So we had our first "well" experience yesterday!!! We have been having trouble with the water going on and off and thought it was just our water softener, but alas it is not! It turns out that we have a lot of dirt in our water which is clogging the filter so we cannot get water in the house. We had to run a hose out the basement window, attached to a faucet coming from the well to "run the water clear". The well driller said sometimes sediment will get into the water and you have to run it until the is clear. SO...last night it DID clear up for now, but I am still concerned that the problem isn't fixed. THANK the Lord that my in-laws live next door and we can all bathe there. So anyways...just pray that it will all be FIXED!

On another note...I have my garden pretty much planted! We have a furry little friend who has parked himself outside the chicken coop guarding the garden. Any ideas on how to get rid of our groundhog! He is attempting to dig a hole to get in from underneath!!! Crazy animals! BUT...I have peas, tomatoes, green beans, broccoli, peepers, onions, and carrots so far. I would like to make it a bit bigger or plant another garden because I have so much more I want to plant. When I get my first veggie I will take a pic for you.

ALSO...we have A LOT of strawberries starting to bud. If any of you want to come an pick some, you are more than welcome. They are wild, so they aren't big, but they are very tasty. My favorite is when the raspberries come up! I love raspberry pie.

I made a really yummy recipe last night and thought I would share it with you all...

4 chicken breasts
1/4 cup of balsamic vinaigrette
garlic powder
onion salt

Marinate chicken with balsamic vinaigrette and top with garlic powder and onion salt for at least 2 hours. Bake at 375 for 45 mins to an hour.

Topping:
3 Roma tomatoes
1/4 cup balsamic vinaigrette
fresh garlic
graded mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons olive oil.

Chop roma tomatoes and add remaining ingredients. Let it cool in refrigeration until chicken is cooked. Top chicken with tomato mixture and serve.


AND...my kiddos decided to nap with one another yesterday!!! Cooper wanted to sleep with Kylie, but I wasn't sure I wanted him falling out of the bed, so I put them both in Cooper's crib. It lasted about 40 mins when Cooper woke up with a cough! Oh well....They then watched a movie on the "little TV" in Kylie's bed! How sweet..they finally are "playing" together and love each other (for now).

I finally painted something...

I decided that I needed to give my play room some color. White walls and kids DON"T mix very well, so I went with a dark tan color for the bottom half of the wall. Here is my progress so far...

My little helpers (don't worry, it's just water)

The final project:

So there it is...I want to do something on the "picture" wall (I kinda feel like an old lady with all my pictures hung up). Suggestions???

Oh and as you can see we DON"T need any more toys!!!

He is finally walking....YEAH

Goat milk anyone?

Thought I would update you all on the goat milk experiment. Cooper started on it on Monday and has done somewhat better over the past few days! I hope it is working!!! It was so neat to find a local goat dairy farmer (thanks Jocelyn) that is kind and generous. Kylie and I watched her milk the goat and put it through a strainer into our container. I was able to feed it to Cooper while it was still warm! AWESOME! So...so far so good...lets see how far we get with Zach about getting our own goat..lol!

Yes I know Kylie is in her undies...but it for the family! Cooper CAN walk...watch!

We have an answer

Most of you know that Cooper has been having some digestive issues. We have attempted taking out milk and switching to soy, but have had no success. They have run some tests and today I feel like I finally have some answers. The doctor didn't find anything and thinks it is a food sensitivity. We have to start from the beginning with food (pureeing it) and see where we go. She also recommended we try goat's milk. There has been talk around the Riedl household of buying a goat at some point (mostly on my part) and this may be the reason why. Anyone know of anyone in the area who has a goat or sells it?? Anyways...praise God that it isn't anything random or seriously harmful!!

On another note, we had a busy weekend here at the Riedl household. We celebrated Zach's 29th birthday on Saturday and Mother's day on Sunday. In between all of our partying, we had time to actually put the garden in!!!! Yes...that's what I said. I finally got Zach out there with a pick axe to help me with the garden. I put some peas and broccoli in the ground and we will see how they flourish. We also put a post in for another clothesline! I cannot tell you how much I love the smell of air dried clothes!!!! I think we are turning into true country folk these days! Thinking about a goat...gardening...air drying our clothes...we will see whats next!

A picture of my lovely peas and broccoli

She wouldn't smile;o(
and a cute pic of the kiddos!!!

My little dancer!

Kylie is obsessed with ballet these days and wanted me to take a video of her performance. She is dancing to "Cinderella" by Stephen Curtis Chapman. It is the sweetest song in the world, so if you get a chance, listen to it!

And I thought I would include a pic of Cooper sleeping in Kylie's chair after the dance!!

The two of them have been playing nicely all day!!!! I have to take in these moments when they happen!

For all of you that were wondering...we did get a pool! We got it at a GREAT price from my parents. It is an above ground/blow up/filter pool. We cannot wait to use it. Thanks to all who voted in the poll!

Dirt anyone??

We are back from a busy weekend in Rochester and enjoyed the sunshine yesterday. I decided to "take on" the garden and began digging! While I was digging, Cooper enjoyed a tasty snack of dirt and attempted to eat a worm and Kylie collected the worms and made a new home for them.

We celebrated my Dad's and Zach's birthday too...the kids wouldn't sit still for a pic, so this is the best I got...

Kylie loves Queenie!!

Cooper is our new piano player!

Tomorrow at MOPS we are having a recipe exchange, so hopefully I will have some yummy recipes to share!!!

xoxox, Kara