Friday, December 26, 2008

Merry Christmas

Anneli testing out her walking legs. She took 10 steps the other day! She has to be in the right mood though because she hasn't attempted to walk since.




Well we had another fun and exciting Christmas. This year Anneli joined in on some of the excitement. My sister and brother-in-law came with their little girl Anneke. It was fun having the two cousins together.




Anneli giving her cousin kisses



Anneli wasn't exactly thrilled with getting a crockpot for Christmas....she'll just have to wait and see what comes out of it.

Monday, December 22, 2008

Still snowing

Well the snow storms are still blowing in. We now have 18 inches of snow! The next storm is scheduled for Christmas Eve. Our compact cars are buried but my dad is still getting around with the truck. He's been running errands for friends that can't get out. Taking care of the animals is more of a challenge. Yesterday there was a layer of ice on top of a foot of snow and each step my boots would get stuck it didn't help that I was carrying a 50# bag of feed. But I have been asking for snow every year for my birthday for many years and this year we had an abundance of it.




cold cuts




I think there's a car under there?

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Fun in the snow


This is in our front yard a few days ago. We now have over a foot of snow in some places! This picture was taken before Anneli started crying. She doesn't care much to be out in the snow but enjoys staying in by the fire. Every once in awhile I'll hear her say "doooohh" which is her word for the white fluffy stuff outside.It has been blizzard conditions today and none of us feel much like venturing out in it. Looks like we will have a white Christmas!

Thursday, December 11, 2008


Anneli sledding up at Mt Hood

Anniversary!!



On Tuesday we celebrated our 2nd anniversary. We started the day off by heading up to Mt. Hood where Hunter had made reservations at Timberline Lodge. Anneli slept most of the way there and when she opened her eyes we were almost to the top. As she peaked out the window she had a very puzzled look on her face as she saw everything covered with snow. Then her little face lit up with a huge smile. We spent most of the first day in the lodge sipping hot chocolate and admiring the scenery. I had forgotten how close Timberline Lodge is to the very top of the mountain. It was a beautiful sunset, we were up above the clouds and as the sun went down all of the clouds lit up in an amazing array of colors.
On Wednesday we went out exploring and since the winter snows hadn't hit there hardest, we were able to drive into the national parks. We stopped at Clearwater Lake. Hunter describe it as being so quiet it was loud. Ice had formed around the edge and when you picked it up and threw it across the lake it made cool sound.We moved on and pulled into the next park but after driving for about 25 minutes and not seeing any lake we turned around. It was a beautiful drive so not all was lost. We headed back to civilization and had some lunch and the took Anneli sledding, I think Hunter and I actually had more fun pulling Anneli than she did riding. She was a good sport though. We headed back this morning....it was a good trip...Oh and I don't know why this section of the post was made a link but i couldn't reverse it so try to ignore .

Friday, October 31, 2008

1 Already!


I can't believe it myself. Anneli had her first birthday on Monday. We didn't do anything too fancy, we will be celebrating this Sunday with a costume party. Anneli is going to be her favorite animal which is a duck.
Fall is in full swing, I couldn't get enough of the sunshine, but I woke this morning to our drizzly gray weather that is very typical of Oregon. So today I sit with my cup of tea in hand.
Anneli picked out her pumpkin out of my mom's little patch in her garden. Hunter snapped a few pictures of her which turned out super cute.

Friday, October 17, 2008

goaty goat


This is Ladybug, I have to say the name doesn't fit her well. This isn't a very good picture. Hunter sold my camera and I have been using this little snap and shoot that doesn't take very good pictures. He sold it promising a new and improved model......I'm still waiting..ha ..oh well. On a more positive note she is getting a little easier to work with, that or she's training me...who knows. As for everyone waiting for milk we should be up and running next week.

Monday, October 13, 2008

october already!

Well the seasons have changed, and the fall weather has brought some cold mornings. Poor little Anneli can barely move her arms when I've finished dressing her for bed. It has been a little while since I last posted on this blog, my apologies. Well whats new...... A few weeks ago we added 2 dairy goats to our little farm. It's been keeping us pretty busy. The morning and evening milking times, or should i say wrestling matches have proven the most challenging. I have a stubborn goat, you think it would be easy, all she would have to do is stand still and it would only take half as long. But no...she'll kick over the bucket or step in it. So the wrestling match begins, I dodge her stomping feet as she leans her weight into me to get me off her milking stand, I push her back, she gets mad and kicks up her feet, the milk bucket goes flying and here i am covered in milk shedding a few frustrated tears. If she had a little more meat on her I would have already sent her to the butcher. So much for my dairy business.

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Anneli is 10 months old now and communicating more every day. Each day brings something new and exciting. Yesterday we were playing a game and she leaned over and kissed me. I didn't know whether to laugh with delight or let out a joyful cry.Our mother and baby relationship is blooming into a mother and daughter relationship, it's so amazing! How could anyone ever think that we just evolved from a pebble on the ground or even a sillier thought of a monkey.


weeds are kinda bitter tasting
Anneli liked the fish at the zoo so much i decided to get her a pet fish....she calls it a"bish"

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

State Fair

Duck racing, mutton bustin and enormous hot dogs loaded with everything you can think of piled on top pretty much sums up our day at the fair!



Tuesday, August 19, 2008

A little light in the night

It's funny how God uses stressful moments in our lives to connect us to himself. I was up most the night with a screaming infant....yes sweet little Anneli seemed as if she would never go to sleep last night. I was frustrated and tired so a thought popped in my head to shoot up a prayer to the Lord, immediately I became so aware of how blessed I am, I have an amazing husband and beautiful baby girl. I have parents that always welcome our parading in on them no matter what they have already planned. And friends to laugh and learn with through all the trials that come our way. I know God has put these people in my life for a purpose and I sure have learned alot from there example.

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Reunited with daddy!


After 2 weeks in Africa and 48 hours traveling home Hunter is finally home and we couldn't be more excited!

Thursday, July 17, 2008



Today was the baby contest at the fair. Although we didn't win first prize we did get to take home some goodies and a few fun pictures.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008


Who needs to spend extra money on a plack n play?

Anneli helping with the laundry
Anneli with Auntie Lindsay and cousin Anneke
Anneli is 8 1/2 months old and growing in personality everyday. Each day I see her try something new. Yesterday we were spending the day at my sisters and she found a toy cow to play with. I told her that the cow says "moo". Well to my surprise Anneli said "moo" back. She is also very active and is climbing on everything. At this point she doesn't have much fear of falling, which I find kind of scary. I have to hold myself back at times while she explores and learns about gravity on her own. We have such fun together! It is a joy to be a mom!

Monday, July 14, 2008

Summer activities

This summer has brought a lot of excitement and a busy schedule for us. In June our family flew to Orange City, Iowa for a film shoot. Hunter was busy day and night working with cast and crew on an independent basketball movie. This was pretty big for us since it was Hunter's first time shooting a movie! I even got to help some with making posters for pep rallies and Anneli and I got to be in one of the scenes! Lots of excitement. But this was just the start for Hunter's busy summer. We flew home the 3rd of July so Hunter could again fly off, this time to Africa. Hunter is now in Rwanda helping the Africa Mission Alliance with filming a non-profit documentary. I have been receiving email updates and it sounds like he really needs a hamburger! ha! Other than missing his family he seems to be doing very well, its been a refreshing time of ministering and being ministered to. Hunter is do back this coming Friday and Anneli and I are greatly anticipating his arrival.