Big Foot

Sissy's not too picky when it comes to foot wear. His or hers, velcro or lace up, large or small. And since she's the smallest in the house, any choice but her own makes her a Sasquatch.

Visitors

Just when I was about to post pictures of our bathroom makeover, we had company. They got to see it first hand. Rest of you. . . well, just come and see for yourself. No more yellow formica countertops.

The weather was erratic (like the past 3 weeks) so we just stayed home and enjoyed being together.

Baby Linc brought his pacifier, but the recovering addict held out. She was pretty tough, although at times she'd hold it up to her mouth. "The Boys" played great together. They played in the sand, made felt food feasts, and put the finishing touches on some little burgers we made up for Father's Day.

The Garbage Man Took My Baby Away

Yesterday morning Sissy pulled her pacifier out of her mouth and showed me the severed nipple saying, "broke." I told her to throw it away, so she marched into the bathroom and tossed it in the trash. Minutes later, Brother helped me gather up the garbages and take it to the curb. Later she waved good-bye as the garbage truck took our trash and drove off. It all happened so quickly, I didn't know how she would handle this cold turkey approach.

Things went fine until nap time. She started pointing at her lips (her sign language for needing her pacifier) and I knew we were in trouble. I thought fast and pulled out a brand new tube of chapstick. She was excited to put it on her lips and think that she was grown up.

We've had a few minor melt downs and she's needed a little extra comfort at night, but I cannot believe we've made it 30 hours without it. I hardly recognize her without it.

Rainy Days Project

Since my husband can't get much work done in the field, he's decided to install a patio. I couldn't be more excited!! For 2 years now, we've had a walk-out sandbox. Which means when you walk back inside, you bring the sandbox with you.
It will be situated right off the kitchen/garage door.

As an added bonus we've been needing to keep a hired man busy, so I've been replaced!
There's a lot of prep work, but things are moving right along.
Sissy loves opening the kitchen door and yelling for her Daddy. The kids have loved "helping" on the project.

Warren's BBQ

With the cooperation of the weather (or lack there of) we were able to make it to Burley for the annual BBQ. *It's been a pretty miserable month for a hay farmer with the daily rain showers and all, but I haven't minded a bit.* Every year in June, my family celebrates my dad surviving a gas tank explosion. It was the last fuel tank that he has welded on. This year, it just happened to be on his birthday so it was double the fun. The weather held out until everyone had gotten food, but then the sky opened up and it rained.

It's always a good chance to be with family and see old friends.

Last Laugh

Last time I had the oil changed in my car, they offered to replace my in-cabin air filter for a mere $39.99. I told them no thanks and went across the street to Auto Zone and picked myself up one for only $14.99. I laughed.

In the parking lot, I popped the hood and had it replaced in a matter of minutes. I laughed again. Only to find out that I had left my keys on the seat when I popped the hood and they were now locked inside. Aargghh! Not so much laughing this time.

So, I called a locksmith. An hour and $40 later, I'm pretty sure the guys at Jiffy Lube were laughing now.

Yesterday when I drove past the location of my incident I laughed again.

Waiting Up

It's pretty pathetic that I'm waiting for my four year old to get home so I can go to bed.

Ever since 7:30 this morning Hudson has been waiting to go to the hills.
At 8:00 am, he called Grandpa. "Are you going to the hills? Today? Can I go with you?"
After doing some things around the house he said "You're taking too long!"
We went over and helped load cows, but Grandpa wasn't heading up yet.
By 10:30 he had his lunch eaten and was waiting.
After mowing both lawns, he convinced me to take him back to Grandpa's.
At 5:30 pm he FINALLY was headed to the hills.
This could have been the longest day of waiting of his life.

Branding, vaccinating, tagging, and sorting took place over the past weeks. It is eerily quiet without all of the bellarin'. (My spell check says this is not a word, they haven't heard it. To me, bellarin' is very different than "bellowing.)

Family Affair, Dirty day of Branding

The kids were well prepared for the long day.
Brother's job was keeping the alley was sprayed down.
Sissy sat as sentinel of the sunflower seeds.

Welcome Summer

Happy Memorial Day Weekend- the official start to summer. Let the party begin.
We've been enjoying ourselves around here. . . Except for a concerned child that is afraid that winter is going to come back and take away our summer. Here's hoping it won't be for several months.

Just Wondering

Dear Naptime,

Why do you have to be so brutal? I put my precious and meticulously groomed daughter (not really, but we do try hard) down for a nap and this is what I get back. A street urchin.
Why?

-K

P.S. Dinnertime, you seem to have the same affect on my kitchen floor.

Tender Mercy

I hate to whine about being sick and pregnant because it seems so insensitive. I know there are plenty out there who have not yet been able to become pregnant and those that experience sickness greater than mine. But Sunday night after days with horrible nausea and throwing up, I was at my ropes end. I didn't know if I could keep on going. So like any pregnant lady, I cried about it. And then prayed.

After some persuasion and coaxing by my husband, I decided I'd go and get my super expensive prescription filled. At $30/pill last pregnancy, I decided to be miserable instead of swallow away our life's savings. So before having the entire prescription filled, I asked about how much it would be. "$10.00!!" I was in complete shock. Our insurance paid $393.99.

I called Brent crying. It truly was a tender mercy, because we don't have very good prescription coverage at all.

They're not magic or miracle, but they have helped and I've kept my food down.

A Hunting We Did Go

Camo, rifles, and permits were left home.

After some preliminary scouting, the kids and I got busy hunting on an overgrown ditch bank. With grocery bag in hand, we uncovered lots of emerging spears. It took Hudson's "eagle eyes" to find most of the asparagus growing out of the grass.

I've always loved asparagus hunting and the kids seem too as well. But after a 1/2 mile of stopping every few feet to pick a newly spotted spear Hudson proclaimed, "You're driving me crazy! Just forget about it!"

Happy Mothers' Day

It was a mother's payday.

Hudson stood in front of the primary and gave his talk like a seasoned orator.

Sissy went to nursery for the whole time.

Oh, and we shared our exciting "Mothers Day Secret."

At the beginning of the week after Hudson asked why I haven't been feeling well for awhile, Brent and I decided we'd share the news with him. "I have a baby in my tummy that sometimes makes me sick," I explained.

"I know that! I'm 4 years old and I know that kind of stuff." (And to think he doesn't even ride the bus yet.)

We asked him to keep it a secret until Mothers Day. After a weekend at Grandma's house with all sorts of cousins, I figured it would be old news. But after Sunday, he was dying. "Can I please tell Grandma our secret?"

Our family is excited for our December baby.

Wedding Day Survival Kit

With bridal season in full swing around the corner, you're sure to know someone getting married. I came up with the idea for a survival kit for a dear friend getting married. I Googled the idea and realized it wasn't such a new one. But it's fun even if it's not original.

It's amazing what you already have in your house to get one started. Unopened and unused of course- a pack of gum, toothbrush, toothpaste, trial size deodorant, clear nail polish, first aid kit, headache medicine, wet wipes. Your imagination or container is the limit.

I simply wrapped decorative paper around things to give it a classy appearance. Brides are the only ones that can use them. Think any mom involved in the wedding party. It a fairly inexpensive way to let you know you're thinking of them.

Colors of the Day

This post was brought to you by the colors GREEN and YELLOW.

Come with me on a walk around the place.

Color coordinator of the tour.

Forsynthia

DaffodilsTulipsSpreading SunshineSplash

If you'd like to be a kid again, put on some rain boots and do some splashing. It takes years off your life.

Now didn't that feel like springtime? Go on and get you some.

My Reverent Boy

Brother has been anticipating this day for a week now. Last week he was sent home with a slip of paper asking him to be the reverent child. He couldn't wait. He's been practicing all week long. He made sure to wear his "missionary" attire and be ready early. He walked into the church with his arms folded. He asked me to take him up on the stand. I led him up the front and let go of his hand. He bravely walked to the designated spot, looked out on the crowd, ducked his head and came running to me.

Maybe next time him and Sissy will be asked to do it together. She'll drag him up there and wave to the crowd. Funny how different they are.

Grandma JoNan

Since Nikkala and I are close in age we share many of the same memories of Grandma. But one of my most vivid memories of Grandma had to do with me spending the night at her house. I suffered from homesickness for most of my "at home" years. Invariably, nighttime would roll around and I would find myself crying for my mom. No matter how insistent or heart wrenching my pleas, Grandma would always say "crying isn't going to bring your mom home." I never found any sympathy or consolation. It was a harsh reality for me.

I also remember shopping trips to Twin where Kandice, Nikkala, and I would convince Grandma into buying us things. I still have the porcelain doll that she bought for me at Cowley's drugstore/Ace.

Thanks Grandma. I sure have benefited from being one of your grandchildren.

Easter

Our Easter Weekend got off to a great start at the community egg hunt. You couldn't have asked for better weather, it was beautiful. It should come as no surprise that Hudson would only pick up green eggs to put in his green bucket. We were just thrilled that he actually wanted to participate. Sissy was rearin' to go, but I had to retain her until the siren sounded. And then, she only made it to one egg before rest of them disappeared in the swarm of toddlers. Rest of the day was spent working in our yard.
Miss Dalanie got a frilly little dress and Hudson was just happy I let him wear his green tie. Here's the updo Sissy sported. (Pillaging through her Easter basket was a great way to keep her entertained and keep her still.) I'm posting a picture because I'm not so sure we'll ever be successful again.

Springtime in the Rockies

Drat, I woke up to wind and cloudy skies. It makes me cherish the past few days of sunshine, breezes, and 60's. We've been busy working out in the yard. I couldn't wait to get out there and burn weeds. Springtime for me means the yearning to get burning.
The kids have been playing so well together outside. There's just something about the fresh air and sunshine that makes everything better.
We've been enjoying the baby calves being so close. After requests all winter, we've finally gotten the 4 wheeler out and ride it out through the field of cows. The calves this year have so much personality. In the past we've always had purebred angus. That just makes for a lot of boring, black babies, but now that we're crossing with charolais the results have been much funner. We've got all sorts of brown combinations, spotting, and tail striping.

Tutti Fruiti

Pictured here on a crepe. One of our special occasion breakfasts since it's like eating dessert for breakfast.
I love to mix yogurt or pudding with Cool Whip and top with Tutti Fruiti

I got sick of having to refill our sticky, sugary, syrup container after every few breakfasts. I had been on a fresh salsa kick, so I came up with my own fruit one. It's perfect for topping waffles, pancakes, crepes, anything you would with syrup. And with a dollop of whip cream, it's better than syrup. The kids love the name "Tutti Fruiti" and frequently request the healthier alternative.

It's simple to make, I just quarter any fruit I've got on hand and throw it in my blender. I only peel the kiwi, everything else I throw in with the skin on. After a few pulses, it's chunkily delicious. It depends on the fruits I use, I occasionally add a few tablespoons of sugar to sweeten the deal. You can also use it like a jam or atop ice cream. And since it's low in sugar and high in fiber, it's a healty substitution.

My favorite combination is strawberries, a nectarine, kiwi, and an apple.

Eating Frog

Meet our April Fools appetizer, Mr. Frog. He tasted a lot more like a granny smith apple and grapes than chicken. We got the idea from Family Fun. You simply quarter the apple, remove seeds, slice grapes for the feet and legs, and roll eyeballs out of cream cheese. Insert a chocolate chip and voila! A new friend is born.
The kids LOVED this project.