Minivan Momma

Gunnar is 1 Month

2012-01-11T16:01:00.000-08:00

Life has been busy blur lately. Can't believe the month went so fast. It always amazes me how much a baby changes and how quickly. He is now cooing and smiling. Next thing you know he'll be talking and walking.

Stop with the pictures already!

This girl loves her baby brother. She asks a million times a day to hold the baby.

Gavin took the above picture.

So cute! Love a content, sleeping baby.

Gunnar 2 Weeks Old

2011-12-24T16:57:00.000-08:00

It's a Boy!!

2011-12-24T16:36:00.000-08:00

I know this is a little late but thought maybe I should finally share the big news on here.

Gunnar Ray come into this world at 4:45am the 6th of Dec. He was 9lb 6oz and 21in long.

Below is the our midwife Joy weighing him.

Taking it all in.

2011-12-24T16:32:00.000-08:00

Axel and Addy meeting their new brother.

Getting lots of kisses from everyone.

What Happens in the Pasture....

2011-11-14T19:51:00.000-08:00

We are taking orders now for bacon cheese burgers……

Just Kidding.

Daisy our Milking Shorthorn apparently didn’t get bred the first time around and was displaying a little activity with our almost due Red Wattle sow Renae. We called the AI tech and he came out that night to breed her.

Never a dull moment on this farm.

Crazy Girl

2011-11-08T14:38:00.000-08:00

Addy's new tactic is to give us crazy eyes when she is in trouble and getting yelled at. Hoping to distract us from yelling at her and get us to laugh. While it worked the first couple times, it's now getting old.

Big Helpers

2011-11-07T08:43:00.000-08:00

The kids always want to help out in the kitchen. They were very proud of the little loaves of bread they made! Gavin had a hard time waiting till after the picture to eat his.

Baby Shower!!

2011-11-07T08:30:00.000-08:00

The cupcakes that Anna made. Not only adorable but also very yummy. Chocolate brownie with peanut buttercup inside.

So many yummy and creative desserts. Thanks, Anna and Lois!!

A huge thanks to my wonderful mother-in-law for putting on the party for me and Arlys for helping!! Everything was perfect!

A fun baby shower game. Get your nose in there!

2011-11-07T08:25:00.000-08:00

The yummy food...it was all delicious!

Here I am..the big mama about to devour all the food!

All the lovely ladies that joined us in celebrating our forth child. Thanks everyone!!

Gavin

2011-10-04T07:24:00.000-07:00

What happens when I leave Gavin alone for a few moments? He finds the two things in the room he is not suppose to play with and gets to work. First he gets some music going on the ipad. Then he starts sending messages to random people and deleting or editing my contacts on the cell phone. Yes he is one busy boy!!

Eggs

2011-10-04T07:17:00.000-07:00

Store bought on the left, our free-range chickens on the right!!

Just kidding...they are actually all our chickens eggs. Thats a banty egg on the left, double yolker in the middle and normal egg on the right.

Enlarge For Full Detail

2011-10-04T06:59:00.000-07:00

The problem with free-ranging the cow...big ol' cow pies in the front yard!!

Time to Steal Some Honey!!

2011-09-24T16:08:00.000-07:00

Our Hive.

Lifting the cover to puff in some smoke. The guard bees let off a certain smell that mean something is attacking the hive and the whole hive will swarm you to protect their home and honey. The smoke is to confuse them so they don't attack you.

Taking off the honey supers.

This is the queen excluder. The bees here are dead drones that have been kicked out the hive. They are only around to mate with the queen to create more bees which they don't need right now since winter is coming.

Looking inside the hive body.

Inside the Hive

2011-09-24T15:48:00.000-07:00

Worker bees are responsible for constructing the combs. Using wax secreted from their abdomens, they build the combs downward from the top of the hive. They attach each comb, which consists of two layers of horizontal, hexagonally shaped cells, to the roof and walls, leaving small passageways along the walls to allow movement between combs. In a typical nest, the combs will have cells for storing honey up top, followed by a layer of pollen-storage cells, and then beneath that the brood cells for workers and, off to one side, drones. Finally, at the bottom or off by themselves to the sides hang the peanut-shaped cells that house infant queens.

Here they are building up the comb to fill with honey.

I believe these frames are unprocessed nectar and the pollen storage cells. There may be some brood cells but right now they are more concerned with storing up for the winter.

Super filled with honey.

Taking the honey supers back to the house to be extracted.

2011-09-24T15:42:00.000-07:00

Frames filled with honey.

Cutting off the caps so the honey can be spun out in the extractor.

Pure Honeycomb.

Cutting it out.

Yumm!!

2011-09-24T15:35:00.000-07:00

Putting the comb into the extractor.

Spinning out the honey.

Comb honey...

2011-09-24T11:47:00.000-07:00

Hungry little bears!!

Chewing on the honeycomb...very yummy!

Good Old Country Fun!!

2011-09-20T18:07:00.000-07:00

Redneck Wagon Ride Video

2011-09-20T18:04:00.000-07:00

Someone Turned Three!!

2011-09-16T07:29:00.001-07:00

Umm no not Chris...but she was up bright and early to help with the morning chores.

There she is opening presents!!

2011-09-16T07:23:00.000-07:00

Not sure what Addy loved more her presents or all the attention!

2011-09-16T07:19:00.000-07:00

Chickens having their own party with the corn husks.

Cake time!!

2011-09-16T07:06:00.000-07:00

Nanny helping out on the farm.

Miss Katie

Daisy getting some love.

Me at 28 weeks along.

Daisy

2011-09-12T13:56:00.000-07:00

So the other day Kent and I were joking around and saying all we need now is a dairy cow. Well what do ya know a couple months later Daisy our new addition showed up. She is a sweet cow that gives us our fill of sweet, fresh milk!

Who me?!

I'm learning to do a few things with the cream and milk. Made butter this morning and yogurt the other day. Also buttermilk, sour cream and next up cream cheese.

2011-09-12T13:45:00.000-07:00

"Take a picture of me daddy."

"O.k. my turn!"

2011-09-12T13:41:00.000-07:00

Getting ready to milk Daisy.

Axel brushing her off.

Days worth of Garden Produce

2011-09-12T13:26:00.000-07:00

We have put a lot of work into the garden here and there but as of right now I would probably have to point out exactly where it was because it has been taken over by weeds. Looking forward to improving it next year. Made some yummy tomato sauce with these and others I collected during the week. Also some sun-dried tomatoes with the cherry tomatoes. Sent the cucumbers over to Lois to make pickles. Oh and of course scrambled up those eggs for a yummy breakfast.

Minnesota State Fair

2011-09-12T13:20:00.000-07:00

We found it quite interesting the way commercial pigs are farrowed to the way we farrow our pasture raised pigs. I would have to say the life of a pasture raised pigs seems much more pleasant!

As always there was a swarm of people everywhere you looked.

Fun at Papa and Nanny's

2011-09-12T13:17:00.001-07:00

Rounding Up Some Piggies

2011-09-12T13:10:00.000-07:00

Tiff came to visit!!

2011-09-12T10:33:00.000-07:00

Tiff let Addy take some pictures with her camera. Addy thought he was really something...the camera was a little heavy though and she had no idea what she was doing. She would hold the camera up to her cheek, close both her eyes and click away.

2011-09-12T10:26:00.000-07:00

"No Gavin!! That's not the way you hold the cat," Addy says quite concerned.

"You need to be gentle."

Our little plumber.

Pork Chop Dinner

2011-09-11T16:10:00.000-07:00

Pasture raised pork on the left, store bought on the right.

Dig in!

Just Too Cute!!

2011-08-08T18:04:00.000-07:00

Nap Time in the bunny hutch.

Somebody found a blue sucker.

2011-08-08T17:55:00.000-07:00

Kept asking Gavin to show us his tongue and he just won't do it.

Axel and Addy were more then willing though and kept running up to me and saying, "mommy take a picture of my tongue!"

Mama Hen and Her Chicks

2011-08-05T07:03:00.000-07:00

Cute little fluff butts.

On guard.

Looking for worms.

Mama found one...come and eat. If you click on the picture it should enlarge and you can see the worm she is feeding her chicks.

Baby Bunnies

2011-08-05T07:00:00.000-07:00

Our cat checkin' out the bunnies.

Addy loves her babies...not sure if the feeling is always mutual.

2011-08-05T06:58:00.000-07:00

Our silver Fox babies about a 8 days old.

Great Grandpa and Grandma Come for a Visit

2011-08-05T06:50:00.000-07:00

There's our little trouble maker.

2011-08-05T06:47:00.000-07:00

Addy with her goofy smile.

Grandpa snuggling one of the baby bunnies.

Grandma telling Gavin goodbye.

Saying our goodbyes. Also my baby bump at 24 weeks.

The Kids With their Great Grandparents

2011-08-05T06:24:00.000-07:00

Trying to get a decent picture is always fun with this bunch:)

2011-08-05T06:22:00.000-07:00

Gavin is wondering if we're done yet.

Ok maybe one more is alright.

Time to bolt....enough is enough!

County Fair

2011-08-04T11:21:00.000-07:00

Watching the Pork Chop Derby! Little piglets race to get the marshmallow at the end. Oh yeah Becca's piglet won. Lucky girl.

Axel enjoying his time at the fair....watching the Tractor Pull.

Fun Family Time At the Lake!!

2011-07-12T19:26:00.000-07:00

Mike and his daughters.

Mike and his sons...Addy insisted on being in on this one with her daddy.

Happy little family!!

Daddy and his boys!

Family photo's

2011-07-12T19:19:00.000-07:00

2011-07-12T19:15:00.000-07:00

Little Anni

Playing with the little fish daddy caught him.

Gavin wouldn't sit anywhere except daddy's lap.

2011-07-12T19:09:00.000-07:00

Family photo.

Trying to get a cousin photo. Didn't go so well.

S'mores!!

2011-07-12T19:02:00.000-07:00

2011-07-12T18:56:00.000-07:00

Daddy goofing off.

The kids loved fishing.

2011-07-12T18:44:00.000-07:00

Gavin wasn't so sure about the whole boat thing.

Axel got a turn...he was ok if we were going at a snail pace.

After awhile he got used to it though. There's our driver Uncle Lane in the background.

Nanny and Axel watching daddy goof off.

Hmm I Think That Crib May Be a Bit Small Gavin?!

2011-07-05T13:34:00.000-07:00

2011-07-05T13:26:00.000-07:00

Addy loves chatting on the phone.

Swinging with her cousin.

Gavin getting a little cuddle time in with his Auntie.

Crazy cowboy!!

Asking for Breakfast

2011-07-05T13:23:00.000-07:00

Eating is Serious Business for This Guy

2011-07-05T13:20:00.000-07:00

Cutting Hay

2011-07-05T13:09:00.000-07:00

Someones excited to go watch them cut hay.

A look at how tall the grass is.

Strawberries

2011-07-05T12:56:00.000-07:00

Yumm!!

Our First Honey Harvest

2011-06-27T19:57:00.000-07:00

We scrape the comb out then crushed it up a little so the all the honey could leak out.

From this one frame we ended up with a little over 1 1/2 quarts of honey. Very very yummy!!

Pool Time!!

2011-06-27T19:48:00.000-07:00

We're Going to The Zoo

2011-06-27T19:35:00.000-07:00

Here's baby with his mommy and daddy.

Gavin informing everyone where the monkey's are.

Look who we found!!

Kitties

2011-06-27T19:15:00.000-07:00

The kids love the kittens.

They also loved having a friend over. Showing off all their animals and toys.

Somebody found Daddy's boots.

Addy's Latest Art Project

2011-06-15T08:13:00.000-07:00

Our poor pooch became the canvas for our daughter's artistic abilities.

Our other set of piglets.

Our little bunnies. They have grown so much since I've taken these last pictures. Can't believe how fast they grow. The kids have a hard time picking them up now because they have gotten so strong.

The Case of the Messy Pants

2011-05-27T12:31:00.000-07:00

I was in our shed cleaning out the chicken brooder(we have 50 meat chicks...very messy). I peek my head out to see how the kids are doing and see little Addy had stripped down to nothing. I asked her what she was doing? She replied causally, "I pooped." Sure enough she had quite the messy back-end. I told her to wait outside until I got the wipes and a clean diaper. While doing this I could hear her yelling at the dog,

"No puppy, stop lickin' my butt!"

"No lickin' my butt!"

Talk about disgusting!!

Mud and More Mud

2011-05-27T09:29:00.000-07:00

First let me just say that these pregnancy hormones are getting the best of me. How is that your kids just seem to know when your patience is lacking and test it every second? Well the beginning of this week I decided to buckle down and do laundry. I had maybe 5 loads to get through and wanted them all done by the end of the day. The kids were playing outside. I heard Gavin crying so went to check. Axel and Addy had made the long hike across the field to a food plot that Kent had plowed up and left Gavin behind. I didn't think much of it and went to check on the animals. Next thing I know Axel is back and Addy is screaming bloody murder. She is still out in the field. Axel and I head out to get her leaving Gavin crying/ screaming because once again he is left behind. We finally make it to Addy whose feet are stuck and had been knocked down by our dog. She was covered head to toe in mud. I had to take my shoes off to get to her because I too kept getting stuck. We made it back to the house and immediately through all my screaming kids into the tub. What did I get out of the deal...oh yeah another load of laundry. Then lunch and I sent them back out without clothes on and told them to not go near any mud. Wasn't long and Gavin comes screaming to the door. He has mud in his hair, and all down his back. Then around the corner comes Axel looking oh so innocent with hands covered in mud. That was it I'd had enough it was nap time.

After another bath and a fight to get everyone calmed down for naps...there was PEACE.

That evening the kids got a hold of some permanent markers and did a little art work on the walls, couch, and themselves...just in case I didn't have enough to clean up.

Babies

2011-05-25T07:59:00.000-07:00

Where's the baby bunnies?

Good little momma rabbit.

There they are...buried under a mound of fur! We haven't counted them yet as they are just days old and we don't want to disturb them too much. There is at least 5 little ones in there though.

Our little meat chicks. We have 50 total. We have lost one so far.

Their brooder in the shed.

We got some kittens yesterday. Two little boys. Addy is loving them as much as she can and Axel has become their little protector. They carry them around everywhere.

Here's our piglets at 10 days old. Already digging around in the dirt and trying to eat grass like their mommy.

Happy Momma!

Addy with the Piglets

2011-05-13T14:42:00.000-07:00

The Piglets Are Here

2011-05-13T14:18:00.000-07:00

Cute little fuzz balls.

Time to eat!

Mama and her babies

Another New Addition!

2011-05-11T14:01:00.000-07:00

Our new Puppy. Name still pending he answers to Puppy right now. Anyone got a good one?

Our little farmer.

Look who surprised us and came to help out on the farm!!

We put him right to work.

Flowers are starting to bloom.

Addy giving Renee a pat the night before she had her babies. More pictures of that to come.

Where the chickens take up residence.

Catch Up Post

2011-05-06T17:45:00.001-07:00

A homesteading kiddy pool.

I had just finished helping Axel get dressed after stripping down outside because his clothes got wet, to look out and see Addy stripping because her clothes got wet. This whole muddy country thing is going to take some getting used to:) The kids are going though way too many outfits.

Papa Mike taking our new tractor for a spin.

Axel's 4th birthday

2011-04-20T01:50:00.000-07:00

Fun Jeep to drive.

4x4 chocolate cake for a sweet boy.

Enjoying present time.

Life on the Little Farm

2011-04-13T12:19:00.000-07:00

Handsome little fella minus the snot:)

Getting all suited up to go put the bees in their new home.

Their they are!! More pictures to come.

Our little chicks are growing. Looks like one is going to be a rooster. We were suppose to have all ladies.

Papa got the kids a new swing set.

Umm...is that for me?!

Building the hog shelter

King of the wheelbarrow.

What you lookin' at?!

2011-04-06T14:07:00.000-07:00

Case of the Missing Pants

2011-03-30T12:13:00.000-07:00

After playing outside for awhile I go to check on the kids and find this. I yell "Axel where are your pants!" He casually replies, "they got dirty so I took them off."

Our Little Garbage Disposal

2011-03-30T11:48:00.000-07:00

Your not going to finish that, no worries, give it to Gavin:)

Good Morning!!

2011-03-28T09:10:00.000-07:00

With the cold weather Rupert and Renae snuggle up to each other and bury themselves in the hay at night to stay warm. This is what they look like in the morning, ready for their breakfast!

Rupert and Renae

2011-03-28T08:32:00.000-07:00

Here they are, our two surprise additions. Red Wattle Pigs. This is Rupert the boar in front and Renae snoozing in the back. She is scheduled to have piglets sometime in May.

The End.

Captain Underpants!

2011-03-26T17:00:00.000-07:00

The week-end Tiff left us. Was fun to go and spend one last week-end together before she headed out.

Addy and "her" Chicken

2011-03-26T10:37:00.000-07:00

Our chicks

2011-03-26T08:52:00.000-07:00

Maybe!?

2011-03-26T08:41:00.000-07:00

Maybe I should change the name of this blog to Homesteading Momma. We're growing and growing fast. We went from a city lot in a housing development to 50 acres out in the middle of nowhere.

We now have a cozy country home and went from owning our humble little pooch Chloe to getting a few additions.

We have 13 chirping little chicks,keep in our chest freezer right now.

2011-03-26T08:40:00.000-07:00

"Mom don't take a picture of me take one of the chicks!"

2011-03-26T08:38:00.000-07:00

Then we have two male rabbits, soon to be a happy five when the females arrive, a bee hive scheduled to arrive sometime in April and two surprise additions coming today.

Our biggest chick above vs. our smallest chick below.

Not sure what exactly we're doing but we sure are jumping right into this country thing and loving it!

What a little boy packs

2011-02-22T18:00:00.000-08:00

Axel and Bowden Helping

2011-02-22T07:43:00.000-08:00

Axel and Bowden were a big help cleaning up. They filled this sled and pushed it over the where the guys could load it into the fire a number of times. They did so well playing and working together the whole week-end. Was fun to see.

Jerry and Leanne's Visit

2011-02-22T07:20:00.000-08:00

Addy playing mommy.

Made a Chocolate mint swirl Cheesecake...yum!!

Aleta was so tuckered out she fell asleep sitting up.

2011-02-22T07:02:00.000-08:00

Taking the kiddos out for a walk.

Oh...and Chloe.

Benjamin was a trooper he wanted to pull Gavin the whole time. Yes that is Gavin all bundled up in pink. Sorry Gavin!

2011-02-22T06:53:00.000-08:00

Getting a little fresh air on a beautiful Saturday.

Jerry and Leanne brought their tractor up and the guys got lots cleaned up.

Our little Monkey

2011-02-11T18:15:00.000-08:00

I was minding my own business...when I turned around to find this. He'd climbed up there all by himself and thought he had really accomplished something. He was yelling and laughing...he was king of the hill or step ladder in this case!

Daddy Time

2011-02-11T18:06:00.000-08:00

Kent pulled the kids all around our property. They loved it!

Quick Family Photo before meeting

2011-02-09T16:36:00.000-08:00

The End

Sunset Looking out my Kitchen Window

2011-02-02T06:08:00.000-08:00

Gavin playing with Riley

2011-01-31T11:23:00.000-08:00

Chad and Anna's visit

2011-01-31T11:16:00.000-08:00

Gavin loved Riley

Chloe...not so much!

The little lap puppy

First Haircut

2011-01-27T12:53:00.000-08:00

My little baby turned.....

...into a little Man!!!

Impossible to get a decent picture of these three....entertaining though.

Little Chloe got Clipped

2011-01-27T12:16:00.000-08:00

She's loving as you can see. She was started to look like a homeless dog though so it had to be done. Thanks Becca!!

Both boys wore this sweater that now has been handed down to Chloe.

Random Pictures from Today

2011-01-22T17:29:00.000-08:00

Tiff helped the kids put up jungle stickers all over their room. They love it. They put their noise making on jungle-ish noises and go crazy.

Papa working hard to get the shelves done.

Our lovely closet's. My dad has been putting in extra shelving in all the closets. I love love love it!!

The weather we're getting used to...-21. Good days for baking and eating lots!!

Kids helping daddy get the stove ready to put in.

Who want's a Cinnamon Roll?!

2011-01-22T15:11:00.000-08:00

Before and After of the Kitchen

2011-01-22T14:27:00.000-08:00

Before

After
Our new old cupboards.
Whats under the cupboards. It's textured wallpaper that we painted.

This kitchen made possible by Tiffany!!

The Progress

2011-01-20T13:00:00.000-08:00

Kitchen is coming along. Above Tiffany is caulking.

Getting all settled in...unpacked all our kitchen boxes. Next up putting all the doors back on. More pictures to come.

The kiddo's room.

Bathroom is coming along. Above new flooring is in and toilet is back in place. Below tub is in and I believe most of the plumbing is done. It's almost ready for me to take a hot steamy bath...can't wait!

Gavin's 1st Birthday

2011-01-02T14:46:00.000-08:00

Ouch don't touch the candle!

Playing with it...not sure yet what to do.

Oh yeah this is good!

Oh so good!!

Present time. Axel and Addy were very helpful. SO helpful that Gavin really never got a chance to open any of his own presents.

Checking out his presents.

I think Axel thought it was his birthday...he was more excited then Gavin!

Our New Home

2011-01-01T16:43:00.000-08:00

Here are some before and after pictures of the progress so far.

Below is the kitchen. Nothing really been done yet except for some major cleaning and removal of wall paper. Will post after pictures when something gets done.

My parents had the kids so Tiff and I gutted the basement. We took out the dry wall, paneling insulation and ceiling tiles. There is still some work to do but it's getting better.

After (above)

Our Before picture of the basement. Yes there is a toilet in the middle of the basement.

After...this will be Gavin's room/ guest room.

Before of the above room.

After of Axel and Addy's room.

Kind of before. The carpet was actually a dark blue in this room and the trim and windows were dark brown.

After of Living Room

Before of the Living Room

After of the bathroom. We have gutted the bathroom and peeled off all the wall paper. So the bathroom is a work in progress right now.

Before of part of the bathroom.