It's Official

Tess is done nursing.

I was nursing her only twice a day so I knew "my milk" wouldn't last much longer. However, she did nurse for about a month with just two nursings a day. She is just short of 14 months old. For the record, I LOVE nursing my babies and it is always a sad day when they are done. I so enjoy the time to just sit/lie/snuggle and nurse my sweet little ones. Such an opportune time to slow down and just look at my baby. I take the time to pray for their hearts ~ that they would some day know, serve and love Jesus! For my boys, I pray for strength and integrity. For my girls, I pray for a tender and submissive heart to the Lord and I pray that their hands and hearts would be productive in building up their homes, family and husbands. What a sweet and special time! I truly miss it.

So, I was thinking back to when Tess was born and pulled up a few pics - -

This was the first time she met all 7 of her siblings in the hospital. Everyone wanted to hold her and that didn't stop for months. It got to the point where I had to take numbers and they had to wait. She was/is very much loved.

My Dear Friends came to meet Tess (in the hospital). Nice gown, huh?

Erin, Laurie and Jenny

This is my sweet midwife, Raeanne.

We usually have home births and this was the plan with Tess but God had other plans for this one. As I was laboring at home, Raeanne noticed decels during the contractions. She wanted us to go to the hopital to get a non-stress test to check things out. So, she followed us to the hopital and on the way, the contractions were harder and quicker. After getting to the hospital, the decels continued and so we stayed there.

Sidenote: I was pregnant for most of the time that I took care of mom whom was battling ovarian cancer. Brian and I wanted her to "catch" our baby. The one that was with me (in utero) as I cared for my mother. She had just finished her last round of chemo (third) and was leaving the next week to have surgery (to have the tumors removed). She was weak but Dad was determined to get her there. He did!

And she did ~ caught our baby girl!

Tessa Enid

in honor of Enid Gay - my mother

I love you, Mom!


There were no problems with delivery. Healty baby girl! She was wearing the cord like a backpack which probably caused the decels during the contractions.

A mommy snuggle after a nursing.

4 month chub

Our big girl, Tessa Enid!



PS. My mom is doing great. That is a another story for another time. Let's just say, We serve and awesome God.

The Recap

...of Caleb's 14th Birthday!

He and his Papa skiied all day at Alta. It snowed most of the day so it made for good powder and fun skiing.



After they skiied, we met them at The Old Spaghetti Factory for dinner.

The Birthday Boy and Tess

Elizabeth and Nana

Nana and Hudson

Dani Rae and Tess

The dinner guests. Papa, Abbi Maggie and Weston

Everyone sang Happy Birthday to Caleb. Make a wish!

Abbi made him this frame of wildlife animals out of a cardboard box and pictures from a wildlife magazine.

He got Camo Coveralls from Papa and Nana

Binoculars from all of us.

I love you, Caleb!

your mom

14

Caleb Turns 14 Today!

Our little guy is growing into a fine young man. How can it be?

We Love You, Caleb

Happy Birthday!

Elk Chili!

Saturday 23rd

And Lots of It!

I made a huge pot of Elk Chili. My parents and Grandma came up from SL to eat dinner and spend the evening with us and the "M" family. Before dinner there was lots of snacking and visiting.

Papa and Dani Rae digging in.

My Grandma (94 yrs old) and Hudson

Tess and My Mom

Dani and Papa enjoying each other and the chips.

Four Generations

Intense game of Tally Ho!

Baby Abigail got lots of attention from the girls

Dani sampling more food

Ahhh... finally! Dinner!!! Yummy Chili!

The fun kid table

Grandma always feels guilty when she comes up because she doesn't help much - she is 94 for crying out loud. So, I threw her a towel and put her to work. She wiped down the counters. She thought it would be a good idea if I took a picture of her "working" because it doesn't happen often and may not happen again. She is so sarcastic and we have a fun time together.

Tess thought it would be fun to be a baby again so she tried out the bouncy. She liked it.

Hudson visiting with Grandma



We had a fun evening and full tummies!

10 Z's + 8 M's =

Lots o' Fun!

The "M" family came to visit us all the way from Manhattan, Kansas. John and Susan are friends from our college days so we go way back. It was fun to meet the rest of their children. Last time we saw them, they had only 2 and they were babies. Now they have 6! We enjoyed each one of them. Fun to talk about the good ol days and get caught up to present day. Lots have happened with each of our families.

The "M" Family

Dani Rae had a real live baby to love on for the weekend ~ Baby Abigail. Dani spent lots of time talking to her and wanting to check on her. Abigail is 4 months old and as sweet as can be! Not to mention a Chunk!

The 4 older children took ski lessons two days. They all had fun!

School must go on!!! Weston teaching the girls a lesson on the solar system.

Of course, there was plenty of napping for the babies.



Family x 2 Game Night

We sent John and Susan out for a dinner - alone. Brian and I stayed with the children and here is the fun we had...

Ring Around the Rosies!

Elk, Elk, Moose!!

(Our mountain version of Duck Duck Goose)

And we finished off the evening with Bingo.

Tess and Elizabeth M. enjoying some reading time.



Tally Ho! was a big hit.


Big Sisters and Baby Sisters!

We had a great time and already miss them!