A Common Theme

If I had to sum up this year in one word, it just might be "Craigslist"! Nuts! Working on the house and acreage, preparing for baby Luke, caring for livestock, and upgrading vehicles all had the potential to hugely impact our bank accounts...but it isn't so bad with good ol' craigslist! The other day we were compiling a mental list of the things we've bought and sold within the last year and were amazed! Saddles, cars, furniture, animals, etc., etc.

One upside of the current state of our economy is that everybody seems to be downloading little extras to make some ready cash. Bonus, if you're shopping! We're in the process of trying to simplify our house a bit - getting rid of bulky furniture to make room for a piano in the front room and clearing out our guest room to make it double as an office.

There was a very exciting moment today when I ran across this fabulous item on craigslist with mattresses included for $150!

I emailed AND called immediately...but someone had beat me to it! Sadness. I have been mourning the loss all day. It would have been perfect for our flexible office/guest room...and then would work great as a kid's bed during the post-crib years. All that and storage drawers too! Have I mentioned how sad I am about this missed opportunity? I just hope the lucky purchaser will enjoy it as much as I imagine I would!

From Our House to Yours!

baby

gone gone gone so long

It's been so long since I posted that I had to pop by and read my own blog today just to remember the last thing I said!

Lame.

Not much new here. Luke and I are hanging out a lot and I'm trying to cram in lots of snuggles before I head back to work at the beginning of November. That will be a sad day, but at the same time I'm happy that my new work schedule is now confirmed and I will only be in the office 3 days per week! Things just seem to work out they way they need to and I'm feeling very blessed.

This has been a busy month. Casey is finished with the fire season but it is now hunting season. The deer hunt yielded some venison for the freezer, and hopefully the upcoming elk hunt will do the same. It is 11 pm and I can hear Casey and his dad in the garage packing up gear and scheming about tomorrow mornings' start to the shenanigans. This is the first big pack trip with the mules we now "co-own", and much hair pulling is going into the planning to make sure it is, indeed, a hunting trip and not a disastrous rodeo. We shall see....

Here's a picture of a practice run in the pasture:

Luke News

For those near and far, here is a little update on our baby boy. Luke is growing like a weed - 10lbs, 9.5 oz and 23" long at his one month appointment, and probably much more by now. He will be 2 months on the 28th. He is outgrowing outfits with great speed!

He is starting to coo and smile and interact with us, but he still hasn't figured out that his hands belong to him. I think he wonders what these things are that keep smacking him in the face! He has amazing vocal cords, is very strong, and is already very capable of sustaining a temper tantrum for a long period of time. Yikes!

He is very game to jaunt around the countryside with me on errands and such. He has gone camping, hiking, was in his first car accident at 8 days old (scary, but minor...and not our fault), and attended his first golf tournament today. He seems to enjoy his Auntie Jody's singing so we listen to her CD in the car all the time.

I have many, many, many pictures, but will just post a few.

On a hike to jump crick with Mom & Auntie Becky

Just being cute

Sad face

Oh Canada (obviously dressed by Mommy)

What is he trying to say here? Surely not a comment about his shirt!?

Smiling at Daddy