Hines Family Blog

For all the kitties I can't take home...I got my Johnson's babypowder & Cool Water cologne

2011-08-04T10:48:00.001-07:00

Been a while since I've written, holy man!

So my boys are growing at a rapid rate, time is flying, and I don't want to forget those ever special times and things they say and do that mean so very much. I'd like to write down little quips & funny things that happen, because lets be honest, my memory is not what it once was. Add to that the daily grind & distractions, it is easy to forget the precious moments that make our lives worth living. When times get us down, or when we just want to remember, I want to have this here for my family to talk about around camp fires while roasting s'mores.

The other night was hilarious. Ryan had Walter out shooting a long barreled .22 revolver with him. Daddy was controlling everything, but we just wanted to give the almost 4 year old a chance at what most kids don't get to experience at that age, let alone ever. Apples recently knocked to the ground by wild weather made good targets. Daddy set them up, like sasparilla bottles in a row, out back at our target shooting area. Side note, everyone should have one of these, they are a great stress relief. Daddy explained the dangers, as he will every time, discussed keeping your finger out of the trigger guard until ready, breathing, and held Walter's hands, helped him aim, and like I knew would happen, the boy had NO fear, absolutely none when squeezing the trigger.

Walter thought he was the biggest Man ever born, strutting around with pride. Discussing the cylinder and the barrel and how guns work with Daddy. Who has to interject a question, but his silly mom, who knows nothing of such things. I asked, "How did it go? Did the gun kick you?"

He says, without missing a beat, and giving me a face saying, You foolish girl, Momma,
"No, it doesn't have legs."

Daddy & Mommy both giggled under our breath and talked about it later, laughing at our bright son. We never want to forget, this silly, special Walter-ism. There will be many more to come.

Osceola to Dresser Pumpkin train...

2008-10-21T11:14:00.000-07:00

Lots of fun. Hay maze, bouncy gym, haunted house, pumpkins, good food...and a broken down train that left us stranded there until 3 pm. We had fun though, very busy with all of the kids, but we think they had a really good time.

Walter got pooped out and actually fell asleep in my arms which was a first in a LONG time.

Chubby Winter Coat fun

2008-10-21T11:09:00.000-07:00

Walter just started doing this scrunch faced smile that is just so funny to see. It will be in many pictures to come I know.

Well, it was a nice fall day last week and we decided we'd play outside. I didn't want him to get too cold though, so I put on his winter jacket. Pumpkin Head the 2nd came to be...

AuntHannah's return to Wisconsin

2008-10-21T10:43:00.000-07:00

We had lots of fun with Nanners. She met Tucker Matthew for the first time, Rod's son. We hung out with Grandma G at the Senior Center in Ellsworth, and even got to Baypoint Park in Red Wing on a gorgeous afternoon.

We cooked a lot and made a giant muffin for Ryan on her last day visiting.

Uncle Rod put Walter on the slide for the first time. He didn't like it.

We put Walter on the swings for the first time also, not a fan.

He enjoyed eating rocks and climbing on the huge rocks that line the Mississippi River.

Ryan and I will miss her a lot. We had a really enjoy when she comes to stay.

Chilifeed

2008-10-21T10:32:00.001-07:00

Wow, it's been a while. I have a lot of updating to do. We had our chilifeed / Walter's birthday party on October 4th, 2008. It was a lot of fun, and so many people came!

Walter and friends enjoyed painting pumpkins and eating paint. Checking out his Dad's Belarus tractor, and eating everything they could find. Grandma Linders won again this year. Rhonda Austin got second place, and Grandma Gert won 3rd place.

We also had a pinata that the kids liked. Their favorite candy was the wax dracula teeth.

Dub's 1st Birthday! September 25, 2008

2008-09-30T10:28:00.000-07:00

It was a lot of fun. I started out the day around 3 am, prepping the cakes. They took me 5 hours, I am embarrassed to say, but I had a lot of fun too. Walter was kind of cranky, until his guests showed up. I made soup, beef barley. I had 2 gallons of leftovers, so I guess I made a bit too much.

We played in the yard for a while, in the stuff dad had laying around. We also played in the garden, finding 12 yellow bells to cut up for winter.

Then around 5 pm all of the good eats, friends, and family got his spirits up. He got a 4-wheeler from his Aunt Amber, that he loves. He puts it on its side and works on the engine, just like Dad.

Walter didn't want to just dig into the cake. Ryan had to show him how it works and that it was okay to just get messy.

This week we are prepping for the chilifeed/big birthday party. More coming later.

Labor Day Weekend Labor

2008-09-02T09:58:00.001-07:00

We didn't do much of excitement, other than working on our shed. We decided we had better get going on the floor & doors before winter is here. We've been on hiatus with the shed, just saving for it and the slower winter months.

So we have another well behind the shed. It was used for the barn well before, but we wanted to use it for the in-floor heat and a sink basin for the shed. So, we started digging to find the pipe coming off of it, headed for the barn...or so we thought.

We dug down about 4-5 feet on the side facing the barn. No pipe. Thank goodness for the backblade & bucket on our tractor, but the work was still tough. Using post hole diggers (hand ones)...we dug down below the pressure tank...no pipe. Did we really think these blessings of God's creation would do something as stupid as putting the pipe on the backside away from the barn? Surely no...well...after digging some more...yes they did. Thankful to have found it, we had a water fight to get rid of the sand and dirt, then we ran into the kitchen to slam some ice water and rest, Walter napping the entire time. Then we got showered & dressed to go to Menards to pick up supplies. We loaded our trailer with 8' of foam height for the floor. It was a funny but freaky driving back home. I think we got about 3 mpg.

Walter got to hang with Grandma Gert & Grandpa Gary and then when we got back, we went to my folks for dinner. Double dose of grandparents day, which was nice for him.

Walter's new things...he's mobile and constantly walking everywhere.
He's learned to say, "Baby."
The only way he's scolded for digging in dog food that works, is to make him have a time out in the recliner. He hates it and throws a fit. I hate to admit it, but it's kind of funny. I gave him his milk to try to calm him down, and he threw it, in defiance.

He is growing attached to one stuffed animal. A dog that you can record messages on. Ryan's dad got it for Walter for Christmas, so I don't know where/how to get a back up one. I guess we'll tackle that obstacle when we get to it.

Otherwise, not a whole lot going on. Just processing tomatoes. I've made 12 qts of soup, 19 qts of juice, 8 qts of salsa, and I still have more to process, but I've been keeping up really well.

More in the days ahead...

Grandma Linders made Walter a Sweater...

2008-08-14T07:31:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we went up to Fleet Farm, with Grandma Linders. I picked her up, and she came walking down the driveway with something in her hands that was brightly colored. She had crocheted a sweater for Walter, that is a rainbow of colors. She said it's supposed to be a size 2, but not the case. It BARELY fits him now.

I got home and I had to try it on him, for optimal photo fun, I was laughing hysterically just trying to get him dressed. It was reminiscent of "A Christmas Story," when the mom is dressing the younger brother to go out in Winter time. Walter was whining, I could barely get it over his huge head, and then to try to get his hands in the arms of the sweater, was a greater challenge yet! They seemed a mile long, and trying to find his fingers and pull his fat little arms through, just made me laugh. I brought him out and showed Ryan, who said, "What are you doing to him? Oh my goodness..." Dapper (one of our dogs) was wondering what I was doing also, and was looking at me like I was a terrible mom for forcing this on my son.

We also played dress up with our Napoleon Dynamite wig earlier that day. I think Walter likes it because he looks like he has so much more hair. He felt just as normal with it on, as without it. What a goof.

Walter's 1st Birthday Party & 4th Annual Chili Feed!

2008-08-12T09:47:00.000-07:00

Pierce County Fair & August Updates

2008-08-12T08:05:00.001-07:00

Summer is going by so quickly. Walter will be 1 year old on September 25th! It's crazy how quickly this year has gone. He has now 7 teeth, and has taken up to 4 steps at once without falling over. He's doing really well.

This past weekend we went to the Pierce County Fair. Walter LOVED the petting zoo, especially the goats that tried to eat his fingers. He thought they were tickling him, and he'd just giggle. He also got to pet some calfs, a buffalo calf, reindeer, fainting goats, and potbellied pigs. He tried fair french fries and funnel cake because mom and dad couldn't finish it all. We also took a gander at Walter's 2nd cousin's pigs that were judged.

Sunday I (Heather) sang at St. John's Lutheran church in Spring Valley, WI. Walter and Dad mingled with the older ladies and had coffee while I set up. Walter flirted big time, and once he stepped out of his shyness, he showed off his toothy grin to all of the women. He also flirted during the sermon, with a 5 year old girl. He would have won her over, if he didn't fall down and hit his head on the pew. Darn his feet! He has plenty of time to chase women though...What am I in for!?! Ha.

I processed my first batch of tomatoes last night. The garden is going well, I'm staying on top of it as of late. I'm just waiting for the tomatoes to redden up so that I can really make some salsa & juice. Not a whole lot else going on, but planning for Walter's birthday party. Which if you are reading this, you will be invited to. October 4th, 2008. 2 pm. Our home. Please join us for his party & our 4th annual chili cook-off. It's so much fun!

Garden & Zoo

2008-07-24T12:43:00.000-07:00

Walter and I weeded the garden a little every day last week. Even the potatoes. I don't often do anything with the potatoes, but they are looking good, and the potato bugs, though still there, aren't such a huge army as before. I endeavor to perservere. We took some new pictures of that, before we finished weeding, but no big deal. Weeds are like housework, they're always there tomorrow. I have new things in the garden this year, and I've been learning. Two of them are swiss chard and beets. I made a yummy pizza with the swiss chard the other day. The crust is olive oil based, and you make a flavored olive oil with some minced garlic & crushed red pepper flakes. It turned out very good, and Ryan and I both agreed that a bottle of St. Paulie Girl Dark would have gone so well with it. I pickled beets yesterday morning for the first time. Wow, what a mess...my kitchen looked like the hotel room from the Scarface chainsaw scene.

Yesterday Nichole Bach and I took our kiddos up to Como Zoo. It was a lot of fun. Walter and Courtney didn't really know what was going on, but Walter perked up when we got to the pirana tank. The butterflies were something he liked too. It's just so nice to have someone with a baby similar in age so we can talk about the different stages and what they'll need, or need to give up, like Walter and his bottle. I didn't know it was bad to keep him using a bottle after 1 year old...so I better get crackin' on that! We stopped at Fudrucker's on the way home, I hadn't ever been there. The burgers were pretty yummy, and Walter loved the fries. Walter thought his Uncle Anthony may like them more than Red Robin's fries. Ha.

Anyway, that's about all so far. This weekend not much is going on but shed work. We have the garage doors left to do, and the floor. Next weekend is our 10 year reunion. I can't believe it's been that long, but the wrinkles on my face tell me it's no lie.

Walter and Gardening

2008-07-17T12:13:00.001-07:00

I was out walking on our land last night, Walter and I. We had raspberries to pick and eat, despite the heat and humidity. I was looking at my 30x70 plot of vegetables to harvest, seeing what is ready, seeing the weeding I HAVEN'T been keeping up on, and fearing for the future when that time arrives for tomatoes and corn to be ready. I love gardening, but with Walter, I am clueless as to how I will get all done. I make salsa, juice & soup with my tomatoes. This year I also planted 1/2 a lb. of sweet corn.

Ryan works so very hard, and is tired when he gets home at night. He has projects also to balance with his time off. It's easy to be Superwoman when you don't have to change diapers, feed and give attention to a little one. Walter wants to be involved in everything and is forever wanting me with him. I guess I can have a girlfriend over to help, or mom and give them some of what I make. I'm just so used to handling it all, doing it all, and doing it well. Is it a pride thing to want to be able to do it all and be a mom too? What's my deal? I'm feeling defeated or something dumb.

Boating with Walter

2008-07-15T12:06:00.000-07:00

Walter got to go on a boat ride on Sunday with Tim, Jackie & Alanah Nelson. We had a blast, and he slept through all of the wave bumps, even one that splashed us all. He whimpered a little, but kept on snoozing. We had lunch on the beach, with flies that bit us left and right, but we got to enjoy swimming a bit too. Alanah pulled me in and got me soaked.

We bought Walter and Incrediblock from Fisher Price on Craig's list. He digs on it big time. He started taking steps last night, but we aren't sure if they count as "First Steps" because he fell down right away. He is talking all of the time, and just such a good little guy.

He grinds his teeth though, which I cannot seem to get him to quit. It's frustrating, and is like nails on a chalkboard to my ears. We played super hero the other day with a blanket from the hospital. He thought he needed a lot of cheerios energy to save the world. Good times.

Dub in the Tub

2008-07-15T07:21:00.000-07:00

July Goings On...

2008-07-08T06:55:00.000-07:00

Well things have been crazy around our home lately.

We've been building a shed that has taken the majority of our summer time. We got all of the steel on it this past Sunday, and the service door installed. Then, at 10 pm, straightline winds hit our home, getting our living room floor completely soaked and water was pouring in around our window trim. We went outside to inspect the shed, and one piece of roof steel was bent completely up and ruined. The service door was swung open so hard that two screw holes were made on it when it hit the steel siding. I think we both wanted to cry. I had to go outside and support the corn with more dirt, much of it was pushed over.

My sister, Hannah visited us a couple weeks ago now. We had a blast while she was here. After she headed home, Rod's girlfriend, Leah, had their baby boy. 8 lbs 10 oz, 21 inches long, Tucker Matthew Wicklund. We went and saw them at the hospital, and Walter was very excited to meet his new cousin.

Walter has been doing awesome. Standing on his own, talking, trying to eat dog food. He's so persistant it's frustrating right now, but down the road I am sure it will be a great virtue to have. Walter's Aunt Nanners got him a blow up swimming pool that he just loves. I love it too, he gets so pooped out from it, it's great for his sleep.

I made a few strawberry pies for the 4th of July weekend, and a "S'mores cheesecake" that was OK. The flowers are in bloom, and the garden is coming along, although slowly this year. I haven't been doing too much crazy baking or cooking lately, although I did try my hand at some venison jerky last week, that turned out pretty tasty.

Selma (one of our goldens) got bit by something like a cat/racoon on her back and had to go to the vet last week. She's been our most expensive golden this year.

Picking up the pieces...more to come.