Over Memorial Day weekend we took a tiny, spontaneous trip to the Black Hills, and despite the gnarley weather - we had a blast. We went to Bear Country (at which, Noah yelled Ketty at every bear he saw), Old McDonald's Petting Farm (where Noah got head butted by a sheep), Mt. Rushmore (where Bri got to show off her impressive history knowledge), swimming at the hotel, Fort Hays, and on the way back we went Devil's tower, and hiked most of the way around, with Noah on our shoulders!

We are going to go back this summer, so we can do a lot of the outdoor things we couldn't do because of the weather (1880 train, Reptile Garden, The giant Maze, the Giant Mt. Rushmore Slide, etc.) But here are some pictures from our wonderful mini-vacation.

And on the vacation note - we have decided instead of Vegas - to go on a 3 night cruise to the Bahamas!!! My wonderful mom has graciously offered to watch the chitlens, so we are going to leave a day early, stay the night in Miami then head off! Super exciting new of the week. (As long as I just survive 2 weeks and 2 more days of Methods classes)!

The swallowed battery - how quickly a day can change....

Well...Noah swallowed a battery today...and thank God I saw it happen (though I wish I had seen it 5 seconds sooner), as it turned out to be a highly corrosive battery that could have done some serious damage. However, he ended up having to have it surgically removed through is esophagus. Here Jordan and Noah are in the waiting room at the E.R.



This is when Noah went in to get the X-Ray.



This is Noah's X-Ray.....battery and all



This is Noah, right before they took him to the operating room. Talk about a wreck of a mama.



And finally, here are the surgical pictures they took while removing the battery. Thankfully, they were able to remove it, and after 8 hours in the hospital, We are home.



Noah is okay. His throat is very sore and swollen, and he is completely passed out (though I hear him coughing every few minutes). It was quite the experience, and I am so so so grateful he is okay.

It is so insane, I have never met a kid that needed to be watched so intensely. The kid never quits moving - and the more you try to keep things from him - the more he figures out ways to climb and move chairs. Unfortunately, today was a time I just didn't get there fast enough, but he is fine so thank you everyone that prayed for us throughout the day.

Some Pictures just speak for themselves

I'm deliriously happy - preparing for one of the biggest events of my life - loving my babies - what else can be said?

I also suppose it is about time to introduce Karl, the most amazing man I have ever known, to the blog-o-sphere. So.....here ya go...


Oh yea - and p.s. the shoes were my graduation gift from the aforementioned amazing man. And I LOVE LOVE LOVE them.