Spring Soccer

Sully and Piper both played spring soccer, I was lucky enough to co-coach Piper's team with my friend Amy, which is really comical considering I never played soccer. It was really fun, we had some neighbor kids on the team and met lots of new people. We were the Laffy Taffys. We were very interested in dandelions, wishers, ring around the rosie, breaks, and treats and only mildly interested in actually playing soccer. The highlight of the season was the excitement when the kids scored their goals and when Piper scored at the very last game. 

Because of the schedules, I was only able to see Sully play his last soccer game which was really fun, his team has been together this entire year and they are getting so grown up and really getting the hang of it. His coach mentioned how well Sully had played on his final game and I'm convinced it was because I was in the crowd. 

Strictly business, Piper. 

Go Laffy Taffy! 

Coach Amy and Coach Suzie

Go Fury!

Mothers Day.

Mother's Day weekend was a call weekend which forced us to be home, which was nice. There is definitely something to be said about slowing down and finding fun right in Sioux Falls.  On Saturday, the kids and I went a graduation party and then found a new spot downtown for treats before Anna came over to hang for the evening, we went out for Mexican and played Uno (fitting ;)). Dave had to go from one hospital to the next early Sunday morning. The kids let me sleep in and Greta made me breakfast in bed, she FaceTimed Anna and Anna instructed her on how to make scrambled eggs in the microwave. She made them as soon a she woke up and delivered them to me when I woke up, at about 9, they were cold but delicious. We hiked at Good Earth State Park and then biked the Arboretum. We had dinner to Bread and Circus and then came home for a quiet evening. The kids keep life busy and interesting and I'm so thankful for them and how they fulfill our lives.  

A lovely day for a hike. 

Buddies

We're famous! 

Oakwood Lakes State Park Adventure

The kids were so excited to take their own mini maiden voyage with us. We chose Oakwood Lakes State Park for a few reasons. The number one reason was probably because they have pull through campsites so we didn't have to maneuver the trailer a ton with the kids. Much to our delight, our campsite was perfectly situated, no nearby neighbors and a lovely view of one of the lakes. Oakwood Lakes was also the campground we went to in the thick of COVID quarantine last year as a last minute get away while the kids were elearning. We had the best time. The kids rode bikes and played on the nearby playground and we just had the fondest memories, the park is also small and very manageable with great hiking trails and a charming little beach. We knew we wanted to come back.

We hit the road after a Saturday morning full of activities and arrived around 4. The weather was stellar, 80, sunny, and still. We hopped on our bikes and went directly to the lake where the kids braved the ice cold water and we watched the sun come down. Their giggles and squeals were perfect. We took the scenic route back, made a fire, had dinner and cocktails before getting the kids to bed (and falling asleep myself) around 10pm. Dave came in some time later and golldarnit if my phone didn't start txting and ringing at 11:15pm because our FIRE ALARM in Sioux Falls was going off. What a terrible feeling. I called my surrounding neighbors and was able to get ahold of Brett who walked around and meet the firemen (yes, they had been called by our alarm company) to let them in, at the same time, Maggie arrived because the alarm company also called her. To make a long story short, it was a false alarm, which is such a relief, but its also stressful. After a few hours of stewing, I eventually fell back to sleep and I woke up to the sweet sound of rain agains the Airstream, maybe one of the most soothing noises I've heard in a long time. The rain didn't last long and by the time we had breakfast and got moving for the day, everything was dry. We had lovely bike ride adventure before packing up to come home. It was a lot of work for 24 hours, but it was fun and provided us with some much needed information in anticipation of our mega maiden voyage later this month... stay tuned. 

The girls with their MayDay baskets. 

Adventure begins! 

Boynton Beach

Scenic Overlook

Dinner

Pajama Party 

Morning hike. 

Slow and steady into the storage garage. 

All cleaned up and ready for next time. 

Munstream Adventures

We did it! We signed the papers and completed loads of reading and video watching (all Dave) in anticipation of the arrival of very own Airstream. The Munstream Adventures begin. 

Dave and I left the kids home with Allie for the weekend so we could go up to Ramsey, Minnesota to pick it up. We had lots of nerves going into the weekend as we knew we had loads of learning curves ahead of us. We arrived right on time and listened to a 3 hour tutorial before pulling out of the parking lot. We had lots of excitement and energy as we pulled onto the highway for the first time hauling our 27 foot trailer in our new truck. We were pleasantly surprised as we made our way to Lake Cochrane, SD for our mini maiden voyage. As if our spirits couldn't get higher, Dave was able to maneuver and park it with minimal drama. We couldn't wait to get it unhitched and to cheers with a stiff drink after full day...and then our train sort of went off the tracks...

Dave was carefully unhitching the trailer while I was on the other side of the truck taking photos and unpacking some things when I heard a crash and a yell. I immediately asked if he was ok and ran around the truck when I saw him running away from the campsite. As he made his way back, he had his hand over his head and blood was running down his face. I immediately told him to get on the ground while I went for the first aid kit, but then decided a wad of paper towels might be more sufficient. He never lost consciousness, but we did consider calling an ambulance because we weren't sure of the extent of his injuries and the truck was half connected to the trailer so we couldn't immediately pull away. After a few minutes and Dave remaining stable, he talked me through, from the ground, the instructions necessary to completely unhitch the truck. This is when he realized what had gone wrong, the jack should have been raised to the absolute top, and in the flurry of things, that didn't happen. When the hitch was released, the tension from he truck caused the wrench to swing around and caught him in the head. Absolutely so scary, we are thankful the injury wasn't any worse than it was. 

I finished unhitching the truck and we made our way to the nearest ER, which fortunately was only 11 miles away in Canby, MN. We called ahead of time,so the PA on call only arrived a few minutes after we did. The providers were great and within about an hour, Dave received 8 stitches and we were on our way. We had some time to reflect on everything and recognized how lucky we were. Once we were back, we finished setting up and then went for dinner and a stiff drink at the State Line Bar and Grill. We slept hard that night and woke up on Sunday morning for coffee while light snow fell around the camper. It was so cozy. We enjoyed the few moments of peace before packing up and heading to Sioux Falls to the three most excited kids in South Dakota.

Let the fun begin! After that bump in the road, we are so excited to get out there and make the best family memories. If you would like to follow along with us on instagram, our account is munstream.advenutres.

The new pick up. 

The initial walk through. 

Step one... place your wheel chok.

Quick photo op at Lake Cochrane, SD,
before the accident. 

The aftermath. 

State Line Bar and Grille. 

Ice and elevate. 

Lining up the hitch. 

All ready to go. 

Easter Sunday

What a weekend. Unfortunately duty called and Dave had to work weekend call over Easter, but we still enjoyed the holiday. We had the most amazing weather on Easter Sunday, such a gift after the ups and downs of winter weather and COVID. We upheld our favorite tradition and spent the day at the Willard's farm near Colton. We enjoyed fabulous food and good company on a gorgeous day. Photo overload to catch up (I've fallen embarrassingly behind on the blot, but am committed to catching up :)). 

Quick egg hunt at home to start the day. 

Sweet Pip. 

Sully, so grown up. 

My darling GG. 

The annual photo in front of the J. Coop. 

He slays, we play. ;)

Life keeps moving.

After the whirlwind of events leading up to and immediately following Helen's passing, it seems life picked up right where it had left off, starting with my birthday, the day following the service. It was a very low key day, I napped, ate, napped and then ate with my siblings and family. It was a great distraction and reason to get out of the house. 

I'll catch up with loads of photos from the month. Life has been moving at an impossible pace and I can't seem to catch up ;). 

Munce family taste test.
Banana bread with chocolate chips vs blueberries. 

Piper, my non fruit eater :).

Gift wrap by Greta. I once took great pride in 
meticulously wrapped gifts, now it's Greta's job. 
She rocks it. 

Twinsies bowling. 

Chores

The Bluejays make it to the Sweet 16!

Movie night at the Munce's, concessions and all. 

Bloody Mary brunch with the Barker's. 

School park battle wound, 
we were so relieved to find the lost tooth. 

Kids Camp at my gym. 

Greta rocking kid's camp at Burn. 

Happy Birthday, mama! 
This was the best photo Dave got of the kids and I. ;)

Helen's Obituary

Helen Doloris (Graese) Munce of Sioux Falls, SD, passed away on February 24, 2021, at her son's home surrounded by her family.  She was 91 years and one week old. 

Helen was born on a farm near Canova, SD, on February 17, 1930, to Arthur and Alma (Neugebauer) Graese. She graduated from Salem High School in 1948 and moved to the "big city," AKA Sioux Falls, although she remained a farm girl at heart. She found employment (and her future husband) at Northwestern National Bank. Helen married Richard Gene Munce on May 8, 1954. Helen became a stay-at-home mother after the birth of her first child. Her children, Julie and David, gave her the maternal fulfillment she craved, a trait which would define her through her final days. Helen craved adventure; the family traveled much of the world, and most trips were sparked by her ideas. She also found joy in spending time with loved ones and reading. 

Helen was a remarkable grandmother. Upon the untimely death of Julie, she resumed her maternal role for her daughter's family. Each morning, upon her arrival to their home, it felt to Paul (Julie's husband) and their children as though the cavalry had arrived. She was a rock when no one else could be. In later years, Helen was plagued with Alzheimer's disease. Although this made her final years difficult, she never lost her sense of self or her sense of humor. In spite of any adversity she faced, she never lost her faith. In her final days, her son and grandchildren had the opportunity to mirror her loyalty, a gift they will forever cherish. 

Helen is survived by her son, David (Suzanne) Munce; son-in-law Paul (Nancy) Schock; grandchildren Lauren (Elliot) Fey, Kyle (Amy) Schock, Sarah (Troy) Klongerbo, Matthew (Cassandra) Schock, Sullivan Munce, Greta Munce, and Piper Munce; step-grandchild Ashlee (Austin) Simonson; seven great-grandchildren; and a sister-in-law, Barbara "Bobbie" Long, all of Sioux Falls, SD. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Clifford; her husband; her daughter; and numerous cats.

A visitation will be held on Friday, March 5, from 4:00 - 6:00 pm (masks required), at Miller Funeral Home Downtown, 507 S. Main Ave, Sioux Falls, SD. A private service and burial will be held on Saturday, March 6th. 

Memorials may be directed to The Children's Inn.