10 Year Class Reunion

Can it really be 10 years? This past weekend we went to Wall for my 10 year class reunion. Friday night we had a supper at the clubhouse at the golf course. It was fun because we got to meet everyone's spouses and children. That evening Gary & I went under the tent to the dance. The band was really good and we got to visit with Heidi and her husband, Randy. Saturday morning it was pretty chilly out so Twila kept Miranda and Gary, Malaya & I went into town for the parade. I got to ride on the float. Malaya's favorite part of the parade (other than seeing Mommy on the float) was seeing Catchup and Thomas the Train. We then went to the Lutheran church for the ice cream social. Saturday afternoon we went into Wall to see Great-Grandpa Paul and Great-Great Aunt Dobbie. Dobbie hadn't met Miranda yet so we were glad we were able to visit her. That evening Dave, Judy & Lisa Curtis came out to Gary's parents house and we had a BBQ. Then we headed home on Sunday. We then went shopping and came home with a twin bed for Malaya.

Here are also some pictures of when Twila helped watch the girls for us.

Well, sorry these posts have really slowed down. I just can't seem to find anytime since I've went back to work. I will try to keep them updated more often....

Class of 1999



Thomas the Train & Catchup

Great-Great Aunt Dobbie & Miranda

Mommy, Malaya, Dobbie & Miranda

I love this picture of Great-Grandpa Paul & Miranda

Malaya & Miranda

Malaya likes to push Miranda in the swing

Miranda is laying on the blanket Great-Grandma Williamson made her

The girls playing with Miranda's toy

Miranda Rae

3 Months Old

It does not seem possible that Miranda is 3 months old - the time is passing way too quickly. She is now laughing and rolling over and becoming so much fun!! We got her 3 months pictures taken on June 27th. Here is the link and password if you'd like to see them http://www.smilesbywire.com/ Customer Name: Sommerlyn Naescher Access Code: LTPP0592116643JCP

Thank goodness it was a short week this week. We headed out to Hart Ranch on July 1. We didn't have the chance to do too much this weekend because it rained and rained. On the 4th Gary's parents came up to spend the day. We ended up going to the flintstones and that was fun. I tried to get pictures of the girls together in their 4th of July outfits, but it didn't happen - maybe next year. Then that Sunday we had a picnic supper at Storybook and Malaya played. Once again, I didn't have the camera - I will get pictures from there one of these days.

Then the following Monday we headed to Spearfish to have a BBQ at Sheila & Mike's. Our friend Katie and her husband, Brent, and daughter Hattie (from Texas) were here visiting Brent's parents in Spearfish. Sheila, Katie, and Brent attended college together. Hattie is 11 days younger than Miranda - although you'd never know that from the pictures!! Also, take note of the "Hattie Bows". I follow Katie's blog and she always has pictures of Hattie with the huge bows. Then my cousin sent me a package and I opened it and there was a "Hattie Bow" and I was so excited!!

Sheila took this picture when she was watching the girls

3 Months Old

I love this picture!

4th of July Outfit #1

4th of July Outfit

4th of July Outfit #2

Miranda and Daddy

Malaya & Daddy finally got to go swimming

Mommy & Malaya with Dino

Malaya did not like Barney!! She was fine until he put his arm around her.

Malaya swinging

I thought this picture was cute

Grandma Twila and Malaya

Malaya riding a dinosaur

Hattie & Miranda

They were holding hands....

My Last Week Home...

I have no idea where 12 weeks has gone!! It really can't be time for me to go back to work - can it? I have had so much fun on my maternity leave. 12 weeks really doesn't seem like enough time, but I know I was very fortunate because some people hardly get 4 weeks! As I look back, I can't believe how much I have grown over 12 weeks. Having a second child was definitely easier than the first, but the difficult part has been balancing both of them. At first, while Gary was at work, the days seemed very long and I couldn't wait for him to get home to help out. By the end, I had no problems watching both of them and when Gary got home I'd think - are you off already? Now don't get me wrong - I still enjoy my breaks away and his help :) I guess what I'm trying to say is I LOVE having 2 daughters!

The week didn't start off as planned. Miranda and I came down with colds over the weekend so we weren't feeling the greatest. We headed to the chiropractor on Monday and I even decided to get adjusted. Dr. Lisa says an adjustment boosts your immune system, and I decided to give it a try. I was feeling much better by Tuesday. On Tuesday I was supposed to leave both girls all day at Michele's for another trial run and have the day all to myself. Well, since Miranda was still sick I decided to keep them both home. I called Michele to tell her and she told me she had bad news. She said that she was closing her daycare and her last day would be July 10th. We really liked Michele and Malaya loved going to her house. Needless to say when I got off the phone, I cried and cried. I couldn't believe this was happening - 2 days before I go back to work.

I started on the phone and was calling daycare after daycare. I had emailed everyone I knew with small children to see if their daycare had openings. Everyone seemed to have an opening for Malaya, but I was not willing to separate the girls. No luck on Tueday....On Wednesday I found a place with an opening for both. All of us went and interviewed her that night. She has been doing daycare for 30 years, plus she has 7 children, so she obviously loves children and what she does. Malaya started talking to her right away and warmed up well and she answered all my questions with answers I liked. However, she can't start the girls until July 13th. We decided in the transition to not take the girls back to Michele's. Since I will now be working full time, we decided it'd be easier on the girls to stay with my parents and my sister instead of back to Michele's for 2 weeks and then a new daycare. The timing wasn't good by the way of me going back to work, but good in the fact that my sister had just finished summer school and my parents retired. Plus, the new place I found is a lot closer than where Michele lived. But, we will still go visit Michele - she will always be special to us!

On Wednesday morning, I took the girls to Storybook Island. Malaya had so much fun. She is usually scared of everything, but not today. She wanted to do everything - there were a lot of kids around so I think that helped too. We even went to the theater production that day 2 times. I also spoiled her by us having ice cream for lunch. Then she wanted to ride the train. It is supposed to be nice this weekend so I am hoping we can go back there.

I have now made it through 2 days of work. It is definitely going to be hard to get back in the swing of things and used to leaving the girls. I really miss them while I'm at work, but I know they're well taken care of.

Well, it's been a very emotional week and I am hoping next week is better. We are headed out to Hart Ranch for the 4th of July weekend! Have a great week!

In our camper - 11 Weeks

12 Weeks

Working on Tummy Time

Miranda learned to roll over

Father's Day Weekend

Gary, Mike & Sheila took Malaya to Bear Country last Saturday. It sounded like they had a lot of fun and Malaya liked the bears. Miranda and I did not go so we headed into town to run some errands.

That night was dad's retirement party at Hart Ranch. It just poured about 2 hours before the party, but the weather was beautiful during the party. It was a lot of fun seeing everyone and visiting. I think all the kids had a great time too playing on the playground set and running around.

Then Sunday was Father's Day. I love watching Gary as a father, especially for 2 girls now. It is such a special moment the first time you see your husband holding your daughter. Both girls have him wrapped around his finger. He has always had a special bond with Malaya and I hope it continues with her, as well as Miranda. We love you daddy!

Here are a bunch of pictures

Retired - Under New Management - Ask Spouse For Details

The Cooks

Malaya having lots of fun

Miranda just loved Great-Grandpa Paul

Elaine Simons (Miranda's Godmother)

Pam Johnson (Malaya's Godmother)

We had Cheryl Lester make this mat for dad for everyone to sign. (This picture was taken before everyone had signed). Then we're going to take it back to Cheryl and she'll frame it.

Happily Retired Couple!

We love you daddy!

My Dad & Me

Father's Day

Busy, Busy, Busy...

My days have all begun to run together that I can't even remember what I did yesterday. Guess that's a mommy thing - too busy trying to keep everyone's schedules.

I had an eye apt last week and one of the lady's who works there and her husband are friend of ours. We were talking about Miranda and how she is pretty fussy, especially at night and won't go to anybody but me (not even Gary). She was asking me if I had ever taken her to a chiropractor. I gave her a strange look and said no. She gave me the name of the lady she goes to and said to give her a call. I had started to get very nervous because the number of days before I have to go back to work were getting smaller and smaller, so I figured - what do I have to lose. I went in that afternoon (Thursday) for a consultation and the Dr. explained why all babies should see a chiropractor. What she said made sense so she was touching Miranda and told me that her neck, spine, and butt were out of alignment. She adjusted her that day and wanted to see her the next. Went back in the next day (Friday) and her neck and butt were out again. After that day, Miranda has been so much better. She has started sleeping through the night and is in such better humor. She will lay on the floor and play and let other people hold her. We went back on Tuesday and all 3 were out again. I questioned when will she stay "in". The Dr. said she'll never stay "in" forever - no one does - because we live life. It just depends on how you want to use chiropractic care. So, I guess for now, it's working great and Miranda has been such a different baby - much happier. We go in again on Monday (22nd). I'm not sure I understand how or why it's working, but it is. Maybe someday Malaya and I will get adjusted too - just have to take it day by day for now.

Since Miranda was doing so well and Mom and Dad had taken Malaya for the weekend camping at Hart Ranch, Gary and I decided to try a motorcycle ride since it was so nice out. I called one of my co-workers who has offered before to watch Miranda for us and she was available. We rode for 1.5 hours and went up through Keystone and Mt. Rushmore. Then on Sunday we came out to Hart Ranch and Mom and Dad kept both girls and we got to go on another 2 hour ride through the Needles Highway in Custer State Park. It was just beautiful and so nice for Gary & I to get away - even if just for a couple hours.

Grandma Twila came up on Monday (15th) to spend the day with us. We took the girls to Old McDonald's Farm. Malaya had lots of fun, although she's at that stage where she's scared of everything. We did get her to finally ride the train and then she wanted to ride it again. I don't have any pictures to share from the day because they're all on Twila's camera.

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday were trial daycare runs at Michele's. Tuesday and Thursday I tried to have the girls there by 7am and needless to say it was a good thing I didn't really have to be at work because I would have been so late.... The good thing is that both girls did really well. Miranda took the bottle, took naps, and let the other kids play with her. Michele said she would just sit and the other kids would make her laugh. I feel so much better knowing it went well and will make going back to work easier. On this coming Tuesday, both girls will go for a whole day and then on Thursday I go back to work full time :(

We are up at Hart Ranch for the weekend. We came up last night. Dad's retirement party is on Saturday so I'm sure we'll have lots of pictures to post for next week. As for this week, the only pictures I have are some of the girls.

Malaya let me put her hair in pigtails for the first time. I think she looks adorable and a lot like mommy :)

She is waiting for Grandma and Papa to come get her to take her camping

The girls playing on the floor

Miranda loves her big sister!!!