Kya's July

We've had so much fun this month ... and it's not over yet!

The landscape bunch grass is taller than Kya!

Kya loves summer

Lots of bonfires and s'mores 

Andrew (Corey's brother) and Corey roasting marshmellows in our backyard

Testing out the rocking chair and practicing her baby rocking

I was busy with something in the kitchen and I glanced over and saw that Kya made this blackberry and grape pattern all by herself. As a quilter, this made me one proud mama. 

We spent a Saturday at the Raging River's Water Park with Caitlyn and Chaz, then had a nice dinner in downtown Bismarck at Peacock Alley. A perfect day!

More hay bale sitting

Storm watching from our front porch (with bottled root beer)
Kya very much enjoys storms and eagerly watches for the rainbow after the rain.

Storm clouds rolling over Mandan/Bismarck

Reagan is getting bigger every day and we are so happy to have her in our family. I've had a lot of questions about the logistics of our "outside dog" - so this is where Reagan hangs out during the day. It is next to the garden shed and usually has a nice breeze and is always somewhat shaded, plus she has a big metal wash tub to swim in (and drink from) so she stays cool on the hot days. Overnight she sleeps in a smaller kennel in the garage. Corey takes her out for long walks in the morning and evening and I take her out a few times during the day (usually for at least one walk up to the mailbox). 

Bath time

We've had lost of visitors, which is always fun! Last week Matthew and Grandma Hager were here. Kya and Uncle Matthew have become good buds - here Kya is, parked by Matthew eagerly inviting him to play My Little Ponies. 

final countdown

Baby boy Hager is due less than one month from today – August 16.

I'm overjoyed to welcome this sweet boy into the world and I wonder how it will be humanly possible to love him more than I already do. He's one active little dude, keeping me company while kicking and moving most of the day and evening. Thankfully he lets us both get some (much needed) rest overnight. He gets the hiccups often but recovers quickly – always makes me giggle. He loves Kya and seems to settle in when she sings to him, hugs him, and even when she inadvertently squashes him when she attempts to sit on my lap and rest her head on my tummy.

This weekend, Kya explained to me that she will "change all of baby brother's potty diapers," and "daddy will change all the really stinky ones, so no diapers for you mommy," ... oh if only that were true! He is already so incredibly loved.

I finally got around to taking a self-portrait photo of my ever-expanding self. My mom will be here in two weeks so maybe I can talk her into taking some maternity photos of me. hint hint mom :)

Funny story: I've "only" been accused of lying by two complete strangers who have tried to convince me that I "must have two babies in there" because "gosh, you're so big and not due for a month." Ha! I try to take it lightly and get my reassurance at the frequent doctor appointments when I'm told baby and I are measuring right where we should be. 

Here I am with Kya in tum, at 37 weeks (i'll be 36 weeks this Friday): http://bisongirllife.blogspot.com/2010/03/37-weeks-full-term.html

Kya's first dentist visit

This morning Kya had her very first dentist visit. She was very excited for the appointment (as she is with anything that has to do with visiting a doctor - even Reagan's veterinarian). Kya was a perfect patient and even asked to "do that again!" as soon as we got into the car. And this mom is happy to report she doesn't have any cavities!

Many thanks to the great staff and dentists (who also happen to be our friends) at Nelson Family Dental in Bismarck.

Independence Day catch up

As I not-so-subtly wrote on July 3rd, Independence Day (and the surrounding days) in Mandan is magical. I just love it. Rodeo, art fair, parade ... and best of all, the entire town transforms to red, white and blue.

July 3
continued form this post:
http://www.bisongirllife.blogspot.com/2013/07/third-of-july.html


Waiting on Main Street for the children's doll and pet parade to begin, and enjoying Fireflour pizza.




Kya rolling her way through the doll and pet parade!




Our little patriotic firecracker!

. . .

July 4


Kya and Lauryn waiting for the parade to begin


Lauryn (2), Kya (3), Parker (6)
(Lauryn and Parker are my cousins)




After the parade we spent the afternoon at the family river cabin. Kya loved playing in the little bounce house. Kya was worn out from not napping, and seemed to be coming down with something (fever and wouldn't eat) so we called it an early night and Kya was in bed long before the fireworks. Corey and I had a very nice night watching fireworks from our back deck. We have an amazing panoramic view of the Bismarck skyline, so we saw the show from afar. More fun than fireworks (to me) - watching the frieflies in our back yard.

. . .

July 6-7


This is the only photo I have of the weekend - it was so much fun I guess I forgot to document it.
Jesse and Megan and Connor came to visit for the weekend. Kya and Connor (22 months) love spending time with each other, so its always fun being together. We spent the afternoon at Harmon Lake and had an evening bonfire in the backyard. Oh and did I mention my birthday was Sunday, July 7? This was a great way to celebrate being another year older.

hay!

The hay fields east of our house (that we can see from our dining room) were baled last week. At least five time a day, Kya has politely asked demanded that we go see the hay bales. Today the weather was finally cool enough to venture out to the field. So this morning I took Reagan and Kya on a field trip (literally) and we set out on our adventure.


To get to the hay bales we had to trek through about 100 yards of field grass. Hello bugs! Thankfully, Kya isn't too afraid of the six-legged creepy crawlies.


Kya was decked out in her best cowgirl attire and eager to find a "big one" to sit on.


My two country girls.


How blessed we are to live where we do. I love it here.




(I'm pretty sure she was swatting away grasshoppers in this photo)

Third of July

Oh my. Independence Day in Mandan is definitely one of my favorite holidays. I'm very excited that I can now share this fun holiday and small-town celebration with my own kiddo. Happy to report that Kya loves it.

This morning Kya and I picked up Aunt Ronda (my aunt) and headed to Art in The Park for the opening morning. The art fair is notoriously very busy (and hot) so we like to get our shopping and food before all the crowds arrive.


Real cowgirls eat their corn ... ON the cob!


Enjoying the children's music at Art in the Park


Ronda bought Kya a ticket on the kid's barrel train and much to my surprise, Kya was very excited to ride! Last summer Kya had been terrified of any/all rides. She's growing up!


This evening is the Kid's Doll and Pet Parade, at 6 pm, on Mandan's Main Street. Kya and I decorated her tricycle this afternoon and our test run was a giggle fest. Kya says her tricycle is now "a really cool motorcycle" oh my.

. . .

Tomorrow we'll have a busy day of parade watching and fun with the family at the river cabin!

hello sunshine

We've been spending every spare minute outside. Well, that is when we aren't making Bison Booties (in double time, trying to stock up for the baby's arrival).


Flowers are blooming! (these are peonies)

We drove to Linton on Saturday to visit Great Grandpa Andy and shop for cars (we are selling my SUV and the old pickup "hank" for a car-seat friendly pick-up truck).

(the puppy belongs to Corey's Uncle Vic)


Kya had a blast speeding around Grandpa Andy's backyard patio.




Upon arriving home on Saturday afternoon, we decided to have an evening bonfire and backyard campout. What fun!


s'mores!


Feeling baby brother move - very sweet moment - many thanks to Corey for subtly capturing it.


Fireworks "snaps" on the driveway.


Sound asleep in the tent! "Test" camping was a success.
Corey and Kya talked me into joining them ... I slept great but was incredibly stiff in the morning. Worth the fun!


I am transforming Kya's room to a "big girl room" in trade for some of her more babyish decor for baby brother's room. She has been in a big bed for quite a while now, but was very attached to the mobiles and ceiling decor. This week Kya and I made this fabric wreath. This was a very fun mom-toddler activity! Easy too - just tie long strips of fabric around a foam wreath frame.


Reagan is officially part of our family. Corey told me that he's not sure why we waited so long to get a family dog. Corey, Kya, and Reagan are the best of friends. Oh and I like her too – Reagan is a sweetheart and makes the best walking buddy.


Sunday we spent the day at the family river cabin - Parker and Kya were having fun finding worms in the sand box.


Swinging


On the river


Someone was very tired after a busy weekend.


Cherries.