What a weekend

We had our longest trip up north yet. We had to stop at the ER about 4 hours into our trip, Mason was in pain and showing all the symptoms of a UTI, it turns out he had amorphous phosphates (crystals in his urine) which irritated his bladder. Then about 5 miles from the farm at 3:30 am our vehicle quit on us. We had to call Mark's brother to come get us. The rest of the trip went very well. The fuel pump went out on the suburban (imagine after 172,000 miles). Valynn got to put milkers on the cows. Kyra thought it was fun to have the calves lick her hand. The kids played with their cousins. Mark got lumber cut and planed. We had a uneventful return trip. Now we have to gear up for the hectic month ahead of us. Our spare cat is being picked up by the owners today. Valynn is home sick again. We have a busy weekend ahead of us and I will have pictures I promise, I just didn't get the camera out this trip.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

It's been a busy couple of weeks. I was hoping we were on the mend, but it looks like we have another round of illness. Monday Valynn had her recheck and I had the doctor take a look at Kyra. Valynn is cleared up but Kyra had the start of an ear infection. Yesterday Mason threw up, but today he seems to be doing better, unfortunately Kyra is acting like she's not feeling good today, she was up most of last night, we well see. I got my cast off and my stitches out and I don't need physical therapy so I am on the mend.

Valynn lost her first tooth Monday night and it's only a matter of time before she loses another. She finally got her reading tests but we haven't heard the results yet. She impressed us with her thinking Saturday night, she was working on her catechism and they had to cross off the one thing that that didn't belong regarding their senses. For sight they had to draw their own pictures in. She drew a sun with stars, a flower, and a cat, she then crossed off the sun and the starts. Confused because you can see the sun and stars I asked her about it and her answer was "When the sun is out you can't see the stars but I know they are still there". Valynn had her Daisy scouts investiture last week.

Mason is working on reading sight words, I can't believe how he wants to learn to read now that he's started school.

Kyra is learning more words everyday, even the babysitter can pick them out. Her cutest is when she says moo and quack.

We had fun getting together with our friends in Bloomington two weeks ago. The kids always enjoying getting together. Last Saturday we watched the neighbor boys for a few hours, they had a great time playing football with Valynn and Mason.

The kids are singing at church on December 9th. Valynn is singing at the Holiday homecoming in Princeville on December 2nd.

Today we are headed north for Thanksgiving. I have to go, my youngest is eating one of the pumpkin pies. Good thing I baked two.

Hunting Excursions

Here is a picture of Al with his 2007 buck. Assisting in the weekend of hunting were Kat, Jodi, and Brady.

Here is a picture taken in late October after a morning of pheasant hunting.

Veteran's Day

I know I said I wouldn't write a blog for awhile but I was so awestruck by today's Veteran's Day program hosted by the Princeville Grade School that I had to write about it. Every year they host a Veteran's Day program and I had the inside scope that Valynn's class was singing at it so we decided to attend. We were greeted at the door by kids who asked if we were veterans. They took down Mark's name, military branch, and service during which war. He was then given a purple heart necklace made by a second grader and a picture made by a third grader. The program started with the presentation of the flag by the Boy Scouts, followed by the pledge and Star Spangled Banner. Next there was a slide presentation of all the area Vet's that have passed away, pictures of their gravestones. We were then treated to every class singing a patriotic song, followed by the boy scouts folding the flag with the meaning of each fold and presented to the oldest vet. There was a poem by the 3rd and 4th graders. Each veteran was then recognized individually and thanked for their service. The spouses were also recognized for their support to the veteran's. After the closing of "God Bless America" all the veterans and their guests were treated to lunch, coffee, and cookies.
We were very impressed with the turnout and the thought put into the program. Also for the recognition. We didn't stay for lunch because Mark needed to get back to work, but we definitely plan on attending again next year.

Mark's brother Lloyd found out last week that he has been activated and will leave in January for a Navy carrier. We don't know much more at this time but we'll keep everyone posted.

Thank you to all of our Veteran's for your service.

What a nightmare!

I had my surgery yesterday, it went fine it was the before and after that was the problem. Valynn is still home sick today. I probably won't write a blog entry for awhile since I can only type with one hand.

Weekend recap

On Friday the kids and I went to Iowa to visit Bonnie and Jerald. We had a great time. On Saturday we bummed around the house working on a few projects. Sunday we went to church and watched the Vikings play. Today Valynn still wasn't feeling better so I took her to the doctor. She has pneumonia and an ear infection. The poor thing, she has to miss school tomorrow and we'll see about the rest of the week. I have minor surgery tomorrow on my wrist and then we'll hopefully be on the road to a healthy family.

P.S. If someone could explain to Kyra that the reason we set the clocks back an hour in the fall is so mom and dad can get an extra hour of sleep. This waking up at 5 :30 in the morning isn't working, mom can't get her workout in.

Almost 6 months

Ty is almost 6 months and was a Monkey for Halloween.