This morning we listened to Jacob chating away in his crib. Jared got up and took the truck back to our neighbor and I got Jacob's breakfast ready. He was standing up when I went in his room. He loved his oatmeal and also had some yogurt. At around 9am I decided to go in and wake up Hailey but she was already awake. She smiled and was happy when I set Jacob in with her. I made her oatmeal for breakfast too cause our cheerios were packed away at the bottom of the container for camping. I asked her to try a bite and she stuck her tongue out and tasted just a tiny bite - she didn't like it. I said, "Do you want Uncle Jared to make you some eggs". She said, "yes". While he was making them I got her dressed and ready for church. She went potty on the toilet and got her stickers. She tried a bite of the eggs and spit them out. Uncle Jared got her a granola bar and she liked that. Taking two kids to church was fun (really). Jacob wanted to try on my sunglasses on the way to church. Hailey thought that was funny. I took her to the nursery and the lady was really nice and talked to Hailey. She went with her without any fuss. Jacob however cried, "Ma Ma Ma Ma" and was still crying after I left. I heard him stop though. Pastor Shane taught service again this week - he always has very good sermons. He taught about being a "real community". His wife Mary came over to us after the service and asked if we wanted to go out for lunch. We told her we weren't sure when Mel and Bruce were coming to pick up Hailey so we had better do it another week. We are going to be gone the next two Sunday's so we are planning on doing it three Sunday's from now. They are a very nice couple and Mary is the same age as me. She is expecting a baby in November. Hailey told us that she had a good time in the nursery but she didn't sing. When we got home we had leftover pizza for lunch. Hailey and Jacob played. Hailey would go hide in Jacob's bedroom and Jacob would run in after her. Then they would both come running out. Hailey had fun riding on the stick horsey. Jacob lay down for a nap and Hailey stayed up for another hour. She slept until her Daddy came and picked her up. We all went outside and she said goodbye to the animals. Her and Jacob went down the slide. Tonight we went to McDonalds for ice cream cones. I shared mine with Jacob. He loves to bite the cone. We had to get a few more things from meijer. Stopped at the car wash on the way home. Jacob played chase with Daddy and then I read him a book before bed. He brushed his teeth and we said a prayer. He wanted to hold the tractor on the shelf so I let him before turning out the light. We blew out the light. Jared and I went outside to put rain-x on the car.
Kimmy

This morning we went to get Jared an OJ at the gas station. Then we went to get my capiccino at Tim's and then it was to Dunken Donuts. I got a muffin, Jared got his donuts and Jacob got a donut hole. I tried my coffee and it tasted awful. I took it in and asked for another. The girl did some things to it and then asked me to try it. It was hot so I took a little sip and said it was ok. I tried it in the car on the way to the farmers market and it tasted like hot water. After walking around the market we went again back to Tim's. When I walked in the door they said is it not ok. I said I just wanted to get my money back and come back tomorrow. They know me in there cause I'm a regular. One of the guys that takes care of us said, "try this one". I tried it and it still tasted the same. He said, "If anyone knows what it should taste like its you, your in here all the time". He made another one and it was perfect. He said he had to push really hard on a piece but was able to get it working. I didn't really mind - a little thing like that isn't going to stop me from going there - I love that place - their capiccino's are my favorite drink. The people there were really nice. We walked around Salvation army for a little bit. Melissa called today and said Max was going to have to go to the ER due to a temp and diarrhea with blood. Melissa asked if Hailey could stay with us. Of course we are thrilled to have Hailey spend the night with us. It will be her first overnight here. We went to the store to get a few more camping items and some diapers. Melissa and Bruce got there shortly after we got home. After they left we went outside to play. Jared, Hailey, Jacob and I all went up into the play fort. Hailey wanted to go down the green slide but she wanted Jacob to go first. Jared tilled in the garden. Hailey heard it thunder and ran towards the house. She wanted to go in because it was going to rain. Inside she asked if she could watch Hailey on tv. So I put in a home video. We watched the parade video. She said she wanted to watch the video of Hailey and Mommy when Max was in her belly. We had pizza for dinner. Jared went to pick up some bales of hay. Hailey noticed he was gone and asked, "Where's Jair". Truman barked really loud when Jared pulled in the driveway. Hailey got scared and ran to my lap. Hailey and Jacob brushed their teeth together. Hailey wanted to use some of Jacob's bubble gum toothpaste. She told me it tickeled her teeth and puckered a funny face. She picked out a couple books from Jacobs room and we took the Bible. She had picked Dr Seus - Green Eggs and Ham and a Humpty Dumpty rhyme book. Jacob gave her a slobbery kiss goodnight - she took it but wiped it off after with a big smile on her face. They both went to bed great. Melissa called and say that Max was ok. Our neighbors shot off fireworks tonight. That woke up Hailey in a scare. I opened the door and she said, "Fireworks". She was screaming. I told her I would read to her til they were done. When they were finally done I asked Hailey, "Are you ready to go and get in your bed". She said she wanted to cuddle some more. I said I would set the timer and we would cuddle until it went off. She was ok with that. I told her that I loved her very much and if any more fireworks went off I would come back in for her. I took the monitor outside so I could help Jared finish baling hay.

Kimmy

GNIP GNOP

Jared here, As Kimmy mentioned in her last post I was playing ping pong with her dad, my father in law yesterday. It's quite the common occurance when we're visiting. So ok a little history on playing my father-in-law Bill in ping pong. We started playing several months ago and it was not uncommon for him to win every game every time we played...and each time we played we would play many many games. He's really good! You wouldn't believe how he can spin that ball, it's amazing. So after awhile I got a little better and would make the games realtively close...some games. He has this way of playing that he doesn't show you all his tricks at once and will continue to use one till you figure it out and just when you've got that shot down he pulls out another that totally blows you away. And he has this slam that is crazy fast, dont' hit the ball with any loft or else it's getting knocked back down your throat. So after many months of playing I was winning one game out of the 10 to 15 we'd play... ok some nights it might of been 15-20+ games. So I was improving a little...some day's I'd be on and some day's I'd be really off...either that or my father in law would be the one's having the bad days and I'd just be getting lucky. After some time, I managed to put 2 wins together... but that usually included playing 15 games plus games... then came the day where I won 2 games in a row... WOW was I on cloud nine... I believe of the course of a couple of months I did that twice... once Bill quit just after that so he didn't run the risk of losing 3 in a row. Well I was feeling pretty good about my ping pong until the day the skunk arrived. If you don't know what a skunk is, it's when the other player has 11 and you have 0 and you lose. I think most play 7 and 0 but Bill's kind to me and play's it at 11. Yes I got skunked...and skunked big time. So after being humbled we kept playing day after day... only the twice have I one two times in a row... Then yesterday arrived... off to playing ping pong... I started the series off with a win...that's rare... well Bill won the following game. I tried to maintain some calmness and not get too worked up and nervous. I have to have total concentration and focus when I play him, if I slack off in the slightest way I won't notice the spin on the ball or how he hit the ball and game over. Well after he won I managed to win again... ok so now it's 2 games to 1, in my favor. Again I don't think this has never happened....so we began another game... I managed to win that one... I almost kept him to single digits on that last game, but got a little over confident and lack of concentration and he won several points in a row. But for the first time in Gnip Gnop history I was up on him 3 games to 1. With time running out we decided to call it quits and I arrived upstairs for the first time with the advantage of games in my favor. Now this is very unusual, as typically Mykenzie (niece) reports to the upstairs something as follows "Kimmy you're going to be very sad, they've played like 20 games and Jared hasn't won any"... So for the first time I won 3 games, although they were not in a row, I still managed to win 3 games...something that is unheard of even when we play 20+ games... I arrived upstairs with the majority of the wins. Yes, I'm bragging while I can as I'm sure the next time I'll once again be humbled... I'm just glad we didn't play 20+ games....as I'm pretty sure we'd of arrived upstairs with a different story. But as my gnip gnop improves and Bill show's me more of his trick shots, I'll hopefully wind up with at least 1/2 the wins. Well that's all for the Gnip Gnop stories for now. Just a 4 more sleeps till Copper Harbor.

Jared

Busy, busy Friday at work today. So glad the weekend is here. And even more glad that it is the weekend before we leave for our camping trip. Jared got to my mom's house at 4pm so she could go with my Dad to a rehersal for a couple my Dad is marrying. Jacob was sleeping when he got there and I didn't get there til 5:40pm and he was still sleeping. My parents came home and shortly after Jacob woke up. When I went up to get him he couldn't wait to be picked up and give me hugs. Mom said she took Jacob over to Grandma and Grandpa's house. She said Jacob was into everything. He pretended to tickel my Grandpa. And he gave both Grandma and Grandpa a kiss goodbye. Mom said he fell and when everyone got a kick out of it he wanted to keep falling to see everyones reactions. Jared was playing pingpong with my Dad (I'll let him tell you how that went). On our way home we stopped at Gander Mountain to look at their camping gear. Then we went to Target and then Jared went into Lowe's. Jacob loves to ring this bell (above) that I got from my Grandma Schaard after she passed away. Vikki called tonight and it was nice talking to her. She is always fun to talk to - I love you Vik. She was over at Mom's today and said that Jacob was pretending to feed her and then he would take it and put in his mouth instead. It was then time to put Jacob in bed. He kept saying, "Ma Ma Ma Ma" and holding his arms up to me. I said from across the room, "Lets blow out the lights". I blew and turned them out. Then I turned them back on to see him smile. We did it again.

Kimmy

Today Jacob is staying at Nana's house. He is going to be staying there two days a week because the doctor says Melissa needs to only watch him 2-3 days a week due to health reasons. I took him into Nana's and then turned around to go outside to get his other things. He cried so my Mom carried him out with me. I stayed for a little bit and then said goodbye. He was so into the new toys Nana brought up he didn't mind my leaving. It was a very busy day at work today and I was glad to get out and go see my little guy. He ran over to give me a huge hug. Papa was pretented to "get him" and instead of running away he ran over to him and gave him a big hug. He looked at him and then gave him another hug. Nana carried him out and he fused when I put him in the carseat. He chated on the way home and was happy to see Daddy when we got there. Jared was mowing the lawn. We went inside and made some dinner. We went outside and Jacob saw the tractor. He came over to me hands up saying, "ta te da la uh so se te" which translated into "Mommy will you set me on that tractor, its right over there". He sat on the tractor and then Daddy climbed behind him and started it up. He took Jacob for a ride over to the fort. Jacob and I sat up in the fort while Jared finished mowing the lawn. Jacob wanted to watch Daddy's every move. He watched him go all over and was saying "Da Da" "Da Da" then he'd say "Mu Ma", "Mu Ma". He was excited when tiger (the cat) climbed up with us. He kept wanting to hug him. Tiger actually likes it. Then we went down the green slide together. I took him over to sit in the truck. We beeped the horn and he like that. Daddy took him up in the fort and tried to have him go down the tube slide again. He didn't want to today. He just kept saying, "Ma Ma Ma Ma" til I took him. We went and looked at the pretty day lilies. Inside Jacob loved to sit on the counter and play with the camping mugs. He did not want to go to sleep tonight.

Kimmy

Up alot during the night with a toothache. I've canceled my appointment to have this tooth taken care of and never rescheduled. I called and made an appointment but they can't get me in until the middle of Sept. I am on antibiotics so it should be better by our trip. After Jared left for work I fell asleep off and on. Jacob slept in til 9am. He was so happy to see me and I was just as happy to see him. Its so nice to be home with him. We had breakfast and then we played. I lay on Truman's bed and Jacob would tackle me as he laughed. I pretended to hide behind his monkey pillow saying, "where's Mommy", he'd laugh as I'd pull it away and said, "Here I am". I put his sunscreen on and then he sat on the bench as I put on his sandles. We played over by his slide and then he wanted to walk over by the rooster. The rooster was getting to close so I tossed a couple apples at him. Jacob wanted to carry a couple apples over to the chicken coop. He dropped in the apple and the chickens started eating it. Then Jacob wanted the apple back. We went inside to get our swim suits on. I cleaned out his pool and put in fresh water. He would not go in until I went in. I sat in it and it felt great. It was hot out today. Jacob wanted to walk around me in a circle as I sat in the middle. He'd fall and get right back up and continue walking around me. We went inside for lunch and then Jacob took a nap. I ironed clothes and cleaned up the house. Jacob slept for a couple of hours. When he got up I gave him a snack and then we got ready to go shopping. We went to Salvation army and Jared met us there after he got out of work. We found a set of 8 tupperware mugs like Jared used when he was young. He is going to use the brown just like he used when he was little. I think I'll use the orange. I like the covers for them - we were happy to find them and the whole set was only ~$2. Jared was bummed cause there weren't any green in the set. We stopped at the dollar store and then at Walmart. We got groceries for our camping trip. Jacob loves his "Barry" bear. He walked around hugging it several times today.

Kimmy

My toothache was so painful last night I was unable to concentrate to write. I'm on antibiotics so hopefully that will help. We fastened the tube slide to the swingset tonight. Jacob sat down below watching us as we worked on this. After it was all fastened I took Jacob up to the top. He had so much fun running back and forth and then sticking his legs through the posts and sitting with his legs dangeling off the edge. He did not want to slide down the slide. Daddy was calling him but he was not going to do it and I wasn't going to make him. He will do it when he is ready, for now he really enjoys the other slide. Well Daddy took him up and I was talking to him through the slide and Jared said here he comes. He said he wanted to come down. I handed him back up and he wanted to do it again. He got very dirty outside so back to the tub tonight.

At Mel's this morning Jacob sat right down and played with Hailey's doll house (I know, kinda girly). He was playing with the horse and carriage and the people. Max woke up while I was there and he was full of smiles. Jacob gave me a hug and kiss and stood at the door to wave bye bye. Mom came over to Mel's today to watch the boys while Melissa went to the dentist. Hailey went with her. When I picked up Jacob from my sisters I sat down on my knees and he ran up to me and gave me a huge hug that about knocked me backwards. He gave me a kiss and then another hug. Then he put his head down in my lap and bit my leg - Ouch. On the way home Jared called and said there was a major storm at our place and the wind was very strong with lightening all around. It was clear where I was. He said I should pull over if it got too bad. He knows that I don't like driving in a storm. I drove for a ways and it was clear. I got of an exit and headed towards home and it was like going into a dark tunnel of a major storm. Lightening was striking all around me. I decided to get off and wait it out. I got off at the wrong exit where there was no on ramp. So I found my way on the back roads and went by Jared's work. There were big branches in the road and I went around them. Now I knew where I was and I got back on the highway. I was so scared and was praying the whole way. We got home safe and sound and I felt relieved. There were many scattered branches down in our yard and other things blown around. Jacob loves his sports chair in the pictures. In the other picture above he is giving Truman a big hug. He loves that dog and will just pop a squat next to him and rest his arm on his back. He took his bath and then I read him a book before bed. He gave Daddy a kiss on the cheek and I took him into his crib. He was so excited snuggeling on his blankey. Then I said, "Lets pray" and he sat right up, folded his hands, and bowed his head. I said a little prayer and then said, "Amen" and he looked up at me and smiled. He chated for about five minutes before falling asleep.
Kimmy

After a late night in we all slept in this morning. We got out of bed at 9:15am and rushed to get to church by 10am. The pastor that taught the sermon today had an excellant message and I'm glad we didn't miss it. I took Jacob back to the nursery and he cried when I set him down. I stayed and got him interested in a truch and then I left. The last couple days he has been really attatched to me (I am enjoying it but Daddy may get a complex:). After church we went home and had pizza. Jacob took a nap and I worked on laundry. Jared started bringing things in from the garage and we started packing for Copper Harbor. We went outside and tried to work on the playfort but it was too hot and got a little done. When Jacob got up we decided to go over to Mom's to go swimming. Jared, Me, Jacob, Kenzie and Mom all went for a long swim. Jacob only wanted me to hold him until Kenzie came over and he held his hands out to her. He went to Nana for a little bit and then I got him back. We had so much fun. He loves to play motor boat and laughs when I twirl with him. Mom and I got out and Jacob had some dinner. Jared and Kenzie swam for a little longer. We all went over to Grandma and Grandpa's house for a visit. I took care of their dog Taylor and Kenzie helped me. She is such a great helper. She held Taylor as I trimmed his nails and helped me clean up the mess. Jacob cried cause he was tired and he wanted me to come back in the room he was in. I was holding him and he held his hands to Kenzie and gave her a very big hug and then a big kiss. He loves her. I took him over to Grandma and he gave her a kiss goodbye. He wanted to drink her water through the straw. When we got home Jacob was very tired. Daddy carried him in and then I got him ready for bed. Jared went out to check on the animals. Jacob was happy to get in his crib and fell asleep right away. We folded some more laundry before bed.

Kimmy

This morning we met Papa at Dunkin donuts. Then we went over to the Farmer's market. Got some corn on the cobb and Dad also got some cherry's. He likes to see how many pits he can keep in his mouth. By the time we drove over to TSC he had ~34 pits in his mouth. We alway got such a big kick out of that growing up. After TSC we went back to our place to work on the play fort. Today we are going to add a 16 ft swingset onto it. When it was time for Jacob's nap I went over to help them. We got it up and it looks great. After Dad left Jared and I worked on a couple more things then it got so hot we decided to go in . We took some of Jacob's old toys to Salvation army (where I originally got them from). We went to the mall today to walk around and get some ice cream. Took Jacob to the play place and he had lots of fun. Then we went to meijer for some groceries. Tonight we are going to a firework display in town. Nana and Papa area also going. We found a spot and set up our chairs. He was clapping and dancing. I ended up putting on his harness cause he wanted to walk all over. He didn't mind having it on at all. The firework display was awsome. Jacob hung onto me tight.

July 14 2006

After work today we met at Mom and Dad's house. Jacob ate his dinner and then we headed over to Vikki, Rody, and Kenzie's campsite. Dad rode in the car with us and Mom drove Mel's van with her kids. We walked through the campsite and Vikki, Rody and Kenzie rode their bikes. Then Jared and I rode the bikes with Kenzie. Tried out Jacob's new harness from Grandma Lela. It is so nice to have. He doesn't seem to mind it at all. We sat around the fire and chated then Jared, Jacob and I went for another walk. It was a beautiful night. We made smores. Jacob had a bite of mine then Hailey came over and gave him a bite of her's. She also went and found him his drink. Jacob loved the hanging lights on the camper.

After work today Nana and Papa came over to help work on the swingset. Nana played with Jacob while I helped Jared and Dad as much as I could. Mom called me inside cause Truman had pucked up a sock. Things are really coming along well. Jacob came up on the first level with me for a little bit. It was getting dark so I went inside and gave Jacob him bath and got him ready for bed. He did not want to take a bath tonight. He kept wanting to stand up in the tub. Papa played chased and had Jacob running from me to him and back laughing.

Kimmy

After work today Rody and Vikki meet me at Mel's with their dog Monica. She is going to be staying with us for a few days. What a nice dog! We stopped at Salvation army on the way home. One of the lady's there was tickeling Jacob making him giggle. Then we stopped at the grocery store for bread and milk. Jared was working on the playhouse/slide for Jacob. I gave Jacob some dinner and then we went to work together. Jacob played in his playpen. I had put a whole bucket of balls and blocks in there with him and by the time we were done every one of them were in the grass. We put Monica on a leash outside with us. She lay under the tree just as happy as could be. Jacob talked to Aunt Vikki on the phone tonight. He was smiling from ear to ear. Usually He likes to push the big button that hangs up the phone. He was running around giggeling and diving into Truman's bed. Then he'd look as if to make sure we saw him being goofy. I got him ready for bed and was tickeling him so he was laughing really hard. I rolled his train up and down his back and he laughed. He was tired and ready for bed. Layed right down and went right to sleep.

Kimmy

Jacob had lots of fun playing with his octopus this morning on our way to Mel's. Mom called me at work today and asked me to call Dad. She said he was at our house with tools and wanted to know where we wanted to put Jacob play fort/slide. I called Jared to ask him and he said he was going to leave work cause he was excited to start building this for Jacob. Vikki and Rody came over to help. Mom came over for a little bit too I hear. After work Melissa and I took the kids for a ride in the wagon down to 7 elevan for free slurpie's because today is 7/11. Jacob and Hailey got their own little cups with straws and drank them on the walk back. Jacob thought it was very tasty. Max rode nicely in the stroller. Jared, Dad, Vikki, and Rody were working on the fort when I got home from work. It started to rain pretty hard. Jacob was sitting in the stroller under the garage while we all worked on getting the floor on the top level. We were all pretty wet when that was done. It started to lightening so we called it quits. They got all the 6 posts set and the two floors up. The top one still needs to be leveled. Jacob held him arms out to go to Aunt Vikki and was giving her kisses. He loves her so much. She chased him around and he ran over to me giggeling. Had chicken and rice for dinner - Jacob's first time. He liked it. He took my bottle of water and drank the little bit that was left. Got himself a little wet but he was having fun so I added some more water. Tonight Jacob would run over to Truman's bed and take a face dive right into it. Then he get up and do it again.

Kimmy

Jacob didn't want to wake up this morning. He stayed awake the whole way to Mel's. The physical therapist that used to take care of Melissa and has twin boys gave me and Mel a whole bunch of clothes up to 3T. Melissa took the clothes that would fit Max and I took the rest home. She also sent shoes, boots, slippers, videos, and toys. I can't wait to look through them. Mel took Jacob to Nana's cause she had a Dr's appointment. I picked him up there after work. He was excited to see me and gave me a very nice hug. Papa was chasing him and he was laughing really hard. The armrest of his carseat came off so my Dad helped me put it back on. Dad can fix anything. Jacob had pizza for dinner at Nana's. Kenzie was there and she wanted me to come outside to play with some snappers that you through at the ground. We had fun until we sturred up a hornet nest. One landed on Kenzie's hand and one came on me into the house and then flew over to the sliding door. Dad killed it with his hand. Vikki and Rody pulled up in their new car. Very nice - does both automatic and shift. They seemed very excited and I know exactly how they feel. Jacob wanted to sit in the seat and pretend to drive. Jared was a Randy's finishing the playset for Jacob. They saw two good size garder snakes and a blue tailed skink. At home I helped him unload the truck. Jacob played in his truck and then played in the rocks. He wanted to sit in the truck of coarse. He was laughing as I chased him all over and swang him in the air. We went inside and our neighbor's were doing fireworks. Jacob loved it he was talking and giggeling as he pointed at the screen door. Kate was freeked out and running all over. Jacob chased me up and down the hallway. Then we went in our bedroom and he had fun spinning the desk chair.

Kimmy