Trent and Tanner's Photo Book

Just wanted to post this even though it's old.  Please pray for Trent and Izaak as God brings them to your mind.  Pray for their safety and for wisdom for those that make decisions regarding their safety.  The current situation has turned from okay to not so good.  I will keep you posted as I know more.

Trent is now 6 and his brother Izaak is now 7.  Hard to believe!

Enjoy the book of memories that we shared with Trent and Tanner. 

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Grayson 1st Year Photo Book

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Kids' First Time at the Carnival

What a busy 4th of July weekend.  We celebrated my 29th birthday by going to the carnival in Belle Fourche.  The kids absolutely loved the carnival; they are still talking about the rides a week later.  We went to the Spearfish parade and went to the firework display in Belle Fourche.  The kids did amazingly well for being off schedule for so many days in a row.  I am anxious to get them back on schedule though, I want my quiet evenings back (yes I know, I am a bit selfish, but it's only for my sanity.)

Joshua and Trent (yes, Tanner's twin) had a blast "driving" the car.  Joshua's expression is priceless.

Grayson loved the carnival too.

Grayson, Jer and Josh

The little kids and a few big kids.  Grayson, Jer, Josh, Saray, Tristan (front - 2nd stroller), Torin (back), Molly, Trent, Jansen, Jesse, & Britany. 

My sister Molly

"Oh check out that one!"  Josh and Saray watching all the people and the rides.

Saray and Josh on the carousel, loving every moment.

Saray was jumping up and down, cheering for Josh and Trent as they were on the car ride.

Love that she was cheering for her brother.

"Ohhh!" - Grayson - 13 months old

Grayson and Daddy waving at Josh and Saray while they ride the helicopter.

"What's next!?"  I think Josh & Saray are going to love carnival rides for years to come.

"Momma, look at the dragon!"  - Josh and Saray

Friendship

Friendship is a beautiful thing.  And sometimes I feel I don't treasure it enough.  But this past weekend a dear friend of mine came to visit and I did my best to enjoy it all.  This friend has spent countless hours praying for me and with me during seasons of heartache and miscarriages.  If I needed prayer she was eager to seek God with me and for me, and for that I am forever grateful for.    

My kids love her; Saray was her shadow the entire time and Joshua found his hand in hers more on the second day.  Grayson loved interacting with her at the dinner table, he would ham it up just for her.  We decided it was a good idea to adopt her as "Grammy".   Why not, my kids absolutely adored her, just like their other grandparents.  Plus, you can never have too many grandmas and grandpas. 

We were all a bit sad when she left to head back to Arizona, but we know there will be more visits in the future.  Until then, thank goodness for Skype, emails and phone calls.  

I do treasure my friendships...each and every one of my friends.  I am so richly blessed.  I couldn't possibly ask for better friends to share this life with. 

Puzzle time

Afternoon spent at Roughlock Falls in Spearfish Canyon

Lael and I

The kids were giving Lael gifts: pine cones, wild violets, imaginary rocks and a leaf. 

Josh bringing his imaginary rock.  Which by the way, did exist but it was just too heavy for him to carry.

 

Making (and tasting) cookie dough.

Basement Bedroom Progress

 For the last month we have been working overtime on one of the basement bedrooms.  Grayson's crib is currently nestled in our walk in closet and we are ready for him to have his own "real" room. And I am ready for my closet to be a closet.   Jer's Dad, Step-Mom and sister Maddie came over Memorial weekend to help work on the basement project; when they arrived they managed to get it insulated, dry-walled, taped, mudded, primed and textured in just a few days. It was awesome!  I was happy to feed the hard-workers.  Since then, the bedroom is now painted, the shelf is on the knee wall and the shelf is primed.  The bedroom door will be hung this week and the closet will be finished soon.  The built-in dresser will be a later project.  Mostly just trying to get it to a liveable state for Grayson.  We'll have carpet laid by the end of June, I am assuming.  Anyway, we've really enjoyed the working on this project (even with all it's setbacks).  It's been fun to work together and fun to have family help as well.  Oh, thanks to Levi Humbracht, my Dad, & Jer's Dad for the use of fantastic tools!  It's so amazing having friends and family with knowledge and the tools to get the job done. 

Anyway, I would love to write more, but I am limited on time, and laundry is a bit more of a priority right now.  I have 6 loads of laundry that need to be folded, sorted and put away before another 6 loads piles up.

By the way, the kids are doing great.  I will write about them at another time.

Here are some pictures of the latest progress.

The beginning...sort of.  This was taken after we put up the knee wall frames and put the blue board on, wired the electric, etc...

Yes I have been helping out with this project.  Even using big tools!  Mostly I have been the clean-up crew and the painter.

Final colors (minus the fact that the shelf still needs white paint over the primer)

Missing doors and built-in dresser (little area to the right)...one step at a time.

It's coming along!  Soon this will be Grayson's room.  :)

Photo Book

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Happy 1st Birthday, Grayson!

My baby isn't much of a baby anymore.  Grayson turned one on May 11th.  The year went by so quickly, definitely quicker the second time around.   Looking back on pictures it's hard to believe the transformation that has taken place, Grayson went from a little, helpless baby boy to an independent explorer that lives for excitement, hugs and giving his brother and sister a hard time.

Grayson is not walking yet, but I have a feeling that it really won't be that far off.  I am betting that Grayson will be walking before Saray did (walked at 14 months) and long before Joshua did (walked at 17 months).  He has to keep up with the twins you know.  He likes to walk if you hold his one hand, but for the most part he is happy to crawl at lightning speed or cruise the furniture.  Overall, Grayson is a happy kid.  He sleeps fantastic at night (generally 11 or 12 hours straight) and generally naps decent, thankfully.

He loves to babble, loves music and loves destroying books.  He's favorite song is "Barbara Ann" By the Beach Boys, he sings the "ba-ba-ba" part right on time and dances til his heart is content.  This little boy is such amazing gift from God.

Here are a few pictures, a few from a year ago, and a few from a week ago. Enjoy!

Dad holding Grayson for the first time

Mommy and Grayson (1 day old)

Few minutes old

One year later - Happy birthday Grayson!

Grayson's birthday - Mommy and her little boy

Daddy and his boy - Grayson's 1st birthday

Saray, Grayson, Mommy & Joshua - celebrating Grayson's birthday