Paul and Katie Van Heukelom: April 2013

Moving

Our recent trip to Iowa City, the week before Easter, had an additional motive besides just seeing family. We needed to buy a new house, because we are moving back to the Iowa City area this summer. We spent 7 years in Iowa City before moving to Sioux Falls. We love Sioux Falls and love having my family so close. However, Paul loves being able to teach residents and the University of Iowa kinda wanted him back. :) So... we made the bittersweet decision to return to Iowa. We were successful in buying a house while in Iowa City so we were very thankful for that. Our house in Sioux Falls went on the market one week after Jace was born. We had lots of traffic the first few weeks (multiple showings each day) and a few showings a week for the following 7 weeks or so. We were beginning to wonder if it would sell before we moved. Luckily, we were able to seal the deal this morning! It's sold! We close on our new house in early June and will close on our Sioux Falls house a week later. Perfect timing really! Paul will have to return to Sioux Falls to finish working the month of June but at least we have a house to move our belongings to...and...we won't have two morgages, which we are beyond thankful for!

Jace's first Hawkeye game

The week before Easter, we traveled to Iowa City. The Hawkeyes had qualified for the NIT and just so happened to have two home games while we were there! We took the kids to the first game, so Jace was able to experience his first Hawkeye basketball game! He wasn't awake for too much of it! The second game with a bit later so we opted for an adult only game and Gary and Ruth stayed with the sleeping kiddos.

We stayed with Jon, Stef, and Syd for a couple nights. Ruby loves Lucy too!

Great Grandma Dorothy and Great Grandpa John got to meet Jace.

Papa Gary hid Easter eggs for Ruby and Sydney :)

Life with a big sister

When I was pregnant, I wondered how Ruby would do with a little sibling in her life. At times I worried that we were going to rock her little world. She is such a mommy's girl...she loves daddy too of course, but mommy and Ruby do everything together! I worried that she wouldn't want to share her parents and the attention she receives. However, as the pictures show... Ruby loves Jace. She is a big helper (most of the time) and she wants Jace to go with her to her activities. I remember one incident when Jace was just a week old... I was going to take Ruby to story time at the library and Paul was going to stay home with Jace. I thought she might enjoy a little one-on-one mommy time. But when I told her Jace was going to stay home, her little lip stuck out and she got really sad and said, "No, Jace go with Ruby." I think it's safe to say that Jace has a friend for life. He may have to put up with lots of hugs and kisses...and some girly toys... but hopefully he will continue to appreciate her friendliness. I pray these two will be best buds forever.