Say Cheese!

If I'm not mistaken, these look like senior pictures.  How can that be?  Sten was not too eager to do a photo shoot, but he smiled real perty, don'tcha think?  We plan to take some on the farm, but are waiting for better weather.  Now a shout out to the guy behind the lens . . . check out his blog.  Thanks Larry!  Love you Stennie Winnie Boo Boo

Hay! It's that time of year

Hay Boy is at it again. He is dressing the part with his Amish-ish facial hair. Last year, he finished with just over 6,000 bales - this year he's going to be right at 15,000!

This pick-up machine works awesome! It traps the bale and sends it up the chute. Looks like its from the horse drawn era, but it works! Best part - there's very little to break down (unlike the rest of this surly and cantankerous hay equipment)

Giving 26 Spankings Today

7-11 is a big date in this house! We have- not one, but 2 birthdays to celebrate. Our first baby and our last baby.

Here they are at Maren's first and Sten's 9th birthday

17 years old now, unimaginable!

Mare Mare is 9! Boo hoo

A Deere Kid

Hay season has arrived and Sten is working the "bugs" out of his new cutter. I ran for parts today and while I was waiting at the counter, I glanced behind me at a scene similar to the picture above.

Not long ago, a little towhead was beside me, tugging on my hand and begging, "Just one - please Mommy". Good thing I didn't succumb to his pleas more often as these "hay boy" trips to the John Deere store can get expensive!

When he was 1.5, he sat on Santa's lap and told him that he wanted a John Deere combine. Santa looked at me with a puzzled expression and asked, "Does he know what he's talking about"? Yep. When he was 2, we pulled the RV into a site at Lake Shasta and Sten immediately won the hearts of our neighbors - he peeked his head out the door and asked them - "Do you wanna see my John Deeres"? In the Sunday paper, the local John Deere dealer often has a full color insert. Sten would peruse that for hours - his favorite picture book - I finally started getting them laminated. Guess he was destined to be a hay boy.

My heart breaks for the Grotz family as they recently lost their son in a tragic farming accident. We think of them as "our kids", but they are only a gift. A most precious gift. See http://tylergrotz.blogspot.com for the memorial.

Coming Soon to a field near you!

Milah is the proud owner of a new cutter (yes, Milah financed the purchase). Sten spotted it sitting next to an outbuilding, obviously neglected. After some inquiring, he found the owners who explained what they believed was wrong - he spied the solution right away, but kept it to himself and worked an awesome deal.

Sten was just a baby when we bought Buck's before. One of his first words was "Bucks". Here he is driving a truck that is just one year younger than him. A strange and unexpected turn of events -

Altogether Now - Ahhhhh

So, we're driving by this beautiful field of mustard and the children holler in unison to stop the car.  They pile out with big smiles on their faces and beg me to take their picture.  Who am I kidding?  The grumbling and complaining started the moment the car began to decelerate.  It was in full roar as they struck this pose - whaaaa whaaaa - sounds like a bunch of babies.  Our cute little babies.

Shopping Alert

Yes, the dollar store is a favorite. There are some bargains for a buck - but the toy aisle is loaded with junk that barely survives its trip to the car. We've had more than a few tears shed after a disappointing experience with those cheap-o handcuffs. No matter how much they were warned about the shabby quality - they were always shocked when an arm broke off, in the process of detaining their first felon.

However, I spotted these fake mustaches at a quick glance - a sure bet for a few laughs and only $1! Better grab a few packs - never know when a stache will come in handy.

This is called Rambling . . .

With 4 swimmers in our house, we have a heaping basket of swim goggles. Maren was reorganizing her swim bag tonight and explaining to me just how important goggles are to competitive swimmers. She mentioned that once at a swim meet, she was on the starting blocks and just before the whistle blew, she realized that her goggles were upside down. She didn't have time to fix them and consequently swam poorly in the race. I replied, "You didn't do that bad." She shook her head slightly, gave me a look like "get a clue" and said, "Mom" - I got 11th place. Do you have any idea what color the ribbon is for 11th place? (Paused for emphasis, thinking I would know this) It's brown, MOM - the ribbon for 11th place is brown. Apparently the brown 11th place ribbon is beyond disgusting.

In other news - I noticed Maren was wearing one of Sten's tshirts to bed. When I casually asked her what the deal was, she said it was because she likes the smell of him. He smells good, so says she.

Unlike the dog who has apparently been frolicking in cow poop. Sheesh! I guess we'll have to dress Danner in one of Sten's shirts to see if we can get him smelling any better.

For the record, Sten recently won 1st place in a mechanical skills competition at the local community college. 3 cheers to Sten! Him's a smart feller and a good smeller to boot.

Spaghetti and a Hair Cut

27 kids for dinner

And Haircuts

And hair coloring

Before a District swim meet, the tradition is to get creative with clippers or dye or a combination of both. Then before the State swim meet (one week later), shave the head completely to lessen the resistance.

This year's preferred wacky do was the mohawk - featured here on Mr. Victor

As seen here on Jake and Zach.

Now, don't scream . . . but do you recognize the blond? Where is his mother???

My job tonight is to make 7 pairs of swan wings for the senior boys as they finish their high school swimming career with a choreographed "swan dive" tomorrow:)

Funky Dude

1978, looks like Uncle John

1988, looks like cousin Ed

1966

A few steps back . . .

Sten was thrilled to find this "bargain" on Craigslist. Someone was parting out a 2008 Ford F350 that had been burned. He grabbed the front/rear axles and suspension parts. The only bad part about it is that he must take a few steps back on his truck project, but it will make that beast a dream to turn and it will be a stout unit.

Rustic Retreat Complete

While the kids were sunning themselves poolside

And touring tropical islands, we were busy.

Sten's room was sorely in need of an update. I had painted this faux log wall 8 years ago and it was time for something fresh.

All the walls were painted and we mounted rusty metal awnings above the windows and covered the faux log wall with rusty metal.

The accent walls are dark brown, orange, blue, and green. Argyle fabric is ordered that ties the colors together (I promise) I was wanting a neutral color for the majority of the walls in a brownish/gray tone. Paint is (eek) expensive, so I cruised the shelves at Habitat for Humanity - grabbed 2 gallons that were close to the desired color, mixed them together and voila! Perfect!

The signs will be hung on the metal wall, and the doorway to the secret hideaway will be covered with metal as well. Down the hallway, we finally installed the closet doors that had been in storage for 8 years - no procastinators here, no sir. My plan is to make this so cozy that he never wants to leave home. However, upon his departure, both the girls have called "dibs" on his hip pad.

And the award goes to . . .

Water Polo Awards


Our poor water polo team struggled this year. To "field" a polo team, you need 7 players in the water. We had 8. However, the teams we played had upwards of 18 kids on their teams. Needless to say, we were a little outmatched - only winning 1 game. Sten collected a handful of awards tonight - he was the 2nd leading scorer and was given recognition as one of the best defensive players and the hardest worker on the team. He made the all league honorable mention team and will be madly recruiting players for next year's team. After all, who wouldn't want to swim like a dog, attempting to put the yellow ball in the net while fending off vicious attackers. Oh, I know why - cuz it's so fun to drown the opponents at the other end!

Spy the Differences

Notice there is no picture of Stennie getting on the bus - that's because he is DRIVING to school. Another difference - Sten did not lay out his clothes the night before, I think he grabbed them off the top of the heap in his room. Sten did not neatly arrange his backpack with all his new school supplies nor invite friends over to check out his cool new pencils. He threw a pen in his pocket, assumed there was still paper in there from last year and was off . . . is it a boy thing, a Sten thing, or is it a general nausea about school?

Look at this Mom

These new pants have an exciting life ahead - they are sure to come in contact with copious amounts of grease, dung, dirt, general grunge, and filth. Apparently the "old" jeans are only 6months, but have had an adventurouse life on this young chap. They can also look forward to multiple washings after being swept off the mound of clothes heaped on his floor.

Congratulations are in Order!

Route for today:

1. Take Sten to DMV where he passes his driving test

2. Attempt to talk myself out of worry

3. Drop by the pharmacy for large dose of parental sedative

4. Attempt to talk myself out of worry

5. Rob a bank to pay the insurance premium (an increase of 483.00)

6. Attempt to talk myself out of worry

Anxiety? Who me?

Hey Hay it's your Birthday!

No this is not a "senior" picture, but it will be soon enough. Sten is turning 16 in 4 days. What happened to that little towhead in the backseat chattering about tractors and monster trucks from his perch in the carseat? A blink, a nod and a few runny noses later - he's a young man. Sten is a character with a calm and witty personality. He's a bit redneck (maybe a large percentage), part comedian, part Mr. Fix-it, and part "Good Guy." He would run through hot coals for his sisters, and is the perfect mix of "toughness" and sensitivity. He is loyal, fair and a hard worker. Although not crazy about school- his sharp mind, his skills, tenacity, and friendly nature will serve him well (after he escapes the penitentiary). Happy Birthday Stennie.

The cast of characters

Buzzzzz

You never know what a day brings . . . today our neighbor requested Sten's services as a beekeeper when a swarm developed near their house. Seems as tho the mighty logger is deathly afraid of bees (I'm right there with him) and begged Sten's assistance. Sten admitted to being a little creeped out and nervous about the task.

Aw Aw Aw CHOO!

Hay season is in full swing around here . . . this means long days, sunburns, weather checks, and coolers full of water. It also meant pulling a bit of tansy - over a ton in one field.

It also means scheduling, checking the weather, monitoring equipment and a full cart of grub at Costco.

Oh, and did I mention - we are always checking the weather?!

Susie and Gauge are home. This little guy is irresistable.

Shop truck on standby