Nolen's Hand Problems

This week Nolen got a huge splinter in his hand. Since Pete was working late I had to call in help because I couldn't hold him down and get it out myself. I held and Grandma and Grandpa took turns with the needle and tweezers. It came out in 4 pieces. Nolen didn't fight us too much as we worked on him.

Last night I took Alexis and Nolen on a 4-wheeler ride. Afterwards Nolen climbed back on the 4-wheeler and touched the hot muffler. He has three huge blisters on his hand now. It is his left hand, the same one he got the splinter in. He cried for 2 hours after he burnt it and didn't want to hold an ice cube or ice pack on it. He would finally hold a cold wash cloth on it. One blister goes down the whole length of his thumb. Then there is one between his thumb and index finger. The third one is located at the base of his index finger. He is starting to pick at it so we will probably have to cover it so it doesn't bust open yet. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know.

Congratulations Jordon!

Pete's hunting buddy just graduated from High School this evening. They had a reception for him this afternoon. Jordon is SIUC bound. Wonderful school since Pete & I both graduated from there.

Alexis & Nolen pose with Jordon.

This is a very old car that they always have on display at the Holiday Motel. Thought It'd be a great backdrop for a photo.

Alexis found a bunch of balloons left over from a previous party. She is somewhere in the middle of them. At least the balloons kept Alexis & Nolen busy and out of trouble.

Bird update: We did have 2 out of the 4 robin eggs hatch. We watched the birds grow up very quickly. One evening Alexis scared one of the birds out of the nest. We didn't know if it was ready to leave yet and we put it back in the nest. Before we knew it, both birds were gone. I didn't even get a picture of the birds all grown up, just happened too fast. Anyway, at least a snake did not eat them and we were successful this time.

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to my mom Charlotte!

We had a cook out at our house today. We had wonderful weather and the kids had a blast playing together.

Happy Mother's Day to Pete's mom Candy!

Pete shows his skills on his 4-wheeler. I hope Brandon doesn't try this on his 4-wheeler!

Little vs. Big

Alexis & cousin Riley ride together.

By the hair pulling, I don't think Nolen wanted Alexis to ride with him.

Pete becomes one the the kids.

Family Fun Night at School

Alexis had a wonderful time at the PTO Family Fun Night. Her favorite games included the inflatable obstacle course, jump house, and slide.

Here is Alexis sliding down the slide at the end of the obstacle course.

She just had to get a flower tattoo.

Alexis picks a snake. Thank goodness they were fake!

Nolen was hard to keep track of, so daddy took him for a truck ride while I stayed with Alexis.



Here she is on the inflatable car at the beginning of the obstacle course.

Twins?

Katie came to visit us again. She just happened to have on a shirt that Alexis also had. So I put the shirt on Alexis and took photos because they look so cute together. Katie's southern accent just cracks me up. Katie will go back home this weekend. We will miss her, but I think uncle Mark is looking for a well deserved break. He found it hard to keep up with an active 5 year old.

Nolen gets snipped!

Nolen has needed a haircut for a long time. Since the weather is warmer now, it was time. So, Pete pulled out the trimmers and let the hair fly. Here is Nolen before the haircut.

Here's the after photos. He looks like a totally different child now. The grandparents won't know their grandson now.

Bird update: We now have two baby birds!

Busy Saturday

The area in front of our porch needed some attention. The grass just didn't grow the best here, lots of bare places. So I decided a flower bed would add some much need color to the area. Here is the before photo. I unloaded a truck load of dirt last week into the area.

Here are the after photos. I worked from 11 - 5 on Saturday and I think every muscle now aches. Thanks to my father-in-law for helping me prepare the dirt and mulch! Thanks to my mother-in-law for watching Nolen and keeping him out of my way!

Momma bird had a hard time staying with her eggs because we were too close to the nest all day. I just love the sunset that you can see in the large picture window. I didn't notice it until I looked at the photo later.