Fisher's First Birthday

I can't believe our little guy is one this week! What a year it has been! Fisher was feisty in the womb and not much different once he arrived. The first 4 months of his life was trial and error. He kept us on our toes, especially after 8:00 at night. His naps lasted 40 minutes only and most nights he slept in his swing or his car seat or on the couch with one of us. He broke all my rules I had for babies! Zach and I made a deal one night that we would just fix all of our mistakes later. Well, later came, and he just grew out of it. He is now a great napper and great nighttimer. He does great on a schedule and pretty good off of one. He actually is pretty flexible! He never took a pacifier in the early days, but a month ago, he found one in a toy basket and has been quite smitten with it ever since! Then there is the blanket. The sweet giraffe blanket that I had to have before he was born. The corners are crusty and stinky, but I guess that makes it perfect to him! He makes us laugh constantly and his expressions make you melt!

We are so blessed to have Fisher apart of our family and praise God for His special gift to us. At one year old, he already brings to us so much!

the annual tree hunt, 2009

We actually had alot of snow to play with this year! The moms knew it was going to be a cold day and we thought we would run out and pick trees really fast. Of course the dads had something different in mind! They packed for our normal tree hunt day with quads, sleds and wood for a fire! The kids had a blast, we found perfect trees, again, and made more memories! Fisher spent the day in his favorite place, on our backs, and squealed with joy at his first time in the snow! We realize now that this day every year is not really about the tree, but spending time with a family we love and cherish!

building a house

Even with a kit from costco, building a house isn't as easy at it looks. At least for me, anyway! I love decorating with our friends, especially girls! We divided up fairly different tasks for each child and half the fun for us moms was watching how differently our kids approached it. Kacia, the oldest and very creative put almost every type of candy onto her side. Unfortunately, since I built the foundation, it wasn't quite sturdy enough for all her decorations. She outlined details in frosting, hung the wreath over the door, and made thoughtful designs. Rylin, when not consuming her decorations, had a blast putting whatever on the house she wanted with no real design in mind. She was just so happy to be sandwiched between the big kids and making conversation. She, notedly, was the last one at the table. She is so sweet and I think she wanted the experience to last all day! Sawyer, firstborn boy, had decorated with a precise pattern in mind, using only one kind of candy, and done in 5 minutes. Maybe next year, I'll let Sawyer do the main construction while I chatter on with the girls!

it's beginning to look alot like Christmas

The Christmas Parade with the new RABA bus! Normally we wouldn't care that Redding Area Bus Authority has a new bus, but that is Zach's new expertise...the bus system. Yeah for the new bus and yeah that zach has a job! We are so thankful for employment!Oh yeah, he says he can get passes if anyone is dying to ride the RIDE!

Sawyer's month of bravery

the eye wound
















Boy oh boy, what a doozy of a month for Sawyer! On one particular afternoon, we had our friends over to play. As Jenny and I finally had a minute of uninterrupted time to catch up with each other, we hear screaming from the bedroom. My first reaction was, "that is what he gets for running through the house!" When I go to look at what happened, blood is streaming from his face. I felt horrible as he was actually injured. After about 10 minutes, he was under control and agreed he still wanted to play with the girls. We decided it looked alright and definitely less of a wound compared to the hole he bit in his tongue the last time they were over. When they left, I decided to go to the store for some butterfly bandaids, but Holiday was out. I went next door to my new favorite pharmacy, as I was inquiring about different bandaids, the pharmacist came out and without hesitation told me he needed stitches. I was thinking, "REALLY?" This was not the worst thing I've seen this kid do. I went next door to the local clinic and the Dr. there agreed I needed to go to the emergency room. Again, I was thinking, "REALLY?" How did I miss this obvious need for medical attention. So in Sawyer's little world, he was thinking he was going to the store for more Transformer bandaids and ended up going to the hospital instead. Zach met us there and of course he knows right away it is a stitch worthy wound. It must be a boy thing. We were blessed to have the wound glued shut instead of stitches! Sawyer is amazing! He complained that the glue stung his eyes, but no more tears came from this boy since the initial encounter with the corner of his dresser!

If that wasn't enough for him, this was the month that he was to have his extra tooth removed. Our last few visits to the dentist, I had become aware of his "supernumerary tooth". I really wanted to ignore it, but unfortunately, I know too much about teeth and what could happen if it was left there to do its own thing. The morning of his surgery, he popped out of bed (almost like he was excited, but I'm sure it was nervous energy!) He didn't complain about not getting to eat or drink. He jumped right into the chair and obeyed everything the Dr. told him do. I got to stay with him till he fell asleep, which was really hard for me. I realize staying brave for him makes me a little crazy! When I got see him when it was over, he was so loopy! He cracked me up with his drugged out 5 year old comments. When we got home, he finally cried. I think he was just done being brave...i don't blame him. I was done being brave too! About an hour later, he got off the couch and played the rest of the day.

I am so thankful for his courage. We don't tell him he can't cry, but he likes to be tough. He makes my job so much easier! You Rock Sawyer!!!

Thanksgiving

I realize my blog has been a little outdated for some time now. We are not still sick, but actually quite healthy now! Since the last post we've enjoyed Halloween and Thanksgiving! We were very blessed to have my mom and dad visit us this year(a 2000 mile drive)! They brought along their newest addition, Piper the puppy, that isn't so little anymore. She was so much fun to have, yet I realize I am not ready to do a puppy yet! Fisher and piper share many of the same behaviors, mostly putting things in their mouths that don't belong. Our pictures are a little weak as our sweet photographer Sawyer captured the holiday from his perspective. Cute, but very unflattering in most cases. We had a fun week with lots of walks and a few puzzles and games. Being spoiled by mom and dad is always enjoyable!

It was a funny day as the past 7 years we have spent the holiday here with friends. We didn't realize our untraditional style was becoming such a tradition! We are so thankful for them as I am sure the 2000 mile drive by my parents will not happen every year!

Swine Flu Side Effect

So this is something the news won't cover about H1N1...super swine snuggles! poor Zach and Sawyer got hit last week. They were couch buddies and had alot of quality time together. By the end of the weekend, they were both so couch potatoed out, and started to drive each other crazy, fighting over the remote and who got to play games on the iphone. It was so great they had each other as Fisher and I tried to stay clear as much as possible. This morning was the first morning we all sat on the same couch with the same blanket! It is good to be back with them!

9 months

Well, Fisher is now 10 months old, but here are some pictures from the ninth month! I'm writing this mostly so I can look back and remember this moment in time that seems to be a vapor! He is 19pounds,13ounces, 30 inches long. He cracks us up with all of his expressions and is starting to babble things that make sense, such as, mama, dada, bru(brother), and baba(bottle). He lifts his arms in the air when asked, "how big is Fisher?" He explores every nook and cranny around here with fingers and mouth! He still screams after every nap and in the morning. If I waited till he was a happy cheerful baby(as the books suggest), he would never leave those oak bars! I'm pretty sure that he just doesn't want to miss out on anything! He is happy and rearing to go as soon as he is removed. We have to pin him down to change diapers and clothes. He acts as if he is being truly harmed in some way. He is also challenging some days at the high chair. He has mastered smiling and laughing while keeping his lips tightly sealed. He only has 2 lower teeth, so moving away from pureed baby food isn't in the near future. He is a big flirt with the ladies. Mostly the strange ladies in stores that you really don't want to talk to. We have randomly caught him standing, not holding on to anything, so he will just get faster. He loves to be outdoors, in the stroller, and the backpack. He has enjoyed going to Sawyer's class with me on Tuesdays and interacting with the big kids that affectionately call him "Fisherman". Just this morning, Zach and I were talking about how much we love him when we didn't think it would be possible after Sawyer. I think we comment everyday, "Sawyer never did that..." yes, Sawyer was an easy baby in every way, but easy isn't everything!

Hey, Hey, Goodbye

I will never forget Zach catching chickens all over the yard...too funny!

So Sunday we said goodbye to our feathered friends.(I should say the boys' friends) I would like to think that I'm a pretty good sport about most things. However, my long standing bird phobia showed its true colors when turkey grew to be the size of my own children. He began to chase Sawyer while he drove his car around the yard and gobbling every minute. I convinced myself he was going to attack. I know he sensed my fear and taunted me by just standing near me. It worked! I'm not sure if Zach agreed to get rid of the birds for my sake or for the possible money making oppurtunity. I'm thinking the latter! Who would've guessed he would get countless emails and calls for people wanting to give us money in return for our overgrown monster!

Sometimes I wonder if I will ever fit in this farming community? Last Sunday, we gathered in our little cabin inspired church, Cow Creek Community in Palo Cedro, eatin tri-tip, and listening to bluegrass music. The funny thing is that it almost seemed normal (compared to what we are used to). I was giggling as we drove home and Zach inquired what was so funny and as I told him, he was also surprised that it felt like a normal evening. I don't say this to make fun of our church or anything like that, just to say things are different here. We love that it is different and simple. We love that tri-tip can bring people together and spread such joy!(Tri-tip is a cut of meat that we had not heard of prior to moving here)

With all that said, we are not quite ready to be chicken and turkey farmers! Did you know our turkey's poop was the size of our 80 pound dog? GROSS If and when the day comes we invite birds into our lives again, they will be separated better from the family and not be completely "free range" . We wish them a happy life at their new goat ranch in Janesville!(that sounds like a perfect place for them!)

When God Gives You 110 degrees.....

You do handstands on a tiny grass island in the middle of a swift creek




....you search for higher ground! That is what we did on Saturday. Zach is really great about getting us in the car and headed toward somewhere we can get the craziez out in the outdoors. We are loving being a little closer to Mt. Lassen as it offers cooler temps. We had a picnic by a creek near Manzanita lake and then went to King Creek Falls. We enjoyed it so much and are so thankful to spend the day not cooped up in the house!

He is Ready!

Last night Zach and I had the first time experience of Back to School night. As we sat in those little chairs(not great with a jean skirt), I was a little sad and excited for Sawyer. He now enters the world where one of us isn't there to protect and observe and guide him all day. We now have to entrust him 6 hours a day, 5 days a week, to the care of others. He will now have homework and be accountable to school rules and consequences. He may get his feelings hurt by other kids. He may not be comforted the way he is accustomed. He will have new experiences that we won't be there for.

With all that said, he is ready! He is ready for the challenge, he is ready to make new friends, he is ready to learn all that brain can hold, he is ready to obey new rules, he is ready for structure, he is ready to respect other authority, and he is ready for new experiences!

I love his excitement for all the things he is doing in school! He has not complained, whined, cried, or criticized. He wakes up every day with a good attitude, ready to start the day. He wants to do everything school has to offer, including bus riding, hot lunch, running club and after school daycare. He loves the "rules"! This cracks us up...he really does love rules.

I miss him during the day. Fisher and I love to pick him up from school! Fisher lights up when he sees him. His little legs kick with joy and he flaps his little arm trying to wave. I love sitting with him in the afternoon and hearing all about his day. He still doesn't know anyone's names(a guy thing, I'm sure), but that will come.

If this is just a sample I cant wait to see the rest!

Roller Coaster City

That is what Sawyer has renamed Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo! We ditched Redding for the day and played at Six Flags. Sawyer is now tall enough to go on rides that he has been dreaming about for years. He is no longer content on the kiddie rides and this is the first year we haven't rode on Thomas the Train. Next time we go, we'll probably have to split up so Fisher can experience Thomas. The highlight of the day was the new Tony Hawk roller coaster. I still can't believe my little guy is big enough to go on it! Another great day of memories!

Spelunkin and Fishin

Thursday morning, Sawyer threw himself onto the bed and enquired about what we were going to do that day. As the weather has heated up this week, nothing sounded that appealing. I remembered reading about the Subway Caves north of Lassen and thought we should tackle them. We bought cheap flashlights and loaded up, just the three of us. The first time through the cave, Sawyer said, "I think Fisher is scared we should go back out." I said, "I think if you hold my hand, Fisher won't be so scared." So we held hands the whole way through. At the end of the cave, Sawyer said he wanted to go through again because Fisher wasn't scared anymore. I love that even though he is a big tough 5 year old now, he still has some fear and needs a hand once in awhile. Fisher actually cooed and babbled the whole time (not too scared!)

Since we were in the cooler mountains, we had to stop at Hat Creek for a little fishing. Fisher crashed (gotta love that) and Sawyer and I had alot of practice baiting the hook! I think God hears my silent prayers that we don't catch a fish, so I don't have to deal with it.

First Game

This game day has been long awaited for the past few years! Since Sawyer was about 21/2, he has been wanting to be on his own baseball team. This spring he missed the age cutoff by 2 months, but we heard about the Jr. Giants through the city parks and rec. He is on the white team and takes everything very seriously! Zach and I still laugh at the fact we were not very sporty and he seems to love it all!

Best Friend

This is the story of a boy and a girl that are 9 months apart, but have truly been buddies from the beginning. They have been bonded together through the years. Even with the addition of new siblings, these two still have a special connection. I realize now that they are getting older, they have different interests and new friends that they enjoy. She loves to do girly things and he loves boy things and they are distracted from each other when other kids are around. We had the pleasure of her company all day a couple of weeks ago and found that they still love to be together. They sat in the backseat and chatted all the way. She listened to him go on and on about transformers and he listened to her talk about coloring, reading and friends. They told each other goofy jokes(not funny except their giggles were awesome!) They have a friendly competitiveness (heighth especially, for now they are tied in heighth and it is best if it stays that way!). I know that as they get older and have different interests, they may not spend as much time together, but for now, Kacia is Sawyer's best friend. She is who he talks about the most, she is the one he asks about daily, she drives him to do bigger and better things, she will always be special to him as his first friend in this world.