Merry Christmas

Okay, I'm a little late! We had a nice Christmas, spending time with family and friends. On Christmas Eve, we went to the candlelight service at church, then Eric and Anne and girls came over for some overdue visiting and pinochle playing. Anne and I actually gave the guys a good run at pinochle!

Here's Everett before church:

Everett, Ari, and Gwen after church:

Christmas Day was spent with John's family. It's an action-packed day with a dozen kids running around!

Everett and I in his new cap:
Everett and John opening his gifts:

The day after Christmas was spent at our house, with the Nelson's coming over for dinner and quality time. We played farkle and dad's new game, Christmas trivia.

Cheddar Cornmeal sticks

Anne and I are home alone with the babes today, and baking, while our husbands are out calling coyotes. So when we talked this morning, Anne suggested we post our baking results on our blogs, to see how each other's goodies looked. Well, Anne, here is my blog, without pictures, because my camera is with our husbands!
As for the results, you should know that cheddar cornmeal sticks are crumbly, and probably didn't need the cayenne pepper doubled. I still hope to get to the grocery store, but it might be after the basketball games as I just learned that they start at 3! And, I haven't showered, and Everett shouts from his room to be fed. We'll see how this day shakes out!

We're still here!

I know it's been awhile since I've blogged, so here's a quick synopsis of what's happened lately:

I'm back to work, and things are going okay. I dread leaving Everett every day, but he's in good hands, so that is some comfort. School has been busy, too, with activities and Christmas program and such, so I stay somewhat distracted during the day.

Everett is growing by leaps and bounds! At his appointment last week, he weighed in at 14 pounds, 11 ounces, and is 25 inches long! And, shots suck. I cried more than he did, to be honest, and then he woke up in the night with a temperature, which is horrible and frightening, but motrin brought it back down, and we didn't have to re-dose. He's talking (cooing), smiling and laughing, reaching out and grabbing things and picking up his head when on his stomach. They grow so fast!

Patrick and Jayme are getting married in Billings next weekend, so we are spending the weekend in a motel. Packing for 2 nights/3 days could be interesting, and I'm running over and over in my brain what needs to be taken along to make this trip enjoyable. We're excited to see family, many who haven't met Everett yet, so it should be fun.

Okay, I have a lot left to do today, like pay bills (yuck) and put up the Christmas tree, and hopefully watch the Cowboys win this afternoon! I'll add some pictures of Everett so I don't get yelled at!

Everett early in November

Gwennie and EverettAri and Everett

Everett on Thanksgiving

My antelope!

Yesterday we went hunting. We saw several deer, some elk, and a few antelope. I had a chance at a decent 4 point mule deer, at least decent by my standards, but missed the window of opportunity for shooting. However, I did shoot my antelope doe. Now keep in mind, it has been YEARS since I shot any game animals, and I didn't even do any target shooting this summer. Regardless, I shot this doe at about 100 yards, and it only took one shot! Here she is:Hunting partnerMy elusive husband!
Beautiful scenery.

Cousins

RichardTyrone Kyle

Isaiah

Lindsay
Anthony

Skylar

Visitors

Some pics of visitors since we brought Everett home.

Great-grandpa Don and great-grandma RitaGreat Aunt Jean Aunt MariahUncle PatrickAnne and (a very curious) Gwen

Happy Halloween!

Ribbit! BOO!

Hunting Story

While Everett and I were hanging out at home Friday, John and his dad were out elk hunting. Early in the morning we received the call that John had shot a "big bull." Soon he called to inform it was an 8 point, and let me tell you, he sounded happy! Evidently, if you want more detail, you will have to talk to him personally!

Pictures of Everett

Bath time! Starving boy.

Cousin Lindsay and Everett

Happy Baby!

Everett Goes to Book Club

The Grands

Grandpa DuaneGrandma June Grandpa Dick

Grandma Arlene

Everett Clyde O'Connor

On Saturday morning about 1am, I started having regular, strong contractions, so we loaded up the pickup and headed into Miles City. We checked into the hospital and began the journey toward childbirth... I had terrible back labor and opted for the epidural late in the morning, around 10:30 or 11, then they broke my water. Hours passed, 15 or so in total, and Everett was born at 5:28p.m. weighing in at 8 pounds 12 ounces, 21 3/4 inches long. We were released from the hospital about 11:30 Tuesday morning, and after running some errands, arrived home about 2:30. Last night was a little hairy, as the young man decided he was starving every hour and a half, but we grabbed a few hours sleep in hour intervals, and I went back to sleep at 4:30 and caught a few more. Of course, I wish I could sleep now, but just can't seem to, so hopefully I'll catch a nap or two later today. Here are some pictures!