Grandpa Darwin

Last week we said goodbye to Papa Darwin. Saying goodbye is never easy but saying goodbye to my grandpa was especially difficult.




My Dutch grandpa - Darwin Vander Vorst, along with my Grandma, were the reason I moved to North Dakota 14 years ago. An incredibly hard worker, a lover of surprises, and a philanthropist at heart, my grandpa volunteered his time to projects for the Elks Club, Camp Grassick, and his church, and he donated blood regularly. We were infinitely blessed to be his family and be his favorite pastime. His cooking was the best and I'll miss him at his cooking post, steaming crab and frying tacos at the family cabin this summer. 

During his cancer fight, he and my grandma were always optimistic, strong, and ALWAYS by each others side. I hope we can all know love like that in our lifetime. 

I was blessed to call this great man my grandpa and will never forget him. I love you grandpa!



I've learned that it unfortunately sometimes takes a death to fully understand what you've got. Ive always loved my family and I knew they were a special bunch. But now I know that I've got an unusually close, amazingly special family. We are tight. Like glue. We spend a lot of time together (so much so that I think our in-laws sometimes wonder). We almost always vacation together. We are each others best friends. I'd do anything for them and I know they'd do anything for me. This is difficult to explain, but because of this family, Grandpas death has been easier to handle. We have each other.

Halloween 2014

flashback: Halloween 2014 + our Frozen babes

Gavin as Kristoff (I made his vest), Kya as Anna (grandma Katy made her adorable cape and dress), Mason as Olaf (I made his puffy jumper)






Grandma Z greeted the neighborhood trick-or-treaters as Elsa


Grandma and Grandpa Z's house is so much fun at Halloween!

Florida 2015

Thanks to some gentle encouragement harassment from my sweet husband, I'm making an effort to bring life back to my blog. So, hello! Hi! Guten tag! The next thousand or so posts will be in a somewhat random order as I recap the last few months of our lives.

In very recent news: Corey and I took 5 days off from all responsibilities and traveled to Florida. Yup. We were beach bums for 5 days.

It was perfect and wonderful and I am already dreaming of our next getaway. I need to extend an infinite amount of thanks to my parents for taking such great care of Kya and Gavin while we were away. We missed the kiddos like crazy but ma and pa just need a break once in a while.


We adore the St. Pete Beach area and just can't say enough great things about it. For one, it's easy to travel to from North Dakota (direct from Fargo to St. Pete on Allegiant Air or from Bismarck to Tampa on American Air with one layover).


Florida.


The St. Pete area is very cost-friendly — from hotels to food. With many local conveniences like a  full grocery store, CVS, Chic-Fil-A, and a liquor store all right across the street, St. Pete is an easy DIY vacation spot. St. Pete is just a 90 minute drive to Disney (if that's your thing) but it seems like a world away from the the crowded mouse land.


Corey and I stayed at the Dolphin Beach Resort (don't let the name fool you, it's more retro beach hotel than resort).

But they have amazing beachfront rooms and a perfect location on the St. Pete Beach. The is the view from our second-floor balcony.


The panoramic view of our hotel from our favorite spot on the beach.






We went a little delirious after being in the sun for 5 days.


Collecting shells on the beach they day after a storm.








Corey and I played a few games of shuffleboard at the hotel. Corey found he has a natural talent for it. I do not have a natural talent for it.


We walked 7 miles round-trip to Pass-A-Grille (south tip of St. Pete) and had a drink at a rooftop bar ... and then walked back to our beach. I love days like that with absolutely no agenda.


Lots of shells!

After we arrived home I realized I took more photos of food than of us. The food was amazing. And I realized the prices of food in North Dakota are quite high. Or maybe St. Pete is just a bargain? Either way, it was delicious and priced right.

Lobster Risotto at Seared 1200 Chophouse (also across the street from the Dolphin Beach Resort)


Our favorite beach bar, Sandbar Bill's, has delicious frozen drinks, huge yummy burgers and chicken sandwiches ... and humongous salads (for only $4). Sandbar Bill's is an easy short walk on the beach from our hotel.


Agave Mexican restaurant is one of my favorites.


Spicy salsa and margaritas at Agave!


Corey's favorite dessert pair — port wine and chocolate cake (at Madfish)


Our meals (super yummy) at Madfish


Delivery pizza is a huge treat for Corey and me. Living in the country, it's just not an option. So when we are on vacation we scout out the best pizza place and have it delivered. Having awesome pizza with a beach view from our balcony was perfection. Pizza from Bones Pizza.


Our first full day at St. Pete Beach happened to be the local St. Petersburg and Tampa Corporate Sportsfest. It's a huge party event with over 200 sponsored teams that compete in events like sand volleyball, dodgeball, tug-of-war, and water relay (shown here). We have grand plans to have a Bison Booties team next in the event next year.


Our last full day in Florida was rainy torrential downpour rain. So Corey and I headed into St. Petersburg for breakfast at a local diner, and then drove into Tampa to the Aquarium.


Nether of us had ever been to an aquarium, so we both thought it was really fascinating. We learned a thing or two too! It was quite odd being there without our kids — they would have loved it.


EEEk! Shark!
After the aquarium we walked to the Tampa History Center  and toured the museum.

. . .

Just in case my post wasn't clear — if you're planning a vacation: go to St. Pete Beach!!!