Who is behind those pink slippers????

One of our Kirk Christmas get togethers.

Christmas with Uncle Justin and Aunt Jackie. Dalton and Shelbie spent a few nights at G'ma Cindy's and G'pa Craig's house with Justin and Jackie. As you can imagine, a great time was had by all. Here are a few pics of our early Christmas together.

What' for dinner Mom?

Lack of anything better to eat
in the house......cardboard!!!!!
I am sure it is full of pesticides!!

Finals week!!

I would love to say I have some posts to put on, but just in case you check in and the blog isn't changing like you are used to...it's because I am running into finals. My last test is on the 12th so after that, you can expect the regular daily updates. I will be updating between now and then maybe not just daily.
Love and hugs to all, Jeni

Big Bite?

Shelbie got this shot of Hope, she grabbed the fork from Shelbie and thought she would try some for herself!

Shelbie and Daisy

Shelbie and her friend Daisy having a snack. They sure look beautiful today, don't you think?

How cute!!

Just wanted to show you Shelbie's hair from the side. We met G'ma Cindy at the mall for a couple hours yesterday. Before we left I just had to take a pic to show you all, she just looked so cute. From the side you can see the wedge a little better.

Shelbie made this!!!

We had no plans for Thanksgiving so Shelbie decided to bake for us. She made this pumkin roll, gluten free of course. Justin, FYI, on the back label of Libby's Pumpkin they always have this recipe. We used Pamela's all purpose baking mix (already has xamthum gum, baking pwd and baking sodain it). That is the only substitution in the reciped that she did. It turned out fabulous. I took the picture before she sprinkled the top with more pwd. sugar. We'll have her make one when both Kami and Jus come home too.

Help I am stuck!!

I brought in Hope's swing from outside for the winter. I put it on the floor and later she climbed in and got stuck. You can see her foot sticking out and she is sitting her weight on the swing, so she can't get out. Later she drug it over to the patio door, the door we usually exit to go swing. She just stood there smiling like, "mom, aren't you going to go hang it up?"

Hope Is Walking Today - It is official!!!!

We woke up today, like every other day, Dad
wants to see if she can do it. Today, was the day.
Little by little she showed signs of letting go and
doing a few steps. Tonight, here she is!!!! Right after
I taped this, she just won't stop. She is so proud she
just walks in circles.

Shelbie's creative side

Shelbie did a tye dying project today. Here is a picture of her in the process, and below of the shirt before we covered it to dry for 12 hours. Tune in later to see the finished project.

BLESSINGS!!

THE BLESSING THAT CAME OUR WAY THIS WEEK.
1995 FORD ESCORT
HEY JUSTIN, THE SNOW, THAT IS FOR YOU!!!!

Where is Shelbie?

Tonight Shelbie went in to shower and Hope was not very happy with her disappearing. She sat outside the bathroom door waiting. I was not quick enough to get my first picture, but it was of her trying to peek under the door to see where Shelbie was at. Hope had her bum up in the air. It was pricelss!!! She sat there until I took her away, about 10 minutes later.

Here Dad!!!

Last night Bruce and I were up late on the computer looking for a new vehicle. Anyway, Hope was snacking with us and she just couldn't feed her dad fast enough. It was actually quite cute to see how important it was to her that she was feeding him as quickly as possible. Kind of interesting how they know we feed them and they want to have a turn too.

"Sink" or swim

I know, she will hate this when she's 16, although I just wanted to show you just why we should retire from the sink. The counter has been splashed and is super wet. And now you can see she not only stands - but she tries to see what else she can climb. I think we should consider the tub now where she can swim around.

Dalton's first match - it was a pin!!!

Ok, so well honestly I wasn't prepared for his first match. I decided halfway through to video and you can tell, well it was awfully hard to video after he got a take down and followed it with a pin. My screaming took over all his hard work. Not really worthy of the post because MOM was so loud, but go Dalton anyway. Dalton is wearing the maroon singlet, and as you can see in the background he was ahead 5-4 before the 2 point take down, followed by the pin.

Shelbie's new hair

We cut her hair last week, can't tell by the picture, but it is layered up shorter in the back.

New meaning and I love it for A.S.A.P.

My Aunt sent this to me, I just thought it was so great I wanted to share with everyone.

Ever wonder about the abbreviation A.S.A.P.? Generally we think of it in terms of even more hurry and stress in our lives. Maybe if we think of this abbreviation in a different manner, we will begin to find a new way to deal with those rough days along the way.
*************
There's work to do, deadlines to meet;
You' ve got no time to spare,
But as you hurry and scurry-
ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER. =(ASAP)

In the midst of family chaos,
'Quality time' is rare.
Do your best; let God do the rest-
ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER. =(ASAP)

It may seem like your worries
Are more than you can bear.
Slow down and take a breather-
ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER . =(ASAP)

God knows how stressful life is;
He wants to ease our cares,
And He'll respond to all your needs
ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER. =(A.SA.P.)

DO YOU SLEEP LIKE THIS TOO???

Hope fell asleep the other day I put her on the couch. We were going to be leaving with in the hour, so I thought the couch would be fine. I heard her wake up and I was in the laundry room, by the time arrived she had sat up. I guess when she realized no one was around and she was still SO TIRED she just fell over.

What would you do to get McCain into office?

I just have to post this for all to read. My girlfriend has a 7 year old and had a hilarious conversation with his mom and dad recently, I just had to share. I copied this from her blog. ENJOY and thanks to the Hatting family for the laughs.
We have let Creighton watch the presidential debates and then decide who he would like to "vote" for. He has picked McCain and really, really has his heart set on McCain winning.

Today in the car, I was looking at the paper and the front page said that Obama was widening his lead. Nate explained to Creighton what that meant--that McCain is behind. So, Creighton told me that I should go vote. The conversation went something like this:

Me: I already voted.
C: Well, vote again!
M: I can't. People can only vote one time.
C: Why?
M: Because that's the law. If I try to vote more than once, I will go to jail--for up to 7 years!
C: Oh, I would really miss you.
M: Yeah, so I think I will just stick to voting once. I don't want to go to jail.
Pause
C: Well...Dad could go to jail!

See what he's willing to sacrifice to get McCain into office?? =)

Dalton started Jr. High Wrestling this week

To me wrestling is wrestling. Although I have no pictures of Dalton yet, I thought I'd give you a little heads up. I have not went to practice yet to watch, but... I hope it doesn't look like this.

More Friends More Fun

Here are some more kids to join in on the "sandpile/tent/camp out" fun. They are so creative, they use my flowers for food in their dishes. The make some exquisite looking entrees.

Adventurous?!?

As you can see from these two pictures, one taken on Sunday and the other on Monday, that our lives are full of excitement. I think Hope has already shown us that she will be meeting or exceeding all of the Roget's synonyms for adventurous. As you can see in the second picture, Dalton was quick to jump to his feet and by the time he got there and I got the camera, she was wobbling. I don't know that you can tell in the second picture, but her knee is up on the chair. Her next attempt was to get up on the chair from the car. I am guessing if that basket was not on the chair, she would have made it. She is getting really brave. Crazy thing, she is still not walking on her own yet. Part of her problem - she is climbing on something that has NO BRAKES.



Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition

Part of Speech:	adjective
Definition:	daring, risk-taking
Synonyms:	adventuresome, audacious, bold, brave, courageous, dangerous, daredevil, enterprising, foolhardy, hazardous, headstrong, intrepid, rash, reckless, risky, temerarious, venturesome

Shelbie and Hope

Shelbie was so excited to take Hope to the park. She is such a GREAT big sister.













Hope was so excited over this pumpkin.

G'ma Cindy and G'pa Craig a few years ago

Though I'd bring out an old picture for everyone to enjoy.

Shelbie and Kylie enjoying the nice weather

Remember the big sand pile. Well it was covered with a tarp. The kids uncover it to play, but they kept the big tarp available so on a windy day, before the snow comes they can keep the leaves out of their sand and also use it to cover this winter. Anyway, Shelbie and her friend wanted a house. So we did a quick makeshift shelter today. We were working in the yard today cleaning up things and were burning, so the fire became their "campfire". It was such great weather today, isn't it great to see the kids have such cheap fun!!!

Gameboy at ONE?

I know it is hard to believe. But this-she did all on her own. She found this old gameboy of Dalton's. She picked it up today and started playing just like he does. Tonight she crawled up on the couch, (she can do that now) and was pushing buttons on her gameboy while watching Dalton on his PSP. It was so cute, and look at her leg! This picture just goes to show how fast they learn what they see.

Lemons or Lemonade - What will you have?

We are all so excited to celebrate Hope's first birthday. We just had a day like any other, except she took 2 steps for Bruce and I today, November 1. We were all gathered to witness the great event.
As with everything else going on in our lives, I will leave you with a conversation that Dalton and I had today.
"Mom, just when we think were going ok something happens."
"I know Dalton, that is though the way life can be, God wants to make sure we can stand the test" I replied.
Dalton so bravely speaks when he follows with the most wise advice,
"I know Mom, I know, when life gives you lemons just make lemonade."

THAT'S MY BOY!!!

Here is the fly answer.

OK, this is crazy. So crazy that I had to tell you all. See this picture? Well every night I set down to do school at the counter and flies seem to find me. So.. I keep a fly swatter next to me to well - kill them. Then I give them a nice resting place on a tissue until the end of my studies, then the go in the garbage. The fly on the bottom, I killed him. Next thing I know he is rolling of the tissue. So I "kill" him again. To make a long story short, 7 times before he laid to rest!! The second fly, I hit him 2 times. And as you can see by the picture below, there is only 1 fly. Why, because he came to life and FLEW AWAY. Yes, I had to call Dalton and his friend in just to see it for themselves. They could hear me play by play up til then. This story was just so irresistible I had to share with someone. So here is your answer to the question at the top of the page.

Hope is 1 today!!

Thank You Grandpa for a great 1st birthday present.

"I went to G'pa's today and he gave me my very first ride on a tractor. You can't tell in the picture but we were haulin' manure! Do you think you could take me on the Great Iowa Tractor Ride next year G'pa?"

To Hope for her First Birthday

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Should I give her one???

The picture above was taken last in order of three.

The one below was second.
















And this picture was first. In the hotel room, Dalton and his cousin had some of these sweet and sour gummy things. Here is Hope smiling to get her brother to share. As you can see in the above 2 pictures, this is what your first "sweet and sour high" does to you.

Hope and Daddy

I took this pic before we left for a family wedding. I thought it was so cute.

This has to be the BIGGEST sandpile in town.

Bruce helped the kids put away the pool for the year. We had made a huge platform for it this year. It was a 26ft. diameter circle with a rock base and 40 tons of sand. Bruce said they could keep that for a sand pile and them we will move the pool back further next year. Anyway, here they are in the new sand for the first time on this beautiful day. This was Hope's first time in the sand.
I have to stick and edit in here. Dalton told me today that the co-op has a bigger pile than we do. So we are the second biggest in town, I'm sure.