DYKSTERHOUSE NEWS: June 2010

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Our Growing Family

Not only are we anticipating the addition of a new family member in the fall, but we were so excited to be able to add a new sister-in-law/aunt to the family a few weeks ago. We love Kate (yes, now there are three Catherine/Kathryn/Katherine's in the family) and are so excited that she is now officially a Dyksterhouse! We were all so honored to be a part of such a special and beautiful day.

With a stop in Atlanta for a wedding the weekend before (sadly, we didn't have our camera there), we made our way to Charleston for a week of vacation before Jimmy and Kate's big day. It was so much fun to get to spend time at the beach with family, and

Mary Laine loved getting to play with all of her cousins. She especially grew very atta

ched to Gabby (4 months older than ML) and has been praying for her regularly since we got home :-).

We were also able to get together with my college roommate Sarah Catherine and her precious son, Sullivan. Sadly, I wasn't able to get a picture of the two kiddos together because they were both constantly in motion. We went to a water park and Mary Laine had a blast. Her favorite activity was the "big" slide. She wasn't tall enough to go down by herself, but they let her hold Gary's hand on the adjacent slide. She kept begging "again, again" after each turn. She was a little sad to leave, but could barely keep her eyes open by the end, so didn't put up too much of a fight.

Mary Laine and adorable Sullivan

We learned that Mary Laine is definitely a beach girl - we're glad that she takes after her Mom and Dad! She was a little hesitant on our last beach trip to Destin, but I think that was only due to the lack of excitement. As soon as we added the commotion of her five cousins and all of the aunts, uncles, and grandparents, she was content to stay out and play for hours. She loved it all - the beach, the ocean, the pool. We even had ML and Gabby doing some synchronized diving! (Well, we shoved the under the water at the same time, but that doesn't sound as glamorous.)

Gary and his brothers

The littlest flower girl

With Papa and Mimi

With Grammy and Poppop

After all of the festivities, Gary headed back to work, while Mary Laine and I decided to extend our vacation for a few days. We went to St. Simons with Mimi to wind down and get in our last stretch of beach time for awhile. We were out shopping one day and ran into another one of my college roommates, Sudie, and her precious son Alan.

Finally, on our way home, we stopped in Auburn to see Aunt Susanne. It was great to be able to spend a little time with her, and to be able to break the trip up a little bit. While we had a great time, there's no place like home and we're glad to be back!!

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

It's a BOY!!

We had an early ultrasound done last month and were pretty sure, but now it's official. Mary Laine is going to have a brother. We are so excited and now need to start shopping for some blue! We have already decided on the name, but won't reveal that until after he's born. We have to keep you in suspense for something. Since Gary did a very pink and girly blog background when we found out we were having a girl, I decided to return the favor. :-)

On another note, I started my 17P shots yesterday. We are hoping that these will prevent any pre-term labor. Please pray with us that these shots will be effective and that there will be no harmful side-effects to the baby (studies show that it's harmless, but it still makes me a bit nervous...)

Anxiously waiting on this baby boy,
Gary, Kathryn, Mary Laine, and Deacon

Blueberry Picking

We are finally up to the present! Yeah!! Last weekend, Mary Laine went with some friends to the local blueberry farm to pick some yummy blueberries. There is just no comparison to store-bought blueberries. These were so much bigger and so much sweeter - AND so much more fun to get! It started to rain when we first got there, but after a few minutes, the sun came out and it was a gorgeous day. I was able to pick about 3 lbs of blueberries. I gave Mary Laine a little basket, but only a few actually made it in there. She learned quickly which ones were ripe and those went straight to her little mouth. She was very blue when we were finished. We had to leave before all of the friends because Mary Laine was exhausted. We're already looking forward to going back next year! :-)

Aubrey and Sarah Frances are showing her how it's done

Quickly getting the hang of it

We were hoping for a cute picture of her with John Reed - but Mary Laine was done for the day!

May 2010

We stayed very busy in May. Mary Laine and I started the month off with a trip to North Carolina. After stopping in to see Uncle Andy, Aunt Kelly, Jacob and Payton, I got to spend a weekend at the lake with some college friends and Mary Laine got to go to her Grammy and Poppop's house. It was so nice to have a weekend away and to spend some time with my girls. I realize that the time that we were going to bed is the time that we used to be getting ready to go out, but I'm okay with that. :-)

Jennifer, Rachel, me, Pringle, and Sarah Catherine (Jaclyn was taking the pic)

Playing with the grandparents

On the way home, we stopped in Atlanta to see the Galbreaths.

Bathtime with Kelsey and Carter

The next weekend, Gary went to Atlanta for the Galbreaths' Kentucky Derby Party and then the Young Life Golf Tournament. Mary Laine and I couldn't join him because she was a little sick after all of our travels.

Even though we couldn't be at the Derby party, Mary Laine still sported her fanciest hat.

Mary Laine and Sadie chillin' in the shade

Since Mimi filled in her swimming pool, we make due with what we've got

Mary Laine and I also had a chance to go to Destin with Mimi, Aunt Susan, and Aunt Pat. We connected with some distant relatives and got to go and meet them for the first time. But, of course, we got in plenty of beach time while we were there.