Aquaponics

I went to an aquaponics workshop out in Wisconsin. It is basically a marriage of aquaculture and hydroponics but it is more effective than either. Very interesting.

Woodbadge

So I finally made it to Woodbadge after signing up over and over. It is a tough commitment with time but it is well worth it.
We are the Buffalo patrol. It was fun to act like a 12 year old again.

Airport Tower

My biodiesel partner was a pilot who helps train the air traffic controllers. He took us on a tour of the tower at the Boise airport.

Justin got to see how they guide the planes in for landing.

He also got to mess with the radar equipment and see how they track the planes in and talk to the pilots.

Knitting Looms and Hats

Justin and I have been busy with our latest Humanitarian project...knitted hats! I have never knitted a stitch in my life and was able to make my first project...a baby beanie! Noah loves it!This is the knitting loom and yarn that Justin used to make Max's hat.
And here is Justin working away on what he calls his new hobby. He LOVED this project and has already started his second hat. He really did AMAZING work on his project and made a great hat for Max.
Granted...we should have figured to add a little more length to his hat. But then again, Max doesn't know he looks like a Jewish Rabbi. He wore the hat most of the afternoon--upstairs where it is 80 degrees!

Our little Scout!

Justin received his scout shirt and all the badges he has earned so far. He spent a good portion of the last couple of days sewing his patches and badges on. I offered to do it, be he and Geoff both agreed that Justin would do a better job. And he did!!! What a great Scout!

Melanie Fitzgerald's amazing work!

My 3 sons

"oh BOY, oh BOY!!"

Thumbs up for Noah.

Knuckles too.

Noah is so "cool!"

Boys N Bikes

No more trikes for Max, he FINALLY got a bike to ride "just like Justin's." Now he is officially one of the big boys!

Just like JUSTIN...is pretty much what Max wants to be!

Do these activities tell you something about their personalities?

Noah Glenn Neyman...aka "Jack Jack"

Our baby's name has been anything but certain this week. He has gone from Jack to Brig to Noah and all the way around the circle again. Finally, we've come to a final decision of naming him

Noah Glenn and calling him Jack Jack...
Do you see the connection???

Noah was a name Geoff especially liked. We like the way Noah Neyman sounds, and we like that it is easy to differentiate with Max and Justin.
We also like the symbolism between Noah the prophet who was obedient and faithful to the Lord's command, as we hope in the last days before the coming of the Lord our Noah will also be faithful and obedient.

Glenn is a family name that comes most closely from my brother Russell whose middle name is Glenn (He received the name from my mother's father who was Samuel Glenn).
Noah was born just 3 days after Russell's birthday, so he already shares that special time with Russ. We also thought it appropriate that Russell should have a dashing young man to carry on his name especially since he has never had a son--but three beautiful girls.
But more so, the name Glenn is special because of the kind of person Russell is and the kind of person we hope Noah Glenn to become. Russell is true and stalwart in everything good and right. He has been true to the Gospel of Jesus Christ from the beginning, and is a beautiful example of true discipleship. Russell is wise, and chooses carefully his route in life. He is one of the most genuinely loving people I know! He loves all people, and has an especial love for little children--and they all love him. He is fun, a person that all enjoy spending time with. He has not only been a loving, protective, and supportive brother...he has been one of my best friends, and I (we) love him dearly.

Thanks Russ, for providing us with such a great legacy and reason for carrying on an important name. We love you!

No MCADD

We received the lab tests back for MCADD (which caused Jacob's and Oakley's death - stands for Medium Chain Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency) and Brigham (if that is his name for sure) DOESN'T HAVE it which is GREAT NEWS to us.
We have spent a lot of time worrying about this including having this child and it is a big relief. We are happy and blessed.

Max and I went to the store to get some ice cream to celebrate... after all the best way to celebrate good health is with junk food.

Yo Baby

Monterey Jack-Jack

So we finally have a baby - 10 days behind schedule.
Sunday afternoon JaNae got the contractions going and they stuck with a little help from a 45 minute walk at 2:30am.


Here are the obligatory stats that I better provide to prevent further harrassment.

Time born: 6:02am Monday
Place: Home as always
Sex: boy as always
Sleep for parents: None
Weight: 7 lbs 10 oz
Length: 21"
Head: 14"
Chest: 14"
JaNae's condition: Better than any previous birth at this point... looks and feels healthy and good.
Geoff's condition: n/a
Noteworthy events: Justin was the videocameraman. He showed up for work at 4:30am.
Justin's assessment: "He is the cutest baby in the world."
Max's assessment: He finally gets it.
Name: hmmm, it now says BRIGHAM JACK on the birth cert. appl. and it only requires one signature to submit and that signature isn't mine. We are still discussing. I sort of liked 'Colby Jack'.



This is our feerless cameraman apparently wondering if he bit off more than he can chew. He knows more about the birth process than I do although the reality of it seemed to come as a little surprise judging by the look on his face. He did great and was very helpful.

BABY NEWS

I have been planning to have a birth today since all my children have been born within two days of one of my siblings birthdays. Today is Russell's birthday...and a perfect way to celebrate! Well things are happening, I'm effacing, dilating, contractions and all...but it's been a bit random and slow...so we'll see.

Jacob was born ON Leilani's birthday--March 13
Justin was born ON Stephen's birthday--June 22
Oakley was born the day before Jolynn's birthday--Jan 9
Max was born right in between Carrie & Larin's birthday--Feb 7
Brigham will be born??? around Russell's birthday (today).

I'll keep you posted. Gotta go for another long walk!

Creativity at it's best!

This is what you get when you combine a FABULOUS babysitter and Justin's creativity...
Brittany Thompson has been great. These puppets are adorable. I especially loved how Justin created a nice hammock for the Monkey. I love it!

Max's quotes of the day...

Max says the funniest things!!!

Max was sitting on the counter helping me make dinner. When I gave him a scoop to measure the flour with, he held out scoop and he beamed out, "Welcome to my show!!!!"

During a silent moment at dinner, Max randomly looked at me and said, "I like your eyebrows!!!"

Earlier in the day, Max asked Geoff, "Daddy what's yer name?"
Geoff replied, "Geoff"
Max exclaimed happily, "Oh, Hi Geoff!!"

The Pennsylvania Express

This was Max's first time to see the Pennsylvania Express run. Of course, being a Neyman...he LOVED it. All my boys love trains.

Date Night at Assagio's

Geoff and I were given a gift certificate (as a thank you for Dance Festival) to an Italian restaurant called Assagio's in downtown Boise. This will be our last night out on the town for a while as I am due to have our little baby next week. Geoff and I both LOVE being in our quaint downtown, and the restaurant was DELICIOUS...Italian at it's best.

We had to laugh at the price we still paid even after using the certificate...not a cheap place to eat!!! But I must say, I LOVED it and had a very enjoyable evening with my charming husband.

WaHOO!!

Justin was invited to a birthday party for Andrew Eastman to a place called Wahoo's (used to be called Boondocks). It's one of Justin's favorite places to go. We all went and had so much fun with race cars, laser tag, and the Kiddie Cove (below) which was Max & Justin's favorite...a very very fun play place.

FHE HIGH Adventure Rafting

We had a split FHE tonight...Geoff and Justin went rafting down the Payette River with the Neffingers and Haffens from our ward, and Max and I hung out at home (we couldn't find any maternity life jackets :)

After hearing about their adventure, I probably would have gone into labor had I gone! Two of the adults were thrown out of the raft! It was a wild ride.

We're still trying to convince Justin that not all rafting trips are as "adventurous." It was a good experience for our safe and cautious 8 year old. Thank goodness he loves spending time with his Dad.

Max during Justin's photo shoot

Oh my goodness, our Max is SOOOOOO funny!

Justin at 8

Justin is such a great child...I love how Geoff's photography highlights his happy, caring, even silly nature. Justin is simply AWESOME!

I love to see boys in their white shirts and ties...
they are so handsome!

I wonder how much it would cost to print out 20 super-large prints?

Okay, so I am biased, but is this kid charming or what? I was just going to blog 3 or 4 of his pictures, but couldn't leave some of these out!!!

Which is your favorite?