The Pumpkin Patch

Yesterday, after getting Jared's stitches out, I took the boys over to the little pumpkin patch in town. We were in need of pumpkins since we only got three pumpkins from our garden this year. (Our other pumpkin plant turned out to be an acorn squash.) Plus what's October without a trip to the pumpkin patch! ha! The boys had a blast playing on the old tractors and running on the bales of hay. We even got to see what a little Kuykendall girl would look like!

Chicken Noodle Soup

I know this is cheesy, but today I made chicken noodle soup. I love to cook and bake, but I had never made my own chicken stock before - and I decided it was time to try it. While I rinsed the chickens all I could think about was the pioneer women starting with live chickens. Being able to flap the wings around on an already clean chicken is disconcerting enough. I was proud of myself just for doing this. BJ said maybe when we get our chickens we can use a live one too. Ha! Anyway, the soup tasted great, thanks to my mother-in-law's advice and recipe. And it will be a real time saver having cooked chicken in the freezer.

Happy Birthday BJ

Today is my hubby's 33rd birthday! I can hardly believe it. I still clearly remember the 19 year old BJ I fell in love with. And now he is 33. I am more in love with him today than ever. BJ is a man who loves the Lord, loves his family, and is so passionate about life. I thought you might like this picture of him with our goat, Snoofy. Yesterday we met BJ's parents in Longview to celebrate his day over lunch. We had a great time with beautiful weather.



John was showing me the different settings on my camera.

Justin is doing a trick with daddy. This doesn't make me nervous anymore. :)

Noah Steven Wohld

Wednesday night I was able make it up to the hospital to visit the Wohld's newest addition. Baby Noah is very sweet.

"Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord..."

Psalm 127:3a

We were so thankful that everything went smoothly and to hear the news that Noah does not have galactosemia.

Aloha!

Throughout today's mix of normal routine tasks and the unexpected, my thoughts keep drifting to my brother-in-law and his wife. They are flying to Hawaii right now...... BJ woke up Monday morning with strep throat and today he is finally starting to feel a little better. This was a hard week for him to be sick because of a major jr. high all-nighter on Friday and Catalyst tonight. He will have a ton of catching up to do in the next couple of days. So, our week has been a little out of sorts without his help. Then this morning Jared fell out of his seat while doing school and bonked his chin. I didn't really look at it because he never complains about pain too much. After I noticed the bleeding would not stop, I sent him to show BJ who thought he needed a stitch. I had to cut J.R.'s physical therapy a little short and we were off to the pediatrician's office. The boys and I waited for quite a while in the office, then they put numbing stuff on his chin and told us we had a half an hour to grab some lunch and return for the stitches. (It was a lot of in and out of the van with four boys!) During our wait for the stitches, BJ called and said the Wohlds just had their baby! (I love new babies!) I am so happy for them and sure hope I can squeeze in a visit while they are still in the hospital. Anyway, Jared was brave during his stitches, the boys were great at the doctor's, and now we are home. Oh to be in Hawaii, laying on the beach next to a healthy BJ with the sun beating down and my four calm boys sweetly building sand castles next to me! I hope Joey and Alison have a wonderful time - and I really hope they bring me home some chocolate covered macadamia nuts!

Fort Nisqually

On Saturday we decided to go on a family field trip to Fort Nisqually in Tacoma. We had such a good time and the weather was great. Fort Nisqually, a fur trading outpost, was built by the Hudson Bay Company in 1833. The boys loved seeing the blacksmith make a few hooks and were fascinated by the unused privies! They also had a blast climbing up the lookout tower. BJ and I love this kind of stuff so we had as much fun as the kids! :)

Doesn't Jesse look like a natural? Maybe he should do more than just sort the laundry for me!

This is our "Little House on the Prairie" shot.

I can't imagine life without indoor plumbing! People were so tough back in the day. I know we have it easy.

The boys enjoyed a game of checkers while Daddy got into a long conversation with the shopkeeper!

Easy to Please

Today I bought Jared and Jesse each a set of long underwear. Boy, were they excited! I love that it doesn't take much for them to think I am the greatest!

Jesse is doing his Popeye face in this picture. BJ had been wondering why he closes one eye for photos! Jesse really likes Popeye. He even eats raw spinach - and believes in the stuff. Before arm wrestling a friend one day, he ran to our garden and ate a big handful. He won.

Just thought I would add this shot of J.R. He ate his whole dinner tonight!

The Kitchen

For those of you that have seen our kitchen's remodel over the years, I thought you might like to see the progress. BJ pulled a couple of late nights to get the laminate flooring in the kitchen- and it looks great. He still has the mudroom and trim to do, but I am thrilled! BJ has learned so much working on all the projects our home had for him. He has done a great job. :)

On a happier note.....

My older boys had their third lesson yesterday. It is so cute to see them sit up straight and play a little song for me. They now know the first half of "Mary had a little lamb" and "Carrot on the cabbage." (Jared told me that name so I don't know how accurate it is!) Annie is doing such a great job teaching them. She is part of an amazing family. I added their site as a link.

Jesse is really into money. The kid finds change everywhere we go! Just the other day at Wal-mart he found 32 cents. Every now and then I will find a penny, but Jesse finds change on the ground all the time. He is always on the hunt. Many clerks have asked me if my son has lost something because he is looking around so intently. Anyway, all that to say that when I told my son that someday he might make money using his musical talents he got really excited. I think he thinks that after a few more lessons he will be ready to play at weddings. :) Anyone recently engaged? :)

A funny story- One family shopping trip to Wal-mart, I looked back to find Jesse, Jared, and BJ all down looking under the aisle for .... change! I cried "no, not my husband too!" It is bad enough to have to constantly remind my boys to get off the floor. :)

One of those days.....

It has been a rough day. BJ was out of town all day, my boys were under the weather, picking on each other, dawdling on schoolwork, whining, etc! Why do we have these days? Sometimes I feel like giving up, but BJ lovingly reminds me to hang in there and hold on to the vision God has given us for our family.

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1

Praise God that tomorrow is a new day - and Friday!
After a movie for the boys, baking cookie bars for me, Daddy returning home, and bedtime, life seems better already! :)

Justin is Three!

Today is my Justin's 3rd birthday. I can hardly believe he is three. Justin is such a joy to raise and I am so thankful God has blessed our family with him. He was our easiest baby by far.- BJ and I joke that if he would have been our first child, we would have been such arrogant parents! Justin has these big brown eyes and a high little voice, especially compared to his brothers' voices. Here is a list of the top five things you might catch him doing:
1- Eating sweets (hopefully with permission :) )

2- Picking berries in our garden (he picks all the strawberries - even the green ones!)

3- Rubbing J.R.'s hair ( he won't leave his brother's head alone)

4-Singing a little song

5- Helping mommy ( every time I am baking I can count on Justin to pull up a chair and tell me he wants to help. Which really means he wants a lick:) )

Happy Birthday Justin! We love you!

Weather Update

It's raining!

Visit to Mama and Papa's

Last Saturday we decided to visit BJ's parents in Gresham. It is nice to shop at stores in a "big city" and it is always nice to spend time with my in-laws.

Sally bought this cool horse tire swing for the kids.
John with John. :)

Beautiful Weather

BJ has been loving our weather! As I am picking tomatoes in the sunshine (with no rain!), I can't believe it is already October. My husband thinks I am crazy, but I actually enjoy chilly, rainy days - all cozy inside, drinking hot cocoa with the boys around the table. (However, having four boys, I do miss letting them play outside as often!) I am sure the rain and cold will be here before I know it!