Be careful what you say...

You will hear it from your children!
I laughed so hard today when I found this video on my computer! Kyrie got a hold of Jeanne's camera last week, and took several self-portraits. I didn't realize in the mean time, she also took this video! I'm beginning to wonder if she loaded it on to my computer too, because it was in a very strange folder - not where I unload my photos!
Thankfully, it was nothing bad that I say that she was repeating, but when I take the kids pictures I usually tell them to say "cheese", and if that doesn't get any smiles, telling them to say "Macaroni and Cheese" usually does!

Amber teething necklace

I know many of you have seen Trey in his fancy little amber necklace and wondered what on earth has gotten into his momma!
It all started when he started teething big time. In March, he started cutting 4 teeth at once. 6 weeks later, he only had 2 of those teeth, and was trying to cut 4 molars along with the 2 front teeth. He was constantly chewing on his fists and was SO grouchy and whiny!
6 weeks later, it was convention time and he STILL didn't have any more teeth. I was resorting to tylenol and motrin nearly every day, and that's certainly not good for a baby! I was imagining my convention going down the drain as I dealt with this little bear, so in desperation I called my Sister Dalayna, whom I remembered talking about this cool teething necklace she had gotten for her daughter - the same age as Trey, and how impressed she was with it. She sent it to me and we got it in the middle of convention. It was seriously a lifesaver! (at least as far as my mental health in concerned!)
A week or so after convention, I decided to take it off of him because I was wondering if his good mood really had anything to do with the amber necklace, or that he had finally cut 2 of the molars. I left it off for 2 days and he was right back to his old grouchy self!
Now, what can I say? I'm a believer! Find more info about Amber Teething Necklaces below the picture.

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Natural amber necklace facts:

· A natural analgesic, amber will help calm a baby without resorting to drugs.

· Amber is a fossilized resin, not a stone. It is therefore warm to the touch, as well as very comfortable and light to wear.

· Wearing Baltic amber necklaces on the skin can have a soothing and calming effect on teething babies and toddlers.

· When amber is worn on the skin, the skin's warmth releases miniscule amounts of healing oils from the amber which are then absorbed via the skin into the bloodstream.

· Amber’s anti-inflammatory and therapeutic properties are also recognized by allopathic medicine. In Austria, Switzerland and Germany, you will find amber teething necklaces sold in local pharmacies

3 years = 9999 pictures!

I've had my camera for 3 years, this summer. While we were camping this past weekend, I was discussing with Mom whether you want your digital camera set on continuous file numbering, or to reset every time you unload your pictures. I prefer mine on continuous so I don't have to worry about duplicate file numbers. So while I was unloading my pictures yesterday, imagine my irritation when I realized that my file numbers had been re-set to 0001! I was not impressed that someone had been playing with my camera - I mean, who would do that anyway?!
I felt a little sheepish when I looked at the last file number before it was re-set, and realized that it was 9999! I have taken 9999 pictures in the 3 years that I have owned my camera!
Is that good or bad?!
Now I get to start all over again!

Bike riding!

Kyrie has been talking about getting a bike for about 6 months now, so we decided it was time to give in and get her one. She picked out a pretty purple princess bike from Walmart. Unfortunately it was short lived because for some reason, she simply couldn't ride it! Then a few weeks ago when we spent the 4th at Jim's parents, they had a "Kyrie size" bike and she tried and tried to ride that with no luck either! We started looking into "nice" (read expensive) bikes and decided maybe that would make a difference. In the mean time, we found one used here in town for $15.00 and decided that was worth a shot. Nope! No luck with that one either!!! I was beginning to think she was just that un-coordinated or something, but Saturday, I was garage sale-ing and Jim had saw a few small bikes at a garage sale a few blocks away and said if it was smaller than the one she had to go ahead and get it.
So I did, it was a boys bike but we figured Trey would be able to use it in a few years anyway.
It didn't have training wheels but I decided to let Kyrie try it out with me holding onto the seat. She did great! Acted like it was no big deal! So we took a trip to Walmart and got a new set of training wheels and off she went!
Now the problem is she wants to ride it 24-7!





We also really lucked out at another garage sale last week - found this bicycle infant seat for $3.00 ($40.00 at walmart) and infant size helmet for $0.50! Trey loves to go riding!

Happy 7th Birthday Kaela!!!

Happy 7th Birthday to my littlest Sister Kaela Dawn!!!



While I probably wouldn't make this cake for you for your birthday, I thought it was really neat and figured you would think so too!!! Maybe when you get married ;)

Happy 9th Birthday Kara!!!

Happy 9th birthday to my little sister Kara Elizabeth!!!

If I was closer, I'd make you this birthday cake - it reminds me so much of you!!!

4th of July Week(end)

Just thought I'd share a little of our 4th of July fun with you all!

Jim's brother and family stopped by on the 1st and took Kyrie with them to Alliance so she & her cousin would have some extra time together.
On Wednesday, they went to SD to see the faces, and then to storybook island and Evans plunge for some swimming fun - hot springs style!

The next day they were off to Ft. Robinson.
Kyrie didn't care for a horse back ride!

The kids had fun with all the "outdoors" toys...




Uncle Mark was equally excited about bike riding!



The guys set up the picnic table in the yard and spent a few hours at least playing farkle. Don't know who won... don't know if it matters!


The fire pit was going both Friday and Saturday night, hotdogs, brats and S'MORES!!! Did I mention we had s'mores? Boy were they good ;)






Aunt Donna had promised the kids a camp out so they headed out to the tent Friday night. It didn't last long though, Kyrie decided there were too many mosquitoes and not long after she headed in, Cousin decided that the fireworks were too loud!


Trey enjoyed hanging out with the guys. Yes, even this freaky looking dude!







Mark has been having fun with his camera, testing it's macro skills... I'd say it does a pretty good job!




Nothing like a nice long holiday weekend with the family!

Happy 95th Grandma!!!

Happy 95th Birthday (a few weeks late) to Jim's Grandma Ethel!!! We can all hope that if we live to be 95, we'll have as much spark as she does ;)