camping and a birthday

Somebody had a birthday.  I am officially the mother of a one year old! 

But, back tracking a bit...

I've been attempting to exercise more. Gideon thinks its so much fun.

hehe

A couple weekends ago we went camping with the Wyss cousins.   Despite rainy weather predicted, we had great weather.  We had a really good time. I have some of the best cousins ever. :)

setting up camp

Camp fires and cool evening just make the perfect settings for great conversations.  

Gideon loved the tent. 

playing with the lantern

Breakfast on the fire. 

We aren't exactly morning people

Lena and I made pancakes

Jack had fun too. hehe

:)

such a great group.

It's crazy that 5-10 years ago we were all in such different stages and places in our lives and we didn't really spend much time together. Now we are all grown up and mature(ing hehe) and my cousins are now my good friends and brothers and sisters in Christ. 

Camping is fun. But the clean up is not.   There is just so much stuff and everything smells like smoke. 

Gideon continues to be a stinker. 

 I may have experimented with hair gel the other night.

hehehehehe

Poor little buddy got croup last week.  Thankfully it didn't get too bad. It then turned in to a bad cold with more wheezing and coughing. So, we pulled out the nebulizer again and started up treatments.  I started having flashbacks to last winter. Thankfully, he's older and stronger.  And, he powered through like everything was fine. Which was a relief. 

reading a book with his treatment

In the midst of him being sick, I was attempting to plan his birthday party, bake his cake, and organize family pictures.  It got a bit stressful,  but we got it all done! :)

I spent way too long making his cake. But it was so much fun.

Gideon's cake! hehe!

if you can't tell, its mountains and a birch tree trunk with a bear and a fox.

Last Saturday, in the afternoon, we took family pictures.   We haven't taken professional family pictures (other than a wedding) since I was 4 or 5.  And, I thought it was about time we actually had a decent picture of the whole family together. We actually all got together, dressed in decently coordinating clothes, and took nice pictures. Miracle of Miracles. 

After pictures, we all came back to our house for pizza and a party. 

Gideon smashed his smash cake.

and smashed it some more.

He didn't really eat any.

Present time:

there was a lot of competition for this gift.

:)

At some point in there, I spent a couple days doing apple sauce and tomatoes with my mom. My pantry is now stocked. :)

it's so pretty.

peaches, salsa, chili sauce, pickles, and apple sauce.

And, then he turned one! 
It's hard to believe.  It feels like forever ago and it feels like yesterday. 

We love this little booger to death.

So big

He jabbers and shrieks all the time, loves reading books, driving tractors, and making noise and big messes.  He loves the refrigerator and the dishwasher.  He's walking and climbing, loves baths, and getting away before we can put his diaper back on.  He's got two teeth with two more on the way. 

Unfortunately Gideon still has not learned to sleep though the night and still nurses about every two hours. And, though he shows interest in food, he is more interested in throwing it on the floor than putting it in his mouth. sigh. 

He's a happy, healthy, ornery, energetic little boy. We have so much to be thankful for.  What a joy it's been this past year.  :)

In Christ
~Michelle

Fresh Fall Air

I'm enjoying the beginning of fall here.  

When we went to the Braker's, Nathan's mom helping me dig up and split some hostas.  I brought them home and planted them. Gideon has been helping me water them.  He loves spraying the hose. 

\

filling his water table

helping water hostas.

Little stinker's escapades continue...

no worries, it was empty

poor daddy was trying to shower...

he LOVES books. :) yay

Last Monday, I went out to Rebecca's to help her make salsa. Gideon had fun with grandma.

saying something about the tomatoes.

We stopped by the farm on the way home.

testing the water

And he helped me water the flowers when we got home.

he got very wet

little farmer

I've got a big stick!

admiring the mums :)

where did Gideon go?

I cleaned up my garden one afternoon. Gideon helped.

Dirt is good for kids, right? hehe

Pumpkin! the season has begun. :) I'm not a huge fan of pumpkin, but I definitely like desserts.

mmm. so good.

On the way to church last Wednesday night, the sky was beyond beautiful. 

:)

 Thursday, I hosted a play date at the farm. Wendi and Kendra brought their kids.  Jack joined in too.

it was a bit wild

The boys loved the hay

checking out the cows

Jack loved playing in the hay too.

4-Wheeler rides 

Gideon and Adelaide

Henry, William, and Jack checking out the pigs

It was a beautiful fall morning and the kids seemed to have fun. Gideon definitely worked off some energy. He took one of the best naps in weeks that afternoon. 

this is his step

attacking daddy.

waking up is tough.

My dad started combining. So, Gideon got his first combine ride. :) He loved it. 

One evening I was feeling like a terrible (hehe) mother and I put whipped cream on Gideons tray.

good stuff.

Saturday evening, we had Matt and Lena over for supper and s'mores around a camp fire. 

:)

Nathan and I are planning to sing in the Messiah again.  So, the other evening I got out my music to practice.

He enjoyed it until I actually started singing. hehehe.

Sunday, we went to Tremont and then to Wildlife Prairie Park for Cecily's birthday.

checking out the animals

the otters were so friendly and cute!

watching a bear

a cugar

this picture is supposed to show buffalo and elk...

We ended the afternoon at the large slide. I took Gideon down. He did not enjoy it. poor kid.

 Monday, my dad was combining just down the road, so Gideon and I took a walk. 

:) so happy to be out of the house

helping grandpa drive.

Monday evening we dropped Gideon off at his first real babysitter's and went to Messiah practice. Eeee. I'm so glad to be back singing again. :) 

Fall weather is so nice.  The air conditioner is off and windows are open. :)

We've got some busy weeks coming up.  Which is a good thing and a bad thing. But, it should be fun.:)

In Christ

~Michelle