Sea of Green Life

Over Thanksgiving most of the car problem went away. I still feel really relaxed in the car but alert. I also get a headache and tired afterward. We've noticed other times during the day when all of a sudden I'll feel tired and light headed, like the life got sucked out of me. When we did the oximeter test (oxygen test) they found my O2 was down at night and in the car. I have a O2 machine on at night now and besides drying out my nose, I feel great. By the end of the day I still get a headache. They also prescribed a inhaler for before I get in the car, but I haven't used that yet. Sorry it took me a while to post. Finals at school. And with that said, back to it. Due tomorrow.

Happy Thanksgiving! So we were going to have ham, because we don't prefer turkey, but it was hard throughout the week to keep talking about turkey day with no turkey so we go one. We'll head out to Colvill hopefully for lunch hopefully as long as I get the stuff started for dinner here. Today AnnaBelle and Genevieve made turkey headdresses with me at daycare. AnnaBelle wore hers most of the day.

Our pumpkins have been way past ripe for some time now. We've moved them to various spots around the yard to see if they will sprout next year like in our book, Pumpkin Jack. Sara went in for the cardiologist testing, she said my heart sounded fine and she ordered an ultrasound done. It was an "Echobubble" at the end, they squirted some mixture that was all shook up and full of bubbles through an IV to see if all the bubbles make it to both sides of the heart. Kind of interesting. Not the 20 minute and 6 poke IV fiasco though. Where do we go from here? We keep praying and going where we are lead. We have complete trust in the team that has seen me. There has been some improvement lateley, but we don't know if it's from the weather or what. We just thank God for it. Even if all symptoms go away tomorrow, it will still be some time before I drive again. Just to make sure I don't create a two ton hazard. AnnaBelle is still wonderfully potty trained, even tho

I'm calling it official. AnnaBelle is potty trained. YEAH! We have 0-1 accidents in a day, unless we are playing with water, then she almost always has one. Something about watching water pouring.... She is dry sometimes at nap and never at night, but the daytime thing is big enough! Today was also her first pig tails! We didn't think there could be a kid with less hair than Genevieve and then there was AnnaBelle! Here is her first pigtails at 22 months! Otherwise we are still trucking. And no there is no new news for the car thing.

AnnaBelle pretending to count during hide and seek with our friend Kam. they both need to work on not peaking! More later, out of battery! Well Genevieve isn't smiling but I finally posted a picture. this is Grandma's day at daycare.

When I got in touch with the Dr. up at the clinic, she suggested an transportable EKG (heart monitor) and a meeting with the cardiologist. I'm sure this will be normal too. On the way to Rochester it was 65 degrees so we obviously didn't have the heat on and I sat in the back seat hoping it would make a differnce. One or the other-did. I made it six hours and was only slightly foggy, if I didn't keep my mind engaged by moving or talking, I felt the effects--just really worn down. I turned the heat on and we had to stop with in 5 minutes because I stopped functioning, same thing as before, the feeling of going under anestesia but having it take a really long time. I got out sat in the parking lot (and apparently got a few looks) and got back in with no problem. That night, I tried sitting in the front seat (this is friday 11/6) and was really trippy head spinning, "look at the lights, man" When we got to walmart or target? I had a hard time walking in the store bec

Feeling discouraged, but I didn't yell at anyone, mostly. The test was normal. The nuerologists official opinion was stay out of the car, even though it is now 10 different cars. I put in a call to my primary to see what happens now. Otherwise Hearts at Home Conference tomorrow, a fun car ride to be sure. I could fester and be grumpy, but we are bobbing to "Go Fish" Bible Book Bop. Sara

Along with my friend Renee, we too do a lot of laundry as AnnaBelle is in underwear. Yes we know way early, but she decided to go diaperless and we follow. The problem comes that she wants to go on HER time and gets mad when you suggest it. Which is usually 10 minutes prior to her waiting to long. A work in progress. Gevie, knows that the car makes me sick, at first she thought I wore the mask because of the dog hair in the car. We haven't told her much and she sits behind me so doesn't see me basically falling asleep. I want to make a video so people stop asking, so what happens? I go on drugs and then part of my brain passes out and I can't move. Apparently, after 30 minutes I "wake up." And have memory loss. I won't know anything about anything until the nuerologist McKee reviews the results on Thurs. The office called me today and said the results were in and another nuero read it, but couldn't draw anything conclusive, he did say there were some anomi

Back now from Duluth. No one knew anything and I only saw the allergist and the tech who put the portable "amblatory" EEG machine to monitor to brain waves while I was in the car off and on for 24 hours. They are trying to rule out something called "reflex epilepsy" which I am still looking into. The symptoms still are bad in the car, like watching someone turn into a statue I think. But they aren't as severe. I can ride in the car with a big mask on for longer times without the window down. And the main symptoms clear up after only a few minutes when I'm out of the car. I still get turned around and disorientated after a while, but its more like unfocused, not unfunctioning. The results from today will be ready by the end of next week, and I'll meet with the nuerolgist after that. In other news, AnnaBelle is terrified of Jack O Lanterns and Genevieve is counting the days until her birthday. She is also excited to see her friend Oliver who we are trying

So here's the question: How do you get to Duluth without getting in a car? It took about 5 hours, but the hospital staff and I found the solution. Answer: One EMT and one oxygen tank. Headed to Duluth tomorrow allergy testing and back to the neurologist. They do a 24 hour test that will monitor activity while I am having an "episode." Its okay. Laugh. I still have to convince myself I'm NOT CRAZY! The worst part will be tommorow night and the next afternoon, since I will be in a stupor while I let the machine work. I am supposed to induce this reaction; ie, ride in the car, eat yummy candy, walk into a garage.....any other ideas? Not to make light on a potentially serious issue, but God is with us and we are working to figure it out. We are thankful for many things, including symptoms to a problem that we can work to find. We will need prayer for a while though. Sara

Still trying to figure out allergies or whatever with Sara. They are getting worse. For anyone who hasn't seen me lately. I am reacting to something in some foods (mostly candy) and some cars. I want to post it here so if anyone else is Googling it, they might hit an answer sooner. I am headed to Duluth this week for an allergy test that will hopefully fill in the blanks. The reaction I am having is textbook for Central Nervous System Depression. Not really depression, but the kind of drug induce stupor you get from "downers" or some prescriptions. Check out the link on the right to get a quick idea. Everything except coma and death (thank you, God) are what I experience when in the car even for a minute (literally). What we think it is: Anti-Freeze. We don't know how because Gid doesn't know how it would get into the car and our cars don't have it in now, but the reaction happened again when he was working on a truck in the garage and spilled some. Also ANTI

October 4-11 is Fire Week. So it is of course our daycare theme and man do we love it. Each year I collect more props and resources to use. Just today I had a dad bring in a backpack sprayer to lend to dress up. I'll have to get pix of that too. Anyway, this was our very busy day today. I had 10 kids and we went on a field trip to the fire hall. I knew this would be easier for some of the fire guys, except Gideon who was in charge of our adventure. So we played in the bay with the equipment and then ate lunch with the firefighters.

AnnaBelle digging in the cooler for food. Milk is definately AnnaBelle's issue. There may be more, but milk is definately a no, no. We figured it out for sure right before vacation, no milk of any kind, in anything. We went to McDonald's and got her a hamburger, and had nasty diapers and a stomach ache. There is milk in the bun. We are now even watching soy products for the milk protien which may or may not set her off. So we are learning: Hummus is dairy free--at least the kind we had. Tofutti brand tastes pretty good. (cream cheese, sour cream, cheese) all have tofu. Putting AB's milk in cooking doesn't make that much of a difference. Except if you use the Hy-Top brand margarine in cookies, they are kind of flat and still delicious. You can make oatmeal cookies milk free but if you add choc. chips, AB can't have them--OOPS. If AnnaBelle can't have dessert, just give her a bowl of Honey Mustard dressing. EEEW I know but she ate two of them at the dinner theat

AnnaBelle and sand... she has a sensory thing with her feet so it took her several days to walk on it. Even then she only did the hard packed sand by the water. Wierd kid. Genevieve's first time on a real beach with real sand. Our hotel is behind her. We all had a great time in Florida and Gideon didn't get burned. Well he got red but not peeling lobster like he usually does any time he is near water. We went to Gatorland, Daytona Flea Market, a beach by St. Augustine that felt like baby powder, swimming in the indoor and outdoor pools, jumped waves in the ocean, and went boating on the St. John's River. Genevieve on her first day asked if we could go swimming again, "but not in the spicey one." It took us awhile, but she meant ocean. The water was "spicey." Traveling with kids no problem what so ever, except the potty training AnnaBelle and having to go to the bathroom a million times. She did mostly good but as the week wore on she stopped telling u

This is when I took my niece Courtney on a girls day in Duluth two weeks ago. The title??? Yeah it's been that bad. Work and housework, and broken motors, and family and friends visiting. To many things to do. We painted the basement fun bright colors. Our good friends Stephanie and Josh and kids of course are moving to IN. But we get to see our other friends Mark, Kelley, Oliver, and Karis this week so that is exciting. My brother Al and family were up last week and so was my Grandma Alice. So like I said, busy. Mostly I wanted to post because people have been asking about AnnaBelle. She gained 1lb in 3 weeks which is unheard of lately. I need to weigh her again because I swear she is getting heavier. We have just cut out major milk products. We miss a lot of things, like cheez its, goldfish, and stroganoff (meaning she eats them and doesn;t seem to have a problem with the amount. We will continue to play with this to see what she can handle and what the main culprit is. Is it

Hiking up Jonvick Creek next to Shoredge in Lutsen. AnnaBelle and Carter (niece RaeAnne is on left Carter is her brother same age as AB) hiked quite a bit and had fun splasing in the water. Highlights of the last week. My friend Stephanie and I with help from Court and GV painted daycare some crazy colors. AnnaBelle said shoe when hers was falling off. Gideon fell asleep with a half eaten burrito in front of him. We got all the carpet in our house steam cleaned (we are still undigging from that yesterday). I hung a clothes line outside because our dryer broke, Gid isn't pleased with the upstairs fridge, downstairs has major issues and our bathtub well... we probably need a new one. How exciting! Busy week talk later! Sara

Oh joy! AnnaBelle tested negative for Celiac Disease!! And her other two tests were normal too. Also another break through we had a formed BM today. I'm sure everyone is just as excited as I am. So we are sticking with the no dairy. I'll continue to monitor her weight with the Wii. Maybe in another few weeks if her diapers stay normal we'll try cheese or yogurt. I will also be looking for information on the milk allergy/intolerance. Gevie is going to Vacation Bible School with Courtney at the Baptist Church in town. They are having tons of fun and have a program tomorrow. Gideon really wants a cheeseburger but doesn't want one blended up (I offered). He eats Jello and pudding for lunch and mashed potatoes for dinner. Sara has to register for fall semester classes and order books. Classes start mid August. Get pix posted soon of vacation.

We are back and all super tired. We got here about 1:30 am today. Gideon's tonsil surgery went wonderful and he is back at work today, even on time. Two of AnnaBelle's test came back normal, so we are just waiting for the Celiac test. I finally got the link over there. Our niece Courtney is visiting, she hasn't seen the playground yet. I bet she'll go crazy. More later

Not the best picture, apparently I need to take more. This is when we hiked Cascade up by Pike lake Road. So no news is good news but AnnaBelle's check up had a surprise! I love surprises. Actually, since we had already taken dairy out of her diet, we kind of knew there was something going on. So.... AB has always had chest congestion, like a cold that never goes away. We cut out dairy and have so far seen great improvement. We'll stick with it to see if its just a fluke. However at her check-up our Dr. noticed that she hasn't grown--for the last six months. She's always been "petite" but now she is falling off the charts. So they drew some blood (great fun for AnnaBelle) and are testing her blood counts, liver and kidney function, and testing her for Celiac disease which means she couldn't eat gluten. Gluten is EVERYWHERE, almost every grain, sauces, toothpaste, oh I can't imagine. I'll include a link to more information on Celiac. For anyone thin

So here finally is all the details on our worm bin. It is homemade and mostly functional. The spout doesn't work well because we couldn't put it low enough. The worms get fed once a week or every 4 days if we have a ton of food. The eat everything that is good for you but take forever to break up hotdogs and french fries I am told. The black is wet peat moss then a layer of shredded packing paper and leaves. On top is a garbage bag to keep in moisture. The ice cream bucket is where we scrape our plates for the worms. How do I like it? I think it is great. We haven't made a full rotation so I don't know if the worms have eaten everything I gave them two weeks ago. The bin doesn't smell even though there is chicken, watermelon, muffin, and various other things in there for two weeks. How do you feed worms? Put scraps in a bucket and put a lid on so no flies lay eggs and make more flies. Once a week or so, dig a hole in the worm dirt and bury the food. Make sure it is

I guess I did tell almost everyone, but anyway we are starting to vermicomposting or--composting with a worm bin! The worms got here today, and we have to finish thier house. It is a very large plastic pin (28 gallon). I'll upload pictures and updates on how the worms like our garbage after the craziness of this weekend is over. I have a show toinght, a work night at church (and scrapbooking) Friday, and an aution to go to and a wedding on Saturday. Sunday-- I love Sunday. A day of learning, reflection, and REST. Check out my worm lady: http://www.lavermesworms.net/ . She came up for the Small Footprint Living Fair, very helpful. Sara

No not the weather, the life inside. This is totally crunch week for Sara's summer class, Media, Persuasion and Society. A really neat class that has opened up each section of the media (magazine, newspaper, tv, radio, songs, ect.). But I have 8 chapters to read and two test in 6 days. The chaps are about 40 pages a piece. Gideon being ever so helpful said thats nothing, I am a fast reader-which is true--with a novel not on textbooks! So we'll get through Tomorrow is Gideons Birthday. He has training and I have Bible study so we'll be a day late. I think we'll go to Moguls for dinner, we have a gift certif. I also made Pepperoni pasta salad on Sunday for him which is his new fav. Gevie is ready for swimming lessons to start on the 5th or something, but she did really good when I took her tonight. She still thinks she can swim. She tried swimming several times without the noodle--and sunk. But at least now she knows the basics of trying to stay afloat. I'll type lat

First we had you all going with the AnnaBelle smelly face. Let me tell you, that is nothing compared to the crazy face. She did all by herself, really. Gideon just named it and now she does it on comand . She also freaks out for food. Maybe she is finally growing. She eats like crazy especially when it is someone else's food. Sara did get a partial grant for a summer class. The Media, Persuasion and Society. It sounds super cool. I can't wait, I can log in on Monday. Sara also forgot to put Dipper's cone on, so he licked out all his staples in his leg from a wound that wouldn't heal. Looks like another $80 at the vet. Gid and Genevieve slept in the playground last night with the tent. We all went to the ATV kick off party and Gevie went on an hour four wheeler ride without falling asleep! First ever not falling asleep! Till next time.

Before---- After----- As I posted on Facebook, we are not done with the playground. It will take another weekend to complete but hopefullly we can put up railings on the big tower and finish the big slide so they can have full acess. Swings and monkey bars would be the other parts waiting.

Fearless, Dipper, and Gizmo Some things have been getting wierd for Sara so I finally went to get an allergy test. They didn't test anything I knew I couldn't have, like fruit and we didn't find out anything I mostly didn't know. I'm allergic to cats, dogs, mold, dust, grass, and green beans. Green Beans was a little random and the dog thing just popped up this winter. What are we going to do? Well, we'll start by actually cleaning the house not just putting the junk away. Did you know some people dust once a week? We dust like once a year. And we'll vaccuum more like once a week not once before we have company. I'm sure some of you are going "OH MY." But it's the hard truth, and your welcome to volunteer--anytime. We also continued with the no pets downstairs rule, so being at work is very pleasant. We are working on a no pets in the bedroom, and the cat is going to have to find a new place to sleep--not my head. The allergies I had just

What's this, you ask? Yes AnnaBelle does say quite a few words, or really sounds that mean words. We are excited to finally be comunicating with her though, even through grunts and sign language. PPPPPP (like blowing raspberries on a belly) = boots (or shoes now that we can wear them) Ball--easy enough ARRRRGGGGGG (growling) = Did you guess? Dog BB BB = Bye Bye AAAAAAAAHH MMMAA (toddler screaming) while opening and shutting her hand in the air = Gimme more NOW. So that is our newest news on AnnaBelle. When I hear her grunt and groan I think of the Holy Spirit, who is in Heaven pleading to the Father on our behalf in unintelligle sounds. I'll look up the verse. Maybe toddlers have a direct connection? More updates, but time for work. Sara My friend Kelley looked up the verse, Romans 8:26, 34 "but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings that cannot be uttered." Verse 34; "It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the r

"Mom, why did that bear step on Santa Claus?" Asked Genevieve when she saw the statue at Menards. The sign says, "wipe your paws." Last Saturday the 25th, I planned a girls day in Duluth. Gevie needed somethings and I did too. So I wanted to take her on a shopping day. We brought Stephanie L. and her baby Sophia down with us. It was a ton of fun. We spent the morning at the mall where Sara found two pairs of pants that fit everywhere! Yeah Old Navy. I also peeked through the DSW clearance and found a pair of rain boots. Just in time! (It's raining today). Then we hit Wal-Mart for socks, tights, and micellaneous and Gevie got to pick out the fabric for her and AnnaBelles bath robes. Of all the choices, including one pink with polka-dots, she picks a fabric called "Blended Green." Wierd kid. She also got to shop through the toy section to find a few things--like a MagnaDoodle. But mom forgot to think of the four birthdays that are coming up. We promised

So I've been looking for these pictures for awhile now. I knew they were somewhere. This is Gevie and Grandma Diane disembarking from Kennedy's Air Force One plane at the Pima Air Museum. Sara is trying to finish this awful paper. And then move on to the last few ((YEAH!)) assignments for English II and Speech. If I can find funding, I plan on taking a class this summer. It will probably end up being Psycology or Math. I know, I know more fun classes. I don't mind those two, just not at the same time. AnnaBelle still has chest congestion...... but seems to be happy. She says; ball, eeerrrgg (dog), me, more (mo) and Mama, Dada. Gevie really wants to go on vacation. She keeps planning little trips to see her friend Oliver or Grandma Karen, or cousin Courtney, or her friend Lexi in Washington. Gid has fire stuff this weekend at the EMT conference and me and Gevie are going shopping in Duluth for somehting besides food.!! SARa

I don't post all the time because I don't always have a new picture to post. But I keep seeing that I haven't posted and it is bothering me. At daycare all week we have been learning about Easter and the death and resurection of Jesus. Hooray he is ALIVE! I have answered some tough questions from kids but we made it through. Gevie has a flag that she made in Sunday school and she waves it about singing, "Ha-lun-a, Ha-lun-a" Her version of Hallelugieh and Hosanna put together. Gid is currently at the "burn trailer" completing his Firefighter II class. AnnaBelle is asleep with a stuffy nose but getting better everyday from a sinus infection. Sara is still struggling with a speech due next week, a paper due the 27th that I haven't started and 3 Pampered Chef shows in 7 days. Oh, but I am doing an overnight craft night so that will be fun. Better get my homework done so I can go!! Happy Easter--Jesus Lives!

AnnaBelle and I are home. We got home at 7:15pm. Yes I drove home in the snow. The roads weren't that bad, as long as you knew where the road was. AnnaBelle is fine, still an upset tummy but not vomitting--thank goodness! I'm pooped so off I go. Sara

No worries, but I am writing this from St. Mary's Hospital. AnnaBelle has the stomach bug since 3am Sunday and is still throwing up. She was admitted (or sent to Duluth) because she needed an IV for dehydration. The latest update is that she is still putting out more fluids through urine and throwing up then they are putting in. They lowered her IV so there isn't as much going on (in case its flushing through her). They also gave her some drug ??? for nausea. She is finally taking a nap, she has been moving around and being AnnaBelle this morning. She was trying to climb on everything and pushing buttons (oops). Rhonda and Chuck are doing daycare (!!!!), they've only called a few times for little stuff. They have 8 kids. Oh yeah and it's a snow storm outside. Happy April. So there is the update, she is doing fine and getting the care she needs. I have plenty of time now during nap time to take my quizzes and start on the next speech and my final English Paper. I am sh

This plays sideways. My camera is smart enough to switch it vertically for playing, but I haven 't had luck yet with the computer. So I'll get a better movie up in a while but for now I thougt it important to post ANNABELLE IS WALKING! Oh finally. In the whole sceme of things though, she started walking 6 weeks after she got tubes in her ears.

Usually when Gid cuts his hair and shaves, Genevieve is asleep. Tonight she got to help. She did a great job cutting his hair. While her and AnnaBelle where in the bath, she was watching him put shaving cream and asking what it was and why he was shaving all his mustache off. She has previously only played with shaving cream at daycare. If you haven't done it at your house, try it! It is great fun and a new medium to practice writing names with.

Saguaro (Sa-war-o) slide at the Pheonix Zoo. They also had a giant spider web to climb on. This was the coolest. I've never seen a slide like this! Gevie and AnnaBelle holding hands in the car. Gevie was a great helper with AnnaBelle and on her best behavior the whole trip with only a few times of acting like a three year old. I keep thinking that I don't have anything to post, I do have some more pix of AZ though. This is Eric, Gid, and kids waiting for the train (subway) at the Denver airport. We went on a wild goose chase for an earlier flight and checked out the "C" terminal. B was definately the best, it's where United was! As always we are too busy. I will be uploading all the pictures onto kodak gallery shortly to print them so if you aren's on my e-mail list and want to be, let me know. I am having a Scentsy party tonight. Everyone has been invited, so hopefully the snow will wait (or not come) and I'll see you later! Sara

Today we went to the Desert Museum in Tuscon AZ. It was about 90 degrees and cloudy. We were happy it was cloudy everytime the sun came out, the boys got too hot! Flying down went super fast, and everyone did great. Gevie slept on one and AnnaBelle slept on both plane rides. We did have one interesting thing and that was that Sara got to change a diaper at 28,000 feet. It was actually quite easy, the diaper changing table folded down over the toilet. I guess not all planes have them though. We were in a United Airbus (a used to be Ted plane). Tomorrow we are going to some caves as of now. Back to homework. Oh yeah the title... it's 7:15 and 80 degrees. Gevie keeps saying, "Mom, the snow's still gone." AnnaBelle is up to 10 steps. Sara

Is this my hint that I spend too much time on the computer? I am currently having technical problems with a site called Smarthinking. It's an essay review site, I had a heck of a time logging in and submitting my paper, and now I can't go get my corrected one! It's due tomorrow night so hopefully I can get it and do the last minute revisions I know they'll point out. Otherwise, Sara and the kids are sick with a head cold. I am trying to type and deal with my nose running at the same time. Yeah I know more than you needed to know. We have the appraisal for our house tomorrow morning so pray for a high number! REALLY HIGH like 255,000. AnnaBelle still only takes about 5 steps, but now SHE SLEEPS THROUGH THE NIGHT! Oh I am so excited, she is sick and still sleeping through the night!! After I get used to this it is time to pull the plug (pacifier). She only has it at bed to go to sleep so her days are numbered anyway. I'll have to get a picture of "Princess Pouty

Maybe I would update more if I wasn't so stressed on the photo thing. I have to find the camera, upload, blah blah blah. Something funny with uploading, no picture this time. I did try though.  Anyway, way to busy to be posting or reading. I have no time at all and way too much to do. On Feb. 22 we are flying out of MSP (Minneapolis Airport) to Tuscon. Anyone have any ideas on where to stay cheap and park? Some hotels offer park n fly. It runs about $110 plus taxes. to park at the airport and not sleep, is $112. So looking for ideas. We know just a few people in the cities and don't know exactly how to then get to the airport at 5am. So think away and let me know.

Okay, so not that exciting, but we are so happy that AB has tubes! This is her getting her oxygen level checked. She had this frown on before surgery everytime someone came in to mess with her. This is still before, right before she went in. She was literally gone for 10 minutes and came back MAD! But I gave her a bottle of juice and she took a little nap and it was AnnaBelle as usual. Grandma Rhonda, was with us so we had a day shopping in the mall and then got ice cream and came home. Mama bought everyone presents, so we had a fun time when I got home. I wrapped them up in newspaper so it would be more exciting. Gid got a fancy level, Gevie andAB got matching dresses ($3 clearance!) and Mama got some clothes. Then we all ate candy! Oh and the BIG NEWS last night after the tubes AnnaBelle took FIVE steps!! Amazing! That was our day in a nut shell. We are still super busy trying to refinance, stay on top of my classes and getting ready for taxes. We are having Maruska's do them so

Here we are, I am so busy with school and work and everything in between. ABelle goes in on Tuesday for tubes. I have like 3 papers to write a week, and some other things. We are trying to refinance our house to lower payments. We can; according to the bank. We just need to shop around for the best fit. Also it is tax season. This may be the year I hand over taxes to someone else, I just have to make sure it won't be too much money. It takes me about two months to get through it my self. Probably only about 30 hours, but since I don't have a block of time it takes forever. So one day soon, I post a real post with lots of pix, but for now it is almost 11pm and I still need to take a shower. Good night, Sara

I haven't seen the movie Four Christmas's but I am sure it is a hoot. We celebrate with everyone and by the time we are done we have had six Christmas parties. So here is a short pictorial of our days. (minus one that will be this weekend) Genevieve and AnnaBelle (who names thier kids names with nine letters?) At Grandma Rhonda's on Christmas eve when we opened with Gid's brother Ben and family. ABelle's dress was her present from Mom (&Dad?) what do you get a one year old? ABelle snuggling with Opa Gid's Grandpa on Christmas morning. I must have been too busy with kids and presents to take any pictures of them opening. Whoops. Gevie with her best bud Korey. "Him big and he can pick me up." Here opening presents. Gevie got a life like coffee pot from Grandma Diane (now SHE can make coffee when people stop by, instead of our motto; you drink it, you make it.) AnnaBelle had great fun with the paper in her box, but she looks adorable in a red outfit

I am finally posting some of Christmas, really just a reoccuring theme that seems to be happening. ABelle likes to climb, A LOT. Here AnnaBelle is climbing on our electric I-Heater. She kept trying to stand on it, but didn't get the chance before we took her down. Grandma Diane fell asleep during a midnight Wi golf game. She wok up to AnnaBelle climbing on her head. ABelle did climb up there by herself, we just didn't stop her. Sorry Grandma!

We had the funnest weekend ever! We were so busy with our friends Mark and Kelley up from Bemidji with thier children. Thier boy Oliver is Gevie's best bud and they have a new baby Karis too. On Friday we went to a game night at a mutual friends house, on Saturday we went to Adventourous Christians camp for thier "Winter Games" and then on Sunday saw them again at another friends house. Anyway, this post is about way more than us seeing them, check out the things we got into! The picture above is of Mark and Kelly. I took this pix not only to get a great shot of them, but to show you all Marks fat lip that he sustained during Broomball. Broomball is best decribed by Genevieve, "Mom I want to go see them playing on that ice with the golf ball and sticks." Its a lot like hockey with a 5" ball and your stick looks like the handle of a shovel. I didn't get away with out injury. This is a picture of my right hip. Not the prettiest picture ever. But Gid and m