My sweet Wrexy has always loved animals…animals of any kind, really. Cattle, goats, pigeons, chickens, beta fish – you name it, he’s raised them. He has a dream of one day living on a place that has all kinds of exotics as you drive in; giraffes, zebras, camels…
It usually feels like we’re getting a head start on that dream around here – ha! He brought home several surprises this week to add to our little petting zoo.
Monday, he brought home baby chicks!
Sawyer and Chickaletta
We have about 30 hens at the moment and he wants to order a big batch of 100 like we did last year but in the meantime, we shall buy a few at a time because it’s just good fun!
The kids LOVE them, especially Sawyer; she treats them like her second sibling.
Going for a trailer ride…See her in there?
The chicks have gotten married a few times…
Marrying Cinderella…It stood so still!Can you spot the real chicks?You shall now kiss the chick!
She takes such good care of them and loves to just snuggle up with them on the couch.
Snuggle time!
We’ve gone through a few paper towels/toilet paper as she totes them around the house…
Look at that sweet face!
Tonight, daddy brought home an even BIGGER surprise!
Blurry with excitement!🙂
Bottle goats! Sawyer LOVES sheep and goats and this has been on our to-do list for a while. These little guys’ momma died a few days ago so a friend of daddy’s made us a good deal. (The goats cost less than the milk to feed them. Sheesh!)
Feeding the new babyShe’s got a quite a knack for getting them to eat…
She’s kind of a natural, like her daddy, when it comes to handling livestock. These guys had been on a nurse nanny and this was their first time on a bottle and she did great!
🙂
She and Wryder both like this colored up one. I’m assuming it will be hers since she does most of the work. She’s at the barn with dad right now giving them another feeding.
I’m so thankful that we have a little bit of room and an old barn to house stuff like this. I’m so thankful for a hubby who constantly surprises us with animals and experiences. I’m so thankful my kids get to experience caring for another creature at such an early age. Here’s to hoping they don’t get over cared for… 😉
Yesterday was a BIG day around here! Daddy didn’t have his normal sale so we all loaded up and headed to North Platte to have a family fun day. Wrexy sold some calves for good money and we needed to spend a few of those dollars at Menards to make some barn repairs AND my sweet hubby wanted to treat me to a pedicure. How could I say no to that?!
I’ve been talking about wanting/needing one for quite some time…since, I don’t know…Wryder was born?! Seriously, it’s been a while. Sweet Sawyer has been in my camp, too. She loves getting her nails painted (which I do for her twice a week) and she loves warm baths so the combination of the two was right up her alley!
I had been telling her that I didn’t have my first pedicure until I was 20. Yes, 20! She’s 4…I think we have time. Plus, I didn’t think she was tall enough to reach the water. Regardless, I told her she could get her nails painted but she couldn’t stop talking about this “peck-iture.”
We walked into the nail place and went to pick out some polish. I turned to show her the purples but she wasn’t there. I turned around and she was on the floor taking her shoes and socks off! I looked up and they had a pink chair that looked like a bear specifically for little girls and she already had them filling it with water! How could I hardly say no to that cuteness?
The bear chair…
She was one happy camper, yall! I don’t think she stopped smiling and giggling the WHOLE time! She loved the hot towel on her feet and legs and loved to watch the water change colors…
Happy girl!
She ended up getting dark green with silver sparkles and they even put fancy flowers on her big toes!
Sitting stillGetting pampered
It was a fun little memory for us to share and her sweet delight was so worth it!
We took a spin on the little merry-go-round before we left…and then we called the clinic because brother’s eye seemed to be getting worse by the minute. He woke up with it kinda crusty and then it decided to leak yellow and green mucus all day. (Yum, I know). By the time we were done with our pedi, it was swollen and red.
A little ooky🙁
We took him in this morning and he sure enough has pink eye in BOTH eyes! This is a first for all of us, for sure. Poor little thing. He doesn’t feel bad other than his eye so we got some drops and I put them wrestled him down and got them in. Thankfully, daddy will be home for the next dose.
He’ll be contagion free in 24 hours – yay! Little guy looks like a prize fighter right now…
I was a little absent last week, though I can’t REALLY think of anything out of the ordinary we did – doctor check ups, grocery shopping, Cubbies…just the norm.
There was a little TV watching…mainly so I could watch them cuddle.
Aren’t they sweet!?
Wryder got stuck in the chair one time. Then, after all the attention and hubbub, he got “stuck” a dozen or so more times.
He likes attention, that one!
I’ve apparently entered THAT phase of pregnancy. You know, the one you just don’t really get cold anymore because you have so much blood and baby pumping through your body? I guess Wrex was a little chilly on the way home Wednesday night and had a good giggle about his pickup settings.
The temp outside…The temp I put the pickup on…
We did a little chicken gazing. I could watch those ladies all day!
Pretty girls…
Wryder is ALL about driving these days. After almost every meal these days, he’ll pick up his empty plate and use it as a steering wheel. When we were outside, he used the knob to the jack on the trailer hitch as a little tiny one. It. Was. Adorable.
Love my little farm boy!
The kids got some belated valentines from Gramps!
Yum!
Wryder LOVES food. One of his favorites, though…
What’s inside?Black beans!
This weekend has been a REALLY good one! The weather kind of forced us inside to work on some projects we’ve been wanting to get done but haven’t taken the time to do…and a few relaxing deeds, too!
We got baby Sayble’s layette done, as well as our taxes – hallelujah! Those can seem so daunting sometimes but Wrex and I worked all morning and got them done AND get a refund – always a plus!
We let the kids pick out a movie and had a fun supper in the living room…and Wrexy and I had a Bourne marathon! YAY! I’ve been wanting to do this for forever because I often fall asleep or get sidetracked while I attempt to watch ANY movie, but especially ones that aren’t so brainless. 🙂
We had a little outside snow play…
Don’t ya just love their hats?
and a lot of other silly shenanigans!
Step 1Step 2Step 3
Tomorrow, we’re back to the daily grind. Thankful for this snowy cold…
I’ve had my eye on a boutique layette for sweet Sayble’s coming home outfit but there was NO WAY I was gonna pay $30+ dollars for one. With that being said, we decided to make our own and let me tell you, it was WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY easy! Here’s what you’ll need….
onesie (or a t-shirt would work)
fabric for the gown part of the layette
sewing machine
elastic
embellishments (optional)
Step 1: Choose your fabrics, measure and cut.
I chose this heart onesie and a soft, minky fleece for the gown. We have long babies and I wanted this to be snuggly and comfy, so with a bigger bottom seam allowance our fabric piece ended up measuring 20″ (wide) x 24″ (long).
Step 2: Pin and sew your bottom seam.
This is where your elastic will thread through to make it fitted over baby’s feet. Our bottom seam was about an inch wide. A half inch would totally work if using elastic. If you wanted to use ribbon instead, make it the size of your ribbon.
Step 3: Sew your back (or side) seam.
I opted for having my seam run down the side in the event I decided on ribbon vs. elastic, that way the bow would be seen. Either way works fine, you pick!
It also helps to have cute helpers around. 🙂 He was enthralled with the sewing machine!
Step 4: Measure out where you want the gown to start on the onesie and pin in a gathered fashion.
We placed our fabric about an inch or so down from the armpits of the onesie and pinned it upside down so you just have to flip it over when you’re done. (My apologies for the blurry pic – what the heck??)
Step 5: Insert your elastic, add embellishments and marvel at your work!
I mean, c’mon…isn’t that adorable?? I can’t wait to bring our sweet baby girl home in this snuggly little thing – with a big bow in her hair, of course. 🙂
***Kudos to my fabulously talented hubby who sews far better than I, that can take my ideas and help make them come to life!
The kiddos hit the mother load with the mail yesterday, making it an exceptionally fun Friday! Miss Pam, our mail lady, brought them sticker valentines AND packages and cards from great-grandma, grandma and auntie!
Cookies and cards!Bears and dogs and crayons and tractors!
We were just heading out the door for fun Friday shenanigans and we got inundated with surprises!
My gorgeous valentine girl…More heart hair! 🙂Wryder wanted to sneak in there, too…
The animals had to accompany us to lunch at Subway, of course.
He is SMITTEN with this bear!She loves her puppy, too!
We left them in the car for some playtime at the park. Another gorgeous winter day around here…it was lovely!
Cheese!They love this xylophone!Love this sweet pic of her!On the go…More interested in showing me the airplane than posing. 😉Ready to go!
We ran a few errands, came home and took naps and then headed back outside to watch the tractor across the road work ground and eat some of the Valentine goodies we got in the mail.
Eating cookie with bear…Once the cookie was gone, he tried to eat the tin!
Once the sun went down and the wind grew chilly, we headed inside to finish working on daddy’s valentine.
Very serious business…Bear even got a special seat…
This morning, we celebrated with valentines to each other and a lovely breakfast!
Strawberry hearts, sugar/cinnamon love toast and scrambled eggs!Opening his gifts…He LOVED his “Ma-Mouse” socks!Not sure how I’m gonna get them off of him…Pretty flowers from my hubby…complete with hydrangeas – my fave!Giant sucker!Wryder dug right in!
Sawyer spent the morning gathering some of her most prized possessions to give to daddy for Valentine’s day.
🙂
It might look like a pile of junk to the untrained eye, but these are some of her favorite things that she keeps up in her room away from little hands. I cried when I saw it all…it was what she had to give…and she gave it so willingly.
I love the hearts of these people I get to call mine. It’s been the perfect day because we’ve been together…not sure what more I could ask for.
Daddy and the kids ran to town to pick up pizza – a special treat out here in the sticks…especially when you have to drive 60 miles roundtrip to get it! We’re gonna watch a fun show, snuggle and stay out of that cold wind!
I pray you have felt as loved as I have today. My heart is full!
The kids helped me decorate for Valentine’s day this week and I must say that it’s just so cheery and sweet around here.
I LOVE love…probably because I have the best husband on the face of the planet…and I LOVE Valentine’s day. I’m not one of these cynical people that think it’s a Hallmark holiday and that you should love your spouse everday. To that I say, well DUH. But what’s the harm in specifically showing them that on a certain day? There’s none. Love away, friends…love away.
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Sawyer took little Valentine’s to her Cubbies class on Wednesday. She’s not big into sweets but she loves marshmallows! She found some heart shaped marshmallows that she just had to have so we made little s’mores packets.
I need s’more friends like you!
She ate her marshmallows on the way home and gave the cookies and chocolate to dad.
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We tried out some heart hair yesterday and it’s sooooooo cute!
This was post-nap so you can see it held up quite well!
We took a section of hair and secured it in a ponytail. Then we sent the whole ponytail back UP through the section of hair. Divide the ponytail in half and twist the left section counter clockwise and the right section clockwise and you see a heart start to form. Secure the bottom of the heart with a rubber band and voila! Cute, easy Valentine hair!
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We snapped some pics of the kids last Sunday in front of some pink and red Valentine bunting I made. I made these two little cards to send out to the grandparents and aunts and uncles. The kiss is my FAVE.
They. Are. So. CUTE. (If I do say so myself…)
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I’ve had the privilege of having this guy as my valentine for 13 years! How blessed am I??
He is, hands down, the best thing that has ever happened to me (next to Jesus), though he’s a gift straight from Him, I know.
He loves me so unconditionally, so wholly…He is definitely the better half of this relationship, no doubt. He points us straight to Jesus and exudes the fruit of the Spirit more than any person I’ve ever met.
Happy Valentine’s Day, honey! YOU are why I love this day! I pray I can love you just as well as you love me; I’ll die trying, that’s for sure. I don’t even want to think about doing this life without you. Smooch. Smooch. Smooch.
I most certainly do!These. Shoes. WOW!MOST of the time! 😉I absolutely think these are ADORABLE! Maybe not $25 adorable, but still adorable…Oh, yes….Who doesn’t want a rock candy cake??This is just so my Wryder…I want to make this for Sawyer’s room – so cute!Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes YesLOVE LOVE LOVE this…
Oh, goodness. We had SUCH a good weekend. (I feel like I’ve been saying things like that a lot lately…but it’s true. We are so blessed to have a happy, healthy family and some gorgeous weather to boot…)
I showed you the DIY project I did on Saturday but that’s not all we got done! Wrexy worked in the barn and got two rooms ready to raise baby chicks. We have quite a few hens that like to sit on eggs so he added some lights and wire and nest boxes to get those girls a going! The man loves all kinds of livestock but I really think he might be happiest in the chicken house…
Putting up wire
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Speaking of the chickens, we hatched out some black Old English bantams and ended up with about six roosters. I don’t know what you know about Old English, but they’re feisty, cocky little things. The little guys we have love to crow and walk around with their chests puffed out…and they like to attack people. *Ahem*
Cocky little things…
They’re tiny and can’t really do much damage, but they’re definitely annoying……..and they scare Wryder to death! He has been victim to their taunting more times than I can count. We’ve given him permission to defend himself but he just freezes and cries until one of us comes to the rescue.
This weekend was no exception. They had him cornered outside the barn door and he was crying and get stared down. Sawyer came to the rescue with her baby stroller and cleaned house. 🙂
Later, Wrex and I were talking about what we needed to do with them and Sawyer said, “We need to give those naughty roosters away! I think we need to send them to Iraq so they can get dead.”
It seems as though every naughty/evil/mean thing hails from Iraq in her mind after we talked to her several months ago about praying for our people there. It’s not a funny situation but to hear her solution definitely was. We had a good laugh about that one!
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Saturday afternoon, the wind died down and we took the opportunity to burn tumbleweeds. Those things are rampant around here and we hauled and burned for well over an hour.
After we were done, we took advantage of our few little burning embers and roasted marshmallows – good use of fire, yes? This was Wryder’s first time having a warm, gooey mallow and they were a hit!
Yum!
He stole two cold ones out of the tin while I was getting things ready, ate two warm ones and then stole one from a chicken that Sawyer had been trying to feed. *Ahem*
All smiles!
He also had his first corn on the cob that he got to hold himself. He was equally impressed!
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We made a quick trip to Denver on Sunday for a birthday party for a really special friend of Sawyer’s. We ate lunch with Uncle Warner beforehand – always a good time.
Uncle Warner and a happy niece and nephew!
The birthday party was a Frozen theme and Sawyer had a ball, of course! She came home with a bag full of goodies, one of which was a little bag of marshmallows, pretzels and raisins with a tag that said, “Do you want to build a snowman?”
She ate it on the way home last night and said, “Hmmmm. That tasted kind of funny. I’ve never had an Olaf before.”
She was serious as a heart attack and we about drove off the road laughing so hard!
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We had a good, productive trip! We found a brand new bassinet on Craigslist for $25, got Wrexy measured for a tux for a wedding he’s in this summer, loaded up on a few diapers, wipes and a few thrift store goodies, ate some Red Mango for an afternoon snack and took a trip around the Orchard in the little train.
Train!Waving to the crowds
Wryder loved the train, especially every time the whistle blew. He’d look at me with this little surprised face – so cute!
What was that?!
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A sweet little dog named Booey got to spend the night with Sawyer Friday night – one of her favorite things.
Booey
She even got her own animal to sleep with. 🙂
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We did a few more little things in Sayble’s room that I’ll have to show you some pictures of…we snapped a few pics of the kids for a little Valentine’s card for the grandparents…washed a pound and a half of dirt off of each kid…and just enjoyed our time together. This week is shaping up to be just as pretty…can’t wait to enjoy it, too!
Today was another gorgeous day out on the Eastern plains of Colorado. I think the family could just feel it, as we were all up earlier than normal and ready to be outside!
We stopped by the garage to do a little spray painting for Sayble’s room (told you I wasn’t quite done) and while we were there, I found some excess pieces of wood from the shelves Wrex made to hold her bunny baskets. The project bug bit me and I had him cut them into squares for me while I grabbed some paint and made a heart template.
I decided to make them into conversation heart blocks – easy, peasy!
Step 1: Cut or find some square pieces of wood and make a heart template.
I grabbed a piece of cardstock, folded it in half, cut a half heart and then continued shaping it down until it fit the boards I was working with.
My heart
Step 2: Trace the heart on your boards.
Ta-Da!
Step 3: Paint your heart.
I really like painting barnwood because it’s usually so dry, the paint dries really quickly!
Red = love
Step 4: Once dry, paint on your phrases.
I wanted these to look like the little (nasty) conversation hearts that you always received WAY too many of growing up. I did “be mine, ” “love u,” and “hug me” though there are tons of other options – thank you, Google.
This weather is tripping. me. out! It’s phenomenal. Best winter on record if you wanna be outside. Today, we took full advantage of it, skipped naps and played outside for hours. It was stellar.
Someone got hot…“Fire” made out of the emptied playhouseA boy and his dogThere was trampoline jumping…and play structure climbing…playground decorating?Sliding…lots of sliding!Cat chasing…Seesawing…and exploring!
The best part? It’s supposed to be (at least) 75 tomorrow and daddy will be home to enjoy it with us!
