jack!

Let’s Go to the Mall! (of America)

Posted by Lori Hurt

Doug decided to be spontaneous last week and demanded we get away for the weekend. Since living here, we had yet to make the short trip over to “the cities.” Saturday we loaded up the van and made the rainy drive to Minnesota. Before we left, I discovered that some dear Oklahoma friends were at a work conference in Minneapolis! We met them for dinner and also met sweet, funny Henry for the first time.

13130937_835389641099_9035649321641536513_o

The Wilsons!

After dinner, we made our first visit to Ikea. I was overwhelmed. The kids stayed up 3 hours past their normal bedtime enjoying the hotel pool. And since church is a pretty big deal to us, we woke them up bright and early to attend a worship service at Eagle Brook Church. The kids absolutely loved the children’s church there and I loved sitting with Doug on a Sunday morning.

After church, we headed to the Mall of America. I had visited once a long time ago, but for everyone else, it was their first visit.

We spent most of our time at Nickelodeon Universe.

the ride wasn’t moving yet

Daredevil Lucy even went on one of the roller coasters with Doug.

Lucy’s favorite store-much to her father’s chagrin.

note: new pack of Pokemon cards

Jack’s favorite store-much to his father’s delight.

After the mall, we went back to Ikea to pick up some new homeschool storage items and then headed home. We definitely enjoyed our first visit to Minnesota and the quality family time.

one year

Posted by Lori Hurt

March 19th, one year ago, our moving van pulled into our (temporary) apartment parking lot. We were met with a large crowd from our new church family who quickly unloaded the trucks into our home and storage unit.

The church members gave so sacrificially to us in so many ways to make us feel welcomed and included. I will always be grateful.

The only decor I hung on our apartment walls.

We showed the kids around their new city. This was our first official family visit to Falls Park.

To celebrate our anniversary here, we used the last gift card we had to the Sertoma Butterfly House & Marine Cove.

Fish are friends, not food.

Doug’s first time leading worship last year was Easter weekend. The Hurts were able to celebrate with us too this year. We loved having them!

Saturday night, it snowed yet again. Easter Sunday was beautiful. He has risen indeed!

Jack was not amused to discover glitter from his sister’s eggs all over his face.

Our first year in South Dakota has been a blessed one. Although I am ready for warmer weather now.

Daddy Daughter Dance

Posted by Lori Hurt

Here are a few pictures of the Daddy Daughter Dance our church hosted. It was the first one for our church and I hope it is not the last. This night was an act of love by our wonderful volunteers and a blessing to all who attended.

quite the pair

According to Doug, Lucy stopped mid-craft and ran to the dance floor when “Let it Go” started playing.

12771639_974713409286354_3764428361878106685_o

special bonding

I love the way these two love each other. ♥

Her 5th Birthday

Posted by Lori Hurt

While we were still in Texas for Christmas, Lucy and my mom both celebrated their birthdays together. Turning five is a big deal so Aunt Tammy decided it deserved a pedicure.

The selection process was a lengthy one. Appropriately, her color selection was, “Miss Conduct.” She dressed herself for this special outing with an old 90s sweater I dug out of my parent’s attic. She pulls it off way better than I ever did.

Lucy giggled throughout the foot massage.

Someone offered her juice and she turned on her massage chair. I think she enjoyed herself.

Also per Tammy’s request, Lucy needed some Kendra Scott.

Thank you, Aunt Tammy!

The birthday girls with their new jewelry.

For her party she was very specific with the details: pajama party, a Lalaloopsy cake, a My Little Pony piñata, and pink and purple decor. So not quite sure what the theme was. It was a Lucy themed party.

Bedtime Snacks and Goodnight Kisses

Pigs in a Blanket and Sleeping Potion

This piñata was great: instead of letting little kids swing a bat around, you simply had to pull the right string to release the candy.

Her requested Lalaloopsy cake. Doug did an amazing job as usual on this one.

Happy 5th birthday, Lucy!

Lucy Was Here Part 4

Posted by Lori Hurt

It’s Lucy’s birthday. Time for the annual round up of her shenanigans (well, at least the ones I remembered to document).

Parts 1,2, and 3 are here.

I heard a crash while I was in the bathroom and when I was finally able to investigate, I found this. She had broken a potted plant after walking on the counter tops (note trampoline used as a step ladder) and was attempting to hide the evidence. She had donned her Elsa gloves for protection knowing the pottery shards were sharp. I guess I should just be happy she was cleaning this one up herself.

For lack of an easel, she had clipped her painting to the side of the entertainment center. In her world, everything is a canvas…

…like the toilet,

moving boxes,

packaging,

the TV,

the tub,

her plate,

and my porch.

Not even soup cans are safe from her creativity.

She had used a real stamp on this drawing because she wanted to mail it to her grandparents.

I told her she could bring one animal in the car. Lucy:1 Mom:0

Safety first.

When big brother wants to play in the park after ballet class, you have to play soccer in a leotard.

Speaking of leotards- let me save you the google search: if you happen to get chewing gum smashed into the fabric, just heat white vinegar to boiling and then use it to scrub out the gum with a toothbrush. This also works on winter coats. Trust me.

Some more advice: beloved toys will burn and melt if left for extended periods in bowl shaped lighting fixtures.

Beanie Boos everywhere. Always watching.

I wasn’t allowed to sit on the couch.

She wanted me to buy the big carrots so she could be like Bugs Bunny. I don’t think you’re allowed to tell your kid no if they ask to buy vegetables.

A great spot for a secret Cheez-It stash

Imaginative play at its best.

Why I’m scared to have more babies.

exactly

She dressed like Merida and insisted on bringing her bow with her for school.

That time Lucy had a pet for 30 seconds after she caught a field mouse in the yard and was certain she could keep it because she had already named it. Safe travels, Sparkly.

Doug sat down with his songwriting journal to practice a new song. Lucy grabbed her songwriting journal too, placed it next to his, and decided it was a duet.

Why daddy doesn’t work from home very often.

Rocking her Aunt Tammy’s 90’s sweatshirt.

Never a dull moment here. I can’t wait to see what year 6 will bring.

Christmas in TX-2015

Posted by Lori Hurt

Our Christmas began at home before we headed for Texas.

The kids had a drive-in movie party at church. We helped them decorate their “cars.”

Our homeschool group also had a party and the kids recreated the nativity story. I love the hockey stick shepherd staffs.

Doug, Allison, and I spent a whole day baking cookies and visiting with friends. At the end of the day, she was still smiling at my kids. She’s a keeper.

Doug and the entire worship/tech crews presented three wonderful Christmas Eve services.

1st Christmas

Immediately following the last Christmas Eve service, we left from the church and drove straight through to San Antonio.

We stopped in Moore, OK on Christmas day for a 5AM breakfast at the Waffle House. It was magical. The kids got to open their stockings in the car because as the kids were sleeping through the night on the road, Santa flew over the mini-van and dropped their gifts through the sun roof.

We finally made it to the motherland.

And I had to pick this up at the gas station.

Lucy shares my thoughts and opinions on Blue Bell.

Cousin Time!

Lucy and Maya slept under the kitchen table.

No words.

Doug playing with his son’s new toys.

A trip the Hurts always ends in game nights.

Roses blooming in the winter.

More cousin time!

My nephew is my reward for setting up his parents.

My parents with 3/4 of their grandkids.

George stole the show, of course.

???

Snow boots for Christmas. This is my life now. Also, Doug’s shirt.

And even more cousin time!

Doug and I took an early anniversary date and went touristy with a stroll around the River Walk and a visit to the Alamo.

Jackpot!

Doug traveled back to SD without us to return to work. My parents drove us back a week later. The kids were spoiled with many activities in that week.

At the DoSeum. I highly recommend this place for families in SA.

Super Lucy

I want this reading nook

floating foam boats

Jack reenacting my job as a drive-thru bank teller.

really cool treehouse

Fun at the trampoline park.

Swimming in January? Why not?

And a trip to the creek house in Tarpley, TX.

Texas sure is pretty in January.

We ended our trip celebrating my mom’s birthday.

I really miss my family so much. Thank you to both families for hosting us and spoiling us!

Giving Thanks

Posted by Lori Hurt

buying our favorite sodas at Pops back in Oklahoma

This past week I was reminded how thankful I am for friendship.

These two drove 12 hours just so we could be together for the last Hunger Games movie. The best part: they completely surprised me! I must be really trusting because I had no clue even though several people had been lying straight to my face for weeks.

And while they were here, we experienced our very first Dakota snowfall. All 13 inches of it.

I’m thankful for pretty snow, but also for heated seats and snow blowers.

Poor Tasha was not prepared with appropriate foot wear.

I’m thankful my friends were able to witness the winter wonderland in my new place. They might have admitted they were a little bit happy for me even though we are too far apart.

the first of many visits

I’m thankful we awoke to a white Thanksgiving.

I’m thankful our first Thanksgiving here was spent with new friends from church who wouldn’t allow us to be alone.

my second helping

I’m thankful our new friends made a ton of homemade Indian food.

so grateful to Rani and Dee!

I’m thankful for the blessing of friendships both old and new! It was a very happy Thanksgiving.

Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.

FALLing in love with SD

Posted by Lori Hurt

Right before we kicked off the school year, the Fords came all the way to SD to see us before they camped in the Black Hills. We are so glad they did!

Of course out- of- towners must visit the falls.

The Introvert table

The Extrovert table

We explored some parts of Sioux Falls we hadn’t seen yet. This barn, in Arrowhead Park, was built in 1888!

The cousins made a poster for their Papa’s 70th birthday! We had all his grandchildren together so we we took a picture for him.

macaroon time at CH Patisserie in downtown Sioux Falls

A trip to Scheels

With the plethora of August birthdays in the Ford family, Doug made a cake for everyone! Thank you Fords for the lovely visit. Come back soon!

Also this fall, Jack had his very first piano recital. He had only been taking lessons for six months. He insisted on memorizing his pieces and did very well in spite of being really nervous. His goal is to be able to play his beloved Beatles songs one day.