One more...

Sisters... playing nicely together in the crib!

pictures

No more metal!!! What a beautiful smile!
Oh, I forgot to tell you, another milestone, she is now pulling herself up to the standing - yes, I had to lower the crib mattress and might have to lower it one more... Again,she thinks it's funny!
At the camper, watching a movie...
At the camper!
The other milestone, she sites at the highchair at dinner with us and thinks it's great! She is also much easier to feed her cereal to here!

What a week it's been!

This week has gone by fast as usual! Last Thursday night, we spent the night at the camper in Millington. We ate fast food on the way out there, in two vehicles (Jeremy Wilson came along), and unloaded at the camper, then went into town to the festival. We ate at McPherson's, let the kids play games, ride rides, and then went to the fireworks. Erin didn't like the bleachers, so she stood on the bottom the whole time. Lyndsay fell asleep and woke up during the finale:( So, we got back to the camper around 11pm, went to sleep finally around 12:30 after getting Lyndsay to finally go back to sleep. Jeremy and I got up at 4:15am and went to work from there. The kids went back to the house after getting up. We went home after work, got things ready, animals taken care of and went back to Millington, going to the festival again. This time we had Jeremy Wilson and Stephanie Scott with us. We ran into Forest and Brenda Putman and their 2 girls and visited for awhile until town emptied out. This time, Lyndsay stayed asleep, thank goodness! Got a good nights sleep, then got up in the morning and mowed/brush hogged as much as I could before Amber, Brooke and Curt left to go home and get ready to go to a youth activity. Then, it started raining:( It rained most of the day so it was a good excuse to relax a bit. Jeremy ran wire underground to the camper (a permanent pole for camping) in the rain, working in the barn on the electrical box when it was pouring... We hope to get power hooked up to the barn this fall, making it much more convenient. The kids came back, this time with Jean Scott and we watched a movie before going to sleep. Got up, went to church in the morning, then back to the property to have more rain while cleaning up and closing it up for the week. Sunday night, the church had the college kids fellowship/shower and Amber got showered with lots of goodies to take with her to college.

I had Monday off, went with Amber at 8:30am to have her braces removed (YIPPEE!). She looks beautiful! Then, home to fold laundry until my dr. appt at 11am. I found that I am anemic and he has me taking iron for a month to see if it will resolve. Maybe I won't be so tired now! Then, home to pick up a few kids and go to the vein dr. appt. I am scheduled for surgery on my right leg Sept 4. He will just remove the ugly "poochy" vein in my right leg below the knee. We won't do anything else for now, it's not that bad yet. But, I have to promise to wear my hose after surgery. I will be back at work the Monday after. Then, picked up my contacts and got groceries and visited a friend in the hospital before coming home to get dinner going! Tonight, I picked from the garden, sprayed my beans to protect them from the aphids that are eating them and then went to Heathers and cleaned 2 stalls before worming Gentleman and coming home. We're off to bed, but will post some pictures in the next day or two! Have a great day!

Chris

Another funny...

Boy, the things kids say! Sunday we went out to the property after church and did some mowing and trail making through the woods til the backhoe broke a hose. Lyndsay took a nice long nap and Isaac and Erin played. We went for a walk before coming home. Isaac and Erin were playing in the sand pile and Jeremy and I saw 2 turkey and a fox. That was cool. So, we got home that night and after baths, etc., Erin came running to me saying "mommy, mommy" all upset. I asked her what was wrong and she was pointing to her thumb at the bottom. She said, "Look, my b**by came out here!" (very seriously, I might add). Of course, I started giggling quietly and said, that's not your b**by, that's a mosquito bite! She looked at me with her big blue eyes, looked down, lifted her shirt and looked to make sure that everything was still where it ought to be, then looked at me and smiled and yelled, "I have a mosquito bite" and proceeded to run and show Daddy, then everyone in the house that would listen. Boy, I don't know where these kids think up these things! I have been laughing about that all week. Everyone at work gets a kick out of our stories!

So, again, I hope I made you laugh - I know I did (AGAIN)! The kids have been swimming like crazy (amazing the things they'll do when the computer's off). The basement is much cleaner and I feel better about my house:) It's a never ending thing, though! Have a great rest of the week!

Chris

The three fisherman on Monday night another successful fishing night!
This was just now, the camera focused in on the crib instead of her, so I put the side down.
I can't believe it, sitting up...

She thinks it's funny!

I forgot to tell you a mommy funny: Yesterday morning, surprise, I didn't have any clean jeans (that fit me), so I thought, I'll try one of my size 8's... Well, I got them on, a little tighter in some areas (I like the loose fit), but it would do for the day. I got into them, but didn't know if I'd get out:) It was one of those moments when you have a flashback to the tight jordache jeans that were in style, was that actually 27 years ago for me? Anyway, they had to be so tight, some girls would actually have to lay down to zip them up. Thank goodness I didn't have to lay down, but I did have to stand up pretty straight!! Needless to say, I was really happy to change when I got home! Too bad we couldn't wear our comfy pj pants to work, WAIT - there are actually a few women who do, believe it or not. No, I would never do that, don't worry!

Anyway, hope I made you smile, I know I did, again! God Bless!

Yay it's Saturday!

A real quick post before Lyndsay wakes up - I'm going to make pancakes for breakfast, she already had her cereal for breakfast and is sleeping again...

Last night, we took Amber, Brooke and Curt to their dad's for the weekend and then went to see Wallee(?). What a cute movie! Isaac picked a seat near the front (this is only the 3rd time he's been to the theatre) and thenk goodness it was an older movie- not very many people in there. I ended up in the back after about a half hour with Lyndsay - she was sleeping when we got there, but Erin woke her up (imagine that!). Then, Isaac and Erin each had to go potty about 7 times throughout the 2 hour show. But, other than that, it went well! We went to Red Lobster after, but I'm leaning more and more towards just husband and myself going to restaurants like this. Everyone loves crab legs, and by the time we crack open crab legs for everyone (as well as pay for them), our food is cold and our wallet is empty. They would've had much more fun at McDonald's playplace anyway! We really need to start having a "date night" for the two of us. It's just so hard to be away when we're already away so much as it is.

This morning Erin came out after waking up and I was on the floor playing with Lyndsay and she hugged me and then Lyndsay and told me to take a picture! (Think I take too many pictures or something?) Uh-oh, baby's awake!

At the restaurant last night, the waitress asked Erin what the baby's name was and Erin said "Lyndsay Grace", my mommy went and got her from the babysitter (meaning that's how we got her). I said "I thought we brought her home from the hospital after she came out of my tummy?" NO, the babysitter gave her to us. Could I be in trouble? I don't remember stealing a baby ha, ha.

Last night on the way home from work, I rode in the first seat cuz it was empty and the guy who drives and the lady who sat next to him started talking. She just started riding our van and I remember her from Delphi. She was working in paint shop, but was on sick leave for 1 year and just came back and got out of paint a few months ago. Well, after talking a bit, she said that her 22 year old daughter had passed away a year and a half ago and she was having a really hard time with it. Then, the driver had said his first wife had passed away after 13 years of marriage. I know he is a christian. But, God puts me in the strangest places sometimes where hopefully I can be a blessing. I talked about Danielle a bit and then told her some things the Lord has done for me and how I've struggled so she knows she's not alone. Later, she told me she'd stopped going to church because she didn't want to go anymore. I told her I didn't know how I would survive day to day without the Lord in my life helping me. I told her she shouldn't shut God out, maybe that's why she was having such a difficult time. She looked very thoughtful for awhile. Maybe I planted a seed, who knows. Please pray for her, her name is Linda.

Anyway, onto to our saturday. I think we will be going to the property for a bit and then maybe the Saginaw Fair on it's last day, who knows? Sigh, housework will have to wait:) Have a great day!

Chris

Hi there!

Just a quick note - it's been a busy week as usual. VBS is at our church all week, tonight is the last night. The girls have been going bus calling everyday from 12:30-2 and then back to church at 4:30 to go and pick up kids by bus and not getting home until 9pm. Last night, I took Brooke over to Heather's to spend some time with Gentleman (she brushed him and rode him bareback for awhile) and then Amber went back to pick her up. Tuesday night, Lyndsay was on the floor in the living room, playing and creeping and I looked over at her and she was sitting up! NO WAY! Put her back on her belly and up again she went! Oh, MAN! She's too doggone cute!

Heather started work this week and had orientation all week through today. Jeremy and I rode into work with her this morning instead of riding the van - that was a nice change! We were all pretty tired. She starts on second shift tomorrow night! Good luck sis. It's been fun seeing her on breaks and eating breakfast and lunch with her!

The boys are playing computer games - the computer has been off the past two days because the kids can't seem to do it in moderation. So, I turned it back on after I got home tonight, but off it will go before bedtime! Who ever said it got easier as they get older is crazy!

Ok, gotta go, Lyndsay needs me! Have a great night.

Chris

Pictures #3

One tired beach baby!
Having fun in the sun with daddy!
Brooke hiding...
Trying to crawl again - this was today!

And more pictures!

I was not kidding about the hands and knees - see?!
She backed herself into a situation and was trying to figure out "what next?"
Swimming at the beach (yes, I forgot Erin's swimming suit:()
Playing in the stroller...
Curt getting ready to go and swim!

Another week flown by!

Excited about the tent!
Getting ready to race (erin chickened out, though) Amber, Lyndsay, me and Brooke
Erin and Isaac sliding and loving every minute of it - this was their favorite!

Lots of activities this week! We've been busy busy busy as usual! We worked a bunch - on overtime again, 9 hours a day so we get home a bit later.k My dad came over one night this week and we visited for awhile. Thursday night we had haircuts for some, I went to Walmart after dropping them off, then went back and Erin had her bangs cut. Kim said she had to to make her be quiet! Then, Friday night we packed it up and went to Howell with all of the kids and camped out and attended the music extravaganza Saturday night, then camp meeting service Sunday morning. In between services, we went to the kids carnival, swam at the beach, and kayaked on the lake a bit and just plain relaxed. Jeremy and I even got to lay down and nap Saturday afternoon while Amber and Brooke were in charge of entertaining the others! Curt slept with Grandpa Steve in a tent outside the camper Friday night. Steve left Saturday at around noon, so I was shocked when Curt and Isaac asked to sleep in the tent that night by themselves! They did it! Everyone was exhausted that night! Erin fell asleep on Jeremy's lap by the campfire Saturday night and not a peep out of her the whole night! Much different than Friday night where she was waking up off and on all night (that's why I needed a nap Saturday afternoon!). Lyndsay is loving the backpack and stroller - all giving her a different view of the world! She is also creeping now! Yesterday she almost pushed herself up into a sitting position from her hands and knees! I don't want her to grow up that fast! She talks a lot now and it sounds as if she is telling us how much she adores us as well! Our little weekend vacation with all of the kids was a lot of fun! We had heard it was supposed to rain and I prayed and asked God to hold off on the rain, but we agreed to go anyway and if it rained we would watch a movie or something. But, God answered prayer and the weather was beautiful! We came home Sunday afternoon so Amber and I could sing at church last night. Then, we spent the night in Millington at the property. Jeremy and I had today off (which was kind of a bummer cuz my sister started her new job at Orion Assembly today and we weren't there!) and had eye doctor appointments as well as Brooke. Brooke and I needed new glasses and ordered those. I ordered some different ones that the girls really liked, We'll see! Jeremy just left and took Erin, (she wouldn't let him leave without her), Isaac and Curt fishing. He and Isaac went fishing last night and caught all kinds of bluegill, and a large mouth bass! The bass was good sized and Isaac thought it was going to break his small pole! He had a great time! I'm waiting for the girls to come home from bus calling for our church's VBS this week and am off to Millington again. I'm supposed to be folding clothes and getting caught up, but wanted to update here first! Here are some more pictures - enjoy and have a great week!

Chris

More pictures to enjoy from Amber's camera...

another pretty picure of two of my girls!
Usually it's Brooke making the funny faces!
Curt on the bus this last week - pretty handsome kid don't you think? By the way the dresses the two little girls were wearing at the wedding - I found them at Walmart on clearance for $2.00 a piece and the hat was only $1.50! Pretty good, eh?!

another week gone by again!

Curt, Brooke and Amber goofing around
Isn't she cute?
Trying to get a decent picture...
This one wasn't too bad!
She's cute again! It's hard to believe she's 5 months old already and the little stinker is pushing herself up on her hands and knees, rocking back and forth. She scoots across the floor pretty fast as well, turning around and going in different directions!

Another busy week even though the open house is behind us! We are on a 9 hour schedule at work again now until the third shift starts up in August so we got home late every day this week. Amber, Brooke and Curt went on the youth conference trip to Hyles Anderson College/Church and they left Tuesday morning and came home late Friday night and then to their dad's Saturday morning. Jeremy and I went to Heather's on Tuesday and worked a little, stayed home on Wednesday and Thursday went to the property and cleaned out the camper to get it ready to drive down to the Nazarene campgrounds in Howell, MI for Jeremy's dad to use for the week. We ended up hauling it down there Friday night and it was late so we stayed. His dad didn't stay down there this weekend. He came back Saturday morning and Jeremy ended up staying to help install a new dock system they bought for the other lake on the grounds. That took them all day. While they were working on that, I took Isaac, Erin and Lyndsay to the playground, then swimming at the lake until we got rained out. We went back to the camper and watched "Stranger in the Woods", then to see how Daddy was doing, then back to the lake for more swimming after it stopped raining. I got a lot of exercise walking back and forth, pushing the stroller with all three kids in it at times or 2 with Lyndsay in the backpack. Saturday night, we decided to stay and go to the first camp meeting church service in the morning so we went into town and ate at Applebee's, stopped at Meijer to get some church clothes and then back to watch a movie because it was raining again (no campfire:(). So, we went to church this morning at the campgrounds, then ate lunch and I took Erin and Lyndsay and a few other kids that were hanging out with us to the playground while Jeremy took Isaac fishing! I was going to go and check out their progress, but Lyndsay fell asleep and I took her back to the camper to sleep in the comfort of air conditioning! We left Howell at 3:30pm and came home, stopping at Heather and Brian's on the way before coming home to get ready and go to our church. Good news: Heather starts work 7/28 at Orion Assembly! One of my many referrals I have put in over the years has finally gotten hired! It will be a whole new world for the Walsh family but hopefully all will work out for the good! Ok, this is not quite "G" rated for my blog (sorry), but it is hilarious if you have children. Isaac was watching Lonesome Dove with Jeremy at the hotel a few weekends ago and got this from that - I have no idea how, but Tuesday night, he was running around the house with 2 white balloons from the open house, holding them up to our behinds and saying what big b--ts everyone has (mom already had one to begin with, of course). I finally told him enough and to stop. So, I heard him running around saying something about big "pimples" and looked at him to see what he was doing now. He was holding them up to his chest talking about having "big pimples". I again said to knock it off, enough and he laughed and said mom, you have small pimples and I have big pimples! He was definately done after that:) Out of the mouth of babes (sorry Grandma and moms!), but kids can be so funny and brutally honest sometimes, I tell you! So, that was my funny for the week! We had a great time camping and hope to take the whole family back down there next weekend. They have an awesome water slide the kids would love - could get some great pictures from that! Here are some pictures from Amber's camera from recent times - I forgot to take mine this weekend - especially because I only thought we'd be spending the one night and coming home in the morning! Have a great week! Chris

more

Curt was there!
Grandma's
It only took about 1 1/2 minutes for one tired out girl to fall asleep tonight! Goodnight and God Bless!

more pictures of graduation open house

Today's party

More pictures

Baling hay last weekend
Erin and me at the wedding
Isn't she cute?
One tired baby and one proud big brother!

Here's the cake - thank you Zehnder's!

Another week gone by?!...

Sorry - same picture twice, but I think the guy is pretty handsome!

Heather with the kids staying out of the sun!
Nana with Lyndsay at the wedding
Amy, Christopher and that handsome husband again!

I can't believe it! We had a great time last weekend at Sean and Allissa's wedding - very pretty and very nice reception (food, entertainment, etc). Her mother had a beautiful voice and sang in Italian a few songs. We got home at midnight, passed out in bed and got up at 4am to go to work! This week has consisted mainly of getting things ready for Amber's open house. Monday night, went to Sam's and Walmart, Tuesday night to Meijer's to work on picture posters. Wednesday night was church after working on the yard a little then to Heather's after church to ride Gentleman for an hour, Thursday night we worked around here, then to Heather's for a bit to ride again. Friday night we went to Gordon's right after work to pick up lettuce, tomatoes, cheese and potatoe salad then to the hall to start getting decorating done with Sam and Maria, Michelle, Matt and Emmie and Aunt Heather, Carly and Maggie. That was fun, then came home and went to Aunt Heather's again. I don't remember if I actually went to Heather's that many nights this week, but close enough! This morning, while Jeremy was at the dentist, Amber and I went to Jen's house to practice our song for tomorrow morning, then Meijer's for some last minute stuff, then to Gordon's for ice, then to the hall to drop off, then home to get ready, gave Lyndsay a bath, then to the hall again to finish setting up and getting the food out. Sam and Maria, Aunt Bea and Jo Jo worked hard in the kitchen! Everything went so well! I can't believe all of the people that came! The hardest part is feeling as if you can't visit with everyone. There are so many people I haven't seen in so long, but didn't get to talk with for very long. But, it was so great to see everyone even if it was for a moment! Five hours really seemed like 5 minutes! The kids were good - the older ones mostly went to the park and played which was great! Erin was tired (no nap) and had a few melt down moments, but that's ok. Lyndsay was passed around quite a bit and was very good! She took a few good naps - thank goodness Grandpa Steve brought the play pen! Her cake was beautiful and Amber did a great job with all of her pictures, etc. Mary T made a pretty quilt for everyone to sign which was a great idea! Oh, and my cousin Kim came with Jon, Preston and 4 day old baby Ava who is gorgeous! What a brave lady! Thanks to all who helped in any way - the desserts were delicious and so was the food. Amber got a lot of nice gifts as well and is very thankful and had a great time. She and most of her friends came to our house and played volleyball and had a campfire with smores before everyone left to go home. Now, I will post some pictures and then I'm off to bed - we are singing tomorrow morning at church so I have to be there a bit early to practice. Have a good Lord's day. Oh, another blessing, I didn't think the hall was air conditioned but was surprised to walk in there last night and feel cool air conditioning! Thank you Jesus!

Christine

Where did the week go?

Time sure does fly by! We had a great week off - the kids ended up being home til Thursday before going to their dad's for a week. Tuesday, Amber and I had a hair appointment. Wednesday I actually got a manicure and pedicure done - thanks Jodi, I'm hooked! We had quite a storm on Wednesday but managed to get 120+ bales of hay done and in our barn from Jeremy's dad's house. (I didn't help - I was getting pampered!). We spent all of the week at the property. I had to go home nearly everyday for an appointment or something. Thursday my dad came into town and we visited for awhile. He played his guitar for us and Erin would tell him "that was a good song, Grandpa!" She sings Row row row your boat to Lyndsay and then says, that was a good song, Lyndsay! Friday we had some friends from church and Pastor and Linda out to the property for a cookout. The men went out back and did some target practicing, we had good food and a hayride and short campfire before calling it a night. Dane, Maddie and Isaac enjoyed the go cart immensely! Today, we baled hay again with help from Brian and Heather and some boys from their church. Then, off to home to get ready to come to Holland, MI. Our cousin is getting married here tomorrow at 3pm. We swam, sat in the hot tub, went to Walmart and are so far having a great time. Now, I'm off to move the 2 (Erin and Isaac) out of my spot next to Daddy and into bed with Amber! Hopefully no one will fall out of bed! Someone falls out of bed every night in the camper!

This week has been great - the weather other than the one rain storm, had been great, not too hot. I am sunburned and once in awhile due to an allergy to the sun, my arms break out and this seems to be the year for it. But, hopefully it will turn into a nice tan eventually! Lyndsay is already sleeping, too. She loves camping as much as Erin and Isaac! They caught lots of water bugs and a few other things this week. I rode the dirt bike out to the middle field to help them get the go cart unstuck and wiped out myself! But, it was fun riding with the wind whipping through my hair! Well, I'm off to bed and will post more later along with some pictures. Have a great rest of the weekend!

Chris

My first time eating cereal and I like it!
Tired out with daddy!
The corn is knee high and it's not quite the 4th of July!