Who Does That?!?

So last night as a family we decided to go to a buffet for dinner. Kids are all happy with plates in front of their faces including Bryant and I come back with my plate full of yumminess. As I sit down Bryant says you are so predictable.  I replied that we had been married for almost 7 years and  he should be able to predict that. But the truth is it shouldn't take him that long. I am that predictable, can you guess what I go for every time I go to a buffet or anywhere that might have it?Think long and hard... okay not too hard it's not that special. If fact it's not special at all, more like irresistible to my taste buds.
Mashed potatoes, gravy, beef of any kind, and you gotta throw a roll or two in there.
But it is way better than that, when I am done I could have any thing, we are at a buffet so ANYTHING and I go back for a second plate of the same thing. And that is it no dessert no trying stuff I wouldn't normally get, that is what Bryant's plate is for. :)
So my friends how predictable are you?

Confused 2 year old

Wyatt is 2!!!!!! He is our little buddy and the glue that really puts the family together, but lately he's not too sure what is going on. Things in his little world are about to be blown to pieces. He knows he can get Mommy to stop anything she is doing to hold him and that if he cries good enough Daddy will let him stay up and even sleep in bed with us. All of which will change in March when our second little princess enters this world. So he hasn't quite got the hang of the terrible two thing yet. He likes to tease, sass, and pick on his siblings but at the same time he is the sweetest little two year old we have ever had. He loves to be held and is very verbal about how much a loves us. How could we be blessed with such a well balanced child? I don't know but we'll take it. Here are pictures from his birthday, he wasn't as excited about opening his presents as we had hoped but loved what was inside of them.

I've been told a picture says a thousand words...

What would this one say?

Everyone should have one

So me being me couldn't live without my little pup, one that I can baby and take with me anywhere. I have to have a buddy keeping my lap warm while I am driving or watching tv. So here is Tink. She is a Teddy bear just a little different than Mater. She has been a blessing and a joy. She really is a great addition to our family and is well loved by everyone! Bryant is also getting a little soft spot for her. ;)

                                     

She definitely looks like a teddy bear

Fancy is a little clumsy, but tries to be so gentle

Abby thinks it's her baby

Princess is just glad to have a buddy her size and is with her every chance she gets.

Aubrey, well... she loves her to death! But still asks everyday when Mater is coming back down.

Her favorite place to sleep is between mine and Bryant's pillows.

At least he's not alone...

What took me some time to realize, Joey could see from the beginning. "At least he's not alone Mom, he is with Uncle Dustin."

Thursday morning was kinda rough or just awful, as I lay in bed thinking of how I have out grown my maternity pants and need to buy a bigger pair the door bell rings. It rings at 6:30 in the morning over and over again, so I stubbornly throw on a robe and go to the door. The lady that stood there asked if I had a 3 legged dog. I replied yes realizing that Mater was not in bed with me this morning. She continued to tell me that he was hit by a car and how it all happened. In shock I thanked her and went back inside.

Mater was my buddy and went everywhere with me, he slept under the covers between Bryant and I at our feet every night. He was the coolest dog to have around, so fun loving, spastic at times and very affectionate. Looking out the window I realized that he was at the end of the driveway and there was no way to get Joey off to school without the kids seeing him. Bryant was at work so that left it up to me. Sobbing I walk out to the street with a sheet in my hands I covered him up and brought him in the garage. I told the kids what had happened and drove Joey to school. Thursday was pretty warm and I knew he couldn't stay there until Bryant got home.

The hole was dug and all that was left was for me to put him to rest but I just couldn't let go, knowing that this was the last time that I would be able to hold him in my arms I just sat there for a half hour cherishing the last moment I had with him. I know this might sound crazy to many of you knowing that to you a dog is just an animal, but to me they are family. Requiring just as much time and love as a kid but giving you an endless amount of love.

As I sat back and thought about how this all played out I couldn't help but think of the thought that crossed my mind just a couple days before. Looking at him get around as best as he possibly could but not as effortless as before, knowing that the accident and him losing his leg had changed him. Wondering if he was happy. So now I am sad and miss my buddy but am happy knowing where he is and that there is no pain and he now can run with all 4 legs.

Summer to Remember

This summer was filled with lots of accidents, family fun, and just hanging out. At the end of May we got our miniature horse back from being trained. The kids had a blast and really enjoyed riding him, Joey was a natural. Until a police car flew by with the sirens on spooking the horse, taking Joey for a wild ride. He fell off into a post, scraped up his head and broke his wrist making him spend the night in the children's hospital.

He was so excited to get his cast he never wanted to take it off.

Soon after this we left for our family reunion in Ohio. The kids got to meet up Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Aaron and got to meet their "great" cousins. Believe me these kids are great in more than one way. :)

Joey and Aubrey had a blast with Gabby and Brad!

We always have a lot of fun visiting with our relatives out in Ohio, eating good good food and playing games. Although we only see each other once every couple of years it's amazing how well things just mesh. Our last night there we were having a dance party in the camper and things got out of hand. lol Or Wyatt is just clumsy.

After the reunion Bryant headed home while the kids and I headed back out to PA with Mom and Dad. We ended up spending almost a month out there. I always enjoy heading back home and just relaxing. I must admit though, I am pretty selfish with my time and it is really hard for me to do anything but spend time with my family. Many days were spent by the pool, picking veggies from the garden, singing and dancing in the rain and just letting lose. Every minute is just "SPECIAL", kinda reminds me of the days I spent and the park feeding the animals with my Grandpa. There is no need to entertain or talk just enjoy each others company.

 

Dancing in the rain then enjoying the rainbow.

Racing and boxing

4th of July fireworks

Aubrey didn't make it through the show, and the boys thought it was a to play.

Thanks the Loski's we were able to go to the Gettysburg Reenactment.

This year Grandpa taught Joey how to swim. The kid is like a fish!

Happy BirthMonth!!!

This Birthday started out with gifts in the mail that he had permission to open as soon as they arrived. Then we had  get together with Grandma Hess and Uncle Randy on his Birthday and then a week later he had a bowling party with some of his class friends. Here's the pics.

Birthday #1

Grandma missed Valentines Day so she sent in in this package

Awesome just what I always wanted!

(he had never seen one before)

Birthday #2

Helmet to keep him safe

From Grandma and Grandpa Hess

Motocross shirt from Uncle Randy

Shirt and helmet matches his 4wheeler and racing gear.

He wanted a strawberry cake with rainbow chip frosting.

Birthday #3

The whole gang minus the parents

Transformers!!!!

And there you have it. That is one lucky kid.

When the dog bites, when the bee stings...

So these past couple months have been crazy busy! On February 20 (my birthday) at 3:30 in the morning Abby went into labor. I was so excited and ready as ever. We had gone to the vet earlier in the week for an X-ray and were expecting 7 maybe 8 pups. To our surprise we had 10! That is a huge litter and it was her first. 7 boys and 3 girls. These pictures are of the boys and girls and a week old, the next one is of my last 4 boys at 5 weeks. It can be difficult to sell an entire litter especially when you have so many boys, but we had them all sold when they were 6 weeks old.

So why did I breed Abby in the first place? As those of you who know me know haw much I love animals and that I wanted to be a vet well not as much as I wanted to be a Mom. So going to school for 7 years wasn't worth it to me but breeding is something I can do at home with the kids and get my animal fix. I spent a lot of time researching the Labrador breed, genetics, and how to be a responsible breeder. These pups were well love and socialized and that is one of the many reasons that they sold so fast. So the money that we made off of the puppies is going to fencing in our back yard to keep the kids and the dogs safe and buying a new puppy to add to the breeding program.

Here she is... Haven't settled on a name yet but we are leaning towards Fancy. She is from Royalty... no seriously she is from the Queen of England's kennel. We will be getting her sometime after the 19 of May.

And now for the bees. I am a firm believer that we are eventually going to have to rely on our trades and talents to survive and well honey is very valuable. Or so I tell myself. ;) Thanks to a brother in our ward I have been able to start my own hive. He has coached me through this and has been very patient.

Here is Zen and I setting up the hive and putting the bees in their new home.

My bees are retarded and aren't building the comb in the right place the are making it on the lid :/ so I get to enjoy some fresh honey every once in a while. Darn it!

The bees make comb on the frames and then fill the comb with honey.

We got 3 lbs of bees, the can is filled with sugar water to feed them until the flowers bloom.