Jonathan's Construction Birthday Party, August 2010

Then came Jonathan's birthday. Daddy gave him a Swiss Army knife at breakfast. Daddy also made french toast, and we put a candle in Jonathan's stack. He thought that was a gas!

We had a construction party! What a fun time! I sent out invitations that were written on paint color chips. You know, those cards in the hardware store that show paint colors? Each box had a sentence..."Jonathan is "fixin" to turn 6! Construction site: our address. Shift: 2-4pm, and the date. RSVP to site boss, Darla, and our phone. Dress for mess!" When each of the 8 kids arrived, they were given a tool belt filled with a paint stir stick, a carpenter's pencil, a tape measure/level, a foam paintbrush, and a painters disposable hat, all of which was theirs to take home. Michael had made a house out of a refrigerator box, complete with windows and a door (with a milk jug handle doorknob!) Half of the kids started painting on the house, and the other half demolished a tower of boxes using a wrecking ball. After that got old, they had a wheelbarrow race. Then the teams switched places so everyone got a chance to use their paintbrushes to paint. Thankfully, some of the moms stayed, or this mom would have been a wreck!

The cake I made was sort of the one shown in the magazine for this party. I decided to use chocolate zucchini cake instead of a pound cake. I DID go to the store hoping to find 4 mini chocolate-covered doughnuts, 4 Twix, and 2 Twinkies. Note to self: don't leave things like this until crunch time. I bought a bag of about 24 mini chocolate-covered doughnuts, a huge bag of Twix, and a box of 12 Twinkies. ugh. Had I thought a little longer, I would have gone to a convenience store, right? Right. Then I wouldn't have had to eat the rest of the doughnuts and Twinkies. Jonathan saw the picture of the cake I was going to bake and said, "That's not an excavator, it's a backhoe loader." He wanted tracks, so we rigged up some Twizzler twists around the doughnuts. The cake was a hit.

Now, if you think that I think up all these things by myself, well, you have another think coming! This came straight from a Family Fun magazine, circa April 2008. (I saw it then, was fully aware of the little boy I was raising, and thought to myself, "Self, you ought to pull this one out and keep it. You're going to want it one of these years.") I am glad I kept it. I went into our local lumber yard to see if they had free nail pouches, paint sticks, brushes, anything I could get free or cheap as I was making a dozen. I had the pages I had torn out of the magazine with me. The lady helping me saw in the list of things to pack in the tool belt "Small measuring tape, $1, Home Depot" and promptly sat to her computer and ordered me a dozen for $1 each! She did everything she could to give me discounts or freebies. We live in a cool town.

Annisia's Birthday, July 2010

We gathered at Pizza Hut to celebrate Annisia's birthday. We had the buffet, then I brought out the ice cream sandwiches. We lit a candle in hers and started singing, 8 adults and Jonathan. A table of high school girls who were enjoying lunch after a tough volleyball practice joined in! What a sweet surprise and great addition to our feeble song! The middle photo here is Annisia blushing at all the attention! Makes me laugh every time I look at it...

Michael's Birthday Gift

I wanted to do something fun for Michael's birthday. I got a brainstorm. (Yes, a brainstorm...even blondes get them!!;-) I called our friends in MT, up by Glacier. Michael loves Glacier National Park, and we love our friends Keith and Jolene. So! Early the week of his birthday, I called about showing up on their doorstep in a few days. And they were gracious. "Sure, sounds good!" The dilemma? Crash in their house on such minimal notice (which is a tough decision for me, the queen of 'I don't want to put anyone out at the risk of feeling guilty for a lengthy amount of time') or pack the trailer? (which meant Michael would have to drive the whole distance because, yes, I don't drive the truck with it's intimidating stick shift, and, even if I did, I wouldn't want to while pulling a multi-thousand dollar trailer behind it, thank you very much!) I couldn't figure it out, and, despite trying to keep our destination a secret from Michael, I had to call him to get advice. "Sweetie, if we were to go somewhere where we could either bring the trailer for ease, or not so I could help with driving, what would you suggest?" And what did he say? "Are we going to Glacier?" Waaahhh! I should have known he'd figure it out!

We drove to Keith and Jolene's on Thursday...most of the day. The kids were really good travelers. We are always pleased when that happens. They enjoy LeapPads and snacks. Oh, and don't forget the CD of 150 kids songs we have. We have stayed away from getting a DVD player thus far, and are going to try very hard to keep that policy. We had some fun playing the ABC game..."I see something starting with an A..." We made it to G, I think...impressive for a 5 year old, I think! Some good books for long car rides? Richard Scarry's Cars and Trucks and Things That Go and Usborne's Machines that Work, both full of cool pictures to look at. We arrived around 10pm and were heartily welcomed by our friends despite their having to get up early the next morning.

Friday morning, we got up and got ready to go for a small hike at Logan Pass. Here are some collages of things we saw. We really like Glacier National Park. It's a beautiful park; you really need to visit it to understand the beauty. Photos do not do it justice. It's valleys are created by glacial carve which is evidenced by U shaped valleys. (V-shaped valleys are usually created by uplift, not glacial carve.) Unfortunately, the glaciers are quickly receding...in 2001, I believe, we heard on a nature hike that the glaciers could potentially be gone in 30 years. Yikes...

Anyways, here's Logan Pass, some wildlife we saw,

the red cars, the kids on our hike,


That Friday night, we all met for dinner at Keith and Jolene's. Keith told Michael he had been invited to go on a hike with some friends. Michael was stoked!! But the law was laid...the rocks had to be laid in the flower bed that evening...;-)
See this pile? Yep! It needed to be shoveled into the flower bed.

So, the guys got to work and finished it. Then, early the next morning, they got up and headed out to do a big hike...the summits of Pollock Peak and Bishops Cap. Jolene, the kids and I drove back to Glacier ourselves and did the Trail of Two Cedars hike...maybe a mile long walk.



Click on the comment bubble (left bottom corner) of the slide show to see Michael's comments on the epic hike!!



The next day, Sunday, was a nice day with meeting at Keith and Jolene's, lunch at MacKenzie River Pizza Company with some more friends, a nap, the kids dressing up into all sorts of costumes, and birthday cake (German Chocolate) with still some more friends...

Jonathan's birthday...#5!

It's hard to believe it's already been 5 years since I lay in that hospital bed wishing I could stand and walk more and wanting my baby out of me and not being able to make it happen...then the suggestion of "I recommend a C-section as it seems the baby is not progressing..." u.g.h.

But! Now my healthy young man is 5! And he lives life to the fullest, and, despite the occasional days that I get frustrated with him, he is a joy! He is witty, musical, strong, loving, adventurous, and imaginative. my birthday tradition is a special cake for the kids. Here's a review...click on the links to see his first birthday, second birthday, third birthday, fourth birthday. When I asked him what he wanted for his fifth birthday cake, he said, "An excavator!" So I showed him a picture of a cake that didn't look too hard to make...and he nixed it. So we got out his favorite "Machines That Work" (which you can't get anymore) book and found the one he wanted. Then I told Michael he'd be helping me with this one! It looks pretty good here...

...and a little rough here! But he loved it! Notice the rocks in the dirt...must have been digging for our foundation! (I should have used Brazil nuts!)

But, the cake was a hit. And it was a chocolate peanut butter swirl...Yummy!

Then gift time! A John Deere tractor,

a baseball and glove from Uncle Bret...

Gramma and Papa got Jonathan a work bench...

And Uncle Jon and Aunt Marti got him a nerf gun...great...(!) I know this isn't all the gifts he got...Oh yes! Then there's the one Daddy and I got...

a new bike!! WooHoo!

And here's his trial run!

I don't know why I put this pic with Jonathan's birthday, but it's a sweet photo of Daddy and Jonathan reading, a favorite pastime.

Another year older...

Well, another year came and went for me. I made sure I had enough chores done before my birthday that I wouldn't feel guilty if I relaxed the whole day. Gramma and Papa took the kids last Wednesday which was fun for all of us. Then on Thursday, my birthday, we played.

In the morning, Michael put a blindfold on me and told the kids to lead me to the kitchen. He was thinking Jonathan would enjoy telling me which direction to go, when to turn, when to step down, etc. but Jonathan wasn't really into it. Annisia, on the other hand, just reached up and took my hand and started walking. It was really sweet.

We went to the job site for a little bit, then off to the park. The kids and I had a good time. Here are some pics to prove it!

Jonathan about to slide down the slide. He was hiding from the camera, the little imp!

My brave little girl on the swinging bridge.

Jonathan climbing the chain ladder. "Mommy, now it's your turn!" What?! Do you realize I am now 39? And you want me to climb this wiggly, chain thing?! O.K. Done!

Then off to the great woo, woo slide.

Annisia is fearless...down she goes!

After that, we went to Hardee's for some lunch and off to another park to eat it and play some more. By then, I was parked out. We were there for long enough and I pulled the "Annisia has to get a nap" punch and home we went! Whew!

Michael got his niece, Brady, to watch the kids and took me out to dinner and a movie. What a good day! Thanks, everyone!

Happy Birthday, Lana!

The title says it all! Renee and I drove up to Sheridan where Lana, Rosa and Lisa work. We then surprised Lana at work and 'napped her for dinner and a bit of shopping. I got a new trendy purse out of the deal. That's what happens when you have trendy friends!

This is the frame I decorated for Lana for a b'day gift. It turned out really cute.

Michael's Birthday, Sept. 5

Well, Michael is another year older. "Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Sweetie, Happy Birthday to you!"

Janice and Paul (for those of you who don't know them, Janice is my sister and Paul my bro-in-law) came to visit for a couple of days and arrived on M's birthday. We packed up dinner and went up to our campsite for dinner. Steaks on the grill, corn on the cob, spinach strawberry salad and key lime cheesecake for dessert. YUM! Unfortunately, it was c-c-c-c-cold! It was about 37 degrees F. So, instead of staying the night in the mountains, we came down to our warm home.
Here we are~Jonathan, Michael, Annisia, me, Uncle Bret, Aunty Janice, and Uncle Paul in our camper.

Annisia turns 2! (July 23rd)

Here is the sweet pea just a half hour old. She was 7# 9.5oz and 20 1/4 inches long.

One day old...

2 days old with her very proud big brother...

1 year old

eating her first birthday cake.

and here she is with her 2nd b'day cake. A sunflower this year. She loved it.

Jonathan was so pleased to sit up on the table with her for her b'day pic. She thought it was a hoot! She's giggling at him. We went to meeting after this pic. That's why the kids are so dressy.

We went to Lake DeSmet for her party (a last minute change of plans. I had the house totally cleaned including all the windows and all the cotton from the cotton trees cleaned off the screens). But Uncle Jon & Aunt Marti and Uncle Mike & Aunt Ang have boats and it was supposed to be a great sunny day. We got there and had mostly clouds and a little rain for most of the day, but it did clear and we were pleased with the day as a whole.
Annisia really liked the beach and playing in the water. She is a trooper...didn't really mind if the water was chilly.

Kayla took the kids farther out on the tube. They like wearing their life jackets, which is nice...not a fight when they need to have them on. Kayla was on the swim team in high school, so she loves the water and had a great time playing with the kids.

Then it was time to blow out the candles! Uncle Jon lit them and coached Annisia. She did the typical 2 year old downward puff. So cute, isn't it?

Immediately after "Happy Birthday" was sung and the candles blown out, Annisia and Jonathan grabbed a cupcake and dug in!

Do you see the two half eaten cupcakes by Annisia? Well, Jonathan gobbled up his first and grabbed another. Annisia saw that, set down her half eaten first and grabbed her second. I was busy cutting and serving cake to the others, I hardly saw what was happening until they both chomped into #2! Oh well, with a day at the lake in the breeze, cool water, then warm sun, 2 cupcakes wasn't going to keep them up all night! Then I noticed Annisia was really only eating the frosting off the top! The rascal! Next thing you know, she had the candles off the cake and was dipping frosting and eating it...with the tiny ends of the candles that stick into the cake. Aunt Marti was quick to inform her she needed to use the big ends of the candles to dip up the whip cream frosting! Soon Jonathan was using the big 2 candle to dip lots of frosting!

Annisia and Kayla snuggling on the beach.

Michael's first attempt at wakeboarding...all together now..."Oow!"

Jonathan got to drive the boat back to the sandy beach. He loved it!

Annisia got a little pots and pans set and a basket of food. They both think it's great and we ate well for the next few days...hamburgers, hot dogs, watermelon, anything the kids could think of.

She got a really cool Mr. Potato Head too, and some clothes, and sandbox/beach toys. Everything she received was very cool.

Happy Birthday sweetie!

Happy Birthday to Me!

I turned the big 38 last Wednesday. My dear Michael is building me something and it's taking him longer than he planned, and I don't know what it is, and I am excited! When I get it, I'll be sure to snap some pix and post them. The kids got me a Longaberger bread basket. It's lovely! I hope to find a nice springy dress with some cash I received. Coldwater Creek Outlet, here I come!

Michael made plans for us to go to Billings on Friday eve and Saturday without the kids. He did all the planning! Aunty Angela (Michael's sis) and Uncle Mike babysat Annisia, and Jonathan went to Gramma and Papa's. It was the first night I have been away from Annisia, and only a few nights away from Jonathan. He's old pro at it, though! On our way to Billings, M's niece, Brady, sent us some photos on our phone. Annisia was dyeing Easter eggs! All was well, and I immediately stopped worrying AT ALL! We had a good time, but spent most of it buying things for the kids! hee, hee!

Maybe I'll post some pics tomorrow. Not in the mood right now. Thanks for all the birthday wishes I got in email (and by post!)

A few pics to note...

I wanted to get pics of all of the kids' cakes on my blog...so here's Jonathan's first birthday...a teddy bear made using Pampered Chef baking bowls and cupcakes...It was easy and fun!

And here's Jonathan's second birthday...a rocking horse!