Life in the Hills

Flashback Friday 6.....

2012-02-10T20:38:00.003-07:00

8 years ago to the day we were looking at this......

And Eric found himself outside later doing this.....

That ended up being a week long project to prevent our deck from collapsing in on our garage....

This would have been the first February we spent together married and the last February we spent living in Minnesota.....and although it is mighty (MIGHTY) cold here tonight...not sure we've seen that much snow in a long time!!

Faces....

2012-02-07T13:42:00.002-07:00

The big BIG bed....

2012-02-07T13:28:00.002-07:00

I sold the crib...so it was time to transition to the BIG bed.....so optimistic that it would go just fine....

But this was clearly how Adi felt about this bed the first night...fine to play in and jump on...not so fine for sleeping in....I had to make a last minute dash to a friends house to get a bed rail....and then Eric and I got switch off sleeping with her the first night (NOT SO FUN..but sure glad we opted for the more comfortable twin mattress)....turns out she was scared of the wall...and now as long as she can sleep as close as possible to the bed rail she is fine.

Some Sunday Snapshots

2012-02-07T13:22:00.001-07:00

Toothless Grin....

2012-02-07T13:07:00.003-07:00

Ana's teeth are starting to fall out like crazy.....she lost number 3 & 4 in a matter of 18 hours....I finally pulled #3 (her top tooth) out...it had been hanging there for a good month....and then I think she realized how painless it was and just decided to do the same to the bottom.....very soon both front teeth will be gone!!

Flashback Friday 5.....

2012-02-03T12:47:00.005-07:00

Flashback Friday dates back to October 1997.....a party in the church basement...I believe for my Grandparents' 50th Wedding Anniversary.

This is a picture of all the Doll cousins.....noting in particular my cousin Korey....2nd from the right....today is celebrating his 40th Birthday!!

Flashback Friday 4.......

2012-01-27T12:40:00.002-07:00

Today's Flashback Friday has gone way back....1976/77...

Any guesses as to who this lovely little lady is??

Flashback Friday 3....

2012-01-20T12:45:00.004-07:00

Man...Friday just gets here so fast and it seems I am so unprepared....I hope I can keep this up and remember for another 49 weeks.....

Today's flashback is in honor of Grandma/Mom Judi....it is her birthday today!!
(she is on the far left of the picture)

This picture comes from a Decade Party put on by our good friends Michael and Stacy the night before their wedding....and to think at this point Eric and I were not even dating yet......but just had many of the same friends and were at many of the same events! I am not even really sure what Decade Eric was representing with that wig....?!?!

The END of the Crib era.......

2012-01-17T17:05:00.002-07:00

Adi has moved on....the crib is now her toddler bed......and there is no turning back!!
Hard to believe that after 6 years we are finally completely DONE with cribs!!!

Adi LOVES her new bed and has been really good (so far) about staying in bed.....now on to training her 3 yr. old sister how to go back to sleeping in her own room and off our floor!

Flashback Friday 2......

2012-01-13T09:37:00.001-07:00

Presenting you with MY Kindergarten class picture from 1983/84......
can you find me??

Happy Birthday to Ana!!

2012-01-07T19:08:00.004-07:00

Today it is this beautiful little girl's 6th Birthday!! Ana we love you so much and are so proud of the wonderful little lady you are!!

I will admit I was (selfishly) all about a low key simple party this year for Ana....so my plan was a fun "girl's" morning out....Ana, her friend Hannah and I all headed out for a manicure first, followed by lunch and then back to the house for gifts, cake and play time! - IT WAS PERFECT!!

These two girls were beside themselves giddy to be getting a "real" manicure......

Ana's finished nails.....

Hannah's finished nails.....

Lunch at the Olive Garden where Ana proclaimed it was the "best Birthday EVER"...because they sang to her......

Opening a few gifts from Hannah, us and family.......

Ana got the Wii "Just Dance Kids" Game......what a fun game! They both had a great time dancing!

Ana even agreed to a "simple" cake...errrrr...I mean cookie!!

Flashback Friday 1.....

2012-01-05T17:14:00.005-07:00

I thought for our first Flashback Friday it would maybe be fitting to do a picture from when Ana was born....since we will be celebrating her 6th Birthday tomorrow!!

Our little Family of THREE....January 2006

Stay Tuned....

2012-01-01T19:08:00.002-07:00

Coming in 2012 to our very own blog.....

FLASHBACK FRIDAYS!!!

Christmas Eve.....

2011-12-31T05:39:00.003-07:00

This is as good as it's gonna get for a family photo....I am just kicking myself though that I didn't even get one picture of the kids together dressed up.....

Adi was no stranger to opening gifts...in fact she had a hard time waiting for her turn....she just kept saying "my birthday".....

A priceless face.....

followed by and even more priceless face....this girl was OVER THE MOON to have been given her very own make-up kit!! And already has spent many a minutes in the bathroom applying said make-up with a little encouragement that less is more and we don't leave the house with make-up on!

Christmas Light Tour.....

2011-12-31T05:26:00.002-07:00

On Christmas Eve after church we drove around and looked at a few Christmas lights.....

This particular house is AMAZING.....and not far from my parents house....

Guess we got A LOT of catching up to do.....

And this house again.....just up the street from them....has their house set to music using their own radio frequency.....So we parked and enjoyed the show!

The Eve of Christmas Eve.....

2011-12-31T05:19:00.003-07:00

With half of my siblings and their spouses working this year over Christmas we had a few mini celebrations as time allowed.....

Oma enjoying a brief moment of cuddle time....

Papa thinking....how I am going to survive with this many kids in the house???

Aunt Shasta and two little girls that adore her........

Uncle Brad and his new best buddy......

And cousin Jaxson showing off his new hat.....

2nd Birthday celebration....

2011-12-31T05:13:00.002-07:00

We drove to Billings on Adi's actual birthday and actually got their in time to celebrate one more time.....

Our Christmas Tree....

2011-12-31T05:12:00.001-07:00

I was rather fond of our tree this year......

Egge Christmas Greetings.....

2011-12-19T21:24:00.018-07:00

Yes, I am not sending out a "real" Christmas letter/picture this year....instead it will be the Egge's year in review.....received electronically....I've decided to scroll back and look through our pictures over the course of the last year and offer a "brief" update....so sit back, drink some coffee and enjoy the recap! (THE LONG RECAP)

January 2011
- We celebrated Ana's 5th birthday
- It looks as though we enjoyed many a dance parties to the "cotton eyed joe"....with clothing optional for some CHILDREN.
- Some snow..
-Adi took her first steps (so hard to believe as we look back on videos of her - 1 year ago she was not even walking yet)....
-3 cowgirls and a cowboy took a trip to the SD stock show and rodeo

February 2011
- brought some bright sun shiny days....
- Lot's of snow....
- and the realization that Adi is going to give us a run for our money.....

March 2011
- there is really only 1 word for March - ANTIGUA...10 days of pure relaxation for Eric and I.....ahhh...we are ready to go again!
- ok, there was more - Eli celebrated his 4th birthday and it took the noise level in our home to a whole new level....
- the purchase of our first ever camper....(a pop-up)

April 2011
- more mischievous behavior from Adi
- a cute "real" haircut for Ema
- Easter Sunday
- Our 8th wedding anniversary

May 2011 (Whew...May was a busy month....)
- The end of another year of Awana
- A MEGA garage sale....
- Ana had a school play
- Eli and Ana's first ever (attended) school dance
- Last day of school
- Pre-school Graduation
- And a couple cute faces....

June 2011 (and I thought May was busy)....
- Ana lost her first tooth
- We built and planted our first ever garden
- Lot's of warm weather....and days of play outside....
- Ana learned to ride a bike without training wheels....
- We sold said pop-up camper and bought a fully enclosed camper...
- Became members of an RV resort just 8 miles from our house (I know...we are just old like that)
- Maiden voyage camping trip to Custer State Park
- And a trip to Minnesota to finish off the month....

July 2011
- camping, camping, and more camping!
- A trip to Montana
- A hailstorm or two that destroyed our garden, fence and roof.....
- Eric's 34th birthday

August 2011
- a wee bit more camping
- some new hairstyles
- a trip to Montana and the Montana Fair
- a family photo or two....
- a fun time playing at an indoor play area
- First day of Kindergarten for Ana
- First day of his second year of preschool for Eli....

September 2011
- a laundry room renovation project
- Ema's 3rd birthday
- Suzie's 21st birthday
- a balloon rally was held not far from our house....
- a new ride for me....
- Ema and Ana started ballet
- Eli played flag football

October 2011
- A family vacation to Nevada and California
- A new puppy (that puppy has since been sold - we came to our senses!)
- Halloween....

November 2011
- Zero the Hero
- over a foot of snow.....
- Ana's Thanksgiving play
- A trip to Montana for Thanksgiving
- And a hunt in the forest for a Christmas tree....

December 2011
- 4 Christmas programs
- Adi's 2nd birthday

A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS WISH FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS!!!

AND A BLESSED NEW YEAR!!

Adi's 2nd Birthday.....

2011-12-19T18:31:00.004-07:00

Adi's birthday is on Wednesday this week...but we celebrated this last weekend!!

She was so excited and just kept saying "it my birthday"......

Don't be fooled by all those big boxes...it is more just the size of boxes I could find.....

Adi got her very own bike and helmet, some clothes and a pillow pet (that currently she tells us she is scared of??)

So so so proud to have a bike of her own....

Leading up to her birthday in the last couple weeks we've been talking about it quite a bit....and every time we went to sing to her she would just break down crying and say "noooooo"......so I wasn't sure how it would all go....but once the candles were lit it made everything better.

Yes, I know Adi you will probably remind me of your second birthday when you were much older and how you were "jipped" out of a cake....but this year decorated sugar cookies did the trick.....

Giving Papa a "frosting" kiss.....

Christmas Program 4 (Ana school).....

2011-12-15T09:12:00.003-07:00

Ana's Christmas program was the last one of the season.....

These girls were troopers through all of them....but we had to resort to some photo fun to keep them entertained....

We had to cut this video down a bit to fit it on blogger.....

Christmas Program 3 (Ana...Church)

2011-12-13T11:10:00.005-07:00

And a small "snippet" of one of the 5 songs Ana's group sang.....

Christmas Program 2 (Eli & Ema...Church)

2011-12-13T09:34:00.007-07:00

Christmas Program 1 (Eli)....

2011-12-13T09:04:00.002-07:00

Eli's Christmas program was 1st up this year.....he was so excited and so proud to have us there watching him....

A hunting we went....

2011-12-01T09:06:00.005-07:00

I love living in the Black Hills and being so close to the forest...literally...less than a 30 minute drive and we were in the thick of the forest looking for our "perfect" trees....

Monster...

2011-12-01T08:46:00.003-07:00

There really are just not enough words to describe this deceivingly charming monster......and yet we love you so!

Christian Character Award....

2011-11-20T14:22:00.002-07:00

Ana got the Christian Character Award one of the first weeks of school this year and then last week she was again given the Award for the entire first quarter.....We are so proud of you Ana and the great student and young girl you are becoming!!

Zero the HERO....

2011-11-20T14:16:00.003-07:00

Ana's class is working their way towards the 100th day of school....and every 10th day "ZERO THE HERO"...shows up in class to talk a little about numbers and how he/she uses numbers at their respective job. Eric got signed up (not sure how that happened)....to be ZERO THE HERO for the 50th day of school.

I do believe Ana's teacher said Eric was the first ever to come in and talk about light bulbs and power in relation to numbers......but there was no shortage of questions.......

Dancing Queens.....

2011-11-20T14:07:00.002-07:00

Halloween Fun =

2011-11-01T08:07:00.005-07:00

2 Strawberries, a cupcake, and a Doctor!

Strawberry 1

Strawberry 2

Doctor Eli

And 1 little cupcake!

Collecting our treats.....3 of the 19 people we were parading around the neighborhood with!!

Vacation....Day 1...California via Las Vegas

2011-10-25T09:51:00.007-07:00

And were off....Our first ever family trip by plane....whew...I felt like I could take a deep breath once we were finally through security! Getting a family of 6 ready for 8 days away is no small task...but we did it. This day had been a long time coming....6 months ago we bought tickets to visit Grandpa Ron and Grandma Mary in Las Vegas and then continue on to their house in Pasadena for a few days also with a stop at Edwards AFB to visit some good friends along the way, and then on to a few days spent at Disney also.

Here we are...I guess we were quite the sight because there was a large Japanese tour group in the airport also....and one lady in particular came over, sat 4 chairs away from us and just starting snapping pictures of us and then laughing......it was just a tad bit awkward...I was so tempted to get my camera out and start taking pictures of her right back.....

The kids all ready to go....All the girls have flown at least once in their life as a baby.....but this was a first for Eli (not that any of the girls remember it).....so the anticipation was building.

Eric and I were both a little unsure how Eli would do.....he can have a tendency to freak out in uncertain situations...and although he was a little nervous as we took off....in the end he LOVED it!

Were here....Grandpa Ron and Grandma Mary's condo in Vegas.....it was a very lovely place. (To nice for my rowdy crew if you ask me....) but we loved our time here.....

The view was AMAZING.....they are 3 floors down from the top......

The pool.....and it was heated...even better!

We spent the first afternoon parked poolside....swimming.

There were even some "noodle" spraying wars going on.....

Before dinner we spent some time at the putt putt course.....

And the view once it was dark....the Vegas Strip being just the West of them about 2 blocks. It was a great first day!!

Vacation Day 2......

2011-10-24T20:36:00.012-07:00

Today we woke before the sunrise...no surprise to us...but it did seem really early!! The view was pretty spectacular.....

After our early morning rise it was off to the "Strip"...there really can be no better time right to visit the strip than early on a Saturday morning!?! Our one and only stop was the Bellagio.....

If you never been to the Bellagio it's a "Must See" on my list....they have this incredible indoor flower garden that changes with the seasons.....this was probably my favorite...the fall colors, fall flowers....it was amazing!

Look at this apple...made completely out of roses!!

Such sweet faces!!

The talking tree was a huge hit with the kids.....

And there was this pictures...designed like a painting with real flowers....

No stop to the Bellagio would be complete without a visit to the chocolate fountain.....

And then after some chocolate crossiants....we were off......off on another adventure...this time headed for Edwards Air Force Base to visit some good friends that used to live in Rapid City with us....

But not without a stop first out "In and Out Burger"......

The entrance to Edwards AFB.....this was really fun to see where our friends were now living...and although it really is located in the middle of the desert with very little around them....I really enjoyed being able to visit them and their home!! Thanks Pattersons!!

Amanda took us on a short tour around the base first before heading "home"......As we drove by these model planes Eric knew everyone one of them....I don't know what a single one is called....so just enjoy the "planes"......

And then there is Louisa....what a sweet little girl!! She is the brown eyed, brown haired version of her siblings....and the last time I saw her she was a mere 8 weeks old.....

Oli and Eli....

Ana and Alayna.......

A little dance party.....

And the beginning of our attempts to take pics of all the kiddos together.....

Thanks Thanks Thanks...Amanda for hosting us for the night.....wish we were closer!!

Vacation Day 3.....

2011-10-24T20:18:00.004-07:00

It was a short 18 hours but this morning....we had to say good bye and head on to Pasadena....so thankful though for our time here visiting such great friends....and we missed you Todd!

Eric started the morning off right...a cup of coffee in the "White" mug.....

6 of the 7 kiddos....just missing Louisa!

My good friend Amanda....(thanks for having us!!)

Burning some energy on the trampoline before another car ride....

And though many other things happened on this day, a drive to Pasadena, a walk to the park, dinner out and preparations for Disney..... the day ended with four kiddos in the tub!

Disney Day 1....Vacation Day 4...

2011-10-24T19:32:00.011-07:00

Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to Disney we go.........
We arrived early Monday morning....excited and ready to go.....Let the memories begin!

Our 1 and maybe only attempt at a family shot....kind of sad really.....

I don't know if it's just because I am older...or if Cinderella's castle has shrunk...but it seemed considerably smaller than what I remember as a kid.....

Our first ride....we started them off easy....the carousal.....

Next up...the Matterhorn...ha ha...not really although Ana and I did attempt this later in the day...she came off the ride saying she loved it...but was adamant that we not ride it again....

Here is the point in the day in which we stood in our longest ride line...45 minutes to ride an underwater submarine into "Nemo's" world....in which at one point all four of my kids were screaming in terror for fear of the "shark" that would eat them....good times :) !!

The lines were really not bad at all....this was the longest...the rest were no more than 20 minutes...with many many being 5 minutes or less....it was the perfect time of year to go....

Inside the "scary" submarine....

Adi's Day 1 nap...almost a 2 hour snooze in this stroller....

A break in the day....waiting patiently for the Sound Sensational Parade.....

Adi's smile....the girl just won't look at the camera!!

The parade was really fun...and a nice break for the kids and for us.....

After the parade it was off to "Toon Town".....

Eric and I convinced Ana to do one more roller-coaster with us....The Train ride....

A good first day.....ending the day with a picture of Goofy in our hotel....

Disney Day 2....Vacation Day 5

2011-10-24T14:32:00.009-07:00

Our second day at Disney was spent at Disney California Adventure Park....but because we actually were staying on Disney property we got to go in early to Disneyland that day....7am to be exact...ahead of the general public...so we took advantage of this offer....and explored a few more areas in Disneyland before heading over to the Adventure Park.

We all enjoyed beignet's for breakfast in "New Orleans".....Adi especially enjoyed hers...the powder sugar all over Eric was the evidence!

In line for "pixie hollow" with hopes of seeing Tinkerbell.....

One of Tinkerbell's friends.....and Ana

And finally - Tinkerbell herself....this was the ONE character Ema was most excited to see!!

Next up....the jungle safari cruise....once again this ride didn't not come without fear.....

Tarzan and Jane's tree house....

Actually seeing a Disney character in the park was kind of a rare sight.....

Finally we were in California Adventure Park....

Adi....being Adi....

Ema, Ana and Eli all got their face painted.....what I failed to remember....is Ema's days are FULL of tears...and face paint and tears just don't mix well......

Such cute faces while they lasted.....

Jesse....we actually saw quite of few characters in costume in this part of the park.....

Adi getting in any kind of a snooze she can....poor girl....2 days without naps just plain tuckered her out....by the end of this day she was sporting a fever....

AND this would be the result of tears and face paint.....oh EMA!!

In line for the Toy Story ride....probably one of the best interactive rides they have....

We spent a little time in Bug Land....

And the grand finale.....every night they put on a water, light and laser show (some what similar to the Bellagio in Las Vegas)....we got tickets, got their early to get our spots...and waited, and waited, and waited...and finally threw in the towel after 2 unsuccessful tries for them to get the show going, 4 hungry tired kids, and 2 parents whose patience were shot....and wouldn't you know...as soon as we walked away...it started...but we missed it!

Patiently waiting....

Disney Day 3...Vacation days 6, 7, & 8....

2011-10-24T13:36:00.007-07:00

On Wednesday we woke up with the "plan" to head to the beach and then back to Pasadena, but those plans changed rather quickly. We decided instead to head back into the parks and spend one more day wondering between the two and taking in some last minute rides and shows we just hadn't had time for. The weather also made our decision rather easy that morning...because it certainly wasn't a morning to be spent at the beach.....it was quite cloudy, damp and cool.

Here the kids got to participate in the Mickey Mouse clubhouse show....

Ema...being a "ham"....Ema is either "on" or "off"...there is just no in between with that girl.....while she was good at Disney...she had lots of "off" moments...probably most undoubtedly from her lack of naps and good rest....but alas we survived....Ema and all.

Don't judge....Lucky charms I know...but hey....she was eating....and it wasn't disgusting Disney food....

Ema and Eric on the "rocket"....

Eli was in all his glory standing next to Mater and Lightening McQueen....

A second swing through the "Monster's Inc" ride....my kids find many many things scary to them...but for some reason...this ride (Monsters and All) was not scary to them....

And this....is the picture of the end of day 3....Ema exhausted and having a "not so good" moment......she proceeded to lay here crying in this position for a good 10 minutes while the kids and I waited for Eric.

Day 7 was spent driving back to Las Vegas for our return flight home....a good portion of this day was spent in the car...and shopping :) .....and well I guess there were no photo ops or I was photo opted out.....cause I don't have one picture to show for it.

Day 8 was an early flight home....it was nice to be home early and have an entire weekend to recuperate....but an early departure was not entirely pleasant....a family of 6 to the airport by 5 in the morning is brutal.....

We had a wonderful time, the kids actually did remarkably well in all respects and we'll look forward to doing it again in.....ummmm..... maybe 10 YEARS!!

Ballet Days.....

2011-10-11T12:33:00.002-07:00

Ana and Ema are both trying ballet this year.....Ana has tried it once before (couple years ag0)....and I think again she has realized it is not her "thing".....thankfully I only paid up to Christmas...so she'll finish out these last couple months and then be moving on.....but here is a small glimpse into her class......

Ema on the other hand is "over the moon"....to be in ballet class and just loves it every week. She is in a Disney Fairytales class.....six week session (NO RECITAL - YEAH!!!)......they read a disney story and then dress up and act out the story dancing to the songs......

Her class is quite small....5 little girls...but usually only 3 are there every week....

Ema decided this week that the "Dress" was just too itchy...and dancing in her ballet clothes was much better.

Chocolate Pudding anyone....?

2011-10-11T12:30:00.002-07:00

Adi loved her chocolate pudding just a little too much...and was even willing to share!

Flag Football....

2011-09-27T13:23:00.004-07:00

FINALLY!! Eli has something to call his own....he was finally old enough this year to get involved in something....and flag football it is! He is taking a 6 week clinic in flag football skills/drills...they don't actually play any games at his age....but he could not be more PROUD....to be playing "football"....(I think his Dad is pretty proud too....cause it doesn't involve girls, barbies or poly-pockets!!)

The Balloons.....

2011-09-27T13:13:00.002-07:00

2 weekends ago....we awoke to about 7 hot air balloons landing about 3 blocks from our house.....so the kids and I jumped in the car quick and tried to get a closer look!! There is something pretty amazing about watching a hot air balloon come down and land!

Cartwheel.....

2011-09-27T13:07:00.001-07:00

Ana has been trying master the "art" of a cartwheel.....Adi has caught on to watching Ana's cartwheels and has now begun attempting her own cartwheels.....Let's just say....she has a LONG way to go!!

Too BIG...Too Fast!

2011-09-27T13:03:00.003-07:00

Someone sure doesn't seem like a "baby" anymore!!

Happy Birthday Suzie...

2011-09-13T05:13:00.002-07:00

Happy Birthday Suzie!!

We love you and thank God for the wife and mother you are!

- Eric, Ana, Eli, Ema & Adi

The Birthday "Parties"....

2011-09-12T13:03:00.004-07:00

Ema had her own little party on Friday with a friend over (who I failed to get a picture of...sorry Elle!).....but it was without the intrusion of her older siblings...so she felt pretty special....

Instead of a cake...I had a cookie decorated for her...of course she choose the cookie with the most amount of frosting....

On Sunday we celebrated again...just our family.....and she opened her gifts from us and Grandma and Papa.....

She could not have been more happy with her very own backpack...that she will actually get to use when we go to California next month!

And the grand finale of them all....THE BARBIE MOTOR HOME!!

Even Eric couldn't help himself and had to play a little.... :) (Okay maybe he was just still assembling it in this picture!)

And finally the "cake"....my very sad excuse for a cake....but she didn't seem to mind!!
Happy Birthday Ema lou lou!!

Emalee is THREE!!

2011-09-12T12:42:00.002-07:00

Sweet Emalee is THREE today!!

1 day old

1 year old

2 years old

3 years old

Ema brings such laughter to our home....always has something funny to add....and she knows she is funny! She also brings much "screaming" to our home....were working on that! Ema loves to play with Barbies and dolls and doing her best to keep up with Ana and Eli. She can't wait to go to school next year and she just started ballet this fall. We love you Ema and are so proud of the little girl you are becoming!! (minus the screaming!!)

Labor Day Weekend...project.....

2011-09-05T19:36:00.003-07:00

Our entry way from the garage is quite small....the width of a standard "hallway" so all six of us coming into the house from the garage gets a little crowded....when everyone is trying to also take off coats and shoes....so this weekend we tried to remedy that problem just a little bit.
The laundry room which sits just to the left of this entry way got a total renovation.
We stacked the washer and dryer, painted the room and then added tons of shelving, storage and a bench.
My hope is that the kids will come inside and filter into the laundry room to remove shoes and maybe make the whole area just a little less crowded.

The First "Days" of School.....

2011-08-30T15:12:00.003-07:00

Back in School!!! Yeah!! Eli started on Monday....his second year of preschool.

The first day was a breeze for him....it helps that he returned to the same classroom and same teacher from last year! When asked what he learned the first day, the only thing he could remember in great detail was the snack choice for that day.......I guess we now know what is important!

This little lady sure wishes she was going to school this year too.....

Ana and Eli are at different schools this year...for various reasons...so they will definitely keep me hopping and on my toes, bouncing back and forth between two schools & two schedules.

Today was Ana's first day of Kindergarten. SHE LOVED IT!! Although, I think came home a little exhausted. 7 hours at school can be a little long when you are not used to it!

Ana sitting at her desk....ready to learn!! We had a fun morning, finding her desk, putting all her school supplies away and putting her backpack in her locker!

The end of Summer....

2011-08-25T20:42:00.004-07:00

We've had some gorgeous evenings the last few nights......some nights to enjoy just being at home and in the back yard! School starts Monday (HOORAY!!)....and with that comes another busy Fall of activities, school, structure and schedules......and as much as I am excited for all of this to begin....I will miss these "quiet" evenings at home in the backyard with no where to be and nothing to do!!

Montana.....in August....

2011-08-25T20:25:00.005-07:00

I really have not been very good about taking pictures when we visit Montana or anytime for that matter it seems anymore....but here are a few from our recent visit....from my phone and/or other camera......

Ana and Ema.....and 1 of the many rides they took in at the Montana Fair....a fun precursor for what's to come in October!!

Eli of course took some convincing (when doesn't he).....but he too made it on a few rides....

Then on a totally different night while visiting in Billings....Grandma bought some passes to this great indoor playground/fun house.....the kids had a BLAST....it is something in the dead of winter that I wish we had in Rapid City.......but don't let this big slide fool you....It was FAST.....too fast for little Adi by herself...so I hopped right up there and went down......and practically FLEW through the front window of the building....pretty sure I went airborne over the whole last "hump" of the slide and landed on the blue mat at the bottom......and yes...I was not jumping up to try it again...once was enough for me!!

The "stairs" to the top of the slide and other parts of the play gym....

Camping, Camping, Camping......

2011-08-25T20:10:00.003-07:00

Although this post really doesn't contain near the amount of pictures in comparison to the number of days we actually spent camping.....it does contain a few of the pictures from the end of July into August....we had the camper set up for 21 days at Hart Ranch...and we spent a good amount of those days, evenings and at times even over night at the camper.

That's right...even our own camp fire now!!.....No place but the community fire pit at Hart Ranch to have a fire....so we bought our own propane fire!

Pictures "we" worked hard to get.....

2011-08-22T06:47:00.004-07:00

While in Billings this past week....we had our "turn" at getting some updated pictures!! Thanks to my awesome cousin Kalin Brook Photography....she managed to get great pictures even with my overly difficult, un-willing to participate or really smile for that matter children!!

Ema is usually our "wild-card" as to whether she is really going to cooperate or not....guess this was a "good" day...I think she did the best of ALL of them!!

Yup....this was my four lovely children posing for a picture together......lovely isn't it!?!

And this would the MOST un-willing child of ALL TIME!! Good grief she was not about to sit still and be told to look at the camera and smile.......she would tilt her head back and say "Nooooooooo".....

So this became our "group-kids" photo...and I must say...I quite like it!!

Yup....this would be Adi's "portrait"....a little different from the others...cause again.....she just wasn't going to have it....so this would be day 2 of the photo shoot....and we managed a quick smile/laugh out of her.....

And now...let's throw ALL six of us into a photo and try and get a good picture....OH MY WORD!!

And in the end....we did actually get a few pictures that are great.....Thanks Kalin...I love them all!!

Ballerina's and more haircuts.......

2011-08-14T18:41:00.004-07:00

Ema's "new do"...I know this one is blurry....but this is the smile I love from this girl.....

And this is currently Ema's awkward...(ask her to smile for the camera and this is the smile I get) pose....we are going to have to work on this quick before "real" pictures this week.

Ana was enjoying "re-living" the days of ballet tonight....

Yup - Adi...ask her to smile for the camera and this is what you get.....1 sock and all......

My two wanna-be ballerina's tonight....

Ana's "new do"......I just love, love, love her hair short......

Haircuts, overalls and beads.....

2011-08-04T08:51:00.004-07:00

Eli was in desperate need of a haircut, although we had "toyed" with the idea of growing it shaggy long.....it didn't last too long.....but I didn't necessarily want to give him a complete buzz....so he agreed (amazingly) to let my friend Faith come over and cut it....of course he was bribed with a bowl of candy.......but this was the first time EVER in the history of his life...he didn't cry over a haircut!!

BEFORE.....

AFTER.....Thanks Faith...it's so much better!

Ema dressed herself yesterday.....(yup she went in public like this)....she told me she wanted to look like Dennis the Menace.....great!!

And Adi...there really are just no words to describe Adi these days.....diaper, beads, and prior to climbing on the couch she was wearing purple rain boots....about 4 sizes too big!!

The Birthday Man.....

2011-07-29T08:20:00.003-07:00

Yesterday was Eric's Birthday.....I wish he could tell you it was the BEST birthday he has ever had...but that might be lying....Still we hope you had a great day, despite having to work, having a sick wife, getting a store bought cake, no presents to open, and well we won't even mention dinner!!

One person sure enjoyed their piece of cake!!

Angastora....

2011-07-25T12:58:00.005-07:00

This last weekend we joined our friends at Angastora Recreation Area camping and had a great weekend on the lake with all their fun toys!!

Adi.....she was a busy little girl on the boat....going back and forth, back and forth, between the front and back of the boat.

Nick offered to let Ana drive the boat and from there on out...that is ALL she wanted to do!

Yep, that's me....I got on the tube...and got a wild ride!! (okay maybe not completely wild...but wild enough for me!)

Ana, Eric and their friend Matt getting ready to try out the "new" tube!!

Eli being so brave and jumping in for a swim!

Ana and JC giving the jet ski a try....

And finally a small video of them on the new tube going "ana" speed!

Hart Ranch Camping.....

2011-07-25T12:41:00.004-07:00

Last week we had the camper parked out at Hart Ranch all week......it's been so nice for the kids and I....we usually have been going out mid-morning...we swim, eat lunch, rest and back to the pool again...and then Eric joins us for dinner and then after dinner it's usually back to the pool, mini golfing or one of their nightly activities that they have going on.....here are some pictures from last week.....

This is where Adi gets to eat all of her meals now...on the floor, strapped in!! She is TROUBLE when she is "loose" at the table!!

Pool Party!

2011-07-18T13:23:00.001-07:00

We made a quick trip up to Montana this weekend....and spent an afternoon with my cousin and family. They have an above ground pool that all 8 kids enjoyed immensely!!

Thanks for the pool party!!!

4th of July 2011

2011-07-18T12:52:00.003-07:00

We spent 4th of July this year camping near home....we joined a RV Resort park 8 miles from our house earlier this summer (I know...we sound like retired RV folks)...but the amenities at this park are just too hard to pass up....so this was our first weekend out there...and the kids had such a great time. They got to participate in a bike parade and train rides, they had a kids carnival...and then we spent hours in the pool swimming and riding bikes with friends the rest of the weekend!

Ana and Eli with their bikes all decorated and ready to go!

As soon as Eli saw the train though...he ditched his bike and jumped in for the ride!

On Monday the 4th we actually came home early and got settled back in at home and then just had a low key evening at home with our own small fire work display (i.e., mostly snaps and sparklers) and did a little dancing in the driveway too!

Summer is HERE!!

2011-06-30T12:48:00.003-07:00

We had our first 100 degree day yesterday....and I am NOT complaining! We have waited far too long this year for the weather to warm up!! We broke out the slide and swimming pool and the kids had a blast!!!

Despite hot hot weather....this little lady was less than enthusiastic about the cold cold hose water.....so swinging it was!

And....another sideways video....oh well...I never seem to learn!

An impromtu photo session.....

2011-06-30T12:27:00.004-07:00

It's pretty obvious who the most compliant "child" was.....

Our Minnesota Adventure.....

2011-06-30T08:09:00.010-07:00

Last week we ventured to Minnesota to visit family, rest, relax and attend a wedding......
Grandma J and Grandpa H were also taking care of Eric's sister's kids while we were there......so there was lot's of cousin play time for the kids.....

3 future pianists..

The weather was a little chilly a good portion of the time we were there....but with 7 kids in the house....we had to find activities outside the house.....this day it was a "walk".....Grandma J and 7 of her 8 grandchildren!

The "little" kids....

And...this one has left me speechless.....not entirely sure what she was doing.....

Ana and cousin I...loving their bikes....

Adi copying O's every move....

This kid has such an "infectious" smile.....

Grandpa H's "blue bug".....the kids all got a turn to ride in it to and from the park......

This was by far the "favorite" playground toy at the park.....

This little one...climbed right up and was coming right down before any of us even knew it.....

Cousin O took a little convincing....but once he did it....there was no turning back.....

An "un-successful" group photo.....

Group photo with a little more success.....

O was so tuckered out from skipping his nap...and so much play time....he fell asleep standing up just before dinner.....and that 30 minute cat-nap was just enough to keep him going strong until after 10 that night....

On Sunday we ventured out to the lake......this was one busy dock.....we were certain someone would be jumping in after one of the kids....thankfully no one fell in...cause the water was pretty chilly!

Everyone had their fair share of "dips" though....

Adi was the least trusted child on the dock....so she and Eric took many walks around the yard....

"Stick fishing"....

Driving home....parts of ND are having some serious flooding issues this summer....although this was pretty minor.....it slowed us all down on the interstate to a stop and then a crawl for the better part of 5 miles.....

There is a railroad line that goes right through the middle of this lake....and they are trying to save it from being swallowed up by the rising water.....

My "future" ballerina....

2011-06-30T07:46:00.002-07:00

Ema....loving dress up clothes, picking her own unique outfit's and entertaining us with good tap show!

1st of many many camping trips!

2011-06-12T18:08:00.007-07:00

We had our first camping trip of the summer this weekend....Custer State Park was our destination, Stockade Lake campground was our "spot"....and nothing could be better than a campground with.....

a playground for kids right out your back door......

Our first evening....the kids came back for a quick "drink" while Papa cooked us dinner!

A trip down to the lake...it was a little cool the first night....but warmed up nicely after that!

3 kiddos patiently waiting for S'mores.......

Grandma was trying to keep Adi "contained"....she is a little too busy to be walking around a fire ring....

The camper....that kept us VERY dry last night.....we had a pretty major storm roll through with threat of tornado's, high winds, heavy rain and some small hail - thankfully no tornado!

The great art of the "roast".....

Adi "schmoozing" Papa.....

Adi's s'more....poor girl she just got a marshmallow and we called it good....

Night number 1 in the camper was a little rough....to be expected I guess....a new environment for everyone....but eeek we definitely could have used even just a couple more hours of sleep.....Adi also spent her first night in a "big bed"........but you could hardly call it a night....at 3am she decided it was time to start the day....and after 2 hours of "play"...she finally crashed in our bed......prior to this Eli decided at 1:30 am...he no longer wanted to sleep on the top bunk, we forgot his "last drink", his ear hurt, and he just wasn't tired.....finally at 3:30 am he too gave in...and back to sleep he went.

Little Miss Adi...fast asleep in our bed...2 hours past her usual wake time at home.....

A drive through the park.....with lot's and lot's of buffalo!

Four happy campers.....

You can see the playground from the back of my parents camp site....it was SO NICE!

We were just up the road from them....

Adi enjoying dinner #3.....corn and ham.

Emalee...enjoying her corn!

Thanks for the great weekend Grandma and Papa...and come again!!

A "big" bike.....

2011-06-05T20:57:00.004-07:00

It's official...Ana is now riding her bike with no training wheels....she has been begging us for a couple weeks now to take them off....and on Friday night we finally did it....and within 5 minutes of Eric helping her she had it....now it may be time for a bigger bike......

Finally the sun is shinning........

2011-06-05T20:49:00.005-07:00

We've waited a long time for warm weather and sunshine this year.....it's been a winter that just won't end....and a spring that just won't stop raining.....and then just like that.....we were hit with a 92 degree day....I am not complaining!! It's crazy to think we just put on shorts this past week for the first time this year (June 2nd).....and it's June 5th and we've yet to turn on our sprinkler system....

You reap what you sow....

2011-06-05T20:37:00.003-07:00

2 weekends, 7 pieces of redwood board, 62 screws, a 9 x 8 piece of sod removed, 1 terribly nasty trip to the dump, 3 pickup loads of garden soil, some rain, some more rain, and yet even more rain, at least 50 wheel barrel loads of dirt both coming and going, 3 trips to the green house, and some time spent planting....WE HAVE A GARDEN.....

And in this garden we have.....sweet bell peppers, zucchini squash, green beans, onions, carrots, tomato plants, strawberries, 2 kinds of lettuce, spinach, peas, basil, oregano, rosemary, chives, & cilantro........and 1 week later...I am having to report that all visible plants are in fact still living.....and not one "seed" has sprouted through the ground yet.....hopefully we'll have something to show from this garden at the end of the summer.....or next summer it may just be a pumpkin patch!

A visit from the TF.....

2011-06-05T20:31:00.004-07:00

The tooth fairy visited our home for the very first time this past week.....

Ana lost her very first tooth.....she was pretty nervous about how it would actually come out and even shed some tears over it....and then while we were having small group at our house....she came up and proudly announced her tooth had just fallen out...and was no where to be found in the carpet downstairs....good thing Daddy has a good eye....he found the tooth! But now I am beginning to think the tooth fairy maybe should have started a little lower on the "pay-out" scale....

Sweet Ema....

2011-05-29T19:45:00.004-07:00

Ema, Emalee or Emalou (as Papa calls her...and only Papa!)......I wish I could get a video of this girl and how incredibly expressive she is....it's so funny and yet she talks to you with all seriousness....Ema is about 4 months shy of being 3 and is officially potty trained! We are so proud of her and so so so happy to have 1 less child in diapers!

Giving us her best "mean/grumpy look"......

But you really can't keep a smile off this girl's face......

18 months and full of character....

2011-05-29T19:25:00.003-07:00

Adi was 18 months old a little over a week ago.....and I think it's safe to label her as the craziest 18 month old we've had....

She definitely knows exactly what to do when the camera comes out.....pose and perform....

Here she is in jumping position....and although her feet do not actually leave the ground...she is very proud of her "jump"......

saying..."CHEESE".......

"The Glare"......

"The mean look"....but trying so hard not to smile....

Preschool Graduation.....

2011-05-26T07:26:00.003-07:00

Walking in.....

Ana and her good friend Karissa......

Ana and Eli with Mrs. G......

First to Last.....

2011-05-26T07:18:00.004-07:00

Eli's first day of school - August 2010

Eli's last day of school May 2011.....

Ana's first day of school August 2010.....

Ana's last day of school May 2011.....

The whole crew on Eli's first day of school......

The whole crew on Ana's last day of school......

Dance P.A.R.T.Y.....

2011-05-21T13:36:00.003-07:00

The kids had a Hawaiian dance at their school last night....Ana and Eli once they finally decided to participate had a really good time...and getting them to leave ended up being quite a "tearful" exit.....

Too busy for blogging...

2011-05-18T07:43:00.004-07:00

And this would be why....we had just about the largest garage sale we've ever had...last weekend.....and I felt like I had been preparing for a couple months....we went through absolutely EVERYTHING in the house and garage......it's amazing how much stuff we got rid of and I wondered at times why we even needed it in the first place......an added bonus was getting rid of almost every "baby" toy, gadget, clothing, furniture and any other thing you can think of "baby"....bitter sweet!!

This was the night before the sale....we were almost bursting at the seems in the garage....we had so much stuff....

The morning of the sale....we kept as much in the garage as possible....because of the weather...but obviously everything wouldn't fit....

AND...the End of the first day....can you believe it?? This is truly what our driveway looked like....and even the dresser sitting there had sold they just hadn't picked it up yet....

I think it is safe to say this garage sale was a complete success.....despite the weather and having to sit in front of a space heater the entire second day because it was soooo cold.

Mother's Day....

2011-05-18T07:39:00.003-07:00

Here is Oma on Mother's Day eating breakfast with 8 of her 12 great grandchildren.....so many kids at this table....there is hardly room for the adults....we have to eat in "shifts" when we are all home together!

Awana...

2011-05-18T07:38:00.003-07:00

Ana and Eli just completed another year of Awana.....

One year ago today.....

2011-04-27T09:11:00.002-07:00

A year ago today Eric was headed in for his last chemo treatment. Crazy how fast a year goes! Eric still goes in every 3 months for check-ups and scans but we are so thankful that the cancer is gone and praise God every day for his clean bill of health.

Happy Easter....

2011-04-24T12:37:00.002-07:00

Happy Easter.....we are enjoying a low key day at home this year.....kind of nice, but trying to get a family picture using a timer this morning did prove to be little tricky!

It's a little bright in here.....

2011-04-20T07:48:00.001-07:00

In all seriousness this morning...Eli told me he HAD to wear his sunglasses because he could see things better!

Chopped....

2011-04-20T07:26:00.004-07:00

Ema (Before)

It was time (or maybe way beyond time)....Ema needed a haircut....she has actually had a few haircuts....but nothing "shaped"...she has such fine wispy hair it's hard to know what to do with it....but we think Miss Lindsay did a pretty good job!!

Ema (After)

Climbing, Climbing, Climbing.....

2011-04-20T07:20:00.003-07:00

Our kids have never really been "climbers"....until Adi! She wants to climb on everything.....all chairs have to pushed in to the table now....

or this is where we will find her.....

.....on top and so proud!!!

Thoughts....

2011-04-19T06:42:00.002-07:00

Eli's thoughts on the the snow that continues to fall around here......I think it's safe to say these days that SPRING does not come until JUNE.....

Room with a view....

2011-04-17T19:23:00.003-07:00

We are at it again...switching kids around to different rooms.....hopefully this switch will actually "last" for longer than a year.....Ema is now sharing with Ana, Adi has moved into Ema's old room and Eli has moved into Adi's room...which was previously his original room.....I can tell you one thing...all the room moving has definitely kept their rooms cleaned out of clutter.....

Adi loves her window that she can climb right up to and watch out the window.....

Not everyone at this house loves

2011-03-31T14:00:00.002-07:00

Spaghetti Night...(namely those responsible for cleaning this mess up)...but this girl sure does!!

Antigua I - Our room & "The View"......

2011-03-25T08:49:00.000-07:00

Eric and I got to spend 7 glorious days on the Island of Antigua a couple weeks ago.....we are so thankful to our parents for stepping in and "taking over" - which is no small task with our crew!!

And this would be one of many pictures of the "view" from our balcony and few pictures of our lovely room!