Nope......

Nope...we're not dead....BUT our computer is. Along with so many pictures that will never be replaced. Ahhh, the crappy part of technology. I do have lots to share...so be patient and keep checking. I will post again soon.

6 Years!.....

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to My Dear Hubby! We've been married 6 years today. Sadly I can't get a wedding picture to scan. I searched through all my pictures and this is the only picture I could find that had the 2 of us in it. It was taken nearly 2 years ago! WHOOPS.....I think it is time for a family picture!

Long & Very Overdue.....

It has been a long while since my last post....

We have been so busy trying to cram in as much as possible in these last few weeks of summer. I love this picture of Clayton protecting Kaleb. Kaleb has a million dollar smile hidden behind that fist! My mom had a birthday a week after Clayton's. Here are the 3 musketeers enjoying the porch swing.
Clayton started Kindergarten on the 17th of August. This is his first, first day of school picture!

Sitting tall at his work station in Class. Yes, I cried. Wait....I didn't just cry, I bawled!

That next weekend we went camping at El Rito. We were right along a shallow creek. Even Missy got to go!

Here is our tent. We heard the creek babbling all night.

Kaleb was a happy camper.

The camp cooks.

This is my walking setup. I LOVE my Bob stroller, and so do the kids! We drop Clayton off at school, come home, buckle in, and walk 3 miles.

We also spent a weekend butchering chickens. We butchered 12 Cornish rock chickens. Our largest was 6.75 pounds dressed. The smallest was 4.89 pounds dressed. We celebrated by smoking one the next day. YUM!!!!

I have been canning, canning, canning, and did I mention Canning? This some of what I have done. My regular pantry is full of jars too. I still have some tomatoes and sweet corn to can. I love all the colors.

My dad reserved a cabin at a Lake for Labor Day weekend. Lindsy and Clayton LOVED fishing on Grandpa's boat! Grandpa even bought Lindsy a PINK fishing pole! (I love Clayton's shadow on the door.)

I spent 2 days 4-wheeling. One day with my mom. The other with Wilfred and the kids.

They are ready to get the show on the road.

We rode rough trails, rock and hill climbed, even stopped and ate some wild huckle berries.

I am a bit windblown....but having fun!!!!!!!!

Kaleb at 6 weeks.

Clayton came home from school 3 days ago with his first love note. Written by a girl named Darien. His best friends are Stephanie and Emma. (Sounds like little boy paradise! I wonder what will happen when he realizes that girls have cooties?)

I had so many pictures to share...but narrowed them down to a few. Wilfred took Clayton bear hunting this weekend. I am home with Lindsy and Kaleb. I hope to get Kaleb's room painted so Wilfred can get the baseboards on this week. The we can put the finishing touches in his room and move him in!

Hiking & Kaleb....

Found an acorn, Found an acorn.........

We went for a small hike in the forest on Sunday afternoon. Wilfred and the Kids went further and faster than me, but it was still fun to get out. We saw LOTS of Bear sign.... Maybe Wilfred will get a bear this fall.I am a proud baby wearing Momma!
Me and the Kids

My mom and Lindsy in their matching shirts.

"Mom, what is this strange vibrating feeling?"

The shirt says it all; 'Totally Cuter Than Dad'

Too Cute To Resist.....

This is one of my favorite pictures of Kaleb. I can't resist the cuteness of his butt sticking up. He is curled up like he was in my belly. He is 12 days old here. He had a check up and PKU test yesterday. In 12 days of life he has grown 3/4 of an inch and gone up to 8 lbs 15 oz. Clayton is sooooo excited to be 5. Yesterday I took him to get his school supplies. Here he is starting to sing happy birthday to himself. Once those candles were lit he broke into song and led us all into wishing him a Happy Birthday!
Kaleb and I enjoying an evening on the front porch.

Snuggles after a bath.

Yep, he smiles already!

Happy Birthday Clayton!

Clayton is 5 Years Old TODAY!!!! We plan to celebrate with Coke Cake and Fireworks!

HE'S HERE!!!!!!!

My baby belly, from my view point! This was taken on July 11th. Kaleb Tyler Born July 25th at 1:28 am.
8 lbs 2 oz 21 inches long

Daddy holding him for the first time.

The kids seeing Kaleb for the first time.

Lindsy is PROUD of her baby brother.

Clayton is so good and gentle with Kaleb.

Soon to be Dad, Collin, learning how to change a diaper.

1 week old!

Delivery was fast....but not painless! At 1 am, I was dilated to 6cm and had no medical intervention. Shortly after 1 am, I finally ok'ed a pain shot. They put in an IV and gave me a shot of Fentinayl (sp?) at 1:10am. Kaleb was born at 1:28 am!!!!!

Do We Really Want To Be Like Canada?.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2jijuj1ysw

Another Clayton-ism....

Tonight Wilfred finished the last of the drywall sanding on our remodel project. We have been living in several inches of drywall dust for the last 3 weeks. Clayton was on the potty tending to business when Wilfred came to tell me that he was finally done. Just being silly Wilfred and I started shouting things like: Yippee! Woo- Hoo! Clayton who could hear us from the bathroom yells, " WHAT HAPPENED MOM? DID YOUR WATER BREAK?"
My 4 year old made my night! The sound of disappointment when I told him no it had not yet broke. To know that my kids are just as ready and waiting for the baby to make his appearance, fills my heart with joy!

But, yes as you have more than likely guessed....I am OVERDUE! We are still waiting!!!! Also, my midwife has left for NH, where she will be for the next 3 years. On the upside, I met the one who is filling her place today. All of us love her just as much if not more than my last one.

I am guessing this is my latest lesson in patience......and not an easy one at that!

Just Waiting.......

My mom had surgery to repair some tendons in her foot on the 10th. I went and helped her out during the day, until she went back to work. Here she is snuggling with one very tired girl!Of course the kids were with me while I was taking care of my mom. I didn't realize how much they hear and pick up until I found them playing hospital. I was finally back at my own home and scrubbing the bathroom when I realized it was deathly silent in my house. I searched the house over and heard a bunch of giggling coming from Clayton's closet. I yanked the door open to find them like this:
Clayton says to me, "Hi mom. We are playing hospital." Lindsy says, "Yeah, I had foot surgery cuz Clayton poked me!" I nearly died from laughter. Lindsy even had her feet elevated on a little pink pillow. (It's hard to see since everything of hers is pink!)




Clayton is our little chicken farmer. (He shares my love for chickens!) Friday he was outside playing. I hear him singing sweet songs and went to look. He had my chicken scooped up and was walking her around. He would stop and kiss her head, sniff her a bit, sway side to side, and then go back to singing and pacing. (Think he is practicing for the new baby?) This hen took it all in great stride. Apparently she doesn't mind too much since she is always following him around the yard. Here we have a whole pile of Rio Grande baby Turkeys. ( 10 of them) They are also currently taking up residence in the dining room.

So while we have an abundance of babies around here, we are still waiting for THE BABY to grace us with his presence. They had though he was breech again. After a weekend of doing every trick in the book, I had an ultrasound which did indeed prove he was in the proper head down position. However, he weighed in at 6lbs 14 ounces in the ultrasound. (That was a week ago today.) The little stinker still didn't give us a picture of his face. We did get a glimpse long enough to see he was sticking his lips out in a fantastic pout! I am on pins and needles.....begging to be done! Any day now!!!!!!!!!!!

Chicks, Bears & Demo......

This is one of the Cornish roasters that we are raising for meat! The food scale was just a fun way to measure the growth of our chicks. It is pretty Ironic! Friday we took the kids on a picnic to the mountains near our home.

Getting ready for our hike!

You didn't know that the desert southwest had places this pretty!

The grass was taller than Clayton.

And YES, We ran into a bear! That is a REAL bear!

The demolition has begun.....Wilfred is taking out a wall to build a room for our baby.

Wilfred made the kids happy by giving the kids a tub of water to make mud pies in. Of course mom had to clean up the mess!

Lindsy just had to help me make cinnamon rolls this morning. She was so excited she forgot to get dressed!

The Chicks Are Here!....

Sunday afternoon we got a phone call from the post office. "Your chicks flew in today would you like to come pick them up?" Wilfred took the kids and raced to the post office! Lindsy came home singing "the chick-ies love me this I know" (Tune of Jesus loves me) They are currently making themselves at home in the dining room in a horse tank. Our Turkeys should be here tomorrow.

My mom got Lindsy a new 'Princess' phone. (She wore out her Polly pocket one!) Last night she would not go to bed without it. When I went in to check on her I found her sound asleep with a death grip on the phone. I took a picture and then pried the phone out of her hand.

My nesting syndrome seems to be kicking into high gear. I am feeling the need to scrub anything, plant everything, and cook, cook, cook. Yesterday I had this panic feeling that we might run out of Jelly. Costco had a great deal on raspberries. I stayed up til midnight making jam. I went to bed but not for long...I laid there thinking that I should clean the bath tub. Today I went on a baking spree which was good since I need to make up some of my Amish friendship bread.

Last but not least-----

We were in the car the other day listening to the radio. The cops theme (bad boys, bad boys) came on for a commercial. When it was over I hear Lindsy pipe up from the back seat "Cowboys, Cowboys whatcha gonna do?" She can sing the correct tune and everything. I nearly drove off the road from laughing so hard. I am very afraid of her turning 16...............

Where Has May Gone?

Where has May gone? It seems like last time I looked at the Calendar it was just May 1st. I never believed my mom when she said that time goes faster the older you get. Maybe it's not that I am getting older...it's that I'm getting busier! So many things to do and only 24 hours a day to do them! I took Clayton down to the school to register for Kindergarten. He is so very excited to start school. I was in 5th grade the year that school first opened. The office lady is the same one that ran the office when I went to school there! She recognized my maiden name, and had me point myself out in the school picture hanging on the wall in the office. Talk about a weird feeling! Here it was ME pulling up to the school with MY kids in the car....Not me being the kid with my mom driving!
I also had another ultrasound...I haven't gained much weight and my midwife was concerned. Turns out everything is fine. This little boy is a stinker and wouldn't show his face (again!) I got 6 good pictures of proof that he is without a doubt a BOY! For the ultrasound he was in a Frank breech position. (Both Head and legs up) He has since moved in to the correct head down and ready to go position. I am at 32 weeks and counting! Also since I had a reaction (again) to the RhoGam my midwife typed Wilfred's blood. We found out he is an A-. So she said I will no longer have to have any RhoGam unless one of our children pops out with a + blood type. (But that would be very unlikely!) I am so happy, If I could do cartwheels I would!
We have been working outside in the yard every spare moment. Clayton always runs and jumps into the wagon anytime he sees his dad pulling it. Wilfred decided that it was his turn for a ride. So as Clayton was going to put the wagon away Wilfred ran and jumped in. Clayton managed to pull Wilfred for a ways.....mostly it was down hill!

I realized that my kids have never been to the zoo. (I am a bad mom, I know!) We took a Friday afternoon and took the kids to the zoo. It was HOT and busy. Lots of end-of-the-school-year field trips. I sure did gain an appreciation for my mom who always chaperoned at our zoo field trips. Nonetheless we had fun. Here was the pink, pink, pink birds that Lindsy liked.

This condor was using his wings to cool himself.

A bobcat sleeping in his swing in the shade. He must have lots of personality!

Last week we went to lunch with my mom. The kids begged her to ride in the back with them. And since what the kids want they get, when it comes to grandparents, my mom crammed herself between the car seats.

Daddy brought Lindsy her first flowers! She was so proud of her "lel-low lilies"

CAN ANYONE HELPS US??????? Does anyone know what kind of mouse this is? We have caught 3 in the chicken coop. They are grey like a regular field mouse, but 4 times the size. They are not as big as a rat, nor do they have the tail of a rat. It is like a mouse on steroids. Anyone have any guesses?

Since Wilfred has been working out of town during the week, he has been making sure to spend time with the kids on the weekends. Clayton has been needing a set of shelves in his closet. Wilfred had Clayton help him build them. Here is Clayton sanding down his shelf.

And the finished project. They just need painted!

The picture of a TOTAL girl! (She is wearing her sunglasses to watch Hanna Montana)

One last thing, I have to tell on Clayton again!

With Wilfred getting his blood typed and all this mess with RhoGam, there has been a lot of 'blood' talk in our house. I didn't really realize how much until I was playing with Clayton a week ago. He was pestering me, tickling me and just being ornery. I started to tickle him back and he grabbed my 2 hands and sat on them and held them with his own for extra measure. Very smugly he says to me, "There mom you can't tickle me now!" I replied with, "Are you sure about that?" Clayton, "Yes" Me, "Are you really sure about that?" Clayton, "YES!" At this point I had started to wiggle my fingers to see if he was still so confidant. I asked him, "Are you POSITIVE about that?" He looked at me strange and says, "NO mom I am an O-!" I laughed myself to tears. And yes he is right, he really is an O-.

Catching up from April.....

Here we go another long post....... a week after our beef run William and Jenna flew down to see us. The kids were so excited to see them! Here Lindsy is showing off for 'Uncle Will-um'. She doesn't seem to notice that he is fast asleep and not paying any attention to her. :)

Everyone is reading. Lindsy on Uncle Will and Clayton on Aunt Jenna.

We drove up to Red River, NM to spend the night and do some fishing. We went to Eagles Nest Lake and had no luck. Pittman's drove over and met us for dinner that night. Our kids sure enjoyed spending time with their kids. I forgot to take pictures but Marlene didn't! ( http://marlenesmosaic.blogspot.com/2009/04/cousins.html)

The next morning we woke up to snow/rain/sleet. This was the view out our door.

Lindsy and Aunt Jenna.

A duck floating down the river.

Uncle William took Clayton Fishing. (William has hero status in Clayton's book.)

On the way home we decided to stop and check out the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. I couldn't stomach walking all the way out on it. Wilfred with Lindsy. William, Jenna, and Clayton are way up ahead.

Further down the road on our way home we stopped to fish the Rio Grande River. I got a bite but had no luck. We did have lots of fun though.

Wilfred really wasn't cranky he just looked it here.

Dad volunteered to go with us to the grocery store. While there he decided that he would like to have a coconut. Neither Clayton or I enjoyed it but Wilfred and Lindsy loved it!

Notice her shiny coconut milk chin and cheeks!

We also celebrated Grandpa Gary's birthday! Happy Birthday Grandpa!!!!!!

Then there was bowling! Best Buds...Collin and Clayton.

Korina and Collin (They are so cute finally married!)

Getting some last minute instruction from Amma.

Cousins.....kissing cousins! Alexander and Lindsy. Alexander is 4 months younger than Lindsy.

Lindsy got a new Car seat to go in her Amma's truck. She had to try it out through the store!

Missy is nearly a year old. Here she is giving me her best sad eyes.

And here she is in her FAVORITE pose. She loves to sleep like this.

Grandpa Morris also flew down for a weekend visit.

Here is a RARE photo. Me pregnant. I hate to have pictures taken of me and I found this on my camera that Wilfred had snuck thinking it was his camera. No my hair is not yet combed here but as you can tell I am not only wide in the front but also in the back. UGH! Just try to focus on the cute girl who is so intent on helping mix the muffin batter. Lindsy's new 'cheesy' grin.

The next 2 pictures are for Lou Puderbaugh. She made these quilts. Lindsy's is Raggedy Ann. Clayton's is Thomas. The kids LOVE their quilts and sleep with them every night. (Check out Lou's blog at the right.)

Wilfred spent April trying to get a sprinkler system put in. He finally got it nearly finished this past weekend. Here he is digging some of the trenches.

Of course, you can't have those fun trenches with out having 2 kids full of imagination to play in them!

I hope you've enjoyed catching up on our April. May is sure to be just as busy!

Clayton is Saving the Chickens....

Now it is Clayton's turn to be told on.......

The kids and I were outside watering today. It felt great to be out in the sunshine! We have 10 chickens 1 of which is blind. This poor little chicken in a great layer...so we just let her be. When she is threatened and not sure of where to run she will crouch down and tuck her head into her chest. To get her moving again we just nudge her with our toe or pick her up and move her. A few months ago I taught Clayton how to pick up the chickens and carry them around. He thinks it is great fun and tries it out on a regular basis. Now back to today.... We were watering and the chickens all came rushing over to scratch at the water in the tree rings. I asked Clayton to shoo them off as they make a mess. They all scattered but the blind one. Clayton gently picked her up and coddled her up against his chest. He began to coo and talk to her as he hauled her across the yard to the chicken coop. About halfway there I hear him start to snicker. I asked him what was so funny. He turned around and grinned. With all the seriousness a child can muster he said, "Oh, I just like to baptize the chickens in their water bucket!" After I recovered from shock I yelled, "You'd better not!" He replied, "But mom, I've done it lots of times before." Now I am thinking on the days egg production is down I had better make sure Clayton wasn't baptizing the chickens again.

RhoGam....

I went in to have my supposedly mercury free, preservative free Rhophylac IV injection on the 23rd. I am finally feeling brave and or good enough to talk about it.
After receiving the injection my arm immediately began to ache and go numb. It took her about 8 minutes to push the injection into my vein. I personally think she should have taken a bit longer. 10 minutes after the injection was finished I got an extreme headache that pounded directly between my eyes. I felt like I had been sledgehammered between the eyes. I also went very pale and was dizzy. I think that if I would have stood up I would have passed out. I also got a very nasty metallic taste in my mouth, that is still there days later. The metallic taste leads me to believe that this injection was NOT truly mercury and heavy metal free. They are still allowed to use preservatives and mercury in the injections, the flip side being that as long as the amount is below a certain percentage they can label them as mercury and preservative free.
I was kept for over an hour because of my reaction. One of the nurses there mentioned that since I have had a reaction before that I am most likely not reacting to the RhoGam itself but to the mercury in it. Yes, That is right he admitted there was really mercury in it!
One of the other nurses also mentioned to me that while Rhophylac claims to be free of those toxins, they did have one other patient who did her research on Rhophylac and found their claims to not be true. In this patients research she did find that there is one RhoGam that is truly free of those toxins. This is made by Bayer. The nurse told me that she couldn't say anymore, but that she did know that they could order it as they did so for that patient.
I have included the information that I have found on the Bayer RhoGam and how to get it at the bottom of this post. But before I get to that I wanted to mention the KNOWN side effects of the injection that I was given. I am typing this FROM THE BOOKLET that came with the injection.
WARNINGS/PRECAUTIONS: Allergic or hypersensitivity reactions may occur. Products made from human plasma may contain infectious agents and diseases. For patients with anemia Rhophylac will increase the severity of the anemia. ADVERSE REACTIONS: Most common are nausea, dizziness, headache, malaise, chills, increased body temperature, and mild extravascular hemolysis. SEVERE REACTIONS: Death. Pretty scary considering these booklets are sugar coated, so they don't scare people! Something else that I learned in my weekend of research. Many children who have never been vaccinated and are autistic usually have a RH- mother who was given some form of RhoGam at 28 weeks. There is no way to actually test the reactions and effects that Rhogam has on the baby growing in your belly. They just ASSUME that it won't harm the fetus. Most children who are autistic test off the charts for heavy metal toxicity in their systems. Parents who have never vaccinated but still have a autistic child couldn't figure out the link.....until they looked at the mothers blood type. If you are an RH- mother please look into making your midwife/Dr order you the Rhogam without Mercury! Remember that just because it says it is free of those toxins doesn't mean it really is. It may only have less than is required to print in their booklets, still allowing them to call it toxin free!
[ ] MERCURY-FREE RHOGAM VACCINE If someone you know is pregnant and RH-negative, they will have to be given the Rhogam vaccine - a vaccine that contains mercury. Babies born to mothers receiving this vaccine have been shown to have mercury in their bodies before ever receiving any vaccines of their own. Since mercury is a neurotoxin, obviously less is better. The good news is that mercury-free Rhogam is available in the United States from Bayer Pharmaceuticals. It used to be called BayRoh-D, but is now called Hyper Rho. You can get a list of distributors that your doctor can use to order it by calling 800-243-4153.

FYI Gardasil.......

Click here: YouTube - Urgent Warning about Gardasil

The Right Attitude.....

THE CONFIDENCE OF A 2 YEAR OLD!

Just a few minutes ago Lindsy did something that was very eye opening. I was in my bathroom and she came in. Let me tell you how she looked. She was wearing pj's that showed what she ate for breakfast, had a very dirty face, and tangled and disheveled hair that was standing out every which way. Also she stunk, having just soiled her diaper. In the bathroom we have a full length mirror with a scale under it. Lindsy stepped up on to the scale, looked down at her weight, looked up into the mirror and grinned! Then she says to herself in the mirror, " Whoo-wee I look BEAUTIFUL!"

After several minutes of side splitting laughter I recovered enough to tell her she was indeed beautiful! Without a second glance in the mirror she skipped off, very confidant in herself.

What a lesson for me....to just have the confidence of my 2 year old. NO matter what the scale says, NO matter what the mirror shows...just smile and tell yourself you are BEAUTIFUL!

TAG....

4-4-4

I've been tagged......

1. Choose the fourth folder where you store pictures on your computer. 2. Choose the fourth picture. 3. Explain that picture. 4. Tag 4 other people.

This picture was taken on 7-21-2007, a month after we moved into our new home. Lindsy had just finished her 2nd breakfast of the morning and I was attempting to do dishes. As you can imagine she didn't sit still for long! This was one day before Lindsy turned 9 months!

I tag..... Dalayna, Jane, Crystal, & Dustin.

Wyoming Beef Run.....

We had ordered 1/2 a cow from Kelly's Super in Torrington, WY. (They have the world's best natural beef!) Several of my family members also ordered meat. So wouldn't you know it the weekend that we are supposed to pick up the meat, there is a major spring snowstorm, both here and there! We left Thursday evening to try to get ahead of the storm before it hit NM. We did well until North of Las Vegas, NM. We battled blizzard like conditions the rest of the way. At 10 pm we climbed up Raton Pass. It was supposed to be closed but since there were no police or gates in place we went on a head. We had to turn off the headlights and drive by the fog lamps. That was REALLY scary....but we made it fine and as we pulled into Trinidad, CO we found out we could go no further as they did have the road actually closed. We got a hotel room at 11pm and slept soundly as the blizzard raged outside. The kids wanted to share a bed with us so I slept with Lindsy and Clayton slept with Wilfred. For all of Lindsy's 28 pounds she is sure a bed hog. I took this picture when I gave up trying to fit in the bed at 6 am.When Clayton fell asleep we was laying where the Thomas is. He refused to touch his dad....it was a different story at 6 am when they were snuggled together in the middle of the bed. I guess dad is warmer than Thomas.
At Pikes Peak Raceway along I-25 the truck went over 100,000 miles. This is a cool picture of the odometer.

After tough roads we finally made it to Morris and Jeanie's Friday evening. We spent Saturday playing in the snow and hiking around. They had this HUGE snowdrift. Warner and Wilfred took some shovels and dug out a fort in the drift. Clayton had to have his 'coyote' gun with him where ever he went. (It is a TOY gun) Clayton is inside the fort making sure there are no coyotes in there!

The entrance

Even room inside for the adults

From inside looking out....notice the snow stairs?

Of course we had to have a picture of the cows!

Clayton and Juli playing at the Fort.

Lindsy looking out

Clayton and Juli sledding down the same HUGE snowdrift.

Daddy and Lindsy sledding. (Lindsy even went down by herself...I didn't get a picture)

Even I took a turn at sledding. (I did cheat and go down the shorter side....after all I am pregnant!)

Heading inside at the end of the day... notice Clayton has a wet hiney, and a wet head!

After the bath Lindsy and Clayton each had to play some music

On the way home after getting our meat, Lindsy didn't last 10 minutes on the road. She slept for 2 1/2 hours with a death grip on the box of crackers.

The weekend before we went to Wyoming we spent getting sprinkler stuff. Wilfred is putting in a sprinkler system so we can plant some grass and not have so much blowing dirt! We ate lunch at McAllister's Deli. They were so packed that we ordered our food to go and had a picnic in the truck bed! The kids each had their own roll of sprinkler tubing to corral them.

A covered South Mountain. This was taken outside our house.

One evening we went to feed the horses for my parents. Sassy was being....well SASSY! So my goofy hubby decided to give her a dose of her own medicine. She wasn't very impressed.

yes, he was sitting on her feed.

There you have it.....2 posts in 2 days...don't get used to it. :)

Collin and Korina's Wedding......

Blogger is posting these all out of order and I don't feel like wasting the time to rearrange them.

The kids enjoyed some morning snuggling with Daddy and a box of crackers.

The new 'Cars' table from Amma. THANKS AMMA!
Beautiful lilies from my hubby!

Now the wedding and these are all backwards!
The Newlyweds leaving for the Honeymoon.....Clayton parked himself in the back seat of their car. They kindly gave him a ride to the end of the driveway.

Caught stealing kisses from the bride!

The wedding cake and cupcakes.

Clayton the ring bearer. He spent the first part of the wedding dancing a jig....then handed the ring pillow off and dashed down the isle. I thought of everything BUT making sure he had gone potty before the wedding. He dashed off to go potty and still made it back in time to hand out the rings!

Collin and Korina and Judge Steve Jones.

Judge Jones is the same judge who married Wilfred and I.

Collin and Clayton before the wedding.

Lindsy playing outside before the Bridal Shower. Yes, the house behind us is for sale anyone want to buy it?

Korina trying out her Honey Do whistle.

I made Korina a Mocha Texas Sheet Cake for her bridal shower.

Wilfred helped by free-handing some umbrellas onto the cake. I think it is unfair to have talent like that!

Lindsy helped with labeling all the party favors.

We had a fun bridal shower and they had a Beautiful wedding! We wish them many years of happiness!

The Results Are In............

Drum roll please! Those of you who guessed BOY have won the satisfaction of being right.

Playing Catch-Up

AHEM! I would first like to thank my consistent 3 commenter's!
I have finally hauled my camera to the computer to download the latest photos. So here they are.......

Lindsy LOVES raspberries. (With a little whipped cream of course!)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WILFRED!

I made him a German Chocolate cake (not from a box or can) I failed to make enough icing so while it won't win any beauty competitions it sure did taste good!

The kids have taken to calling him "Farmer Dad". We (he, I just provide moral support) have been getting this years garden spot ready. It will have been 2 years since we have had a large garden. Even the kids are looking forward to it!

Wilfred is using my Ferguson Tractor that my Dad and his brother shared when we were kids. I remember my dad plowing lots of snow with this tractor. We inherited it 3 years ago not in any sort of running condition.

Clayton LOVED to help out with the POOP, err... Manure!

Missy felt the need to try some out as well. NASTY

Being a little girl is hard work. She fell asleep while chattering on her Polly Pocket phone. You'll notice she still didn't let go of it!

Spoons and noses......... the kids couldn't quite figure it out but I do love their expressions!

Dad says "Enough already !"

My mom brought the kids a Thomas the Train ride on. Clayton was a little more interested in putting the track together.

While Lindsy claimed the drivers seat.

Clayton's first Snowman ever! Thanks dad for the help! As you can see this was done the same day the kids got into Dad's grease paint.

Take a moment and vote in the poll to the right. I have my next ultrasound on Tuesday, so look for an update then.

Leave it to Maxine to come up with a solution for the mess that America is in

Someone emailed me this and I thought it was too TRUE to keep to myself. Sometimes you just have to LOVE Maxine! I bought a bird feeder. I hung it on my back porch and filled it with seed. What a beauty ofa bird feeder it was, as I filled it lovingly with seed. Within a week we had hundreds of birds taking advantage of the continuous flow of free and easily accessible food. But then the birds started building nests in the boards of the patio, above the table,and next to the barbecue. Then came the poop. It was everywhere: on the patio tile,the chairs, the table ..everywhere! Then some of the birds turned mean. They would dive bomb me and try to peck me even though I had fed them out of my own pocket. And others birds were boisterous and loud. They sat on the feeder and squawked and screamed at all hours of the day and night and demanded that I fill it when it got low on food. After a while, I couldn't even sit on my own back porch anymore. So I took down the bird feeder and in three days the birds were gone. I cleaned up their mess and took down the many nests they had built all over the patio. Soon, the back yard was like it used to be .... quiet, serene.....and no one demanding their rights to a free meal.

Now let's see. Our government gives out free food, subsidized housing,free medical care and free education, and allows anyone born here to be an automatic citizen. Then the illegals came by the tens of thousands. Suddenlyour taxes went up to pay for free services; small apartments are housing 5 families; you have to wait 6 hours to be seen by an emergency room doctor; your child's second grade class is behind other schools because over half the class doesn't speak English. Corn Flakes now come in a bilingual box; I have to'press one ' to hear my bank talk to me in English, and people waving flags other than 'Old Glory' are squawking and screaming in the streets, demanding more rights and free liberties. Just my opinion, but maybe it's time for the government to take down the bird feeder...If you agree, pass it on; if not,continue cleaning up the poop

Do you Eat McDonald's?

Do you know about the 4 year old Hamburger?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IGtDPG4UfI

There is not much new around here....just that we are expecting # 3, due in July. I am doing well, so is the baby. Here is an ultrasound picture and a short video. This picture is of the baby and its LONG leg. Also there is a faint hand that is reaching up to touch the forehead.Everyone is excited about # 3. Clayton can't wait until we have the baby and he keeps telling about all the fun he and Lindsy will have while I am at the Hospital. (Last time he stayed with my Aunt Diana. Despite her getting sick, he had a GREAT time. He keeps telling Lindsy all the things they will get to do at Aunt Diana's. )

When we had Clayton I KNEW he was going to be a boy. With Lindsy I again KNEW she was a girl. This time neither Wilfred or I have a feeling. What is your feeling? Boy or Girl?

Wilfred did go hunting but got really sick up on the side of the mountain. He spent most of his time curled up on Boulders sleeping in the sunshine. So therefore you guessed it....no deer in the freezer this year. That is ok...he did get an elk.

More of the Kids....

Daddy has been running around the house today trying to gather his hunting things all in one place. He has a deer hunt coming up next week. As the stuff started piling up in the living room, the kids got more and more interested. Soon Clayton found the grease paint. Daddy couldn't resist......She looks like she has muddy cheeks.....I guess that is the point, right?

Clayton started using my measuring cup as a bow/gun. Who knew measuring cups could be so dangerous.

Both kids were quite pleased with the results....they thought it was the most fun to jump around a corner and scare me.

Clayton's Corgi pup is growing and growing. She has been needing a new kennel for quite some time. I took her with me to Petsmart the other day and we picked out a new kennel and bedding as well as a new collar. When I got home with the things the kids thought I had brought them and new playhouse. (Clayton is on this kick that he is a pup and Lindsy is a kitty cat) I purchased the kennel extra large so that Missy would be able to use it for the rest of her life. I guess I didn't realize how big it was until both kids climbed in it!

About once a day now my newly repeated sentence is; "Kids, get out of the dog kennel! That's Missy's bed!"

The other night we had some snow blow in. The sun started to set just as the clouds were breaking up. I took these outside on the front porch.

Thanksgivings!

I am sorry for the lack of order in these pictures.......no matter how I tried to post them, blogger mixed them up.

We had a great 2 Thanksgivings. Yes, that is right I said 2 Thanksgivings. Twice the Turkey and all the fixings! (I hope to not see anymore Turkey for at least 3 or 4 months!) Our first meal was a week early with all my family. (Good thing we had 2 Turkeys to butcher!) The second meal was at our house and Morris and Jeanie and Warner and Crystal came down to see us. We also had some friends from here come and my cousin, his girlfriend and her family. It was a wonderful houseful! I was busy cooking and didn't take any pictures. :( Here is a picture of one of the birds. Both of them weighed in at 30lbs dressed. Wilfred built a smoker and smoked both birds. Lindsy is riding a 'wiggle car'. Her and Alexander and Clayton has so much fun playing together at the 1st Thanksgiving.
Alexander and the softball.

Wilfred giving Alexander a ride.

Uncle Warner and the kids watching YouTube videos.

Daddy was remounting his scope. The kids were very interested in what he was doing. They look like future hunters to me!

Reading Archie comics while waiting for breakfast.

The other day Clayton asked for meat on sticks. I asked him if he meant Kabobs and he yelled "yeah! Ka-bob-bas! I made elk kabobs and they were a hit!

Clayton enjoying his 'just meat' ka-bob-bas.

Wilfred enjoying a Louis L'Amour.

Sitting in a bin together.

Another Ka-bob-bas fan!

Hope you have enjoyed this. I had 2 really cute videos to post. Blogger wasn't allowing them to load so I will try to post them later.

Well, another year come and gone! I turned 24 today. We celebrated my birthday over the weekend. My mom got this yummy Boston Creme Cake. It was scrumptious but very rich! I spent some time thinking about what I have accomplished in the last year. I have been blogging for a full year now. It was fun to go back and look at how my kids have grown. I am very thankful for my kids. They are brilliant and full of energy. They are happy and healthy and I couldn't ask for more from them. I do need to spend more time enjoying them. Next fall Clayton will be in school and I don't want to be kicking myself for missing out on time with him. I realized that my kids have yet to go to the zoo. I have taken them to the aquarium but not the zoo. Shame on me.

I have a great husband who does go to work to support our family. I need to make sure and set aside time to spend with him and let him know how grateful I am for his willingness to support us.

I have a sister and both parents who are close to me. I need to spend more time appreciating the sacrifices my parents made for me growing up. I also need to spend more quality time with my sister......she is the only one I will ever have!

Most of all I am thankful to my father in heaven who has blessed me beyond my wildest dreams. I know he is not done working with me and I must stop hindering his progress in my life. He has given me my family, my husband and my children. We have food on the table and a warm roof over our heads. I can not ask for more. I want to spend more time saying thank you to him!

I hope to spend the next 365 days making relationships stronger, spending more time with my kids, and putting more of myself aside. 23 was a good year and I know I can make 24 even better!

Concrete does not = Friends

How come when you mention the word concrete around your friends they scatter? We have been wanting to pour a sidewalk since moving into this house. When we finally saved up enough funds to do so our friends all left us like we had the plague. So my faithful father and hardworking husband did all 5 yards by themselves. I love our new sidewalk, now I am planning the flower beds!

Can it be? Gas for under 2$ a gallon! Time to celebrate!

Lindsy is finally showing interest in potty training! Yea!

2 Yrs old.

4 Yrs old.

2 Years Ago Today.......

I was walking out the door to go to Sunday morning meeting and my water broke! Off to the hospital we went and at 9:52 pm Lindsy Ann was born. She checked in at 7lbs 2 oz and 19 inches. Thankfully her big brother has always been (pretty) good with her. I love the picture below because it looks like he is unsure what he is supposed to do with a baby sister. Enjoy walking down our memory lane. First Thanksgiving.

At 10 months old she was so little she could sit in a salad bowl!

Sharing a cookie with Daddy at one years old.
Here is 2 year old pictures I took Lindsy .

I think brother still loves her!

I made Lindsy a Carrot Cake for her birthday.
My sister's birthday is tomorrow so I made her a Cherry Pie.

I am a bad mom! I forgot to get any birthday candles.....so we improvised!
Rocking chair from Amma and Boppa.
A new purse (came fully loaded with candy) and a Baby with a new stroller.
HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY LINDSY!

THERES A COW IN THE SKY!!!!.....

One thing October always brings here is Balloon Fiesta. (Wilfred calls it the balloon fiasco.) It is an International event bringing people from all over the world. As a kid I loved to go see it. Then I lost interest, now I have kids of my own and really enjoyed seeing their faces light up. The only downside is the balloons fly at 7 am. I had to get up at 4 and get everything ready. The kids and I picked my mom up at 5. We sat in traffic for an hour 5:45 to 6:45. I finally gave up on getting into the balloon park and found a nice spot along side the road. The kids have fun and I had fun watching them. Then the cops came and ran us all off. We got to see most of it. Sadly this year there was a fatality when one of the balloons hit the power lines and the balloon caught fire. Wilfred hates this time of year because the traffic is always the worst and the balloon can be a hazard to the job sites. Still it is a neat event. This is the First Balloon to go up.....the first one always carries the American Flag.

The Creamland cow. Creamland is the milk of New Mexico. We also saw Darth Vader, Nemo, The White House, a Castle, Wells Fargo Stagecoach and many others. (Too bad my camera ran out of batteries! )

We bought another house the other day. Thankfully we didn't have to mortgage it!


Missy is growing!

The little ham Happy to have a sucker!
I guess dress -up is in a girls genetic makeup. Here she is with her brother's hat, her purse, and her Daddy's boots!
We had snow Tuesday morning! We had about 2 inches total and then it started to rain. I snapped this picture after it had been raining. See the turkey heading into the wood shed?

Blog? What Blog?.....

Since I am very tired of getting 'hate mail' from all of you I am taking some time to make a post. However be forewarned that it will be a long one!

Here is a picture of Wilfred's crane in action. This job site was an observatory.
This is the drop down the cliff where the observatory was being built.

This is flight for life leaving the job site. The job site supervisor beaned one of the other laborers on the head with a forklift. The laborer was fine.....had a broken neck.
The crane put away as the sun was setting.
2 oryx on the mountainside. You may have to click on the picture to see them better.
Sunset

Lindsy has moved up to a big girl bed! Her brother just had to try it out with her.
The sun setting against some clouds out our back door.
Wilfred took 2 weeks to go Elk hunting. Here was the camp.
Wilfred and his Elk.

Can you see the man in the picture?
The views from Mt. Taylor.


This silly squirrel is always at the bank. Can you see him in the rocks?

Clayton and Lindsy anxiously watching the biscuits baking.
While Wilfred hunted I canned! Green Beans, Strawberry Jelly, Grape Jelly, pickles, and peaches.

Lindsy helping me bake some magic cookie bars.
She couldn't see but she could help!
Waiting for them to bake.
A potluck. All the kids were sitting on the wall. ( Yes, my husband counts as a kid.)

I came home to find these 2 lizards sitting on the tractor tires.
The kids riding tractors at the State Fair.
I spent a weekend with my mom in Las Vegas. The kids stayed with their Auntie Rae. Wilfred was still hunting.

In L.V. we went to M&M World. Here is the M&M stock car. I am holding the racing jacket I brought back for Clayton.

The lions in the middle of the MGM Grand.
Skyline of New York, New York.
More N.Y, N.Y., The Monte Carlo, and more building in the background.
Statue of Liberty outside N.Y., N.Y.

The Excalibur.
Paris!

The Rio where we stayed.

Flowers in my mom's flower garden.

Daddy pulling the kids in the wagon.
Digging up the potatoes.
The bounty of the night.
We went to the Rodeo. We watched some mutton bust'n. Here the clown was rushing in to pick up one of the little cowboys.

After the Rodeo we watched Luke Bryan in concert. It was a great concert. You can click on the picture and see it larger.
This looks like someone set a bomb off. This was the clouds as the sunset out our backdoor.

Now that you have seen why we have been so busy, I hope you will take a moment and PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT!!!!!!! :)

Clayton's Birthday...

Our Boy turned 4 and we celebrated all weekend. First off he got his birthday gift from us a week before his birthday. She is a Corgi named Missy. We let Clayton name her. She is his buddy and even gets to sleep in his room.

Clayton wanted a 'Thomas' birthday. I made this cake for him. The train would go whizzing around the track.

A very pleased boy!

Loving on Missy!

Clayton wanted to make sure Alexander had his pacifier. He was clipping it on his shirt.

Clayton was thrilled with Grandpa Gary's gift......Fishing Loot!

Fishing on Saturday...... Just getting on the lake. Grandma was holding Lindsy and Clayton was hanging on.

Reeling in the first fish. It was Grandpa's.

Daddy helping Clayton reel in his first fish.
A small mouth bass.....Good Job Clayton!
Daddy caught the biggest fish. A Walleye. Everyone else was catching small bass.
Passed out after a hard day on the boat.

Sunday Night..... Lindsy may have a future in modeling.....

4 Years Ago Today.....

Our Precious boy Clayton James was born at 6:50 am. He weighed in at 7lbs 11oz and was 21 inches long. Here are some of his baby pictures. Also some videos....A lot has changed in 4 years. My little boy has grown and keeps us entertained every day. Also we no longer have "Nunie" who Clayton was yelling at in one of the videos. Enjoy these....AND if you have kids go give them a hug and tell them that you love them...for they grow up much too fast!

Happy Birthday Clayton!!!
(Look for more pictures of his party, his awesome birthday gift, and his day at the lake. When we celebrate, we celebrate!)

Great Day for Kids, Bad Day for Dog....

These Pictures belong at the end of this post. So sorry for the mix up. This is pictures of the flooding that just happened at our house. Clayton's tractors were not able to stand up to the water. I hope he has hazard insurance. :)

Water rushing from the front yard to the back yard through the little drainage ditch Wilfred dug.

Saturday: Our poor dog Russell.... He has been a matted mess for sometime. I've tried to brush him but always end up sneezing my brains out. His long shaggy fur has been a magnet for weeds, bugs, poop, and other disgusting things. And Saturday we discovered he had mites. I have been planning to get him into the groomer, but never made it happen. (I guess I need more doing and less planning in my life!) Long story short.....Wilfred ran over to my parents house and grabbed a stock tank. I boiled several pans of hot water on the stove to make the hose water not so cold. In went the dog.
Clayton loved being able to help. Here he was contemplating where to dump the next cup of water.

Russell is a great dog. He never once tried to get away or fight. I think he was happy to finally be getting cleaned up. He ended up having to be shaved short. He was so matted there was no way it was getting brushed out. Wilfred did the grooming honors. With all the helping Clayton did he got wet and covered in dog hair. So the next thing I knew I was boiling more water. When the tank was rinsed and cleaned and the water properly warmed....in went the kids! Their first chance to skinny dip.....I hope we haven't started something we will regret!

While all of this water play was going on I was working in the kitchen. Great news! Grandpa's Apricot tree finally had a good year. This is the 5 gallon bucket Wilfred picked for me. I had picked 2 bags full. I spent Saturday making jam and canning.
Too tempting for little hands....

I also picked our first Zucchini on Saturday.
And the fruits of my labor. This picture was taken at 2:30am Sunday. I had finally finished and cleaned the kitchen up. It shouldn't have taken me so long, but I had to keep stopping to make meals and warm up water and, and , and........


Tuesday: I thought this was neat. I've never seen the roots of a corn stalk stick out before.

Squash blooms




This is a storm cell over our neighbors house. This same storm has now flooded out our yard. (See first 4 pictures)

An update of my planters.

Nothing cuter than kids in jammies......

Daddy and kids before bedtime.

Horses, Kids, Snakes.....

Do you remember My post about my mom's new horse? We called her Lilly at the time....My mom got her home on the 4th. Her name is now Serena. Here is the little squirt drinking from Wilfred's water jug. Wilfred leading Serena around.
Yesterday afternoon we went and rode horses. I have finally gotten my saddle cleaned up and ready to use again. Here is Lindsy riding Sequoia. She loves the horses!!!!!

Clayton didn't want to ride yesterday. He was more concerned with digging in the dirt. I got tickled when I looked out my kitchen window yesterday evening. This is what I saw....The shirt is too perfect!
Sunday night we were coming home about 9:15 pm. We were right in front of our house when we saw this baby(?) rattlesnake crossing the road. We ran it over several times with the car. Then got out to make sure it was indeed dead. Apparently the snake had just eaten a mouse. If you click on the picture you can see the mouses fur, tail, and a foot in the guts of the snake. This the second baby rattler that we have found in the year we have lived here. We are guessing there must be a den nearby.

Trip to Wyoming....

We had a great trip to Wyoming. We enjoyed getting to see lots of Family and Friends! I could go on and on telling you about the trip but you would get tired of reading.....so hopefully the pictures will give you a glimpse of what we enjoyed. I love to read all your comments so if you have a moment please leave one!

Here is a water lily on one of the live springs at Morris and Jeanie's.
Whoops...Clayton fell in the spring! Notice the wet leg?

Uncle Will took Wilfred and Clayton fishing. It was the highlight of the trip for Clayton. I was getting worried as it was getting really late and they weren't back yet. As it turns out Clayton didn't want to leave the lake and he begged to stay until morning. Will was only too happy to stay on the lake and make Clayton happy. Of course when they finally got the boat out of water and headed for home Clayton didn't last too long in the pickup. Here Lindsy is very worried about Clayton. Here it is almost midnight and they bring her brother in slumped over his car seat. I think Will has earned favorite uncle status in Clayton's book
The cows...Yes, it was raining!!!!!

The little waterfall.
Neat little flowers growing out of a rock.
The 'mountain goats' hiking ahead. I was lagging far behind because I kept stopping to take pictures.

Clayton, Grandpa, and Daddy behind the waterfall.

Sunday Morning of Chugwater. Little Cowboy.


Finally a Family picture...Of course Wilfred would have to have his hat jammed down on his head so you can't see his face....... Clayton's grin more that makes up for it.

The brothers.
Lindsy and Bop-ba. (She is quite a grandpa's girl for both Morris and my Dad.)
Getting taught to stick Aunt Crystal's hair sticks in the ground....Can't blame the kid she had help!
When we got home:

Korina's birthday lunch! The kids adore Korina if you can't already tell that.

The whole family pitched in to buy Korina a bike.
Back to work on the projects at home. Doesn't Daddy look proud of his little girl out digging in the dirt.
Egg update: They Hatched while we were gone. Only 2 of the 3 eggs made it and they flew out of the nest yesterday. I got a little sad when I watched them leave....The mother bird seemed overjoyed that her babies made it. I couldn't help but think of something that we humans call 'empty nest syndrome.' We mothers want to hold onto our babies as long as possible...and when they leave home it breaks our heart. (which my mom told me when I left.) When the birds finally leave their home the momma seems to be filled with joy that they have made it. I was thinking maybe I should take a note from mother nature. I need to do all my loving, caring, feeding, nurturing, and tending to my children while I can. That way when they do leave home I can be filled with joy that I have done my best and that they have made it! (I guess we will see when that time comes, I am sure someone will have to remind me of the momma bird!)

How We Keep Busy.....

UGH!!!! I CAN'T TAKE THIS HEAT! This has been a regular occurrence the last few days. Today it was even hotter but I didn't get a picture. To go along with this heat we have had a HOT, DRY wind. Like I said UGH! Lindsy got a new stroller last week. She loves it!!! She will just sit in it for hours and be happy.

Clayton riding Sassy on Saturday night.
He looks good up there doesn't he!?
I thought this was way too funny when I rounded the corner and saw him. Even little kids know how to read on the pot!

Memorial Day Weekend.....

I hope everyone had a great Memorial Day weekend....We did! We rode horses on Monday. Wilfred and I are both sore this morning. My mom bought a new horse on Monday. Her name is Lily. She is 2 months old. She is still going to stay with her momma until the end of July. She is APHA registered. I am going to show her at the N.M. State Fair in the halter class. She is very sweet and loving! Here she was bonding with Wilfred. On Saturday We went out to Bouton's Place. They had a windmill that was needing the head taken off of it. They also needed the water tower taken down. Where they live there was a HUGE fire. It burned several thousand acres of the national forest and some of Bouton's land. That same fire burned 59 homes in the area. Wilfred drove the crane down with Clayton, and Lindsy and I drove my car with a trailer. The plan was to use the crane on the windmill and water tower. Then go cut timbers from the burned parts of the land. I wish I could have captured the burn and the scar on film....there was just no way! It was amazing and very sobering. I am so sorry for the quality of the photos. Somehow my darling children got finger prints all over my lens.

The fire was so hot that even the rocks burned... some of the HUGE boulders cracked in half!

One tree burned nearly completely while the cluster of trees around it are still standing.
The kids had so much fun playing in the dirt!

Here is the crane Wilfred was using. He has recently been promoted to a 40 ton crane. This is it!

My crazy husband climbed the windmill tower and hung on while unbolting the head. Yes, it was very windy and I was very nervous!

The NASTY RAT and the Bird.....

This is the momma bird who has chosen our chicken coop to build her nest and lay her eggs. I am thinking she didn't do her research..after all it is ironic that she would lay her eggs in the place our birds lay theirs. I just don't think she realized that we don't let the chickens keep their eggs...I think I will let her keep hers! :)Her nest. The eggs, this isn't a great picture but it is the best I could do...after all I was reaching up on my tip-toes to stick my camera in there for a picture.
WARNING THE FOLLOWING PICTURE IS NASTY!
I came home this morning from taking my sister to the airport. I found the dogs had killed one of the turkeys and had scattered the other 3 around the yard. It is cold and windy today with rain and sleet. (2 days ago it was 90 degrees and today it was 37 degrees 2 hours ago.) I went out to gather up the turkeys and get them in the coop. I found 2 but couldn't find the last one. I heard it peeping...I finally thought to check behind the dog house. I came face to face with a RAT! I quickly checked the other side of the dog house and sure enough there was the turkey. I ran in the house and grabbed the pellet gun. I shot that stupid rat. Then I gathered the turkey up and took it to the others. I then had to go get the hoe and scrape the rat out from behind the dog house. This is a picture of it good and dead! (I wanted a picture for proof for Wilfred!) YUCK!

Say Cheese! ...

Lindsy loves to run around the yard. We always have to shut the front gate or she will take off. The picture is blurry but you can still see her grin!
A drink break. Playing outside in 90 degree heat is hard work! (I am not sure what is up with Clayton he would not smile...he would only squinch up his face.)

This is the backhoe Wilfred rented to bury Levi. I got to drive it some!
I had some help driving!

Sad day....

I don't have any pictures for today, but I did want to let everyone know that My 'older man' Levi passed away last night. He was 29 if not a bit older. We have had him since fall of 1999. He sure was sweet and I will miss him. I will try to dig up a photo of him and post it.

Cats....

I am not a fan of Cats but this video is way too funny to not share! Enjoy it.... http://video.stumbleupon.com/#p=fq55ieixwd

Tuesday Morning...

Finally! After all my gripes about the weather here we had a BEAUTIFUL day! It started off Tuesday morning with FOG! Can you believe it, there was actually moisture in the air? I had a moment after Wilfred went to work and before the kids woke up. I spent it outside breathing deep, very deep. It smelled sooooooo good! Here is the chicken coop. This is one of the 3 planters on the front porch.
I scared all the birds away from the feeder on accident. Here are a few that didn't mind me too much. I just stood outside in my jammies taking in the beauty. I loved the sound of the birds singing their morning songs.
Here is our 'Raspberry Row" I know it isn't much to look at now but we have great hopes for these little sticks!
My phenomenal Aspen trees my hubby planted for me. I am so happy to see that they survived the wind and the transplanting.

The only downside to this is after one beautiful day the wind is howling again and the dust is blowing. I am glad I have these pictures to look at!

How Exciting!!!!!!

Sunday: We (Lindsy & then me) got sick last week. That same flu-ish crud that seems to be getting everyone else. (I'll spare you all the details) Anyhow Sunday I was needing out of the house, so Wilfred and I loaded the kids up and went and checked out our 'new' Walmart. While there we saw a great deal on a tent and sleeping bags. (We have been needing to get some for Chugwater anyway.) When we got home Wilfred decided to set it up in the Living Room to make sure that everything was how it should be. Our deprived children have never seen a tent before and boy were they excited! This is Lindsy checking out the tent she wasn't sure if it was really safe to go in or not. Ladies, I understand this picture captured my hubby's hiney quite well however, please just focus on Lindsy. :)
Here is Clayton in 'awe'!

He just had to try out his sleeping bag!!

Wilfred's Other Woman & The Snake....

This is the other Lady Wilfred has been spending so much time with. He asks me if I am jealous. I always respond with a "No, not really." and a smile. Her name is Sequoia. She was really my mom's but she has fallen deeply in love with my Husband. Their affair has become somewhat humorous to me. Sometimes after dinner Wilfred will say thanks for the meal and dash off to be with his other woman. Then he doesn't come home until well after dark. Part of me can't get too jealous since I have been spending more time with another man. I figure it is only fair. Levi is big and strong and loves the attention I give him. Maybe I will get a picture up of him soon. It figures that my Husband would go for a much younger woman and I would go for a much older man. Levi is even older than Wilfred. Wilfred and Sequoia got off to a bit of a rough start...his hiney might have been a little sore from hitting the ground. However he caught right back up with her and laid it out straight...more specifically he defined the terms of their relationship. Now when he goes to see her she will come running to him. She will stick her nose right under his arm and nicker contentedly. Yes, I must admit I've been bumped to second place in my husband's book. I really don't mind one bit! Yesterday a little before noon I got a phone call. It was my mom and the conversation went like this; me "Hello." mom "You a snake killer?" Me "No" Mom "oh, ok then." Me "Why? mom " Aunt Diana has a snake at her front door." me "does it have rattles?" mom "no" me"tell her I'm on my way" My aunt had just gotten home from getting groceries and pulled up to find this bullsnake warming himself up against the house near the front door. My aunt is terrified of snakes! The mere thought of a snake can send her into shock. So when she saw the snake she stayed in her car and called my mom hysterical. I was the closest person who could go to kill the snake. Any man was at least 30 minutes away. The kids and I hopped into the car and headed over. I grabbed a hoe from our garage. on my way there I called Wilfred and told him what I was up to and asked him for advice. I have never had to kill a snake before. He told me to whack it a million times and cut the head off. No problem right.... I hopped out of my car and went to town on the snake. (I first made sure it really didn't have any rattles) Their dog was going nuts! I finally got the hoe on to its head to cut it off and lo and behold I had grabbed the dullest tool in our garage! So I thought well I will just step on its head and put the stupid thing out of its misery. Just as I was about to get my shoe well centered over its head their dog grabbed it by its tail and started shaking it to death. I just stepped back and let the dog take care of the dirty work and then called him off. The snake didn't move. There was some blood coming out of it's mouth and I thought well it's dead for sure! So we stood around and talked for awhile. I grabbed up an empty planter and scooped the snake into it. It still hadn't moved a muscle. I put the planter with the snake in it in the trunk of the car. Then I loaded up the kids and headed for home. At this point some of you may have realized that I hadn't cut off the head. So you may be guessing what happened next. When I got home I backed the car in as I normally do. I was feeling pretty good as I had just taken care of a snake and I was excited for Wilfred to get home and see my kill. As I opened my door I looked down as the snake fell out onto my running board. At the same time Clayton had unbuckled and turned around in his seat to see the snake. He screamed "Mommy it's not in the trunk!" I was in shock the stupid snake had made its way out of the planter and up under 2 rows of seats and then the drivers seat to wrap it's self around my feet. I grabbed my phone and called Wilfred. I said if I wasn't hysterical before I am now. I told him where the snake was and what had happened. He started laughing and said, "I guess you missed the part about make sure you cut his head off." It was hissing but too weak to really strike. I leapt out the car and over it. I opened the trunk and grabbed the hoe. I went to town on the thing. This time I made sure to cut it's head off. I left the head, the body, and the blood on Wilfred's side of the drive pad. I told him it wasn't funny and he could deal with the rest when he got home. Needless to say I think I am now out of the snake business. I will just leave that to the men. It measured out exactly 4 feet long.

Random Pictures......

Kissing cousins! Here is Lindsy with her cousin Alexander. They are sitting in one of the nichos of my Uncle's new home. (Those are my hands making sure they didn't fall out of there!)A beautiful tree in town. However, 2 days ago we got a blistery cold snap here and a dusting of snow! I am now sad to report that there will be no apricots, peaches, or cherries this summer. The trees had all bloomed and then we got the snow! :(
Riding in Daddy's crane! I don't think he was excited do you?

Her first time licking the beaters! I made a Hubbard pie and some whipped cream. Both kids made sure that none of the whipped cream went to waste.



Daddy can do it, yes he can! Daddy, Daddy, he's our MAN! My freezer went kaput on me and so Wilfred didn't hesitate to "jump in there!" Good news....My freezer works again!

Our 4 new little residents. I must say Thanksgiving is looking up! Lindsy call them "durdes" and Clayton say the Turks. What silly kids!

Oh These Kids! .....

Lindsy has decided she doesn't mind her brother having the fancy new toy.....It's leaving all the best digging toys for her!Clayton zooming around on his tractor! Take notice, he almost clips Ed, he stops and looks back to see if he got him! Yep, He is a true Boy!