Pioneer Day

We had a belated Pioneer Day yesterday with the family. It was the most fun we've had in a long time. We pulled Sawyer, Heidi and a picnic in a handcart up to a fresh spring lake full of fish. We ate wild raspberries all along the way and talked about the Pioneers. We went fishing, played by the lake, and hiked back. For dinner we had a bean and "rabbit" (okay, leftover chicken) stew, fry bread, and fish. Then Abram helped the kids make pioneer toys and we played stick wrestling. Then Abram shared President Monson's message about how the world needs pioneers today. It was SUCH a perfect family pioneer day. I think it needs to be an annual tradition. (And I think I need to go get some raspberry starts!)

Home

Oh give me a home

where Icelandic sheep roam

and the corn and the canteloupe grow;

where children are heard

saying cute nonsense words

and in the skies someone's tent blows away.

 ("I didn't even know deer and antelope were friends!" -Elijah)

Happy, crazy, non-stop life on the homestead

Here's what we've been up to lately. Planting, playing, working, digging, more planting, more playing, and oodles of silliness.

Farm animals

We are the happy owners of some farm animals! One English Shepherd pup and ten Icelandic sheep. We haven't brought any of them home yet, but they will be joining us on the homestead next month, just as soon as our fences are ready. You have no idea how excited we are about it. What a dream come true!

Meet Sawyer

The night before Sawyer was born, Abram and I went to a ward dinner for adults. It was a Mexican-theme party with Cafe Rio-style food and some fun, silly games. Some nice girls from our ward came to our house and played with our kiddos while we were away.

Throughout the evening I'd been having contractions that were mild, but regular. We got home and tucked the kids in, and went to bed. By 3:00 in the morning, I started to think that it might be real labor, and called my midwife. I still wasn't sure, so we decided to wait until I was more sure before she headed over in the snow storm. At 3:45 I called her again and said she better come. I was sure. Then I called Mum and she headed out too.

Abram set up the little birthing pool and I labored through the rest of the night. 

Just as it was starting to get light, at 6:46 am, our sweet little guy arrived. He had a hard time breathing at first but my midwife knew exactly what to do, and she let Abram and I hold him while she helped him.

The kids woke up 5 minutes later, and Mum arrived 15 minutes after that.

The kids were so excited to see that our baby boy had come a week earlier than we'd expected. Heidi was amazed that this baby moved (unlike her baby dolls).

We finally decided on his name after we'd gotten a little sleep. Sawyer Lehi Felsch. He weighed 8 lbs 2 ounces. His hair is reddish, but not as bright as Elijah's and Heidi's.

We're so happy to finally have Sawyer here. We've enjoyed all the little cries, the tiny smiles, the super-soft baby skin, the sweet spirit that only a newborn can bring.

We love you, little Buddy!

Happy Halloween!

May your explorations lead you to grand adventures!

Love,

Lewis, Clark, and Sacagawea

We're still here

Wow. What a summer it was. I'm not sure where to even begin, I have so much to catch up on.

Heidi turned 1. What a fun girl she is! She's so full of personality and she knows how to hold her own against two rambunctious big brothers.

We went on a fun road trip to Ivins and San Diego for Sam and Sarah's wedding. Abram didn't get to go with us, because he was busy finishing up the house. We drove the whole way with Mol. What a FUN trip! I think my favorite part (besides the beautiful temple ceremony, of course) was playing at the Del Mar beach with Elijah, McKay, Heidi, Mol, Gompy, Shane, Gabe, Henry and Aubrey.

 Elijah turned 5, and he started Kindergarten. I've been dreading sending my baby off to school, but he really loves it! And it's a good time for McKay and Heidi and I to have some quiet(ish) time. And Heidi's FAVORITE part of the day now is walking (or riding in the wagon) down the gravel lane to pick Elijah up at his bus stop after school. Here's Elijah on his first day (and the rest of us picking him up after).

I also had a couple of projects in the works before we moved. Remember our old red couch?

 Tada! I made a fully washable slipcover and recovered the throw pillows. Fresh and new for under $80.

And my $50 piano that Abram snagged for me from the middle school? Complete with scratches, dings, and kids' initials...

Now it's my beautiful Plum Piano! I love it!

So that's our summer. I guess that about sums it all up!



Oh yeah, and we got our house all done and we're all moved in! (Haha. Did you really think I forgot?)

I just love our new little home. We are so blessed.

And our final news is... our baby boy is halfway through baking in my belly, and he seems healthy and well. Another wonderful blessing.