Nothing like living in the country

I grew up in a town with city blocks, close neighbors, and a public sewer system. I can never remember an instance were we had to "conserve" water or couldn't use the sewer system. Well, our septic system went out last week and so this household is having to learn those ways. (I am, Nathan has many years of experience at this sort of thing I guess....at least I don't have to deal with the troubles of frogs in my well system). Johnathan has been trying to fix it now when he has spare time, and it sounds like it is really complicated. I'm hoping one of these days it all works out and everything goes back to "normal".

Heather enjoying some bath time in the sink.

Carnival!

The carnival came to town so we had some fun last week. Aden did the kiddy rides but got bored quickly, so we tortured him and took him on some bigger rides. I was more scared on the ferris wheel than he was, especially when it stopped at the top and Aden was rocking and wouldn't hold still, I was convinced he was going to fall. His favorite ride ended up being the Tilt-A-Whirl and both Nathan and I were also able to experience that one. Heather really enjoyed the carosel but that was about the extinct of her carnival fun =)

Picture Post

Yay! I finally got a computer! Granny was nice enough to loan us her old machine so now I'm back in business! Since my last post was picture free, this post will be full of random pics, just to keep you updated on the small happenings =)

Arts and Crafts....Aden is making a colored pasta necklace

Fun for the whole family


Mornings are not always bright and cheery around here =)


Heather has learned how to climb..oh no!

Looking innocent as always

Pushing the popper car

Daddy is doing the pushing now

The tractor looks much more fun

The men doing what they do best...j/k =)

Grandma and Aden are planting flowers

Yummy...snack time!

Daddy and Uncle Eric fixed the motorcycle...don't worry, I wouldn't let him take her on a ride! She wasn't too thrilled even sitting on it....she has her mother's instinct =)

It's almost a full moon

Yesturday morning was a morning it will take a long time to forget about. About 8:00 in the morning Aden and I decided to go on a bikeride and take Seth and Ashlyn with us. We loaded all the bikes up and the kids and headed for "fun". My bike had a flat tire so we were going to have to have it fixed.I went to one bike shop and they weren't able to repair it, so we drove clear across town to another store. Managing four kids in a bike shop is somewhat of a challenge, I kept imaging dominos and bikes =). Anyway, they fixed my bike and we loaded back up again for the third time now. I stopped to get some drinks for us and the kids ended up spilling sticky juice all over the car and then one of the kids accidentally kicked open the console in the middle (pushed up to make room for Aden up front). All the contents fell out onto the floor. Eventually..it's 9:45 now...we made it to the park. While unloading the bikes from the back of the truck, Seth had a coughing fit until he gagged himself and threw up. He said he felt okay and it was just because he coughed so hard so we continued on. About 1/4 mile away from the truck, Seth's bike chain fell off. I had to straddle my bike (I couldn't leave it on the kickstand becuase Heather was in the baby seat on the back) and attempt to put the chain on myself upside down. 20 minutes later...as Aden and Ashlyn have vanished off into the distance by now...a nice man stops to help me put the chain on. We get it fixed and caught up to Aden and Ashlyn now, but another 1/4 mile and it falls off again. By this time, I've had it. The 5 of us pull off onto the side of the road and luckily the man who helped us the first time stopped again. As I was helping him put on the chain, I accidentally pinched his fingers. Oops. About 15 minutes later, the chain is back on the bike. Well, during the fixing, Ashlyn had parked her bike in front of the man's truck...and when he left he ran over it! AAHHH!! So, I had Ashlyn run back towards the truck and of course half way back Seth's bike chain fell off so he ran back to the truck too. Finally, I get the two remaining bikes loaded into the truck and all four kids, and Zeke the dog. Zeke had been swimming after the ducks in the pond and was wet when he went into the car. Being a dog, he shoke and got muddy duck water all over us. When we got to Aprils to drop off the kids, I dropped Seth's bike and broke a traing wheel off. It was definitely a very trying day for us but in the end I was able to laugh at it. I took the rest of the day off and avoided any activity other than playing video games. =)

Catch up time; The Ultimate blog!

It's been almost 3 weeks since my last blog.....we'll actually about 10 minutes from the Aden blog...but anyway, so I thought I'd just blog about everything in one big blog.

We had Lexi and Brandom stay with us for a week and boy did we have fun. I learned though, that the only way that I could handle having 4 children is to be eased into it one at a time. I went grocery shopping with all 4 and wow, what an experience. People would walk by and comment "she's certainly got her hands full." Aden, Lexi, and Brandon would pile out of the cart everytime we would stop, and then I would round them up to the next "stop" and they would do it again. It was fun though. Lexi and Brandon loved the "big bath tub" and I think they sat in it at least everyday. We also did sand art, went to the park 3 times, made cookies, played games, and they helped me make dinners. Lexi also got to go to martial arts with Aden and she really enjoyed kicking and hitting people....haha....I mean the teachers.

Johnathan and Anneke have moved in down stairs and we've been adjusting to life with a 2 family household. =)It's actually been fun and I think overall it will be a good thing! I'm hoping that Aden doesn't do too much jumping around though..hehe. Anneke has been making some GREAT meals and Nathan really appreciates a little change in the menu. Aden loves playing with Josie too. They were so cute the other day, Aden was at the top of the stairs growling at Josie who was at the bottom and they were both giggling so hard! I'm sure they will have lots of fun together.

I had a 2nd interview and am still waiting to hear for a 3rd with the Yellowstone Heart Center. However, I did get another interview for an orthopedic position in Billings. Ortho is actually my least favorite area of medicine but....beggars can't be choosers =). Hopefully something comes about soon!

Heather went to the doctor on Wednesday for her shots. They said she has the cutest personality...she was acting curious and shy...it was funny, she would smile at the doctor and then look away and nuzzle me and then look at him again with curiosity but then would nuzzle me again. It was very sweet. She has a little bit of an ear infection (this will make #3) but it wasn't too bad, she hasn't acted like it at all...thank goodness =). She's growing perfectly and learning new tricks everyday. I taught her how to clap her hands yesturday and today thats all she's been doing. She can crawl/move now. She takes about 2 "crawls" and then falls on her tummy, but she can make it across the living room!

Anyway, here's a few random picks to document our crazy house...I think we may call our house the FunneeFarm "2".

Nathan has been trying to quit all tobacco products. He's been smoke free for a very long time....7 months and we are VERY VERY proud of him. He's been working at quiting chewing but.....if Nathan has a chew, Aden puts him in time out!

Getting ready to go hunting pheasants.

My sweety girl.

One of our late night rock fests. I think our record is 5:00 in the morning with the 58 song set. Anneke is our rocker on the drums, Nathan and Johnathan take over the guitars, and I attempt to sing. It sure is a lot of fun!

INTRUDER!

I let Ashyln and Lexi try on my old jazz outfit...they look so stylin.

The kids in the "big bath tub".

Aww

I can't wait until Heather's hair is long enough to play with, I got to play with Lexi's hair for 4 mornings! She posed for me here in her curly waves.

It's St. Patty's day...notice the green =)

Flying high!

Aden's Pictures 1-12 months

I found them!! I had a computer with all of Aden's pictures and movies from 4 months to 15 months that wouldn't turn on and I thought I had lost them all! But, the other day I found the backup CD with everything on it....yeeaaa! So, I had to share with you all the pictures and a few movies of my little man through his first year.

Adens at 10 days old.

Aden at 2 months








3 months




3 1/2 months




4 months











4 1/2 months




5 months





6 months...thats my old kitty Ace, he and Aden would play and play for hours!







7 months



7 1/2 months...he always had something in his mouth =)




8 months...cheezy grin =)





9 months





10 months





10 1/2 months





11 months





11 1/2 months....my parents moved here




Aden's 1st B-day!!

13 months

I think this is one of my favorite videos of Aden....he is almost 8 months old =)

Aden's first steps...he was 9 months old.....and please excuse my dirty house and my dad on the phone in the background =)

My dad was playing with Aden and I just loved his little giggles so of course I had to share with you all! He's about 13 months in this video