Snow Days

Why do kids love snow?  I am just not so excited about it any longer unless we are headed to a ski hill or it is the weeks around Christmas....then it must be snowy.  Watching how excited the kids get, especially the youngest ones, is kinda entertaining!  They see the beauty in a white-covered world, the absolute clean slate for a fun day.  

Our "hot tub"

Who knows what Nickles has in store for this snowball

They didn't even know they were taking a bath!

Best Mom or Worst Mom

Last week we left the kiddos with a babysitter during which time Nicholas decided to trim his hair.  He said he wanted a mohawk.  So, I decided I'd better repair his attempt.  Figuring it couldn't really hurt for a day, I finished the mohawk and told him I would be shaving off the rest that evening.  He was the happiest little boy I've ever seen.  Shannon advised that the other boys had never been able to talk me into that hairstyle, so to make all things equal, the offer was thrown out there to whichever boys wanted a mohawk for a day.  The only one in the bunch who declined was Eric.  He wasn't too hip on the idea of a buzz going into the colder part of the year.  The others figured that's what hats are for!

While relating the story to Father Stu he said the entire thing was not too smart on my part, pointing out that a lot of men in jail have said hairstyle.  He felt it indicated a rebellious attitude.  Now, I'm trying to decide whether my boys' excitement made me eligible for Mom of the Year or by allowing them to look like punks for a day disqualified me permanently!

Observing a science project ~

learning how convection currents work.

Daddy making sure the job was completed ~

Menu & Shannon's Elk

I actually succeeded in following the menu for the past couple weeks AND have the next two weeks planned.  It has definitely kept life simpler!  Shannon doesn't like reading the menu.  He says dinner isn't a surprise then and he kinda likes surprises. 

Sunday ~ Burgers, Oven Fries, Homemade Applesauce

Monday ~ Loin Steaks, New Potatoes, Salad

Tuesday ~ Stroganoff, Broccoli Salad

Wednesday ~ Brats, Onions, Apples

Thursday ~ Veggie Quiche

Friday ~ Clam Chowder, Fruit & Veggie Slices

Saturday ~ Pasties, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Salad (make extras for freezer)

Sunday ~ Broccoli Soup

Monday ~ Oriental Chicken Salad

Tuesday ~ Rock Fish, Risotto, Julienne Carrots

Wednesday ~ Elk Roast & Gravy, Steamed Veggies, New Potatoes

Thursday ~ Taco Salad, Carrot Sticks

Friday ~ Apple Cheddar Pannini, Spinach Salad

In other news, Shannon was rather disappointed with the elk he got this year.  These pictures arrived from Ben today.  Now, looking back at the entire experience Shannon is feeling much better about it.  Hunting isn't all about the size of the animal, although sometimes it seems that way!  

 

 

Michaela & Katherine

Michaela & Katherine left on their big trip this morning ~ off to Germany with Grams and Gramps with a special little side trip to Paris with Grandpa.  I'm not entirely certain whether they are more excited to see Auntie Margaret, Uncle Alex, Pierce & Gretel or the Eiffel Tower!  Or was it the French pastries they said they were so looking forward to?

I can't remember.  

All I know is lists have been made, suitcases packed, tummies in butterflies for weeks now.  Katherine was almost impossible to live with!

We will miss you, Michaela and Katherine, but know you will have the time of your life.  Make sure not to eat too many pastries and stay away from that German beer!  Okay, you can try a sip if Uncle Alex is with you!

~ Love, Mom

Sleepy eyes, coffees in hand, ready to roll!

Baby Max Update

Today we had an appointment  with our MFM specialist in Great Falls to check up on our little Max. While Shannon and Mom stayed home to hold the fort down, Sommer went along for the ride!  Our little guy is still growing, he's still a couple weeks behind, but his growth hasn't further slowed.  His heart and bowel issues seem to no longer be of concern.  His eyes, and this was an area of apprehension for me for superficial reasons I don't care to admit, seem to be normally spaced and possibly a little like mine ~:o)
The amniotic fluid is at the low end of normal now, allowing his stomach to mature as well as his lungs.  The placenta is also now a normal size.  This is all beautiful news.  His brain, however, has an issue we are praying somehow miraculously heals.  His left cerebellum is very small or absent, which would affect movement and possibly cognitive function, to what degree no one can be sure.  The fact that he is moving around like a wild man....I mean like a Bell boy......is encouraging, though.

While not typically allowing myself to get too excited, with Sommer being so happy I couldn't help it, and had to buy a couple little onesies to celebrate.

Just when I thought the day couldn't look brighter I picked up our mail and there was a card addressed to me with what looked suspiciously like Shannon's handwriting, but it was postmarked "Billings."  It was indeed a letter from Shannon, mailed a few days earlier.  And I thought there were no more tears, happy or sad, left!
No matter what the future holds, Shannon always reminds me he will be there, leading and guiding our family.

Thank you, each and every one of you, for your prayers ~  Love, Allison

Family Pictures

Every year I have visions of family picture day being a fun time, everyone smiling and picture perfect with just the right sunlight streaming through the background .......nothing more really needs to be said.  It is just another example of me not living in reality.

This year was no different than years past.  After waiting for Shannon's arrival home we realized that the tripod shoe was in the truck, the truck was in town and the light was fading fast.  And we all know whose fault that was.

We found a suitable fence post to use as a rest for the camera.  Then I realized my thriftiness was going to make for some interesting photos as I was, yet again, relying on the "delay" button on the camera. (I'm ordering a remote today, along with a new lens)  My hair looks windswept in all the pictures and it is not a running-down-a-tropical-beach windswept.  It's a I-think-I'm-gonna-die-because-my-pants-are-too-tight windswept......and the sweat from my forehead did nothing for the whole look.  The little boys, and by little boys I mean pretty much all the boys, were less than photogenic.  I'm thinking I encourage silly shots too much.  They now think that that's the only way to pose for pictures.  

Anyway ~ I have yet to choose a shot we will use, maybe we'll try again on a sunny Sunday afternoon when we're all relaxed...and a remote is in hand.

Then again, maybe we'll just hire a professional like I was pulling for this year anyway!

Menu ~

I NEED to get back to writing a menu.  This business of, "Hmm, what's for dinner?" at about 3:30 every day is stressing me out.  So here goes.

Saturday ~ Tacos

Sunday ~ Chicken, Stuffing, Broc Salad, Carrot Sticks (make broth w/chicken carcasses for future soups)

Monday ~ Halibut, Fruit Salsa, Rice

Tuesday ~ Steaks, Salad, New Potatoes

Wednesday ~ French Toast, Sausages

Thursday ~ Spaghetti, Salad

Friday ~ Mac-n-Cheese, Carrot Sticks, Apple Slices

Saturday ~ Gumbo & Breadsticks

Sunday ~ Meatballs, Mashed Potatoes, Spinach Salad

Monday ~ French Dips, Broccoli, Sliced Fruit

Tuesday ~ Butternut Squash Soup

Wednesday ~ Chili, Apples, Sliced Iceberg (make an extra pot of chili for the freezer)

Thursday ~ Rockfish, Rice/Walnut Salad, Green Salad

Friday ~ Broccoli/Cheese Soup

Now I am prepared for the next two weeks, meal-wise anyway.


On another note, Mom is in charge of Art with the kiddos this year.  If left to me we'd have Art, like,  never. Michaela and Katherine, and Annika too, have  been searching Pinterest (thank you very much Deb) for projects that are artsy with a purpose.  Last week they made Christmas votives and this week they made mugs.  They turned out so well.  Mom brings out the creativity in a person much better than I ever could! Thank you Mom!

Horses & Miracles

We had these neighbors, using that word loosely, that owned a little ranchette with sheep.  The kids loved to go and see the sheep and run around the barnyard.  A few years ago, the husband passed away and the wife, deciding it was too much work for her, put the place on the market.  The kiddos cried, thinking we would never be able to visit the little farm again after it sold, or cross the property to get to Grandma's.  Of course, I tried to placate them saying, "Well, we'll just pray that someone wonderful buys the place.  You never know what will happen."  After a quick prayer, that's pretty much the last I thought of it.  

Not my girls, though.  

They really prayed every day that the place would be sold to someone good.  Never in our wildest dreams could we have imagined the couple who bought ranch.  (I was going to say, "bought the farm" but that's probably the wrong term!) 

As a lot of young girls do, my girls dream of horses.  Our property, not to mention my husband, is not really conducive to horses, so they were left to their dreaming.  The couple that moved in to the ranchette, Annie & Mike, had a horse and a cute li'l mule, which they told Michaela they would teach to ride.  Pretty soon, they acquired a couple more horses and Kath got in on the action.  Now, everyone is learning to ride and my girls' dreams are coming true.  

We often talk about how we thought it would be so dreadful when the previous neighbors sold the place, all the while God had a much better, bigger plan in place that we couldn't foresee.  Michaela and Katherine now ride at least a couple times a week, along with participating in regular farm life....cleaning stalls, bandaging hooves, mucking out the chicken coop, straightening the tack room.  

And I often believe there are no longer miracles!  

Looking back, I would call this a miracle ~:o)  

Bonnie Blue and Michaela ~

Michaela had to do a little bargaining to keep this pony around, 

She is a bit feisty, the horse, that is!

Kath and Sonnet ~

The viewing rock ~

Are they ever going to be done ???

Ditto ~

Joshie, on the fine mule, Paula

She is definitely stubborn, but perfect for kids ~

Annika in all her glory ~

the most hilarious thing is watching Annika boss Paula, the mule, around ~

Eric would prefer riding a larger steed, but ya take what you're given!

I get to ride, I get to ride, I get to ride!