Get back into blogging...with 6 kids!

It has been so long since I have been blogging.  I originally started this journaling back when I only had 2 children! I started the blog to journal about our family and mostly just to keep the memories alive.  Kids grow up so quickly and you forget what the kids say, do, how they respond, or what they looked like.  I want to pick up this blogging business again.  I really got burned out when my blog was doing really well.  I wish I just had just kept up with journaling, and keeping record of my family.  So much has gone on that I wish I had documented.  But, enough about the woulda, coulda, shoulda's.  I am trying to bring it back.
So, currently we are in Southern Wisconsin. We moved here almost 2 years ago. We rented a house on the Wisconsin River our first year here.

 This is the shed/barn.  The Amish build their sheds with the nice, and big overhang roof.  This is to shelter the horse and buggy when loading and unloading, or hooking them up.

 This is a front mud room/laundry room.  Right now we have a good portion of our storage still in this room.

 This is the living room.  We took out the middle door (leading into the bedroom) and put a wall there.  The closed door goes down to the basement.  The open white door leads to the backside of the house.

 A very large garden!  We will have a huge garden eventually, too.

Last summer we bought an Amish home right in the heart of a big and thriving Amish community.  We have 2 acres, and love the country!  We moved into a home that needed electric, a new well, bedrooms, another bathroom, refrigerator, etc.  It is a work in progress, but now we have 7 bedrooms, an office, and another full bathroom.  Our projects will be many but we are moving along.  We bought the house last June, and moved in October 2015.  We have put in all smoke detectors (22 of them), added trim and blinds to the windows, painted the bathroom, changed hardware in bathroom, put in a refrigerator, a ceiling fan, a few closet shelves, and our laundry room plumbing.  Our projects this summer (hopefully) : finish the shelving in the closets, remodel the kitchen to add counters, cabinets, sink, dish washer, and install our stove/oven.  Put in a new toilet, new flooring and trim in the main bathroom, and paint/install 22 doors.  If we do the doors, we will need to put in our flooring before hand. 

The shed/barn is very large.  We are so thankful for the extra space.  One side of the shed has 3 horse stalls, a chicken room (with hen boxes) and a fenced in coop.  There is a hayloft and a large open shed area.  I am still amazed at all the space.  We would like to eventually get chickens for eggs and meat.

 This is the upstairs of the house.  It had just one room that was framed in.  My husband framed in 5 more bedrooms (each with a closet), a hall closet, and a full bathroom with a laundry shoot.

 I think the kids enjoyed all the projects going on.  We were renting a house that was about a 30 min drive away.  So, many days of missing Dad, and driving back and forth.

 We knocked out the upstairs stairway wall to make it a half wall. It really opened the area for space.  It made things look bigger.

 This is the master bedroom.  Our room has a his and her closet.  I love it!  We have a ceiling fan, and that is so nice, too.

 This is taken from in our kitchen looking into the living room.  We added a piece to the dividing wall to make the living room dimensionally better.

This is the upstairs bathroom.  The closet has a laundry shoot in the floor.  It is still not done, but we have the walls all sheet rocked and painted.

I will update more soon.  Time to mow the lawn and do some weeding.

Where are we? So much time!

November of 2012...that was the last time I blogged! Wow where did the last few years go, and why did I not keep on blogging? I guess I got blogged out. I blogged so much, did so many reviews, and I wrote less about my family, kids, our life. My blog became a chore, and an overwhelming job that I couldn't keep up with.  Well, I would like to get back into blogging about our family adventures and about what matters most in life.  We have had some very major, and life changing journeys over the last (almost) 3 years!

This is a family photo in the winter of 2012. I had just found out that I was pregnant with our last baby. We were picking out a Christmas tree. I used this photo to wish our friends and family on Facebook a Merry Christmas ~ our family of 8! :)

This is a picture of our kids in the summer of 2012. Katja was 1, Cole was 3, Madelyn was 5, Caleb was 7, and Nathaniel was 13.

I would like to give an overall chain of events, like an update, of all that has happened for the last 3 years. I will write other posts after this one to be more detailed and descriptive.

We bought a piece of land, 30 acres, north of where we were currently living.  We bought the land as a contract for deed.  It was a really good deal, and how we came across it was a God thing.  Terry started building our new home. After Katja was born, when she was only 2 months old, we moved from our lake home.  We rented from our relatives for 6 months.  Our new home was not ready to move into yet, but the propane prices to heat the rented house was a financial doom.  We had to move.  So, we lived "off grid", into a home that didn't even have running water. No electricity, no refrigeration, no stove....really, completely rustic and not normal.  

Summer of 2013, I had our last baby, a little girl.  I was thrilled with how everything went with the labor and delivery. I now have 3 boys and 3 girls.

It was a challenge, and very trying living the life style we were with being pregnant, having a new baby, and raising 6 kids there.  I am anxious to share some of our adventures in other upcoming posts. Another major thing that we faced was Cole was diagnosed with a rare disease: Langerhan's Cell Histiocytosis.  It is like a cancer, and treated the same.  It was so hard, sad, and quite the journey.  Currently we are coming to the end of our treatments. I will share more later. Our family sure doesn't settle or sit still long, because in the fall of 2014, Terry accepted a job with the Rail Road. Complete career change, move to a new state, have a totally new schedule, and leave everything we know.  Big, and major changes with this journey! Nathaniel decided to stay in MN with his Dad, Cole started Kindergarten, kids all started new schools, new medical doctors/clinics, new church find,

and our whole lifestyle changed, .....again.
So, here we are in Wisconsin, and doing life. There are ups and there are downs, but one thing always remains....God is faithful, he is ever present, and he never changes.

Disney on Ice celebrates 100 years!! MN GIVEAWAY of 4 tickets!!

Disney on Ice celebrates 100 years of Magic! I am so excited that Disney on Ice is coming to the Xcel Center again this year! We love watching the entertaining ice skating shows and performances. My kids are filled with joy when the magic comes to life on ice!

The show dates are December 6-9th, 2012 and it will be held at the Xcel center.  The tickets are available at the Xcel Energy Center Box Office, Ticketmaster Centers, by calling 1-800-745-3000, or online at Ticketmaster.com. To charge by phone using Ticketmaster TDD/TTY, call 1-800-359-2525.  Certain fees apply. (Groups 12+ call 651-312-3486).

The prices for the shows on OPENING NIGHT are ONLY $11!! That is an amazing deal!  Plus, you get to see the show first! :)

Other tickets for December 7-9th are $18/$24/$46/$69.

Join the celebration as 65 of Disney’s unforgettable characters from 18 beloved stories come to life in Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic! You’ll be captivated by the one and only Mickey Mouse, the irresistible Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck, Jiminy Cricket, Pinocchio and all the Disney Princesses. Be thrilled by exciting moments from The Lion King; Mulan; and Disney/Pixar’s Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, and Toy Story films; in a skating spectacular filled with magical Disney moments you’ll remember forever as Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic!

Enter to win a family 4 pack of tickets!!
Tell me in the comments who inspires you the most and why. This is your first entry in this giveaway.

Other ways to enter to win (and please leave a separate comment for each entry):  Tweet this contest, Facebook promote, follow me on pintrest, add this to pintrest, google plus blog post, follow me on network blogs, subscribe to my blog, follow my blog, etc.  You can enter each day, as well with a new comment. 

Contest will end on the morning (before noon) on December 3rd.  I will announce the winner later that day.  One winner will win a family 4 pack of tickets for the opening night.

I am a Feld Family Activator. I was given the opportunity to host this giveaway, (4-pack of tickets) compliments of Feld Entertainment. I will also be given tickets for my family to attend the show. I am not paid for this posting or compensated for my time or written post.

***Winner is CrystalAM....Congrats!! I will notify you of how you can claim your tickets! Have a great time!

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

12 

Timestamp: 2012-12-04 03:25:54 UTC

Chuao Chocolatier Giveaway!!

Chuao Chocolatier is Giving Away a Sweet Makeover

 

Are you tired of waxy, boring chocolate. YOU deserve the very best! Chuao is giving America a chocolate makeover with their handcrafted, all-natural gourmet goodies, now available in select Target stores and specialty retailers nationwide. To celebrate, they are launching a Sweet Makeover sweepstakes and offering you the chance to win a $1,000 designer shopping spree on Shopbop.com, along with many other crave-worthy prizes!

To enter, you need to simply like Chuao’s Facebook page where you can then enter the sweepstakes for a chance to win the $1,000 designer shopping spree.  They are also giving away other amazing prizes each week:

• A one-year subscription to Birchbox ($120 value)
• A Broscato Vibrastrait flat iron ($150 value)
• Philosophy Miracle Worker Collection ($190 value)
• Clarisonic Mia2 Skin Cleansing System ($150 value)
• Gourmet Chuao chocolate ($180 value)

So, go to the Chuao Facebook page, and enter to win!!

Monster Trucks~ coming to the Metrodome! PLUS GIVEAWAY!!

MONSTER TRUCKS are coming to the Metrodome!! Aren't you excited?? I sure am! Guess what? I have the privilege to host a giveaway for a FAMILY 4 Pack of tickets!!

Our family is super excited that the Monster Trucks are coming to the Metrodome again!! Saturday, December 1, 2012 at 7:00 P.M. The shows are very entertaining and thrilling!  I love the high speed action, destruction, and amazement!  The kids talk about the show for weeks, and ask when we can go again!

Monster Jam events showcase freestyle and racing competition among custom-designed machines that average 12 feet tall by 12 feet wide, sit atop 66-inch-tall tires and weigh a minimum of 10,000 pounds. Built for short, high-powered bursts of speed, monster trucks generate 1,500 to 2,000 horsepower and are capable of speeds of up to 100 miles per hour. Monster trucks can fly up to 125 to 130 feet (a distance greater than 14 cars side by side) and up to 35 feet in the air.  

The Monster Truck shows are VERY family friendly. I have brought my kids to these shows, even the littlest ones, and they LOVE it! Ear plugs are available, because it can get loud in there.

Tickets start at $15 for adults and $10 for children age 12 and under. Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com, and by phone at 800-745-3000. Coupons for $5 off adult tickets are available at participating Advance Auto Parts locations from Nov. 12 - 30, click here, or while supplies last. Tickets will be available at the Metrodome Box Office beginning November 19 {box office purchases are cash only).

A SUBWAY Party in the Pits will be held from 2 - 5 p.m., prior to the 7 p.m. show on the Metrodome floor. The pre-show pit party gives fans (with a pit pass and event ticket) the chance to see the monster trucks up close, meet drivers, take pictures and get autographs. Pit passes will be available for free at all participating SUBWAY restaurants from Nov. 12 – Dec. 1, or while supplies last. Monster Jam, sanctioned by the United States Hot Rod Association, attracts over 100,000 fans annually in the Twin Cities area and more than 4 million fans each year at arenas and stadiums throughout the world. For additional information, visit www.MonsterJam.com.

About Feld Motor Sports, Inc. Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is the world leader in specialized arena and stadium-based motor sports entertainment. Feld Motor Sports, Inc. productions include Monster Jam®, Monster Energy® Supercross, AMA Arenacross Series, Freestyle Motorcross and IHRA® Nitro Jam®. Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is a division of Feld Entertainment, the world’s largest producer of live family entertainment. For more information on Feld Entertainment, visit www.feldentertainment.com.

About the United States Hot Rod Association: The United States Hot Rod Association originated in 1978 as a sanctioning body for truck and tractor pulling events, later expanding to produce mud and sand drag racing. The USHRA grew steadily and within its first decade emerged as the premier Monster Truck racing organization. Today the USHRA, together with Feld Motor Sports, produces quality events and involves coordinating competition, defining regulations and technical requirements, setting safety standards and officiating at each event. 

FOR THE GIVEAWAY:
Please leave a comment on this blog post: if you have ever gone to a Monster Truck show, and what your experience was.  For additional entries: follow me on twitter, subscribe to my blog, follow me on pintrest, share on twitter, share on facebook, etc.....and please leave a comment for each extra entry. You can enter everyday until November 26th, 2012. I will draw a winner to receive one family four pack of tickets using Random.org.  Please leave a way for me to contact you (like your e-mail address). THANKS and good luck!!

*Tickets were given to me and my family to attend this show for review purposes. I was also given the opportunity to host a giveaway for 4 tickets. I was not compensated for this blog post.*



***UPDATE***
The winner of the tickets is Atousa! Congratulations!!  I will contact you with the details!

True Random Number Service

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

38 

Timestamp: 2012-11-27 03:24:13 UTC

Where in the world??

I am back to blogging. Our life has been busy, busy, busy...and blogging got put on the back burner. So, I was checking out my last blog posts, the personal ones, and I last posted when my daughter, Katja was born. She is now almost 16 months old. She is walking, talking, and a sweet little monkey (loves to climb).  I will post a few pictures to give you a snap shot into the last year with her.

Big sister, Madelyn, loves her baby sister. She knew that she was going to have a baby sister when I was pregnant, and wouldn't even talk about the possibility of the baby being a boy. :)

Christmas Day 2011. Dressed to match with dresses courtesy of Grandma!

I love this face she was displaying at bath time!

Toes in the mouth to suck on. Can you do that? HA!

Easter 2011...in Dad's coat...safe like a baby kangaroo.

Four of the kids, spring of 2011. Caleb was in Awana last year, a church kid's club, and he had a Float-a-boat race. So, this is Caleb, Katja, Cole and Madelyn.

Katja enjoying the Duplo Legos at Mall of America's Lego World.

Oldest brother, Nathaniel, holding Katja in a bounce house this summer. She loved climbing in there with him and going down the big slide!  (He enjoyed it, too)

First time at the pool in a hotel. She looks so cute in her suit and robe.

McDonald's playland with one of her best friends, Kayla.

Katja and Caleb in the playplace toddler section.

Minnesota Zoo this summer in the play area.  We were just taking a break from walking around.

We have moved a few times in the last year, too.  We moved from our home of 5 years, to rent from my relatives for a few months. My husband build a house for us on a piece of land that we purchased through C4D.  He built the house with his own hands, with the help of the neighbors and a few close friends.  We moved in this spring, in March.  We are still in the building and will be working on it for quite awhile. Our goal is to be self sustaining, living "off-grid" and to implement a life style to live more simple.

Currently, we have running water, with our own well. We have a generator that we turn on to pump the water. We heat up water on the wood stove, now that it is colder outside, but this summer we heated the water on the gas stove. We use a cup to shower, scooping the water and pouring over our heads. Yes, we will have running hot water, someday, but everything costs money...so, we are saving up.

I wash clothes in my wash machine, and this summer I hung the clothes out on the clothesline, that Terry made at work for us. :) We have to figure out how to run the dryer yet, because ours wouldn't work well with the generator. So, we are still wondering what to do with that. 

This is the garden that Terry planted this spring. He put up all the fencing and did a great job! We were quite impressed with the results that our garden produced this summer. It is so good to eat the food from your own land!  We look forward to next summer!

 This is the truck that Caleb build. The kids enjoy the new adventure of our home, too.

The kids love playing outside here. We have so much acreage to play on and explore!

Check this out! Win an Apple iPad 2 (16GB)

Disney On Ice: Treasure Trove! Coming to MN December 8-11!! (Discount Code & Giveaway)

Discover endless riches when an extraordinary lineup of stories from the Disney animated film vault comes to life right in your hometown in Disney On Ice presents Treasure Trove!

Produced by Feld EntertainmentDisney On Ice presents Treasure Trove is performing at Xcel Energy Center December 8-11, 2011.

Get tangled up in Disney's 50th animated feature with Rapunzel and Flynn and enter the worlds of your other favorite Disney princesses –Tiana, Cinderella, Jasmine, Ariel, Sleeping Beauty, Belle, Mulan and of course, the one who started it all, Snow White. Ahoy, Mateys! Set sail with Peter Pan, the always sassy Tinker Bell and the cantankerous Captain Hook and his pirate pals on an adventure beyond Never Land! Trek the wilds of Africa with Simba, Nala, Pumbaa and Timon as they discover the true meaning of the ‘Circle of Life.’ Tick-Tock! Tick-Tock! Don’t be late to a very important date with Alice and the Mad Hatter as they march with the Queen of Hearts’ Army of Cards. Relive magical moments in this ultimate Disney animation celebration coming to Saint Paul!

Ticket Prices: $16 / $22 / $42 / $65 (Group 12+ call 651-312-3486)

Show Times: Thursday, Dec. 8 - 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9 - 10 a.m. & 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10 - 11 a.m., 3 p.m. & 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11 - 1 p.m. & 5 p.m.

To Discover more about Disney On Ice, go to www.disneyonice.com, or visit us on Facebook and YouTube.

SHOW SAVINGS OPPORTUNITIES

4 tickets for $44 on select show! A total savings of $20!

Discount valid on all weekend evening performances (Friday 7 p.m. / Saturday 7 p.m. / Sunday 5 p.m.) Offer in effect Monday, November 28 @ 10 a.m. through Wednesday, November 7 at 10 p.m.

Offer Valid toward regularly-priced $16 tickets only, excludes VIP and Front Row Seats. Offer subject to ticket availability. For best seats redeem as soon as possible. Valid on up to 12 discounted tickets. Not to be used in conjunction with any other discounts, premiums or rebates.

To Redeem:

Call 1-800-745-3000 Use code: MOM or online at http://www.ticketmaster.com/venueartist/49594/1606655  with code: MOM. (Offer subject to service and handling charges)

Giveaway!!
I am able to host a giveaway for a 4-pack of tickets to the show!  Just leave a comment on this blog post, and I will add your name to the list...which will be put in a random.org draw.  Winner will have 4 tickets for opening night, December 8th.
Contest ends December 2: Friday at 7 p.m.!
 **For extra chances you can: blog this contest, add my button to your site, subscribe to my blog, follow Sassyfrazz on twitter (if you tweet this contest use the hash tag #DisneyonIce) and/or become a fan on facebook, Become a Friend on Google Connect, and/or visit everyday and comment on another one of my blog posts (leave a comment letting me know what you commented on). Lots of chances to win! Don't forget to put the extra comments for the "extra" work. Good luck!**

*Tickets were given to me and my family to attend this show for review purposes. I was also given the opportunity to host a giveaway for 4 tickets. I was not compensated for this blog post.*

Cyber Monday Deals!!

I am a member of MomSelect, and I got an e-mail with some great deals! These deals were for Black Friday, and the specials go through Cyber Monday.  I would like to share these deals with my readers:
Get great deals from Hanna Andersson (http://hannaandersson.com), SleepBuddy (http://sleepbuddy.com) and QuickZip Sheets (http://cloudsandstars.com). Details below.

Save on QuickZip Sheets - the best idea in sheets

Most parents dread changing bed sheets, especially the crib or bunk bed varieties that require gymnastic moves to finish the task. That's why you will love QuickZip Sheets with a base that stays on and a top that zips off. For you or as a holiday or baby shower gift that new parents will truly thank you for, QuickZip Sheets make bed changes quick and easy. A mom-inspired invention that will make you say, "Brilliant! Why didn't I think of that!", when you see how much faster you can change sheets.

• QuickZip sheets are available in all sizes: crib, twin, twin XL, full, queen and king.
• Now through Monday, November 28th at midnight, get terrific savings on QuickZip starter sets, mattress pads, individual pieces and much more in a variety of fabric and design choices.
• QuickZip is offering the following savings (code is required when ordering from CloudsandStars.com):

Use code "Cyber50" for $10 off a $50 order

Use code "Cyber100" for $25 off a $100 order

Use code "Cyber150" for $50 off a $150 order

Find your favorite design, Hipper Zipper sets and more at cloudsandstars.com. Follow QuickZip on Facebook and Twitter (@quickzip) for updates, offers and giveaways throughout the year!

Give the Gift of Sleep with SleepBuddy

From Friday, November 25th through Monday, November 28th at midnight, get free shipping when you order the SleepBuddy complete sleep system! The already reasonable price of $34.95 is even better with no shipping costs to you. And the value of a rested, happy household is truly priceless!

• Order at sleepbuddy.com now through Monday, November 28th at midnight to take advantage of free shipping (no code required). Open to US residents.

Hear what moms have to say about SleepBuddy:

"Just an update... the SleepBuddy is still working like a champ!!" Sonya, Penny Pinching Parent

"I cannot praise this system enough! Though we still have a few kinks to work out...I can already feel some ENTIRELY "SLEEP FILLED" nights are within arms reach and I couldn't be more grateful!" - Courtney Hutson, Oneboredmommy.com

Give SleepBuddy as a great gift to friends or family with little ones, or as a gift to yourself! Follow SleepBuddy on Facebook (facebook.com/mysleepbuddy) and on Twitter (@sleepbuddy) for information and giveaways.

Adorable, Quality Clothes from Hanna Andersson

Just in time for holiday outfits, play clothes and items that make great gifts, Hanna Andersson offers an extra 15% off Friday through Sunday on retail store purchases. Specializing in colorful, unique children's clothing crafted to last, Hanna Andersson's supersoft fabrics and designs are also available for everyone in the family. From special occasions like upcoming holiday photos or occasions to play clothes for every day, Hanna Andersson offers something for everyone.

• From Friday, November 25th through Sunday, November 27th, save 15% on purchases in Hanna Andersson stores. For a store locator, visit HannaAndersson.com.
• Only on Monday, November 28th, enjoy an additional 15% off the More the Merrier Sale Prices through the Facebook post link (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hanna-Andersson/80848053174?ref=ts)

Katja Rose...YOU ARE HERE!

What a journey life has been lately!  I can't believe I am a Mom to five kids! I was surprised and scared when I found out I was pregnant with number 5! I was only scared because we had so much coming up in our family, that I didn't know how we would fit in time for having another baby.  We had a big move coming up plus building a home, so having a baby was not planned by me.  Actually, I was trying not to get pregnant, however, when we have plans...sometimes God has other plans.  When I told my husband that I was pregnant, he was thrilled and said that God's timing is always perfect and he will provide.  So, this summer at the end of July, Katja Rose came into our world.  I was due on July 14th, according to the Dr., but I figured I was closer to the 18th or 19th.  We said that we were not going to do anything with this pregnancy to induce or interfere, and I am so glad that the experience was a much better one!

I started having slight back aches, contractions and tightening when I had gone out to eat for Chinese with my Mom-in-law on the 23th of July.  I was about 1 1/2 weeks past my EDD, and pretty soon the Dr.'s were going to encourage me to set up for induction.  I went home that night, and my contractions came steady and stronger.  At 1:30 am on the 25th, I thought we should head into the hospital.  When I was checked I was at a 2 cm, but after sitting in the hospital for about 6 hours, and my contractions pretty much slowing down and becoming so sporadic, we went back home.  I sat at home all day with being able to get a nap squeezed into my afternoon.  That evening, my contractions became super intense, and approximately 11 p.m. I felt the need to push with them....so we went back up to the hospital.  This time, we weren't going home, because I was dilated to an 8! :)  The nurses all got the room ready, because we were having a baby!
I could get into all the details of that night, but I will just keep to the big details.  My husband was going to be catching our baby, and I love that! Doesn't he look great in scrubs?

My best friend, Randi, has been with us for 4 of our deliveries.  I love having her and my husband in the room for support.  Both of them are such an encouragement for me and blessings.  I so gratefully appreciate them!  So, back to my story of Katja's entrance...without much for pain meds., I pretty much cried and yelled out in pain.  I am sure the whole hospital heard me a few times, and I remember thinking that.  I had Phetanol (which is like Neubain) just 2 doses. With that pain med., I was able to rest slightly between contractions.  I had an unusual labor, because my contractions never came one on top of another with little time in between.  My contractions stayed coming at about 1-1 1/2 minutes apart for all of the labor.  I knew time was close when I started naturally pushing through my contractions.  What an amazing thing!  I don't recall how long I pushed, but it didn't take long, and Katja (literally) flew out.  Terry almost had her slip through his hands.

My Dr. was super!  He was technically still on vacation, but he was officially back to work later that day on the 25th.  So, having him come in was a very nice sacrifice.  I think he did a great job, and he showed up in his shirt and cap. LOL 

I love my dear friend, Randi!  (Thanks for all you do, all you are, and for being my dear sweet friend! I appreciate you!)

Katja Rose (Katja: pronounced caught-ya, is a form of Katherine, meaning PURE) weighed 8 lbs., 10 ounces and was 20 inches long.

Here is one of my nurses.  I loved all my nurses, and I really don't have a complaint about any of them. Usually I get one that we either clash a little or I just don't care for them, but this time....all of them were super!  My whole experience with this labor/delivery was excellent!  I was at a different hospital this time, and the care far exceeded the last hospital.  I had small town hospitality here!

My Mom holding her littlest granddaughter.  Katja is number 24th of the grandchildren on my parent's side.  It would have been fun if she was born on the 24th.

My Dad making faces at his granddaughter.

Here I am holding my second little girl, and also holding my friend's daughter who is 2 months older than Katja.  My face is starting to swell on this photo.  I had one allergic reaction during my stay, and I had big time swelling, and chest tightness.  Good thing I was in the right place if things went wrong.  After I removed myself from all medication, I had to be on Prednesone for 5 days.

Daddy and his two princesses...

Grandma Cheryl with her two granddaughters. (Maddy is so in love with her baby sister)

Grandma Cheryl with our kids~ Nathaniel (12 1/2), Caleb (6), Madelyn (4), Cole (2) and Katja (newborn).

Katja and her little friend, Kayla...holding hands.

Getting ready to go home. 

I love this photo!  My favorite!

Crying newborns are actually pretty cute. :)

All set in the car seat.  She looks so tiny!

Welcome baby Katja! We are so thankful for our little daughter! I am thankful for the hospital, Dr., nurses, my husband, best friend, and for having such a beautiful & healthy family!