Tractor Day

This past Saturday was Tractor Day!  We woke the kids at 5:45am, got them changed and loaded them into the truck (with their blankets) and headed to Fairfield to get our tractor.  We were all super excited.  It isn't a huge tractor, but it has a 60in belly mower.  We also got a bush-hog and auger so we should be able to dig post holes and cut some grass.

Anyway, we got to Fairfield a little after 7am and stopped at McDonald's for breakfast.  Then we went to Lemond's to pick up the tractor.  Well, things always take forever so we were there for a couple hours.  The kids didn't mind.  They got to play on the 4 wheelers and tractor!

Once we got home we went out to the property (now called the farm) and Seth messed around with the tractor for a while.  Then he and Luke mowed while Claire, John and I had a snack and Barnabas took a nap.  We ate a late lunch at Gary's (local burger dive).  Then I took 3 kids home for a nap and Seth and LUke mowed more.  They got 3 acres mowed in about 3 hours and then played with the scoop and bush-hog.

For dinner we went to Chico's (local tex/mex joint).  We got to eat out all 3 meals so it was a true vacation day! 

After baths, everyone was ready for bed. 

It was a great family day and a big day on our pursuit and goal to have a hobby farm on our land and maybe one day live there too!

Boot Day!

Luke has been wanting some new cowboy boots.  We got him some for Christmas 2010 and he finally grew out of them.  Well, they are expensive.  So, Seth said he would pay him if he helped plant trees on the property.  Luke was up for the task.  He was to get $2 a tree.  We figured he would last 30 or 40 trees.  He loved doing it with Seth and thus planted about 140 trees!!!  They even planted on a crazy windy day and Luke never wanted to stop.  (the trees are just samplings, but still, Luke is only 5)

So, Luke asked all the time if it was pay day and when could he get his boots.  We had been waiting a little while so he could learn about waiting for pay.  (there are many lessons from this one job)  Seth told him on Tuesday that Thursday (today) they would go to the bank and get his money and then go get some boots.  We decided to all tag along because that is how we roll, as a family.  This morning when he got up he was so excited because it was "boot day".  Claire was so excited for him and she kept saying it was "boot day"!

We went to the bank and got his money.  Then we checked out one more place (Double D Western Wear) to see if they had anything he liked.  We had already been to Bucheit's and Rural King.  He really liked some at Rural King but they were really expensive.  So, we went to Double D and he found some brown boots with camo that he really liked.  They were cheaper and he got a discount (gotta love shopping local) because he was using his money!

He loves his boots and we all had a great time celebrating his hard work as a family!

baby laugh

Barnabas laughed for the first time today and I got to hear it first!  I think Seth got the first smile!  Babies are great!

6 weeks later

Well, Barnabas has been here for 6 weeks.  What a crazy time it has been.  Life is grand!  I love how all the others want to hold him or help me with him.  Luke wants to change diapers.  Claire wants to hold him or get him his pacifier when he is crying.  John just wants to be wherever he is.  John may love Barnabas more than anyone else in the world does, but mom and dad are pushing a close second!

We enjoy having a baby around.  I was telling Seth the other day that it is a good thing we have a baby because if we didn't I would want one!  John is getting so big and isn't our baby, which is good, but still a little sad!

Our house is full of life and we are enjoying it all even if we get frustrated at times because we can't finish a thought or a sentence.

He is here!

Barnabas George Hahs came to us on December 18th at 11:52pm!  He is healthy and doing great.  We already feel encouraged having him with us.  The kids love him and love to hold him.  John is so gentle and excited to see him.  John actually tries to say "Barnabas" but hasn't tried to say "Luke" or "Claire" yet.  They will be such buds!!

The long trial up to this point was so worth it.  We have another healthy baby who is blessing us already.  The months of bed rest were torture but they are over and we are moving with our new normal!!

(I was able to do it without an epidural!  It is something I really wanted to do.  Not sure if I will do it again or not!)

Luke is 5!

Well, this post is a little behind but I wanted to write it anyway.

Luke turned 5 on October 7th.  For his birthday he and Seth went camping on our property with one of Seth's friends who has a 11 year old son who is great with Luke.  It is who Luke wanted to come and they made it work!  The guys camped and ate hotdogs and rode 4 wheelers and played with the dogs.  The next day Seth and Luke got to bushhog the property with Uncle Rob's tractor.  I think it was the perfect birthday for our little man.

I made a pirate sword cake and decorated it with pirates and "gold" coins.  My parents came over for dinner and cake.  We kept the thing low key since I was on bed rest.  Luke didn't seem to mind at all and had a great time.

Luke is our little man.  We've been calling him that forever.  (We also call him Lukerpants but I don't remember how that got started!)  He is such a first born.  He loves to be a leader.  He plays great with Claire and John and they want to be with him.  He loves to learn and be read to.  Right now he also loves to write so he practices a lot.  He is sensitive yet brave and courageous.  Don't mess with his sister or he will take you down!  (I wouldn't recommend messing with his brother either!)  He is dependable, funny, curious, inquisitive, thoughtful and full of love.  He will tell you he loves you anytime, just because.  He is our Lightgiver and we thank the Lord everyday for such a wonderful son. 

Off bed rest!

I'm 35 weeks pregnant and finally off bed rest.  I keep on the meds for 2 more weeks so this little guy can grow.  It is so nice to be able to take care of my kiddos and cook for my husband!

Still need more time to reflect on what has really happened the last 2 1/2 months.