It's another girl!

We had our first ultrasound today for Baby #4. We've really been hoping and praying for a boy. Girl & Boy Shepherd, and then Girl & Boy Faubus. Sounds like the perfect little family, right? Well, obviously, not in the stars for us. We are a little disappointed, but really can you be bummed about a healthy little baby - boy or girl?! Not for a second. We are very blessed.

Now the name game will begins. Do we go back to the last list - and pick something from there that we didn't use? Do we start a new list? I don't think the name we have picked out, "Henry David" will work. I'm not a fan of Henrietta.

And the question we are asked, "Will you try again?" I think we'll need to see how we handle/juggle/manage 4 kids before we start thinking about the next. Part of me says, "Sure, why not?" The other part of me says, "Heck no!" Especially when the odds for #5 are just the same. Then poor Jack will really be outnumbered.

Pictures from the Fabulous Grill & Chill

Your Hosts: Deanna & Billy

Yummo! That chocolate pudding dessert needs to be licked clean!

Where all the goodies are at!

Billy getting the yardbirds ready for tastin'

2nd Annual Fabulous Grill & Chill

The 2nd Annual Fabulous Grill & Chill was a great success! Nearly 100 people - over 30 being children - showed up to see Billy smoke the hens. The yardbirds turned out great - and nearly all of them were picked down to the bone. And I think we went thru 3 jars of his barbeque sauce too.

Our "Voted Best" contest was another success - with folks bringing in some real ringers! For Best Side dish, the winner was Suzanne Gauley, a friend of mine from high school with a Mac 'n Cheese dish with bacon. Yeah, pleasing 30 kids isn't hard, is it? The runner up was Brandie Ubben with some yummy, buttery garlic mushrooms. The Best Dessert was a warm Peach Cobbler by Dawn Ploeger, who is a friend of ours from church. I believe there was a tie for 2nd with a couple of chocolate desserts. Thanks everyone for getting your cook on! I can't wait for next year!

Speaking of which, mark your calendar for Saturday, Sept 12th, 2009 - which is the Saturday after Labor Day - for the 3rd Annual Fabulous Grill & Chill. This next year we are going to be working on perfecting the baked beans!

Another good Jack story

Since Ellie started Kindergarten, Jack is finding some independence. And I think he's enjoying it. He's out-growing naps, and on most days he spends his afternoon playing on his own or with me. One of my favorites is eating lunch with him on Tuesday and Thursday. Amelia is fed at daycare, so when we get home, I put her to bed and he and I have lunch. He gets to pick what he wants for lunch (which is usually peanut butter & jelly - which Ellie doesn't like) and then we sit down together.

He's in a major "jabber-jabber" stage and it takes him nearly a half hour to eat his meal because he's constantly telling stories or concerned about what we are going to do next. I just sit and listen, and coax him to continue to take bites of food.

This week, I asked, "Jack, who is your favorite superhero?" Immediately, he answered, "Batman!" But after a moments hesitation, he added, "Actually...Flash. Yeah, Flash." I thought it was interesting how even at 3-years old he was able to use the word "actually" in a sentence well. I'm sure most parents feel that way - just blown away by their kids' vocabulary use. It really makes you stop and put some thought into the words you are using.

For instance, "dumb" and "stupid" are 2 words that Ellie and Jack yell at us for using. And not that we say them to them, but I might be telling Billy a story, or he to me - and across the room we here, "Billy, don't say stupid!" or "Mama, did you say dumb?"

It's shocking to me that some parents think kids at this age don't know what is being said - or what it means. Whatever! They hear EVERYTHING - and they figure out what it means. We need to protect our kids from filthy language, hateful remarks, and the like. They'll get enough of it in school - and out in public when we can't guard their ears. Being sure that good, positive language is used in our home is a huge goal so they know what is valued and expected. I like this saying better, "Do as I say, and as I do."

Mr. Potato Head

Jack is 3 - and certainly not a master artist. He isn't really into coloring or things of that nature. (Neither is Ellie for that matter - must not be in the genes). On occasion, though, I can get him to sit down and do some coloring. The other day I found a Toy Story Color Wonder book and markers and got him to sit in my office with me for a bit.

He plowed thru the pages, making only small, brief, colorings on each sheet. The Mr. Potato Head (above) was without a face and it was his task to add a face. So he made a mouth, eyes and then a nose. I thought he did a pretty good job putting them on the face in the correct spot. A moment or so later, he says, "Mom, he needs a pee-pee." And so he drew a pee-pee. Sorry to put an X-rated photo on the blog - but Jack did not draw pants.

Pigtails

Ellie likes it when she and Amelia can match. So she picked a striped dress and wanted her hair done the same as Amelia too. Here is a cute photo of them reading books together.

Labor Day Weekend

All the kids enjoying a spinning tire swing.

No big plans this weekend. Just a lot of cleaning up around the house and getting ready for our big party this coming weekend. Most of you received an invite - our Annual Fabulous Grill & Chill!

We took the kids to Big Creek Saturday afternoon for a short bit. And then Sunday, Monday Ellie & Jack were with Tony as our usual schedule dictates. That gave us some extra "free time" to finish up our list. Here are some pictures of what Amelia did today to help. Dancing and spraying the driveway .

Huxley Prairie Festival

Billy cutting ribs - his homemade smoker behind him.

Lyle Martin - a local - using his revamped, gas grill to try a hand at it.

Smokin' Caboose - Ron & Rhonda Smith - our winners.

Every year, Huxley has a small town celebration called Prairie Festival. It's the "prairiest festival around." Earlier in the year, Billy was asked to do a barbeque contest - which he was excited to start a new annual event doing something that he loved. We worked hard to get big prizes and hoped for a big turnout of backyard barbequers.

Unfortunately, one 1 person from town signed up. So we had to revamp the contest... but we still sold all of our People's Choice Award voting cards - and had a greatly received event. Billy and one of our judges also participated - and our judge, who also runs a BBQ catering business and goes to lots of contests smoked us in all categories. But we had a great time and Billy learned a lot from them to help him improve his smoking abilities! The Huxley Prairie Festival Smoke Out was a success - and we look forward a bigger event next year.

We also participated in the parade - the little kids and I walked with our friend, Hollie Allen who just started a Kindermusik program here in town. It was a long walk - but they had fun.

Billy & I are active members of HERO community group here in town. So we also worked the beer tent both evenings. I also participated in Ballard Idol Karaocke contest. I placed 2nd - but received no prize. The big $250 prize was given to just the 1st place winners (male & female). Luckily, my mom was able to stay Friday night and then we had another friend, Nicole, stay on Saturday night to watch kids all weekend.

1st Day of School

Mrs. Nosekabel & Ellie

Inside her own locker

1st day of Kindergarten

A little sleepy ...

Jack & Amelia first day at LilyPad

They're outta here! Oh, in all honesty, I actually didn't sleep well last night. Not sure if it was anxious worry, or just fear that I'd over sleep and miss the bus?!

Last night, we took Ellie to the Open House at her school. Tony & Jana met me there with the kids and we got to meet her teacher, Mrs. Nosekabel (which Ellie & I already know, b/c she was Ellie's preschool teacher 2 years ago at Wee Care). This is Mrs. Nosekabel's first year at Ballard. We took all of Ellie's supplies there, and got to put things in her desk and locker.

We tried putting her to bed early, but she was "too excited" to fall asleep and it was after 9:30 before she finally did crash. 6:45am came pretty early for her - and she was tired. You can see in one of the pictures. She picked a High School Musical t-shirt to wear - which didn't surprise me. She's pretty into that movie right now.

The bus stop is just down the street around the corner. There are 2 other kids (a 1st grader and a kindergartener) that we know that ride too. She'll go up to the High School, get other kids and then over to Slater to Ballard West Elementary. She was probably most excited to ride the bus. But, if she's anything like me - that excitement will die in the years to come. I dreaded riding the bus.

After dropping her off, round 2. Jack had his first day of preschool today at LilyPad and Amelia joins him at LilyPad daycare for the same time on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Jack also was very excited - and immediately went to play with the kids and I barely got a good-bye. But he's used to this routine, as he did daycare/preschool last year 2 mornings a week. The kids enjoy that time away from home and playing with other kids. I'm sure Amelia will too.

Overall, a great morning - but after my restless night, I think I might be joining the little kids for naps this afternoon!

Fast Summer

Wow! Summer has gone so fast - I'm sure you all can relate! And not that we've really been doing anything that exciting - just the normal day-to-day being a parent of 3 small children keeps us on our toes ... and worn out by the end of the day!

I also realized that I've barely taken any pictures since our vacation around the 4th. Here are a couple of the kids. I love this face of Ellie - she's not mad, she's just posing. And poor Jack, always in the middle of the girls! Amelia - her first taste of a yummy cake scraper! And then just last week when I put pig-tails in her hair.

Fear of a parent

After just reading a story on a friend's blog - I was reminded that I need to get this little story on mine.

The other day, I experienced a parental fear that I hope no one ever has to go thru - and that I don't have to go thru again. After bible school this past week, my niece, Lilah came over in the afternoons. So Ellie and she had a great time all week playing together.

One day, the girls and Jack were swimming and playing in the back yard. I was in the kitchen doing dishes, so I could keep my eye on them thru the window. At one point, I couldn't see any of them - so I bopped outside to check on them. I found Jack in the garage and asked him where the girls were - he said, "They are inside. I want to come inside too."

"No, they aren't inside, I was just in there."
"Yes, they are."

So I went in to check, in case they had somehow slipped past me .... .... nope.
Next, check back outside, and it proceeded like this ...

• the bottom of the pool
• around the side of the house
• the front yard
• ask jack again, he said, "They are in the van." I checked the van
• went next door
• sent our neighbor girl on her bike around the block
  
• went to other neighbor with a pool
• went back inside the house
• walked half way around the block

At this point, I'm getting very frantic. I'm going to have to call my sister and tell her that our daughters are missing! They are in swimsuits and no shoes - I really didn't believe they'd just take off. As I was walking back into the house to grab my phone to call the police - I heard a small giggle coming from inside the van.

Jack was right - they were in the van. But the first time I checked so quickly - and they were hiding - that I didn't see them.

They said, "Didn't we find a great hiding place! We were playing hide and seek!" I was FURIOUS (and relieved). So after their butt-chewing - which consisted of

• You know better than to play in the van
• If you are going to play hide & seek, you need to tell me, so I know to look!
• If I'm calling for you - you need to answer!
• I was worried sick that someone took you.

Moral of my story - sometimes a 3-yr old knows what he's talking about.

4th of July

Tradition continues ... and we watched the Belle Plaine 4th of July parade. We have a great spot that we sit at the beginning where we get LOADS of candy. This year, we considered walking at the end of the parade to hand out the extra that we got to those at the end that didn't get any! Maybe next year. Here are a few pictures of us.

July Vacation

We recently returned from a week long vacation at my parent's cabin near Marquette, IA - which is on the Mississippi River. A beautiful vacation spot - probably my most favorite destination. I've been going up since I was about 12 - and just enjoy the scenery, the river, the relaxed nature of it all.

Amelia has her first boat ride - which she enjoyed, but didn't like the lifejacket. Jack had his first experience tubing behind the boat. And both he and Ellie really liked swimming at the sandbar. Also a shot from inside Spook Cave.

God traded the Dog

Some changes have come upon our household over the past month ...

Our dog, Nala - which has been a constant chewer since we got her - decided to chew her way out the door! Actually, the first step was that she chewed out of her kennel in the house, and proceeded to chew the couch cushion. So that sent her to the backyard. After many successful attempts at escaping the backyard, she then received a new halter collar and a tie out. After only one day on the tie out she managed to chew out of her collar and take off. Now, instead of having identification to have her hauled back by some nice neighbor - she was gone and hasn't been back since.

Obviously, this was God's way of saying, "I have other plans for you - and they don't include a very busy dog."

About a week later we found out that we were expecting another baby! This wasn't necessarily my idea of a good trade. Billy and I were planning to have another baby, but were hoping to wait another year. We'd have a little boy in school and be more financially set to move into a bigger home. It feels great to be in that 1% of women that get pregnant while on birth control pills. I guess it makes one realize that Someone else in charge.

We feel very blessed - and today we heard the heartbeat of our 10-week old little kumquat. I am due on February 2 (which means 4 kids before I'm 30 - and they'll all be gone before I'm 50!). With so many other couples going thru infertility issues, I won't for a second not feel completely blessed to be able to pop kids out when I plan them - and when I don't! :)

We do hope that God does grant our request of a little boy - so we can be done. We'll see ... stay tuned here for the latest.

Happy Father's Day!

This morning, Ellie & I went to first service at church, so she could attend Roots, our Sunday school program and I was scheduled to serve in the nursery. Billy stayed home with Jack and Amelia and planned to come down for 2nd service (as we always meet Tony just before to give him the kids).

While at home, Billy was coaching Jack on how to say "Happy Father's Day!" to Tony when they saw him. Jack would respond, "Happy Birthday!" Billy tried again, "Happy Father's Day!" And after a couple of tries Jack caught on and said, "Happy Father's Day!" They arrived to church, and when Tony came, Jack ran over to his dad and shouted "Happy Valentines' Day!" Tony said with a grin, "Good enough, buddy. Thank you!"

It's stories like this that I don't ever want to forget, and I love having this blog to journal them and share them with others. These darn kids are so funny - and grow up so fast.

Jack's Backyard Haircut

It was really hot the other night and after playing outside most of the day, Jack's hair was looking pretty nasty. All sweaty and sticking to his head and neck - so I decided to bring the clippers out - and like trimming the cows for show - we trimmed up Jack's hair. His dad isn't a huge fan, but it'll grow - and it looks nice and cool for summer.

Amelia's First Bow

So, by no surprise to most of the folks that know me - I'm not a big fan of bows and frilly girl stuff. I like cute - but not ruffly, over-the-top bows & dresses and that sort of thing. But my friend, Suzanne, just had her first baby girl - and is very excited about bows and the like. When I went to visit her and the new baby, she did get me sold on this one bow - and gave me one for Amelia. She's wearing it here in this picture. I think it's the neon colors, and the curly cue thing that gets me. And it's practical, b/c it stays in really well and eventually will hold her hair back out of her eyes.

Jack at Bam Bam Baseball

Jack is old enough this year to play Bam Bam Baseball, which is for 3-4 year olds. They hit a large kickball with a large plastic bat off of 2 coffee cans taped together. It teaches them how to run bases, take turns, and team sports. It's pretty funny to watch.

This first video is of Jack taking his turn fielding the ball. You see he runs after it, and then is really infatuated with the ball. It has Superheroes on it! The entire game, he was looking at the different superheroes. Billy said he even had to have the ball moved around so he could see Spiderman before he hit the ball of the 'T' - hilarious! Hopefully they'll get a Care Bear ball or something this next week.

The 2nd video is of him taking his turn at bat. He has a nice hit, but you can kind of see that he is running to field his own ball, before the coaches steer him to first base. He probably wanted to make sure Spiderman was alright.

Ellie's Preschool Graduation

Okay, so when Michelle, Ellie's teacher handed me a little invite to her preschool graduation, I said, "Oh, corny!" I mean, really? Is this necessary? And another mom was standing next me, and she starts oooing and gooing about it. We just all had a good laugh at how non-gooey I am. Some of the mom's are talking about how sad it is that their child will be starting Kindergarten in the and I'm like, "Praise God! Get this girl out of my hair!" All thought with love, of course! Ellie is one of those children that as soon as she started crawling at 9 months, she's had me on my toes ever since! I even gave Michelle a "thank you for putting up with Ellie" gift before we left the last day.

But I have to admit - I was pleasantly surprised at how cute the graduation was. Tony and Jana came up - and Ellie was excited to have us all there to watch the event. They sang some of their favorite songs, that had actions, of course. Funny stuff. And they also read their favorite book - Bark, George - which was very fun. The best part was when Michelle called each child up to get their diploma and had them answer the question, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Some good ones were: tooth fairy, mail deliverer, a mom. Maybe I'll think of some others.

The video below shows Ellie saying she wants to be a ballerina. Too bad I don't have her enrolled in any dance classes. Hmmmm.... I think I'm killing that dream.

Amelia's First Birthday

Lil' Miss had the big #1 birthday right before Memorial Day weekend. We had a party for her, Billy & my sister who also celebrated birthdays the 19th and 20th. It was a pretty low-key party, since many family and friends were out of town for the holiday weekend. But we enjoyed cake in the face and some presents to open. The video is what her cake ended up looking like. She was pretty delicate with it. And you can hear my sister tickling her feet.

She isn't walking yet. Taking steps here and there, but not brave or steady enough for a full walking excursion. I hope it comes soon, as it'll be better for backyard time this summer.

For the most part she's a pretty good kid. She wears her heart on her sleeve, and tends to be e bit of a wimp. A stern "No!" from Billy or I will get a very big reaction - like her world has ended. Also, if she takes a little tumble, you'd think her arm was taken off! We are working on transitioning to one big nap in the afternoon - which she is doing okay. She needs about 3 hrs of sleep during the day - and is struggling to do that. Hopefully we'll get it worked out this summer.