Evening at the ranch

We had a good day..

we worked at Mom and Dad's during the day (since Dad had rotator cuff surgery...he's down one arm for a bit!). Then in the evening, we were invited to BAMAK ranch. It was also the first day of the NCAA basketball tournament...there was a big TV set up outside so we could watch the games while we were enjoying our time outdoors!

It was a beautiful evening..

Jonah with Grandma

Christian has been wanting to go fishing so badly...and he was so pleased.

Hercules and Christian

The big boys were all fishing.

Ava, Aunt Alyssa, and Noah

Beautiful ending to the day.

Getting ready for the ladies

We decided sometime last year, that this spring we would get some chicks..to raise for eggs.

Well, the time has come!

Ben started on making a home for these future ladies over spring break.

He had to buy the framing supplies..but used a lot of scrap supplies from other projects for the outside.

Christian and Noah were quite the helpers.

Noah 'helping' measure with Daddy's tape measure...

and whenever the saw was in use, the protective ear gear was applied...

which was comical to watch.

He can have such a serious face...but he's a softy at heart.

It still needs a roof applied, and be painted...but the chicks won't live in it right away anyway...

so we were ready 'enough' to get the ladies.

They arrived at the store on Wednesday morning. Before Christian went to preschool, we went to pick them up. This picture was very fitting...Christian had been awake for quite some time and VERY excited about getting the chicks, as both Noah and Jonah had to woken up in order to leave (hence the yawn from Noah).

After we picked them up, Christian held the box in the back seat...talking to them the whole way back. He is hilarious about how sincere he talks to animals (real or fake). 

He was telling them, "It's okay chickies...its alright, I'm here. I'm your new mama."

I let him show his preschool class his very new baby chicks before taking them home and getting them settled.

Glimpses of Spring

A collection of pictures over the last month or so.

Mom's Birthday...with some pretty tasty chocolate cupcakes with coconut frosting.

After Brent's birthday meal..Dad shot off a rocket...

Uncle Mitch and Noah patiently waiting.

Despite Noah's face...he loved the four-wheeler ride!

A pretty cool car tower made by Daddy.

Christian's parachute (several plastic sacks tied together by him)...he was running around the yard attempting to "fly".

Jonah enjoys the outdoors too!

A Freddy's outing...

on the left, Christian is giving Noah strict instructions to do something,

and on the right, he is sharing his drink.

Oh, how things can change in just a moment.

At Uncle Mitch's place..

while Daddy helped put up a light, Christian and Noah put Mitch's new chalk to use.

Spring we have enjoyed your appearance so far...we hope to see a lot more of you!

Visiting Great Grandpa Birky

Last week, very last minute I went with Mom and the boys to MN to visit my grandpa. Mom was planning on going all along, and then when she asked if I would like to..I said I would..but I had to work. That was going to be my answer if I could find someone to fill my hours scheduled...and within a couple hours I had it covered. 

It was a good week to go for us, Christian had spring break from preschool and Ben was going to have parent-teacher conferences on Monday and Tuesday evening.

So, we headed out Sunday afternoon and drove to Sioux Falls for the night. Noah was a pistol to get to sleep...finally, after a phone call to Daddy to sing the special Spanish lullaby song...he went to sleep! You'd never guess the little angel, sleeping so nice and sweet next to his big brother would be so difficult.

 We left the next morning around 9:45 or so. Christian and Noah were good little travelers. Jonah, on the other hand, decided to show his severe grouchy side during this trip. Yikes. Homeboy was not excited about the car seat for that long, and he let us know it! But again, look here just as sweet as can be when he got out of it for a break. 

We stopped at Fleet Farm in Fargo on the way, and both Christian and Noah got Vikings ball caps. Oh my...they were pumped.

We got to Grandpa's place around 3:00. Jonah met his Great Grandpa for the first time and Noah didn't waste anytime making friends with him. We stayed at his place for awhile, and then went to supper with him. Afterwards, we went to Tam (my cousin) & Cal's for the night. 

Two of their grandchildren were spending the night. Christian and Lydia are both quite the conversationalists...they are very entertaining how they can carry on. And Christian had the understanding that Caleb's name was "K-Love", as in the Christian radio station we listen to. He said to me, "Isn't that neat, his name is K-Love..I know that, its the radio we listen to." 

We had a nice time at their house, and we had the best monkey bread in the morning. Oh yum. We also got to meet the newest little grandbaby in the morning, Colden...he is pretty sweet.

Before going back to Grandpa's, we stopped by the church and showed Christian where Grandma was buried. That was another conversation that was just so hard to explain, "Well, how is she in Heaven if she is buried? Is her skin just down there?" 

We went inside the church just to show him what it looked like too.

We took Grandpa to Perkins for lunch. He drew pigs on the coloring sheet for Noah. And Christian had a special meal of rainbow sprinkle pancakes!

 We went back to his place for a bit, and then we all went to my Aunt Carol & Kenny's home.

 The boys liked all the fun "rides" Grandpa gave them...on Jazzy and his recliner that lifted up.

The boys played and played in Carol's basement. Lots of toys that they could get out! We went on a walk outside too...it was very nice weather surprisingly. The snow had been busy melting over the past several days.

The next day, we went into town to a few stores, and then picked up Grandpa to come back to Carol's house. That afternoon my Aunt Margie flew in from Canada, she stayed at Carol's too.

This was the best we could get of a four-generation picture.

That evening Carol had the siblings over for supper. Stanley took Grandpa home... and just prior to bed, Christian and Noah started to play with their Great Uncle David. Oh my....Noah and Christian both giggled so much. They loved it. 

To top off their night, they were read a book by their Great Aunt Margie...and ate many handfuls of caramel popcorn. Noah would get down mid story for "mo popcorn" and promptly climb back up to listen to the story again.

We left around 10:00 Thursday morning. We made it home just before 11:00 that night. And oh boy, it was nice not to be in a van, or strapped down to carseats for some. Daddy was glad to see us too!

I was glad for the opportunity to go with Mom. It was nice to visit Grandpa and the other family we were able to stay with/see while we were there.

Jonah [5 months]

Another month as flown by...and you are now five months old!

You remain as cuddly and lovable as ever.

You're biggest issue this past month has been your skin. Poor guy, you've had a rough time with your head, and then your face, and arms and now back. When we saw the doctor a couple weeks ago for it, and he scheduled an appointment with a pediatric dermatologist..so we will go the beginning of next month. I've been lathering a couple different creams/ointments on you..and I think something is starting to work. Your head and face for the most part looks SO much better...you just need your hair to grow back from where you pulled it out!

We haven't tried eating any rice cereal yet..you seem to be doing just fine with only breast milk for now..and I didn't really want to introduce anything new in the event that the dermatologist would think it was some form of allergy to that. I feed you about every 3-4 hours or so...and you generally wake up about once during the night around 1-2 am for a snack.

You have happy eyes..and a very big smile when you really get excited. It is so sweet. Your brothers really love to get you to smile. Noah will say, "Looking at me!! Looking at me!!" and Christian will proudly announce if he got you to smile while he was talking to you. They both love you dearly, and it is clear that you have the same feelings towards them.

I think my favorite thing that you started to do this past month is reaching for my face with both hands and bringing it closer to you..as though you wanted to give me a kiss and hug. So sweet, I will take all the slobbery little kisses you want to give.

We've worn hats on you most days...mainly to protect the skin on your head. We just got this new "ball cap" as your brothers say (they like hats too!). You thoroughly enjoy being outside, and since the days are starting to be warmer..we bring the stroller and you like to play with your toys while we are out and about.

Don't mind the pink blanket (that was mine when I was a baby). We usually rock you to sleep, or sometimes you fall asleep when I'm feeding you. I thoroughly enjoy rocking you...so snuggable. You are sucking your thumb less and less these days..you more just chew on them while you're awake.

You have mastered rolling from your tummy to back like a champ. If you do wake up in the night, this is usually why. You have rolled over, and you want to be back on your tummy to sleep. You really can get around the crib like a little worm though...we find you in all kinds of positions. You are always so eager and happy to see my face when I come to get you! 

You look so jolly in this picture..I love it.

You are staying in mostly 6 month clothing...finally a month that we haven't had to put away many things that are too small. You now wear size 3 diapers...and I don't know exactly how much you weigh...more than 16 lbs...you've got some chub to love on.

You recently took your first long car ride...we went to MN to visit your Great Grandpa Birky and other family too. Prior to this trip, I would've said you were indifferent to the car seat. I can now say without doubt, you are not a fan at ALL of the car seat if it involves being in there for more than 2 hours. Poor guy...and poor us...that always breaks my heart.

Jonah dear, you are such a sweet baby...and we love you to pieces. 

I am so grateful you are healthy, happy, and our little baby boy!