Spending Time at Grandpa's Farm

Along with all of our own farm work we have been helping my Dad pick his apples. This is something that I secretly look forward to every year. Growing up on an apple farm is not very much fun for a teenage girl. But now I love to take my family there and pick apples with my siblings and their families. My Dad also raises Pumpkins and Pine trees. Christian and I have our own little Apple/Pumpkin/Pine Tree store in front of our house to help out. All of the grand kids get to pick there own pumpkins for Halloween and we all enjoy eating apples right off the tree. They are the crispest, freshest apples you can get. Yum!

"Pretty Please Princess Mommy"

Amee, Leeanne, and I decided to take all of our kids to Toys "R" Us for the day to look around and get some ideas for Christmas. We all said, "What were we thinking taking 9 kids into a toy store." They all wanted everything. Dane found the Indiana Jones Legos and carried a box of each around the store. I tried to tell him that he could get some for his Birthday, but he wouldn't put them down. He was so sweet and kept asking. Then he started saying, "Pretty Please Princess Mommy," and that was the clincher, so of course I just had to get them for him.

We have been trying to squeeze in fishing at the reservoir before it gets too cold. We took the kids up and went camping in our new camper last weekend. It was very cold, but we all had a great time. Thanks to our Mr. Heater we slept toasty warm.

Preparing for Winter

Getting a farm tucked in for Winter is no easy task. Christian and I have been busy planting the field, completing electrical for watering Chickens and Pigs, ordering and stacking hay into the shelter, cleaning up and organizing the yard etc. etc. Here are 12 tons of hay that we ordered to hold us over for the winter. In the process of stacking it the whole stack fell over. Christian and a few wonderful neighbors stacked it all into the shelter and it is now covered. Today we should finish up the last of our preparations and we can kick up our feet and wait for the snow to fall.

Little Brother Hugs and Kisses

Hans has been loving school. He feels so big riding his bike to our little elementary. Dane has to give him a big hug and kiss every morning before he leaves. I think it is so cute. Then Dane repeatedly yells, "Bye Hans, I'll miss you." out the window until Hans is out of sight.

Shia's Blessing Day!

First Smiles

Shia first smiled on August 1st and has been so smiley ever since. She is the sweetest and most easy going little baby. She also started laughing. It is so fun to see her grow. The other morning I was holding her and she fell asleep in my arms. She must have been having a good dream, because she just started giggling and giggling. It was so cute.

Hans' First Day of Kindergarten

The Dreaded day did come... Hans started Kindergarten. He was so excited. I, on the other hand wasn't so sure. All my friends, that I walk with, were taking bets on whether I would cry or not. No, I did not cry... at least not at the school, instead I went home and was a little teary eyed thinking how fast Hans has grown up. I am so happy to have him as my little guy. Here are some pics of him at his first day. He was so excited to have his cousin Trey in his class. We have such a small Elementary school, only about 35 kids. There are only 6 kids in Kindergarten and they are all rambunctious boys. Their class is one of the biggest yet for their school. Their poor teacher will be really busy with them this year!

Ophir Canyon

A few weekends ago we went to Ophir Canyon for the day. Christian's parents brought up their horses, we had a fire, and the kids played in the stream. We all had a great time.

Swimming Lessons

For the Past two weeks we have been doing swimming lessons for 1 hour each day. The boys have loved it. Dane was really scared at first but toward the end he loved it. He keeps asking when we can go back. We stayed some days to swim longer and had a lot of fun! I even put Shia's little legs in and she liked it too. I love the summer and I am sad to see it come to an end.

A Sticky Situation

Dane decided to put his gum in Hans' hair so I used Peanut Butter to get it out. Hans couldn't stop laughing because he thought it was so funny that I was putting Peanut Butter in his hair. Then Dane wanted Peanut Butter in his hair too and was upset that I wouldn't put some on him.

Our Little Princess

Time Flies!

I can't believe how fast time flies. Shia will be 5 weeks this Thursday. It has been so much fun having a little girl and Shia is the sweetest little thing ever. She is little and petitie. She still wears newborn diapers and clothes. It hasn't been a hard adjustment so far. Hans and Dane just love Shia and love to help me. They take turns getting diapers, pacifiers, blankets. etc... It is like she is all of our little doll. I just love having a little baby in our home. I have forgotten how wonderful it is and the sweet spirit they bring. Last night Dane had a bad dream and came into our bed with us. Shia woke up to eat at the same time. I layed in bed with Shia snuggled up to me and Dane curled up to my back feeling his breath on my arm and thought how blessed I am to get to be their mom. I love my little ones so much. I couldn't do it without Christian. He is so supportive and the perfect hubby. I love you!

Pictures of Shia!

New Pig Farmer

Hey everybody, Christian here filling in for Hollie. I just wanted to announce the arrival of our newest little pig farmer. Shia Hope Christiansen was born this afternoon around 3pm. At 6 lbs 6 oz and 19" she is a bit of a runt but absolutely beautiful. Hollie did really well and should be able to come home tomorrow. She has lots of dark hair just like Hollie did when she was born. Hans and Dane were so sweet and were cute to listen to as they held her. Hans and Dane couldn't figure out how the baby came out. Hollie and I just looked at each other when they asked about it. I am not sure if we are ready to start explaining that stuff yet! LOL They have seen our sows give birth so if it comes up again I guess we can refer them to that. : ) I will post pictures tomorrow when I get home. Thank you all for your concern and well wishes!

Two More Days to Go!

I can't believe that there are only two more days. I am getting started on Thursday! The time has gone by so fast. I thought it would be fun to post these prego pics that Heidi took for me. Hans and Dane are so excited. They talk to our baby all the time. They even made a chain that they have been counting down with. They will be such great big brothers and helpers!

No Mom!

One morning while I was in the shower Hans came in and told me there was something that I had to see. He had painted this sign and taped it to his bedroom door. As I read it he must have thought that I was sad, because he said; "Don't worry Mom I made this sign so you don't have to come into our room and clean it. Dane and I can clean it all by ourselves and you can just lay on the couch and watch a "Mom" show. I thought this was the most precious thing ever. I love those little boys!

Plant Party Anyone?

One morning Hans and Dane came and got me and told me they had a surprise for me. They had gathered all of my artificial and real plants that they could find (including the ones from the front porch that were still leaking water) and put them all in the living room. Then we had a "Plant Party" and they danced around the plants.