Nathan is Walking!

Nathan is walking...My camera is croaking.

Sorry for the noise

Division of Kids

Some days, we just need to divide the kids up in order to get everything done in a day.
Josh and Andrew decided who would go with Grandpa and who got to go to Ft. Smith with Mom.
Yes, Josh stayed with Grandpa and he got to ride the tractor while doing something productive -
Spraying weeds!

"Hi guys, looks like fun.....but, I'm going home as soon as I take these pictures".

No picture of Andrew today, he was away from the farm, picking up his HeadStart year book, delivering watermelons, shopping at Sam's Club, and going to Sonic.

Nathan had to see Grandpa for a minute.

"I'm liking this tractor stuff"

Mean while, back at the house....
Not going to wear it!

Nope, I'm not!

There he is, as he quickly pulls it off again!

A Picture Speaks a Thousand Words

Well, not really a thousand words, but it does speak many and I love this picture. Do you have something in your home that just goes unnoticed? Maybe it is not in a prominent place, or it does not mean as much to others as it does to you. Maybe I had even forgotten how much I love this picture. I bought this picture of the little Amish boy and Holstein calf several years ago at Fern Mountain Creation - my sister's wonderful store that is now closed and used as an apartment....gosh, I miss that place! When I first found it in the store I just knew it was to be mine. I could visualize the little boy as David ....as a child. David has always had a love of cattle, and my guess is he always wore some kind of hat or cap, and he might have gone barefoot most of the time.

The picture of the little boy and calf is on the wall in the bedroom that I call the "grandkids" room. The room has several different items of decor, along with a trundle bed, baby bed, chest, stuffed animals, toys, etc. The other day I walked in there to make up the bed and just flopped down on it. I laid there mindless, until I glanced up at the picture. I realized what a beautiful piece of artwork it truly is...such sweet detail....I wondered where the little boy's mind was at the time. I enjoyed the sweetness in his face. I saw each child and grandchild's little face in the picture. I was reminded of the mighty Holstein cows and calves we have nurtured in the past. I remembered bottling the many hungry calves in an open pen with several calves sucking and licking my hands....I carried a big stick to keep them separated, so the calves could not steal the bottle from another calf. I don't remember which was hardest then, the hot, hot summer weather, or the frigid and rainy or snowy days. We have made so many improvements on the farm since those days. I remembered how much I love this farm, my hard working and loving husband, and my family. I thought until I was brought to sweet tears of remembrances.

I do love this picture and it is always good to reflect. I have been blessed by the Lord, beyond measure.

Weekend Family Fun

Yummy!

Daughter-in-law Christy

Kicked back in the back yard!

Clean baby!

Finally, I got another shot of Grandpa and the grandkids.

You have seen this pose before....
Before we had Nathan to add to the mix.

Everyone here loves Katie's Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Gillan is growing up too fast.

Uncle Rudy and Nathan studying the Cube.

Me in my favorite spot in the house.

Cool Boys!

Oh good grief....these kids just can't stay out of the tiny, muddy gravel.
Down the shirts? Do they want big bellies?
Do they want to look like Santa or WaaazzzUp?

Feet are always an interesting subject, no?

We got Gracie fixed up for school.

Katie monogrammed her name on her new backpack.

Shadow loves everyone...Nathan likes her too.

Another little bag with Gracie's name on it!

Katie and Christy

Neat Stuff

We had a meeting in Oklahoma City recently and we stayed at Big Dale and Patsy's house over night. They are serious collectors and Patsy has a really neat Tea Room/Antique and Gift shop.
I love this neat birdbath and the stainless steel milk can below....both gifts from them.

The sweet birdbath found it's home in the rose garden.
It looks so neat, but the roses are really lacking in beauty right now.
Below, the milk can found it's home in a prominent place in the dining room.
I thought it needed a topper, so I found this plant..love it.

Yellow Squash Relish

Squash Relish, anyone? Anyone?

Katie and I had fun making this relish together last week.
Too bad we waited so late to make it. The plants are dying back now.

Finally, A Ripe Watermelon

Yummy...Who needs a fork, anyway?

Fresh Garden Corn

Josh and Andrew were so excited about the
corn being ready to eat....they jumped right
in to help. I had a bluegrass CD playing given
to David from a friend. Watch Andrew closely after
a few seconds into the video....he loves to sing and
can not keep from moving (dancing). He was
inhibited as soon as he realized the video camera
was going.

Doll Baby, or What?

Cutie Cute!

Nathan spent the day with me a week or so ago. We had so much fun.

OH NO, sadness...gloom and despair. Why do babies and children
always go straight for the Pella window (blinds between the glass)
cords? The cords are the most sensitive, fragile things...it is a

"No-No" to mess with them--easy to break, expensive to fix. Mean grandma, such a sad baby.

Grandma has been messing with this hair!

This hair is going to curl, if I have my way. Looking a little happier by now too.
He knows he is cute!