FALL

Just last week Karady starting asking "WHY??" I have to stop my self from saying "Because I said so." This morning she said "I want to stay home". I told her oh honey we can't, mommy has to work so she can buy you hotdogs and noodles! She kind of gave me a funny look.

It is a georgous day out there today. Norris and Muriel took off this past Tuesday. We will miss them. It hasn't seemed to phase Ray too much. She asks about them every once in a while. Like if she wants someone, beside me to do something for her, then their names come up. I think she is teething, because she has her fingers in her mouth frequently. She bit at daycare again yesterday, but went potty 2 times for JoAnn. She goes when it is convient for her. I think I am going to start a sticker chart. We have been doing M & M's for treats when she goes, but then when I say treat, she acts like a dog and crawls around on the floor. She is so funny. Maybe I need to call them snacks.

I think we might try to go to the Playoff game tomorrow for football. It will be in the afternoon. I will see if I can get her down for an early nap.

Next week it looks like the weather is going to really change. Highs in the 30's and rain and snow. We don't have much to complain about though, because we have had a great fall. We have a dermatology appointment next Thursday, so hopefully it won't be too bad. I have to get some halloween treats for the trick or treaters. Karady is going as a flower this year. WE weren't sure we were going to be around for it, but Nolan doesn't have to go to Spearfish now, so we will be home.

Well I will update again soon.

TTFN
Lori

Update Sept and October

Hello all.

We have been very busy. Karady continues to say lots of words and puts like 3 to 4 together. She knows exactly what she wants, when she wants it. Phrases like "Don't like that", and "cuz", and "me" are heard every day, all day. "Karady, why did you do that?" "cuz". ANd "Karady put your shoes on", "Me?". She is so funny. She loves to be outside, and hates to come in. SHe has quite an imagination also. She serves me drinks and food in the bathroom while I am getting ready for work. She still has quite a time going to bed. I have learned to guage her moods and start later than usual.

September 15th I had a Hysterectomy. They left my ovaries and she wrapped them in something so they wouldn't get adhesions. I got out on the 17th, after 3 hours in surgery and an open procedure. I was quite a mess, and lots of pain postop. When they finally gave me a pain pump, I was very happy. I had them put me on an antibiotic so I wouldn't get an infection. 3 days out, I reacted to the steri strips, and 10 days after taking my antibiotic, I developed an allergic reaction. I was away from home, and I developed hives and the day I was to return home I woke up to huge lips. I was a little freaked out. I was so hopped up on Benedryl I barely slept all weekend. When I got home I went to the ER and they have me more Benedryl, a steriod and a Ativan shot to help me sleep. Oh what a trip. My recovery otherwise was very good. I slept a lot and read loads of books. I LOVE to read, so that was right up my alley. Karady has been very good. She saw my owee on my tummy and so she understands why I can't pick her up. She also understands that I can't chase her around either. I have had good help with my in-laws and of course my husband and the Sannes have taken Karady to play so mommy can rest. Thanks for all the flowers, cards, and visits in the hospital, and the food people brought. My parents surprised me and visited the day of surgery. That really meant a lot to me. I hear I was quite colorful when I came up from recovery. It's amazing how pain can make you go crazy.

So I returned to work on the 4th, after almost 3 weeks off. I had a light week, and then I went full bore this week. I get very tired at the end of the day if I have had a busy day. I will be so happy to have my endurance back. Everyone tells me I won't miss my uterus.

We had some awesome fires last weekend. It was so nice out. Aunt Jenenne and Cousin Deran were here for a visit. Karady really shined up to them both.

The weekend I was away scrapbooking Karady and Nolan attended Dylan's birthday at the pumpkin patch. It sounds like they had a great time. I am sorry I had to miss it. I am also sorry I missed my dad getting on the little pony, then not being able to get off! We visited the patch again to meet the BM and Karady had fun. It was a long day of my Dr's appointment with Dr. Bradley and a flu shot for Ray. Ray got to climb on the bales and she got hay in her diaper and couldn't stop itching!!

Also the end of august we had a wonderfu visit from Su YOung and Yuni from California. Su was our exchange student in 2002. WE had a great time. We took them to the zoo with charlie and Tammi and they really enjoyed themselved. Su was very upset we didn't call her when we were in San Diego. It seems she is just 2 hours from there. Next time!! she wants Tammi and I to come and visit.

Well just a short update for you !@@

There's Rumbling in the Hills

Well I am blogging from the beautiful Black Hills. We left on Friday. Our trip was pretty uneventful until we got like 2 hours out of our destination. We came across a ruckus on the side of the road. All we could see is a bike in the ditch, and a guy walking around with blood on his head. We were like 3rd on scene. So of course we stopped. On further examination, there was also a lady in the ditch on her side. When I approached the lady in the ditch, there was a bystander there with her, and she said she was dead. She tried to do CPR on her, by there was so much blood coming back at her. The driver of the cycle was walking around and in lots of distress. He was pretty calm, but the more time passed the more agitated he became. He just kept saying "I killed my fiance." It seems there bike blew a back tire and the bike flipped and tossed them both off. She was wearing a helmet, but only a small one. We waited for Phillip and Wall ambulance to arrive and tried to keep him calm. Another bystander and I picked up the paraphanelia of his and stuffed it into the trailer that he was pulling. THe highway patrol showed up and asked us a lot of questions, but we didn't witness anything. Sounded like the ambulance was pretty busy at the time. We felt pretty useless because we had no gear. We helped load the guy in the ambulance and went on our merry way. Well it wasn't so merry anymore. It seems there have been 3 accidents prerally so far from the same reason of loss of pressure to the rear wheel. Brings things really into perspective.

So Karady is home with my parents. She has been dancing and swimming. Last night I talked to her on the phone for like 20 minutes. She wouldn't get off. We put her in to lessons for swimming today, but she wouldn't go in with a stranger. SO we will try again next year. We thought she might benefit from them. She is having fun, but we really miss her.

It was hot again here today. Jack and Cindy come tonight. Blaine, Amanda, and Adam tomorrow, and Clay and Shayna on Wednesday. We kind have had rain on and off at least once during the day. I have seen a little skin here, not too much yet. A few pasties, a few chaps and short shorts, garters and lace. ANything goes.

Well more later this week.

TTFN

Lori

AND THEN THERE WAS ONE :(

Today was are laying Katie to eternal rest at 1:30 pm. I took the cowards way out, and had my in-laws take her to the vet. THanks so much, that means so much to me. Katie has gone into a downward spiral lately. She has been having accidents all over the house, so I fashioned doggy diapers for her, from baby diapers, and took her to the vet. Dr. M. put her on antibiotics, but after two weeks, she hasn't gotten any better. We also learned she has a heart murmur. She has gotten to where she won't eat her hard dog food, or take her treats. So I bought her canned food. She eats so little, and she it wasting away. She makes no effort to even go to the door to go outside, and she just sleeps all day. She is just existing. She has been throwing up quite often also. Since we are leaving for vacation on Friday, we feel it is time. I don't want my mom to have to deal with a dying dog. I keep asking Nolan if we are doing the right thing. He assures me we are. She is 13 1/2, which is 91 in human years. She had a good life, but it is still extremly hard. I cry a lot. Nolan built her a nice pine box, and I lined it with one of Karady's small ducky bath towels. She will be buried this evening with a pigs ear and a picture of her family. We plan to put her in the backyard in front of the windmill.

On a lighter note, we have been very busy since I last posted. Karady, Muriel and Norris made a sudden trip to Richardton a few weeks ago to help my mom and dad put up a shed. Karady got to play with Dylan, and they had a great time. We also attended a wedding this past weekend for a girl Muriel babysat for. Karady only made it 20 minutes in church, before we went out. She was gearing up to dance all night I guess. SHe danced from 6:00 during supper, until after 11:00. She was so cute. If I had a buck for everytime someone took her picture, I would be rich. The next day there was music at the Nursing Home picnic we attended with Grandma Dorothy. When the music started, she looked at me and immediately wanted to get down. Then like a moth to a flame, she drifted to the front and danced for everyone. You know what they say "Dance like there's no one watching". And she does. I hope she always loves to dance.

I think that was figured out that "MiMi", is Karady's evil twin. If you ask if she did something naughty, she says, no Mimi did it. Mimi sure is busy. She is really putting more and more words together. She loves her books, and she sits and reads them for hours. I have been teaching her to pray. We pray for people. She folds her little hands and names off everyone she can think of. When we were praying at the wedding, I told her to fold her hands, and then she started to say names. I laughed. She doesn't forget a thing.

A group of us took the tuna boat over the casino two weeks ago for the Seafood Spectacular. Nolan's Aunt and Uncle from Columbus came and spent the weekend with us. NOlan learned he can no longer eat crab though, because of the butter, I think. It was very good. None of us won much money, but I came back a few pounds heavier. We are shooting for the September cruise also. It is a nice time to get away.

Well that's all for now. We will spend August 6th to the 15th in SD for the Ralley. I am taking Karady and Pacey to Richardton Thursday evening. We will miss her. She will have fun though. Type to you when we get back!!

TTFN

Lori

UPDATE

Well we have had a busy month since Karady turned 2.
First we went to visit my sister in Duluth for 4 days, and go to see so many things we have always wanted to, but never had time to. We ate pie at an awesome pie place also, thanks for the recommendation Kris. We also got rained on for a few days, and scared the crap out of Karady when the ships blew their horns. We also saw Split ROck Lighthouse, and gave Karady a few dips in the pool. She is a crazy women when it comes to water.

Norris, Muriel, Ross and I also took the pontoon over to Perry KNight for 7.77 seafood feast. Ross was calling Norris Claws by the time we were done, because of all of the crab he ate. It cost us each 77 cents for all that wonderful seafood. We plan to go again in July. I had to taunt Nolan a bit, and I took a picture of my plate full of crab, and sent it to him. He called me a not so nice name. he was jealous. So he will make sure he gets to ride the tuna boat over next time.

Karady and I spent one weekend at the pool with the Sannes' also. She has so much fun in the water. She also loves the big water slide. With Jack's help she climbs up and then I catch her at the bottom. I am afraid that the baby pool won't satisfy her any more. She is tanning to easily, and she has wonderful color. I hope she always loves the water.

Next was the 4th of July. Karady had a blast picking up candy at the parade. We actually started our celebration on the 3rd with the parade, eating at the church and the yearly BBQ at the Sannes'. In the 5+ years we have been doing this, Nolan has never had to leave for a ambulance run. THis year it was nuts. Our one night of fireworks turned out to be 3, because he got called our every night. Finally on the 5th, we decided to finish up, and he got called again. His buddy Travis took the transfer so we could finish. It was some late nights, but it was so much fun. Of course Nolan is like a kid in a candy store with fireworks, but Memory was good to us this year, and we all pitched in to have an awesome display.

Nolan moved Karady's sandbox to the old garden by her swingset. This in turn freed up some space. I of course thought we should create a new flower bed. Why do I do create more work for my self?? Because I love it!!! Muriel and I went on a garden walk to 3 places in Bismarck. We rode the transit bus with the extension agency and we got lunch and our ride for 10 bucks. We had such a good time, and saw some beautiful, huge gardens. One place I know has over an acre of just flower beds. I got some great ideas, and am going to try some plants I have never had before. So last weekend we all went to Bismarck and bought the brick, and I flower shopped for perrineals. Menards had lots of good plants for 4 bucks a piece. I was like a kid in a candy store. I hope they all survive. NOlan and I moved the dirt and put it into our new bed, so now all I have to do is plant it. We got some hail last night, but it really didn't affect my new unplanted fare, or my garden. Some places near us had up to baseball size hail. We have really had lots of bad weather this year.

On sunday the 11th, 16 of us rode the motorcycles down to Bob's resort in Gettysburg, Sd for steak. They have great food, and the hugest steaks. The show the Great Outdoors comes to mind when Nolan got his roast, I mean steak. I was bout as big as 2 of my fists. He of course couldn't finish it all, but we took the rest home in a doggy bag. I was a wonderful ride. I was kind of worried about getting rained on, but it just spit a little. My back did well, and I think I am ready for the Sturgis ride. We got to know some new people we don't usually hang around.

Well that's what has been happening here.
TTFN
Lori

Happy Birthday to Karady!!

We celebrated BIG yesterday for MEME's (that what she calls herself)2nd, or if you ask her, her third birthday. WE had good food, and we had so much fun with all of our guests. THank you everyone for the great gifts!! Hard to believe she is 2 already!!

She spent the rest of the evening playing in her mud makin' set (only with water though), and with her new dolly's. She is such a little mommy. She fell asleep in her swing while Uncle Blaine was pushing her. She slept until 6:30. So needless to say she was up until late. But it was a good day, and it was HER day.

Happy Birthday Baby!!!

TTFN

Lori

TWORIFFIC TIMES!!

Sorry it has been so long since I posted. Busy times.


I have been laid up with my back. It comes and goes, but it is pretty painful again. I am in PT and it has helped. I swear to God Karady knows I can't maneuver very well, and so she squirms all over the place for diaper changes and clothes changes. Which brings me to my title.

Karady is well on her way in her terrific two's. She is so independent, and won't allow you to help her at all. When she sets her mind to something, you can't change it. I told Nolan she is just like him. Mornings are a struggle to get out the door. It seems like she is throwing a fit most of the time. I can see that going out to eat with her will be optional any more. We went to the Bayside to eat on Sunday, and she had a few fits. THe food was good. We are glad to see it open again. Karady is referring to herself as MEME. YOu ask her what her name is and it's MEME. MEME is a challenging little girl. Lord give me strength.

We completed her swingset. She has so much fun on it. She loves the slide, and she swings until she gets dizzy. It is a challenge to get her to come in for the evening, and she loves to wander all over the yard, and into the neighbors. A fence is looking pretty good right now.

My mom just had cataract surgery. She says it went well. I pray she has good results, and so she can read again. SHe is set to have the other eye done soon after, if she has good results with the first.

Well I have all my flowers, but with the back thing going on, I haven't done anything with them. Also there is wood yet in my beds, so planting has not been done yet. Maybe this weekend, if I go slow. I spent most of the day in bed last Thursday, because that is all I could do.

Karady's vocabulary is progressing rapidly. NOw she says "yep, or Nope". Crazy how fast they learn sland. She still loves her babies, and I catch her soothing them and kissing them. She is also very sassy, and loves drama. How do they learn these things??

We visited Grandma Dorothy in Strasburg for her 98th Birthday on the 8th. she looked good. Jenenne and Don came from Montana too. We had them for supper then that night. We ate cake and icecream with grandma. Karady loved the sugar high.

I want to say how sorry we are we couldn't attend Meilee's dance recital. WE hear it was very good. I will be looking for pictures. We truly enjoyed last years.

Well so much for all of that.

TTFN

Lori