Marking the End...

Of Summer that is...
We have had such a great Summer, from activities to weather! We couldn't have asked for better!
The kids wrapped up 3 months of t-ball and the only 2 weeks of swimming lessons we had this summer. Emma did really well in the 2nd level, but she will have to do it again next Spring; Micah did extremely well in the beginner advanced level ( he lost 5 lbs. he was swimming so hard), but he will be repeating that class in the Spring also. He has gained back most of that weight by now, but it was scary for a minute there.


The kids really enjoyed running the bases and hitting the ball without the T by the end of the season. Micah took it seriously and was frustrated at the kids that didn't.
Whitney and Nate came to visit and have supper with us one evening and Nate, being the great guy that he is, went out to jump with kids on the tramp. We never thought of the rule-NO GUM while jumping, now we wish we had. Emma "accidentally" dropped her gum in Nate's hair :( He was a real great sport about it and said he had always wondered what it would feel like to have gum in his hair...well, now he knows, unfortunately. Whitney tried to remove the sticky mess, but alas, resorted to the scissors.

It is the time for School Shopping and shopping we did, just the 4 of us-Reise, Emma, Danell and I went to Fargo for our first school shopping trip ( I am thinking that this is going to be a tradition) we had so much fun!!! We did all that shopping and JUST HAD to get a pedicure and manicure too! Danell has those pics, I will post them soon. My highlight was when Emma was sitting in the pedicure chair completely thoroughly enjoying herself, looked up at me and said "Thanks, MOM!" with a very relaxed and peaceful look on her face. I love that I have a daughter to do things like that with.

I know, I know!

Only 6 days apart, but completely joined at the hip! Their friendship has been since they were months old. Danell and I said they will either be the best of friends or the worst kind of enemy. We are so glad to see that they have chosen each other for friends- they do have their moments :O LOL!
Marking the end of Summer is Crookston's Ox Cart Day's. One of the activities that we tried last year was the tractor pull, so when I told them it was time for that event they were so excited. The way this works is they have a weighted trailer behind the pedal tractor and when they pedal the weight goes up an incline and makes it really tough, the one that pedals the farthest wins.

Micah took second place and received his first ever trophy! He is now sleeping with it :)

So the kids will start school on September 2nd. That is so hard to believe. Emma will be in school all day 5 days a week. Nancy (Grandma T) is planning on driving the kids to school every morning and between the other mom's we will each pick up after school. So we wont have to do theREAL school bus thing and all that goes with that! Creed and I will begin ECFE classes in the fall, I think he will enjoy that, I know I will be glad to see mom's during the week.

The guys are out combining today, it is to be great weather for it. Pictures to come.

And So It Begins...

I can't believe it is about that time. Harvest time that is. Rob and the crew began yesterday, it was their "trial run" but it still sent that harvest time smell in the air, that yellow haze because of the lack of wind. Beautiful, that is what I call it. I look forward to the Spring time because of the turned over dirt smell and Fall gives that cut Wheat smell, there isn't anything like it to me. Who would have thought that this "city girl" would ever love the smell of Wheat dust and dirt!?

I have alot to write but not enough time right now, I did however, want to get the exciting news

out that we are "bringing in the harvest"!!! "Lord, bless this Harvest with bounty and safety. Keep Rob, Ethan, Andrew, Dewey and Josh on their toes and keep the equipment running well. Thank you, Heavenly Father, for the awesome blessing of bring in the "fruits of thy labor". Your name be praised!

Just Had To Share

I know, I know I am just a bias mother, but isn't he so dang cute!!!

Yes, he is standing in his crib! Already!!!
What a little honey;if I do say so myself!

Tea Party

On Wednesday Emma called Reise to invite her for an afternoon Tea Party on Saturday. My, my did the rest of the week go by slowly for her. Finally the day arrived and the girls were off. They played the Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe with Reise being Susan and Emma being Lucy and while they picked wild berries and played in the play house I prepared for the grand event!

Pink Lemonade was the preferred drink (neither of them really wanted tea).
Rice Krispie Treats, pink marshmallows, frosted animal cookies and Werther's Caramel candies.
What little "posers" we have.
They honestly stopped picking berries and did the pose, they are so cute.
After all that they came in and were mermaids swimming with sharks.

Emma said," that was the best time ever!"
I know I had a ball watching all of this and would do it again any ol' day!
Without the 10:30 up till 1:30 with a tummy ache that was only cured by a trip to the commode.

Tagged...

One Word Tag:.
1. Where is your cell phone) Donknow
2. Your significant other? Kids
3. Your hair? Bun
4. Your mother? Love
5. Your father? Security
6. Your favorite thing? Cuddles
7. Your dream last night?NONE :(
8. Your favorite drink? Water
9. Your dream/goal? Success
10. The room you're in? Office
11. Your hobby? Reading
12. Your fear? Failure
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Adventure
14. Where were you last night? Bed
15. What you're not? Skinny
16. Muffins? No
17. One of your wish list items? Flip
18. Where you grew up? Brigham
19. The last thing you did? Supper
20. What are you wearing? Tank
21. Your TV? Overstimulation
22. Your pets? Stinky
23. Your computer? Lifeline
24. Your life? Sweet
25. Your mood? Rushed
26. Missing someone? YES
27. Your car? Dirty
28. Something you're not wearing? Glasses
29. Favorite store? Online
30. Your summer? Fast
31. Like someone? Yes
32. Your favorite color? Black
33. When is the last time you laughed? Today
34. Last time you cried? Awhile

Stacie H you have been tagged.

Weaning Process

Yeah, I haven't had a "process" it is just pretty much done. I decided that this was the last week and I hope to be completely done nursing by Friday. Creed is adjusting to it very well..."Breastfeeding? What? Did I do that?" He sees the bottle and instantly gets excited about it, so I think the "process" or lack there of, is for me.

We have already noted a difference in Creed's appearance, he is looking a little more "filled in."

So, I just wanted to Thank everyone that gave a "shout out" to the Almighty One whom has answered our prayers for direction and wisdom to do what is best for our little guy.

All Smiles...

There is not doubt about it, Creed is a happy baby!

He is so free with his smiles

He knows what to do when he sees the camera..."ham it up"
He does have a mellow side too, only with his "lovey"

Ripcord at ValleyFair

We drove Friday night to Golden Valley to stay the night with Ryan and Amanda. This was our first time in a very long time popping in to stay with them and we had such a wonderful time, all though it wasn't long enough. They so graciously offered to stay with Creed while the 4 of us went to Valley Fair on Saturday. We missed Creed, but did admit that it was nice not having him along. He had a BLAST witht he Luedtke's. Thanks sooo much again guys.

Well, I know that the highlight for Rob was his chance to free fall 100 feet to the earth, so I captured all of his thrills on camera, here is what we got...

A very excited Rob waiting in line. He got his wish of being a single flyer.
There he goes...Up, up
and up...
3,2,1 Fly...
I was standing directly underneath him and he came down close enough for me to read his face and lips saying "HOLY CRAP" with the biggest grin on his face I have ever seen. He would do that agian in a "heartbeat."
All smiles after the joy ride.
Emma's highlight was sitting on the train with Captain O.
The favorite ride was the Frog Hopper, the mini version of the Power Tower
We found that this ride was made in my home area.
Valley Fair, we had such a great time.

Creed's Well Child Check-Up

Well, we knew that our little Creed was small, but we had no idea that he wasn't growing! Well, let me explain...According to our Dr. (who is fabulous) he is concerned because Creed has gone from the 20% in weight down to the 10%. So, for the next month I am to feed him once in the night to see if we can put that weight back on him. If not he is recommending that I stop nursing and go strictly to formula. I am really bummed; I don't want to stop nursing, so I am going to do what I need to do to improve my milk supply. Hopefully when we go in for the weight evaluation next month he will see improvement.
So here are his stats: Weight-16 lbs. 04 oz-10th percentile
Height-26.5-27th percentile
He said that nothing developmentally is wrong with him; he is strong and seems to be on pace for his age. He did check his heart for a murmur-apparently weight loss is a sign for that. If he doesn't gain weight this month Dr. B will be recommending me to a Dr. that specializes in this area.
I would ask that you pray for our little guy-pray for my milk and for wisdom for Rob and I to do what is best for him; we don't want me to continue to nurse him if that is the problem. Pray for a healthy growth this month.
He had his shots and you wouldn't even know it. He cried for like 2 second and then was smiling at the nurses that just inflicted the pain he was having. What a sweetheart!

Lake Florida

Every year, for the past 13 years, the friends from Northwestern gather at the Cabin on Lake Florida.

(Left to right) Joe, Nanc aka Andrew, Rob, Bart, Cams aka Jason, John, Greg and Toby

A lot of these guys married girls from Northwestern too, it is a nice reunion.
Every year has it's thing, to hot, to buggy to whatever; this year it was way to windy, so the kids weren't in the water as much. They found other ways to stay occupied.
On Sunday, Micah went for his 2nd water skiing experience. He did great! He went quite a ways this time, however, he didn't quite stand all the way up. He had fun, but didn't want to do it again.
Dad giving M a 5 for a job well done.
Well, Dad couldn't let his son have all the fun...

Fertile Fair

Welcome to the Annual Polk County Fair; Every parents nightmare, every child's dream! There are so many things about the fair that I hate; all since having children...

1. The "Carnies"-They scare me!
2. It is a Germ fest
3. The most unhealthy foods ever
4. Rides that make you Scream-because they look like they are going to fall apart as they have your children in them.
5. The gross bathrooms
6. The lack of clothing that the girls wear to these events-hoping to get a ride of their own (don't mean to sound judgemental here, but....)
7. The outrageous prices on everything
8. The whining and crying after the day is over, because we are all exhausted.

But there are a few really good things about the fair too...

1. The Smiles
2. The Excitement

3. The Thrills

4. The Friends
5. The Animals

We were going through the barns with all the cows when I saw something hanging out a cows rear hole and I was like "EWWW! What the heck is that!?" and the girl working there said that 30 minutes before the cow gave birth to the calve that was laying right beside her. That was cool, I only sorta wish I had seen the whole thing.

6. The Horse Events

I love this picture of Reise and Emma. These two girls loved watching the horses perform; you could see that they were thinking "I can't wait to do that some day."

7. The Memories

We were sitting at a picnic table having a little treat when Will said " I know who I am going to marry!" Danell and I asked him "Who?" "Emma!" he said. Emma, who was sitting right there said "I am going to have to think about that, Will." Danell told her that that was a wise answer; I agreed!

7 Months

I am amazed how fast time is going bye, Creed is 7 months now and with each new day is finding more and more awesome things to do with his little life. He has been crawling now for about 2 weeks and it will not be long before he is walking.

More of Our Addition

We are far from being finished with this project; I am thrilled with how far along it is! The kids are loving it, they have been out everyday riding their bikes.

As you can see it wraps all the way around the house.
Had to do the imprints!
Do to the height impairment this pic didn't turn out as well as I had hoped, but you can see that it has made a huge difference in the "curb appeal." Today I will be getting the supplies to paint the front door and replace the white screen door with a glass storm door.