Callum

Last weekend the sun was actually shining (and not behind clouds)

 So we enjoyed some time outside.

 Helping get the hog feeder ready for the pigs.

 Look at what he's teaching Benjamin!!!  

Benjamin & Hats

Benjamin found Callum's cowboy hat & decided that it was his for the day.

 I don't think I'll mess with this cowboy!!

 Getting ready to go on a walk.  Mom told him he had to wear a hat or stay home.

 I told him that the hat would help keep the sun out of his eyes.  So he covered his eyes with the hat.

Now he's ready for a walk!  Finally a day with some sunshine!

I Might Need a Loan!!

With the price of gas increasing as quickly as it is, I want to stay home more!  But of course, lately it seems we have many "necessary" trips to town (which is about 100 miles round trip).

Saturday was the first trip--our nephew was getting baptized.  And then Benjamin's arm was hurt so we stayed even longer.  (So most of my Saturday was spent in town).

Then Monday was Ethan's missionary physical appointment with the doctor.  He was really thorough with his paperwork that he had to do on the computer & then print off.  But he needs his immunization records and he needs a test that they didn't have.  And he also needs to be checked 2 days after his first blood test--so that means another trip to town on Wednesday.  

And the test he'll get on Wednesday (I can't remember what it is or what it is for) needs a follow up 2 days later.  Which means yet another trip to town on Friday.

Thursday is normally a weekly allergy shot for Callum, but I am taking him out of school on Wednesday so I can avoid that trip on Thursday.

Plus--Thursday is our monthly ward temple night, and it is my goal to make it to the temple as often as possible.  But I'm going to see if I can "bum" a ride with someone else, since Rusty can't make it due to parent/teacher conference that evening.

So, if you happen to see me minus an arm or a leg (or even possibly my eldest child), then you know that I've taken one too many trips to town!  (he, he, he!!)

Willing Spring!!

I thought maybe if I wore my "spring" clothes, then spring would visit us!

 So I put on my short sleeved shirt (no jacket)

and my capri pants--and hoped for the best.  I got about an hour of sunshine in the morning.

And that was followed by a hail storm (covered the ground with hail) and afternoon rain sprinkles.  It was nicer by late afternoon/evening, but that is when I had piano lessons, dinner & visiting Rusty's dad).

But I have to say that my spring clothes will stay in my closet a little bit longer because I wore a jacket most of the day, and my legs were cool/cold.  

Ben's Elbow

Today we went to Ririe for our nephew's baptism (congrats Colter!!!!)

Benjamin climbed onto Ethan's back during the closing prayer (while Ethan was still sitting down).

When Ethan got up, Ben started to slide off so Ethan grabbed his arm & pulled him over his shoulder.

 And popped the elbow out (also called "nurse maid elbow).  Since we have experienced this with all of our kids (at least once), I wasn't panicked, but I knew he needed to go to the doctor.    So Rusty rigged a sling for his arm (I found an ace bandage in the van).  After a dose of baby Tylenol, he was fine for the 1 1/2 hours before we got him to the doctor's.

In fact, he got down & played while we were at Colter's house eating and visiting with family.  He was such a good boy at the doctor's (we just went to a redi-care since it's Saturday) & got 3 suckers after it was popped back in.  Three to make sure he could reach in 3 directions.  And to show what a loving boy he is, he shared his suckers with Zane & Emmalee.  (Ethan & Callum had already gone home with Grandpa).

It was great to visit with our family, and we look forward to weddings the next couple of months for more family time!  And we are really hoping that a camping trip to Montana works for us this summer!

PS--And his arm being in a sling didn't slow him down one bit!  And he is still going!

Spring Day

It has been cloudy for a couple of weeks now--I hope we have sunshine soon!  (and maybe even 50 degrees??)

 Emmalee talking to Wilbur

 Benjamin & Zeb 

 Emmalee, Ethan & Ben

 Callum getting ready to feed the pigs.

 Rusty, Zeb & Benjamin

 Benjamin peeking in at the pigs.

 Rusty & Emmalee keeping the pigs inside their shelter while Callum gets them food & milk.  Otherwise Wilbur knocks him over.

 Ben was just laughing at Zeb licking him, so I turned to take his picture.  Just as I took it, he hit his head.

The pigs were ready to get out!  But Emmalee is enjoying watching them.

I didn't stick around to take pictures of them eating because I went inside to fix my family their dinner:  homemade biscuits & sausage gravy, hash browns, & fruit (pineapple, oranges, grapes).  YUM!! 

Spring Fling Week--Day 4

Thursday was Hawaiian Day--and of course, it snowed.

 When Brienna left for seminary early this morning, it was just barely sticking to the ground.

But when she came home for lunch, she ended up with cold feet. (she doesn't look too happy!)

 She decided to change her shoes, because she felt like she was walking barefoot in the snow.

 Zane left a little later & there was a nice layer of snow on the ground, so he wore his tennis shoes.

I guess it's nice to dream of being in Hawaii!

Spring Fling Week--Day 3

Today was Movie Star day--I think that is a hard one to dress up for.

Brienna was going to wear a "red carpet" dress, but decided she didn't want to be in a fancy dress all day.

 So she settled on this dress.  Here she is with attitude.

 Smile for the camera!  (and see the blur of a jumping Benjamin!)

 Poising for all the "paparazzi"

 So then Emmalee wanted to wear some "cool" glasses too & get some "glam" shots.

 Gotta love it!

 This is her "smile-but-not-silly" look.

And the reason Zane's pictures aren't here:  He was going to dress up as Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley from Harry Potter), but the wig wasn't right, and we couldn't find the orange hair spray.  And then he had after school club (Science), then dinner & a Boy Scout Merit Badge Pow Wow 30 miles south of us.  

So he had already changed into his scout uniform when I realized I hadn't taken a picture of him.

But I plan on getting pictures tomorrow:   Hawaiian Day!

Benjamin--Playing School

Benjamin found Emmalee's backpack she used when she went to Pamela's.

So I asked if he wanted to play school.  

 He grabbed my hand & headed to the door--he wanted to GO to school!  

 He remembers going to the high school last week to "help" Brienna with her demonstration speech.  I convinced him to just go into Ethan's room & play school. 

Gotta love the glasses he found.  And he also got a lunch box out to carry around.  But instead of putting food in it, he put a doll & a ball.  

 Then he wanted to comb his hair.  So we got the spray bottle out & he combed his hair.

 He looked very handsome, but when I got the camera out, he had a fit, messed up his hair, and got pouty.

 so this is these are the best pictures I could get.

 Although it looks like he is smiling, he really isn't very happy with me.

I guess he is practicing putting his head on the "desk" ;)

Spring Fling Week--Day 2

 Pirate Day.

 I love her pirate shoes!!!