Update on Nolen

Nolen's hand that he burnt is healing fine. The blisters finally went down and we don't have to keep his hand wrapped anymore. I know he is glad about that. So as I'm typing this I hear Nolen screaming from the other room. He bumped his lip on something and now he has a fat lip. When will it end?

I forgot this photo was on my phone. Here we are traveling down the Embarras River last weekend with the Lathrop's.

This photo is for my classmates who couldn't make it to the party last Saturday. Tina with her husband Glen. They both have braces. Too cute! And yes he golfs, hence the visor.

Wildlife+mud+class reunion= fun weekend

We had a busy weekend. We always camp on the Embarras River during Memorial Day Weekend, but were not so sure about getting there this year due to the rain & flooding. The river did finally get into it's banks and we were able to get to the campsite. The guys set bank poles up and down the river and usually catch some big fish. No big whoppers this time, but enough to skin & keep for a future fish fry. Here is the cabin and notice all the lovely mud. Usually the campfire is located in the middle of this area, but we had to move it to higher ground this year.

Doug carry bank poles and showing off the fish that swallowed the bait and hook. He will need a little surgery to get it out if you know what I mean.

The kids all gather around to see the fish that were caught.

Fish that were caught on Saturday. By Sunday, they caught a few more.

A turtle showed up in our camp and the kids just loved it.

A tree frog also showed up in our camp. A snake welcomed me to camp. I drove the truck up and followed Pete in the motor home. As soon as I opened my door, a large black snake was there on the ground. I always kept my eye out for that snake the whole time I was there, but luckily didn't see it again.

I had to make a quick trip back into town to meet up with some high school friends that were in town. Tina lives in California and it had been several years since I had seen her. Several others showed up and it was fun to get caught up on things.

I'll post some more photos later! The weekend continues and I'm sure there is more fun out there for us to have. Nolen didn't go with us on the overnight trip. We decided he would spend the night with grandma & grandpa since it was too muddy and with his hurt hand and all.

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.