It was my husband's birthday this past Monday and one of his gifts was a CD featuring 1950's Country Music. We were playing that night and Colton just danced up a storm. Now whenever my husband gets home he wants Dad to PLEASE play that music again! I caught them dancing one night while waiting for supper!

It's A ....

Ok so actually I found out last week what I was having, but am just getting around to posting! As you can see from the very first picture it's quite obvious...we're having a boy! And we have NO idea what we will name him, because we do not agree on ANY names! So if you have any suggestions please let me know! Enjoy the pictures of baby boysen!

Halloween and Fall Pictures

So I am finally getting around to posting some Halloween pictures, better late then never I guess! The first couple are of the 4-wheeler that has made its home at our place. I give you my mother and my son taking it for a spin!

Dad and son getting reading for a ride (did I mention that Colton absolutely loves these rides!).

Now Halloween....Colton was not into it at all. We went to like 5 houses and then he was like take me home this is crazyness! But we managed to get a few cute pictures of our little monster! Here he is with Old Lala aka his great-grandma.

Here he is with my mom and it looks like that is my dad in the background still eating supper. Do you like the cowboy boots with the costume? Yeah we would have no part of wearing tennis shoes.

And a big smile! This was of course taken before we went out trick-or-treating!

Happy Friday everybody!

Kristin

An Afternoon Trip to the Pumpkin Patch!

I woke Colton up early yesterday to travel to the pumpkin patch as it looked like it would be the only nice day to go this year. It was 65, but cool in the wind. I took my Mom with and we had a good time! Here are some pictures to share with you! This first one is of Colton playing in the little playground area they have...he didn't want to leave this area! He kept saying, "Mom, I'll make you some supper ok?"

Here are the pumpkins me and Colton picked out!

Inside the corn maze! Colton and Grandma would run around the curves, hide, and then "scare" me! We got this one shot of us together (too bad we both can't be looking at the camera! Oh well nothing is ever perfect!)

Colton on the hayrack ride! I love this picture!

As for a baby update! I am now 17 weeks, and I think we are doing just darn right well! The morning sickness for the most part has subsided, the carsick well that still lingers! My last OB Appt went well and everything looked fine, and my next one is a week from today! It seems like those last 8 weeks flew by even though I thought they never would!

Kristin

A Dancing Fool!

A week or so ago we traveled to my cousin's wedding. Colton was all exciting to go dancing and in fact thought we should just skip the church wedding part and go straight to dancing! And let's not even talk about the bride and groom having a dance all to themselves are father/daughter dance?! We were in tears we had to get off of the dance floor for a couple of minutes. By 9 my husband had to carry him off of the dance floor crying because he wanted to stay longer. At least he had fun. Here are a few photos of the fun! Dancing with Grandma.


Dancing with Aunt Kayla!

Playing with a straw at the reception!

Kristin

To Catch up!

Here are a few pictures for everyone to catch up on what has been going on in our little families lives the last umm month or so! The first picture is from my bestie's wedding. It's not the best picture but you get the idea (luv her!)

The second is at the State Fair. Okay this is also a lousy photo, but it was a funny moment. Colton thought it would be fun to run in this water, until he got close and then it was good enough to just stick his arm in the water. Thus me not having enough time to take a good picture of the event, because it happened much faster than it was supposed to. I got one other photo taken at the fair and it is sadly not any better, but what do expect when I spent the day pushing a stroller around whether it had a little boy in it or not!

Ok this also not a great photo but it captures a pretty big moment for our little one. While I was away at my BF's bachelorette party I made a stop by the Once Upon a Child (looking for a new stroller) and found these adorable cowboy boots for him. He loves them! Mostly because they are just like Dad's but because their pretty awesome too!

This is Colton at the Albert City Threshermen's Festival. I am not sure what he is looking at but apparently it is way cool!

There you have it our August of highlights! For those looking for a baby update...I had a regularly scheduled OB appt on Monday the 24th. The dr. was able to hear the baby's heartbeat right away and everything looks fine, and my progesterone levels are coming up! Yeah! So we're keeping the faith here and counting the days and weeks!

Kristin

A Reluctant but Happy Post!

There have been several posts that I have thought about posting lately, you know just the normal things that we have been up to. We traveled to the State Fair last week for the first time, and last weekend my best friend got married and I was honored to be a bridesmaid in her wedding. But I thought I might as well post about what is actually on my mind. We have had some major scares this week. I went and saw the doctor Mon. because somethings were a little off. I was sent up for some blood work and an ultrasound. The ultrasound turned out looking great, the baby looked fine and the heart was beating all that good stuff. The blood work was another story. It turns out my progesterone is very low. When I went back to visit the doc on Wens. I was put on progesterone and they took my blood again, which is when they found out that my HCG levels had decreased, which is not a good thing. I was told to repeat the blood today (Friday). I had my blood drawn first thing this morning and the results were not exactly what I wanted to hear, the HCG had decreased again, but not to the extent it had the first time. I talked with the doc and had an ultrasound done right away this morning. To mine and the xray techs (who is also a co-worker) relief everything looked fine. The baby had grown since Monday and you could now see some little arm and leg "buds". So to finish my long drawn out story the doc says that my HCG levels are just leveling out and to continue doing what I am doing! I was reluctant to share this on my blog, but quite a few family members read it, and to be honest to have a few more prayers would not hurt. I need to make it to 15 weeks ( I am 9 weeks and 5 days today), at that point the baby will produce the progesterone it self. So please say a prayer for me and the baby and here are a couple of pictures that were taken this morning.

I know that it doesn't look like much, but after this week a heartbeat on that screen never looked so good! Have a great weekend.

Kristin

A lifetime Ago

So it feels like a lifetime since I have actually sat down and wrote a blog post, but here is a little of what we have been up to. I have more pictures to post soon, and we will be busy in the next week so more and more pictures! These first pictures are from our families first tractor ride. We woke up early one morning during the fair and along with 33 other tractors toured the county a little bit. It was a cold but fun ride. This first picture is of Nathan and Colton driving the tractor.

Colton laughing, I honestly don't remember what was so funny but it must have been!

This was what we rode on, I actually didn't ever get a picture of the whole tractor..I know how silly of me! But you can see that for most of the trip Colton and I rode on the back seat and Nathan drove. This actually wasn't one of our own (many) tractors but it belonged to Nathan's boss. (He works nights fixing tractors)

These last pictures are from the day we finished siding our house (well the East side). My twin nephews came to visit and I was able to grab a picture of the three cousins (something that never seems possible). Well known of them are smiling but you take what you can get!

This shot was taken by Nathan! He told Colton to smile and this was the face he got! Classic!

Anyways on to the baby news as you can see we are due April 3rd, although that might change when I have my first OB appt. on the 31st. The question of the day seems to be "How are you feeling". Well people just shouldn't ask, because they never like my response of "horrible", but people I am not a good liar! Anyways this too shall pass and one day I will wake up and no longer feel ill every waking hour and can just enjoy be pregnant. Anyways more to come with pictures from our adventure to Albert City Threshermen's Festival!

Kristin

Something New

I just added something new to my blog. If you look around a little bit over to the right you will see it, and then you'll know my exciting news! More details to come!
Kristin

DIY Home Improvement Time!

So I came home from a Bridal Shower Sat. evening to find a new window in my living room and new siding on the house. We have been working on the East side of our house all summer, but I was surprised when there was progress made while I was gone. Well we continued working all weekend with the help of Nathan's mom and Dad and brother we got both of our new big windows put in and quite a bit of siding done as well. We just keep plugging away at it, but boy what a difference it makes. Once you see the color of my house before you will understand! The first pictures are from Colton getting his hair cut. Us "ground crew" ladies took some time out to cut his hair, well mostly my MIL did, but "assisted"! He thought it was so FUN to sit on the saw horse to get his hair cut!

This picture was taken before the second window was out and they were still tearing things apart, but you can see how ugly that green paint is? It is actually much worse in person!

This is the after picture from the bottom picture window they just put in, gorgeous!

I am posting this for A Soft Place To Land's DIY day! Go here to visit!

Kristin

Vacation

Vacation has come and gone. This was Colton's very first vacation and the first one for me in a long time. Colton and I tagged along with my parents for a vacation in the Black Hills. We had an amazing time, although we missed our dad/husband! We stayed right across the street from the Flinstone Park, and the first night there Colton was sure the "monsters" (huge cement Dino) was going to get him. We did a lot while we were there.....Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, 1880's Train Ride, Bear Country, Storybook Island, Alpine Slide, Horse Back Riding, Flinstone's Park, and of course swimming. I was amazed at how well Colton handled the 8 hour drive, but he did not ask once either way if he could get out of his car seat. He loved everything we did, and was WAY upset when he wasn't old enough to go horse back riding or we didn't let him go down the alpine slide. But enough of me writing let's look at pictures! The first is of the the two of us eating homemade ice cream at Wall Drug, in Wall, SD. (It was great to have my mom along to talk to some pictures of the two of us, usually its me taking all the pictures.) MMM mint chip my favorite!

This is Colton "rock climbing"! He kept saying, "Get Dad's Ladder!" This was in Custer State Park.

My Dad and Colton looking at "Guys on Rock" (aka Mount Rushmore).

Colton and I on the 1880's train eating our second box of popcorn, one for each way (I guess).

Colton and I at the Badlands on the way home. Colton kept saying, "WOW!"

Happy 4th!

Kristin

To the Park!

Last night with Nathan going to his second job at night I thought Colton and I should have some fun on our own! I had intended to take him to the park on my day off Monday, but of course it was rainy and cold, so we went last night. And boy did we have a good time for an hour and a half. Grandpa even joined us for a few minutes when he got off work and before he went home from supper as his place of employement is right next to the city park! So here are a few picture highlights from our recent adventure! The first is of Colton saying Mom really pictures again!

This is Colton going down the "BIG" slide or whee as Colton would say. You don't think he enjoys it do you? He only went down it 2 million times!

This is a picture of Colton climbing up a ladder "thingy" to get to that "BIG" slide! He thought I was absolutely silly for "hidding" behind the ladder. (Don't tell him but it was actually to get a really cute picture, and it worked!)

So there you have it a night of fun at the park. We topped it off with a trip to the local gas station for a "cold pop" (juice) and some twizzlers nibs! Gotta love me some summer!

Kristin

Iowa Annual Conference

I have returned back from the Iowa Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church! I left last Thursday and was back Sunday afternoon. It was 4 days of voting, debating, worshipping, and meeting up with friends I only get to see once a year.

Perhaps I should explain a little about why I get to go? Each Methodist pastor in Iowa "gets" (has) to go to annual conference, then each church elects a delegate to go from their church. As you might imagine there are some church's that have more than one pastor and some pastors in positions besides serving a church well to make the total number of clergy and lay equal the districts (there are 8 in Iowa) elect what are called equalization members. I have gone the last two years as an equalization member, and I have to tell you it is a very eye opening experience as to how our church is set up and run!

I didn't take a lot of pictures but I did take a few that I wanted to share with you as well as one awesome video! This video was taken at the opening worship and it is the African's Children's Choir! They are the cutest and most spirited young kids I have ever seen, by far the highlight of all of the worship times we took part in while we were there! The above picture was taken from my seat at conference, and as you can see we were pretty close to the stage this year. The stage is where our Bishop (Bishop Trimble) sits with his people and they run the whole thing. So you can get an idea of how big of an event this is there are around 1200 people from across the state that attend annual conference each year. Well that's a pretty good summary (I think!), but if anyone out there in the blog world has any questions please feel free to leave that in the comments section, or if you attend annual conference let me know that too!

I Heart Faces, I'M BACK!!!

I didn't a lot of great pictures this year at Colton's birthday, because well I was too into the unwrapping and the eating and being a hostess to actually remember to get some good shots. But this one makes me laugh. Partially because Colton is being SO inpatient about getting his toy out of the box, and partially because the person he wanted to open the toy was in a cast up to his elbow and was having a heck of a time opening it. Funny moment! Oh and by the way that's my husband's cousin who is opening the gift for Colton and just happens to be one of Colton's very favorite people! So this is my entry for this week's I heart faces contest, their theme being birthdays! So go and visit all of the other lovely birthday faces this week!

Lewa's Designs

I love reading A Soft Place to Land and today Kimba has the best deal ever! She tells about her new sponsor Lewa's Designs, and of course there is an amazing giveaway! This amazing dandelion vinyl art that is 5' tall! Crazy cool...I love me some vinyl art!

This is a really cool store so please go visit and please visit A Soft Place To Land as well!

Outdoor Makeover!

What a busy holiday weekend we have had here! We were prepared for it to rain the entire weekend, but actually I don't think it rained a drop! We were pleasantly surprised. We started off the weekend by jumping into an outdoor project I had started a few weeks ago. That was getting my flowers around the house looking nice, getting rid of the awful looking mulch that the dog had sat in all year and that had blown all over the yard. I had 4 ton of rock delivered earlier in the week and so Sat. we sat out to make my flowers look pretty! I must remind you that we are living in a fixer upper if you will, and the ugly greenish paint color of my house will eventually change into a tan siding, but since all of the windows need to be replaced we are only doing one side of the house a year. Of course the side that is done has no flowers for me to show you! Any whoo! This first picture is actually the after picture (I can never guess right the order blogger is going to upload pictures!) I am trying to line my flower beds with vintage looking plates and saucers, of course I ran out. The ones pictured I got on an auction for 2 dollars!

This is the before picture..we leveled the dirt a little bit and put the rock and a fabric barrier down. Oh and pulled the multitudes of trees and weeds that were growing.

Here is another after picture...mostly lilies in this picture!

This is a before picture. You might also notice the sad looking basement door? Well as I speak I mean type the husband is outside creating a brand new door to take the place of this ugly looking thing. In the bed we planted a couple more flowers purchased from Wal-Mart the night before and added the rock!

And after! What a difference a little finishing touch makes! You'll notice the new door on the basement as well...looks good!

Friday night I scavanged at my husband's cousin's house and found this old washer, and I just knew there needed to be some flowers planted in it. So I picked up some wave petunias at Wal-Mart (these are the awesomest flowers!)

And isn't it fantastic in front of my house! It will get even better as the flowers spread out over the entire tub!

Well that's our Saturday, but it sure does feel good to get something accomplished and be that it was something beautiful makes it even better! I hope everyone else had a great holiday weekend as well!

Kristin