Andrew's family visits

Andrew and Joel


Uncle Daron and Aunt Rachael


We walk every night to calm Dara.


Grandma Brenda with baby Daraby


Newest Family Photo


Everyone minus Daron-he took the photo


New Aunts and Uncles


New Grandparents with Sugar and Dually


Susan- her first time on a quad



Last Thursday through Sunday we had members of Andrew's family here to visit. From Thursday through Saturday his parents, brother-Joel and sister- Susan came to visit on their way home to MI. They had spent time in CO with Daron and Rachael and had went camping/hiking in Estes Park. It was Susan's first time out here! On Friday night Rachael and Daron drove up from CO- so the whole family could hang out. It is a rare occasion that all of us together. We were able to take family photos and just catch up on life.
During their stay we went down the creek in the canoes. I promised Susan we wouldn't tip and then I panicked when we were going to run into the fence that I thought was HOT and over we went. :) Oh and the dogs swam beside the canoes all the way. We had an obstacle course not running them over or hitting them with the paddles.
In the mornings, Andrew got the horses out so people could take a few turns around the arena. Andrew and his dad were able to get out and ride the hills. The horses are always a big hit but it always makes me nervous when we put people on them. I would feel horrible if anyone got hurt here.
At night we would take walks over the hills. We found that Daraby calms right down when we put her in the front pack and walk. It is a good thing that she is fussy until we go for our walk because it gets me exercising and out of the house. Sometimes when she gets really cranky during the day I load her in the front carrier and walk around the house or go outside. It usually does the trick.
While they were here we did have some excitement. Our hot water heater broke and poured water on our basement floor which made us turn off part of our electricity. Andrew's mom made pancakes and sausage on a skillet that morning because the stove wouldn't work. Then Alice's goats ran away- no kidding 57 goats ran away and vanished for 2 days. She even had a plane looking for them and he didn't see them. Her and I went looking for them on Sat. morning and never saw hide nor hair of one. We did, however, get to see an old abandoned homestead. It was a beautiful home in its' day. It is amazing the history that is here. Alice remembers the place when people did live there. She said it had beautiful windows that were transferred to another home after the people left in 1956. The place no kidding is very hard to get to- I mean really out in the middle of somewhere. Our boss owns the land now but I know why no one moved there after those people left- even if it was a gorgeous home. Anyway Alice did find her goats that night a long way from her home in the opposite direction that they left. Those silly goats.
All in all we had a great time with Andrew's family. They were able to help us out with several chores that we haven't been able to get to so that was really nice of them. Of course, they loved on Daraby and Abby. I think both of them are going through withdrawals- Daraby would like me to hold her all day and Abby has to sleep in our room now- all her sleeping buddies left. HaHa!
Well I better jet and get some stuff done before pip squeak awakes.

Weekend News!

Daraby and Me!


My good friend Lisa and Daraby.

We had a great weekend. My brother, my niece Dawn, and nephew Daly were able to meet us in a nearby town. Although it was just a few minutes of hanging out it was good to see him and catch up. Then on Sunday night our good friends Lisa and Cecil came to stay with us from MI. They were taking Lisa's daughter to Wyoming and were able to stop in for a couple days. It was wonderful for us to see them and shoot the breeze. Of course, I took them on the ranch tour and we fed them buffalo. Lisa loves babies- so Daraby was cuddled and loved. It was a relaxing time for us to talk about life. We miss seeing them and hanging out. Thanks Lisa and Cecil for stopping in and making the extra effort to come.

Kyle and Taya's Wedding

Andrew with our friends- Kyle and Taya who just got married on Saturday night-Aug 16th.


The 1st Father and Daughter Dance at Kyle and Taya's Wedding.


Andrew cuddling with crabby Daraby- It is his birthday today!

Last night we attended Kyle and Taya's wedding. It was beautiful! We are very excited for them but will miss them after they move. Many people at the wedding wanted to hold Daraby so Andrew and I got to dance a little bit and catch up with several people. It has been a blessing for us to have so many people to love on Daraby. We are really starting to enjoy Daraby. She has started to sleep in 2, 3, or 4 hour increments. It makes us a lot happier and more awake. I've finally got her on a schedule and now and I am starting to get some stuff done. It really helps that she is sleeping in her crib at night so we don't hear every sniff, grunt or soft cry. She is having great awake times where she looks right at you. We can't believe she is almost a month old. At night we have been taking long walks over the hills and Andrew puts her in the carrier that he attaches to the front of him. I think the fresh air is great and then we come home to scrub her in the tub.

My Mom's Birthday was Saturday, Andrew's Birthday is Today and my brother Dan's Birthday is tomorrow! Have Happy Ones! Much love!

4 Generations

Four Generations- Great Grandpa VanDuinen, Grandma Boersma, Dad Andrew, Baby Daraby


Great Grandpa and Great Grandma VanDuinen with Daraby


Brand New Grandparents!


Proud Uncle Joel!


Grandpa holding Daraby.

Last Tuesday night, our family from Michigan arrived to see Daraby. Mom and Dad Boersma are proud to be grandparents for the first time! Uncle Joel and Grandma and Grandpa VanDuinen were also glad to come along and we enjoyed having them here for two days. Darcy took them around the ranch and they met our neighbor Alice and her barnyard of animals. Everybody who has come has lended a helping hand with the baby and with household chores, which is a huge help! The Boersma clan with Susan, Daron and Rachael are coming out next weekend, so we'll have more family time coming up!

Lots of Visitors!

My beautiful sister- Dixie holding Daraby at Alice's Place.


Tyler- my nephew with Daraby.


Brittany-my niece with Alice's bucket calf. We had a great time with all her pets.


(Alice, Isaac, Tyler and Andrew) The boys are sitting on Molly the burro.


Tyler with Meka- Alice's pet raccoon.

We've had a wonderful time with family and friends that have come to visit us. My sister, her husband and their two boys along with my mom and my niece Brittany came to visit Aug 9-11. It was the first time my sister and her family saw our place and of course Daraby. We had fun taking them over to our friend- Alice's Place. She has a whole passel of pets. Her pet raccoon- Meka was a hit. They fed the goats, dipped their fingers in the Lilly pond, saw the rabbit and petted the bucket calf. Thanks Alice for the great time!
When the boys first got here they went swimming with Andrew at the public pool in town while Mom, Brittany and I picked up some supplies. The boys were proud to report that twelve trains passed while they were swimming. HaHa! There are so many trains that go through town.
Throughout the weekend the boys had fun petting the cats and runnin around outside. Then on Sunday Dixie, Dave, Andrew, Brittany and the boys spent the afternoon on the creek canoeing. It was a hot one.
All in all we had a great time. From here Dixie, Dave and boys continued on their vacation to the Black Hills. We are very glad they were able to visit and see the place. A huge thanks to Dixie for taking Daraby for the entire night- Sat. It was great to catch up on some Zzzzzzz. Thanks to my Mom and Brittany for coming and helping clean house, make meals and hold Daraby. I don't know what I would do without all the extra help.

Just a couple of photos!

Daraby in her cute frog outfit!


Abby in all her regalness! She is adjusting well with Daraby.


Snuggling in bed.



Jackson climbing the trees in the front yard. He has such a fun attitude.
He still nurses Abby- He thinks he is a dog not a cat.

Parenthood?

She is starting to enjoy bathtime!


We think she is adorable all bundled up after bath!


Sleeping peacefully- something she doesn't do at night!


Hanging with Grandma Wanda!


All little girls need a John Deere! I was able to mow the yard with the tractor and Andrew watched Daraby for me. It is great for me to get away.

Please someone tell me it is going to get better? Haha! Life has been crazy busy for the three of us. It has been a period of adjustment and we are slowly getting used to sleepless nights and poopy diapers. We've learned that our bundle of joy isn't always joyful so it was nice to have my mom come and help the first 5 days and then we asked to her come back again for another 4 days. So far I've been able to handle this week alone and then Andrew helps out a ton when he gets home at night. Daraby has her days and nights mixed up and we can't seem to get switched. I try to sleep during the day with her but nothing else seems to get done. At first I was really depressed but it is starting to get better and I've been able to mow with the big tractor and even drive the 4-wheeler to the neighbors. It really helps to get out of the house and not be tied down. At first we were really cautious with Daraby but now we have a lot more confidence. It's crazy how you think they are going to break or stop breathing.

Last week Daraby had her 1st check-up and all is well. She has gained all her weight back and is on the up and up. The doctor showed me how to keep her awake for her feedings and she was livid. Daraby likes to snack and sleep which means she doesn't eat much or sleep long. In the last couple days it seems like she eats more in a sitting and today she slept for 2 plus hours. Yahoo!

We've had several visitors to see us and the baby. Many neighbors have stopped by and our boss and his family drove up to see Daraby after their long trip to Montana. My niece Dawn came this last weekend on her way back to SD from CO. We had a good time with her. We ended up going to the local rodeo and sat with Alan and Shelia. I don't think Dawn got to bored. Daraby slept through the whole thing and then stayed up all night. Then on Sunday we went to church and afterwards we made a big breakfast for lunch. It was nice to have Dawn's extra help but she went home after lunch.

We are looking forward to many more visitors. Daraby is barely in her crib or bassinet with everyone holding her. Andrew and her sleep in the chair after he gets home from work. He is very calm with her screaming lungs which makes me laugh. He talks to her and nibbles on her fingers while she is screaming mad. We've been trying to take her outside at night or give her a bath. At first she hated bath time but she is slowly starting to like it. :)

Well I suppose I better get ready for bed. If I can get a couple hours I'll be set. Andrew takes the first shift until 12 and then I take over the rest of the night. It is amazing that he can sleep through her wailing. :)