Water and Electricity...

Our electric bill was actually good news to us this month!

After months on end of frustration over and investigation into electric bills over $400 each month, we finally were able to determine that our water well pump was malfunctioning, and thus was literally running 24/7. 

About three weeks ago, we were able to get the local water system guy out here to work, and discovered that indeed, the pump pipes had several leaks...losing about 5 gal. a minute, which is why it kept running to keep the proper pressure in the pressure tank.

While we were not happy at having to pay over a thousand dollars for all the work and a new pipe, we knew it had to be done.  Another praise in it all is that Mark's work schedule with Hillman is flexible enough that he was able to assist with the work, which saved us hundreds of dollars. 

All in all, I must say we were "excited" for the first time ever to receive an electric bill today...$275!!!  Quite a relief from the $400+ it has been, thank you Lord!

Milligan Almanac

Swallows returned on 5/21 in 2012. 
Swallows returned on 5/20 in 2013

Ice on the lake in front of our house was gone on 5/27, and on 5/28 the rest of the ice from the upper lake drifted by and melted out. 

Karis wasn't sure what was going on when she looked out the window to see the lake unfrozen-"it's so shiny!"

Jacob & Slivers

I was attempting to pull yet another sliver from Jacob's hand tonight.
He has had many of them this year, and is working on valiant bravery in the face of probing tweezers!

As he had his head turned away from my work on his hand, he queeried in all seriousness,
"Any success yet?" 

Logic

Karis:  Mommy, I don't like my smoothie.
Me:  Sorry, drink it anyway.

3 minute interlude.

Karis:  Jacob, do you want my smoothie?  It's good.
Jacob:  If it's good, why don't you drink it?
Karis:  It's not good.
Jacob:  Then why did you just tell me to drink it because it's good?
Karis:  It's good for YOU, not for me!

Mother's Day, 2013

 I am a very blessed wife and mom, to be sure!  Because Mark thought the birthday celebration for my mom's birthday last weekend was also encompassing Mother's Day, he made grand plans with the kids for Mother's Day at home.  They were so excited to play their part in preparing dinner! 

They spoiled me all day, and after dinner, gift-giving (exactly what I hoped for...a whirly-type popcorn popper!), and a nap, we headed out for a hike. 

                                                                                                                                                               My husband knows me well...there's nothing else I'd rather do than take a hike as a family!

Karis turns 3!!!

She loves this little bear from Nana and Papa!

 This girl...be still my heart.  We are still full of wonder that she's "this old."  She is as full of life as one can be...she's exuberant about most everything!





















Her excitement over her new cowboy boots was unrivaled...she's been saying for days that she "needs cowboy boots, too!"  She couldn't get her socks and new boots on fast enough-and she was too quick to capture well her expression!
































 Her siblings were so generous and loving in their gift-giving.  Anna had sweetly planned for weeks to give her one of her own stuffed pink puppy dogs that she knew Karis loved.  Jacob planned well-ahead to get her something when we were shopping, and decided on a Dora coloring book from him and Andrew.  And Andrew worked so very hard making this beaded necklace for her. 


Happy Birthday, little one.

Homer Trip

 In science this year, we've been studying "Swimming Creatures of the Fifth Day."  We just happened to be on the chapter on mollusks when Mark was headed to Homer for work...so we tagged along and went to the beach while he was working! 

It was cold and blustery, but the kids had a blast...and we were rewarded with finding three live whelks, a small live clam, and a moon snail shell among the numerous other empty shells.  
Boring ole' science lessons! ;)

Robotics

The boys have been involved in a robotics program through 4H.  They spent several weeks learning how to build and program lego robots.  They presented what they had learned through a retelling of The Gruffalo, as they had created all the animals in the story as robots!  

A very cool learning experience, which Anna has every intention of participating in next year.  ("Mom, I wish I was in it.  I didn't know it would be like this.")



Also, because the instructor's best photo of the kids working was of Andrew and Jacob, they've become "famous," as Jacob puts it!  They've been featured in several news articles like this one.

Creative Genius, or...

Andrew needed a headlamp and couldn't find one...which is apparently not a trouble if you have bendaroos, flexees, a water bottle holder, and a small flashlight!

Family Snowshoeing

 One of the things we love about our new place is the easy access to the power line trails for skiing and snowshoeing.  And when you're blessed with a warm, sunny Sunday in April, it's the perfect day to get out!

Boone is doing incredibly well with pulling his own weight and then some...he can pull both girls in the sled (and occasionally helps with hauling firewood, too).  He's one of those dogs that takes to it naturally and loves every minute of it.





















The boys spent more time OFF the trail then they do ON it. 




















 Anna started off on snowshoes and then soon resorted to being pulled on the sled...but she really enjoys walking Sophie, too!










Karis hates strongly dislikes being pulled in the sled...I think it leaves her feeling less "in control" than she's comfortable with.  So rather than deal with a two-year-old who whines, cries, complains, and generally sabotages what would otherwise be a fun family outing (not that we, ahem, have learned that from experience), I packed her on my back.  Happy baby + good workout for me = a long, fun day had by all!

Lazy Saturday

 Mark thought this day was remarkable enough to capture "on film" (ha!  Sound better than "in digital"). 

All four kids spent all morning poring over books and games...in relative peace and quiet!  It's just so rare for them to all be so still!

Easter, 2013

 We enjoyed an uneventful, relaxing Easter Sunday.  Easter service at New Beginnings Baptist was a blessing, and we fellowshipped after over a delightful potluck brunch.  Then we headed to my parents' for dinner.

Though we still have plenty of snow, it was a beautiful, sunny day!

The line-up of best-dressed kiddos at Sunday School!  (Andrew felt "too old" to be included)!

Andrew's Mole

Andrew had a large mole on his back that had been growing slowly but steadily.
To be on the safe side, we had it removed and checked.  Thankfully, it came back all clear, and he had just 8 stitches to show for his trouble.
We learned the hard way that Andrew has an allergy to neosporin, and thus it was soon an itchy, inflamed mess.  Poor kid.  Because of the allergic reaction, it didn't heal up quite as scar-free as we hoped...but boys like scars, right?

Vegas Vacation!

 Mark and I aren't exactly the "Vegas" type.  In fact, if you were to create a list of the top 5 least likely couples to go to Vegas, I'd bet we'd be on it.

BUT, when you can travel for free because one spouse has to be there for a 2-day work conference and the other can use miles, AND it's over the weekend of one's 40th birthday (need I say whose?), AND you have friends and family that are willing to parcel out your kids and pets, AND it's the first time you've gotten away for more than one night together in the nearly 11 years it's been since you started having kids, you just don't care where you go, as long as you're together.  And alone.  It's enough to make you say, "Hey, Baby, let's go to Vegas!"  Which we did say.  Numerous times.  Numerous times a day, for the whole month leading up to our trip.  The trip did not disappoint...to say that we had a fabulous time is the understatement of the century.  We soaked in every minute of it...and except for the 2 days Mark had to be there for work, we hoofed it right out of the city!

The botanical gardens at the Bellagio. 

Exploring the Bellagio...Wendy's hang-out of choie while Mark was in meetings.

Lake Meade Recreational area. 

Hoover Dam...fascinating!

Headed toward Red Rock Canyon

We didn't have time to go all the way to Red Rock...but close enough!  The beauty here is vastly different than home's!

4H Cooking Class

Over the course of January and February, the three older kids were all involved in a 6-week cooking class for 4H.  It would be an understatement to say they loved it!  The instructor did a fabulous job (and SO MUCH prep work),  and each week they focused on a different meal course.  The culmination was a dinner for their families, and we were delighted that Nana and Papa could also join us. 

One of the long-term benefits I've noticed is that they all want to do more in the kitchen, and are more able to actually be of help!

Skiing

Like penguins sliding on the ice!

She looks happy now, but give her 15 minutes and it will be a different story...

 Just across the street and down a short bit from our house, we have easy access to the lake!  We spent many hours this winter playing snow baseball on the lake, and did a little skiing, too!

Even Abby likes making snow angels!

Headed across the lake because, well, they can.

Firewood

Andrew's getting pretty strong, splitting wood by hand!

 We have many modifications to an old adage, this one being
The Family that splits wood together stays warm together.

Jacob and Anna running the borrowed wood splitter.

Boone waits patiently for Mark to load.

I do actually do more than take pictures...I'm the dog-handler and unloader at the woodpile!

A job well done!