Getting Big

This was Braden's handprint at one month old....he's getting so big!

Spring

Watiki Water Park

We spent half of spring break visiting family in Sheridan and Moorecroft, WY and the other half staying in Rapid City, SD.  This is our 2nd trip to Watiki Water Park there in Rapid City.  Braden was old enough to go down the big water slide with Warren and gave it one thumb up and one thumb down.  I don't blame him - it is some scary fun 👍👎😜.

Doctor Visit

No hospital,  but we are at the doctor's for today and tomorrow to get an IV dose of antibiotics.  That makes 3 antibiotics at once. They are trying everything they can due to his asthma. 

Hailey is on a close watch but tested negative for strep and flu. Warren canceled his work plans.

December Weather

No coats or jackets required.  Minion slippers optional.

Growing

I made this growth chart board to match my garden themed kitchen.  We put it up in July. ...Hailey has grown 1 inch since then, Braden has grown 2!

Libby Creek

Backyard Camping

We can't seem to get away for a camping trip so we pitched the tent in the backyard.  Summers are so busy. ...

This Boy of Ours

Braden sure keeps me busy! 

This wonderful,  silly, smart little boy surprises me daily.  

He is already initiating skip counting by 2's and 3's.  

To get him to do something he doesn't want to do, 

all I have to do is throw in some numbers to the mix and suddenly it 

becomes interesting and exciting.  

On a typical day you can find him playing imaginative stories that 

involve little toy characters and several items from the kitchen: 

measuring spoons and cups, bowls, basters, whisks, 

pan lids--well, you get the picture.  

And, yes, pants are optional to him.

He still loves technology but spends very little time with a screen these days.

 

He gets a little tounge tied sometimes trying to say new words.  

My favorite this past week was "Tree Trotter" = teeter totter :)

He says when he grows up he wants to be an artist and a daddy.

He calls me "Mom-love".

What a fun age!

Pony Rides

 Braden says he is saving all his money to buy a horse.  

Hailey wants a horse so bad she says she would do anything.  

Sorry kids...guess you'll have to settle for a random pony ride off a Walmart parking lot.

Matching Owies

The big swing in the barn hit Braden in the nose and Hailey did tried a back flip on a trampoline. 

The Latest Model

He tells me this is the latest model. It has a place for your feet and doors!

Out In the Barn

We put a swing in the barn - so fun!

Hailey claims everything for practicing gymnastics and climbing on.  She even has a little fort on top of the chicken coup.

 

Hailey's pig this year is named Olaf.  He likes warm hugs.  Really.  He's quite friendly.  Here you see him playing with a spool.  Warren gets in the pen and plays soccer with his old high school basketball.

Hailey took a goat for the first time this year for 4-H.  His name is Sven.

Braden's Easter Bunny Invitation

...because once a year just isn't enough.

 

And here is an example of a bunny card I made.  My adaptation of this card from Then She Made... 

Disney Wonder

From Sunny Florida. ..

Braden's Story

Braden has an interesting story to tell about how he came to be with us:

Apparently he was 

trapped on a store shelf 

and we came along and 

rescued him and 

took him home!

How exciting is that?  The real story is pretty exciting, too. 

Birthday Cakes

I have been slow in getting these up but these were the kid's cakes for their birthdays.  

They were what each asked for but much stressed over and pretty much thrown together because of time....

Hailey is 11 and Braden is 4 now!

Counting the Days

Too many cucumbers are too much fun!

Warren did finally make it back.  Only to leave a few days later for an annual event in Denver.  Yep.  This time last year I had printed off a calendar for the year and taped it to the side of the fridge.  I was going to block off all the days he was gone just so I could put a percentage to it.  It was way to depressing so I took it down.   Now he will be busy planning his next trip to Samoa at the end of this year.  It makes me wonder what lies beyond that for him.  Possibly Peru.

I am busy counting down the days to our Disney Cruise.  62.

Anyway, I've decided I need to pour myself in to creative endeavors or possibly lose my mind.

Hopefully more on that later.

The creative endeavors, not losing my mind.  That is not an option :).

Smile!