Baling

Who needs an acreage when there's one across the street?

The guy was baling hay across the street, so the kids were highly entertained for quite awhile.  I heard Mara mention something about Grandpa as they were watching.  The kids always think it's Grandpa when they see any type of machinery.  After the guy was finished, he headed down the street.  Mara ran back to the window throwing a fit, "Grandpa!  Don't leave!  I want a ride, Grandpa!"  It made her really mad when I couldn't stop laughing, but I couldn't help it.  There's only one Grandpa in the whole world that drives a tractor, right?

Harp

We were using this "harp" (as Mara kept calling it) in the garage.  Once we were finished with it, the kids wanted to play with it.  It seriously entertained them all day.  It was even perfect for a snack spot.

 

Micah didn't care too much for being squirted.  Notice how she's just casually looking out of the corner of her eye.  I'm sure she had no idea what was happening.....

GO STATE

Let's go Cyclones!

 

Labor Day

We had a family get together with my dad's side of the family at our place on Labor Day.

Everyone enjoys riding bikes, so we started the morning with a ride on the bike trail.

We came back for lunch and some fun in the yard.

 

 

horse rides with Great Grandpa

 

 

 

Cousin Sleepover

Cousin L hadn't been over for a sleepover in awhile, so we decided it was time. 

 

A sleepover isn't complete without popcorn and a movie.

The Bigs thought they were old enough to sleep on an air mattress in the living room.  One ended up on our floor at midnight and the other was in our bed a couple hours later.  They tried.

Micah thought cousin L was missing his little brother, so he gave him some extra snuggles. 

Preschool with two was much more fun!

We headed to the park to burn off some energy before our journey to take cousin L back home.

 

 

The Little Man

As I sorted through the pictures on my camera, I decided I need to devote a post just to Micah.  He's just going through a stage that lends itself to many photos, so I thought I'd share a few with you.

This just isn't a sight we saw with Mara, so it catches me off guard every time.  He needed a "na-kin", so he helped himself.

 

Thoroughly enjoying oatmeal!  Maybe he's taking after his momma and trying out a natural product for his skin and hair.  Shhh....don't tell Daddy.  He'll think you're crazy, too! 

His latest fetish....everyone else's shoes.

 

Don't even try to cut up this kid's food.  Grandma D learned that today with his granola bar. 

He has been protesting his high chair recently and begs to sit in Mara's booster.  I won't allow it as that just means he's getting big, and I just want him to be 19 months old for another year or so.  For breakfast one morning, Mara decided it would be fun to switch chairs.  He was pumped!

We were grocery shopping one morning.  The kids were ready to be done, so I was scrambling up and down the isles obviously not paying much attention to them.  Micah was in the cart, and Mara was walking.  I heard Micah say "uh-oh" a couple times.  When I finally looked at him, he was holding this in his fist!  You can still see the bald spot on her head.  Just kidding.  But seriously, you'd think she would have made some sort of noise when this happened.  I'm sure you're wondering why I have a picture of it.  It was such a large chunk I felt weird about throwing it on the floor in the store, so it made it all the way home in my purse. 

No caption needed. 

 

Little Man, I love you!

 

Hold on Summer!

I have no idea where the summer went!  I've been feeling kind of guilty about the things we didn't do this summer.  So, we've been working really hard the last couple of weeks to soak in the hot weather and check off a few more things on our summer bucket list. 

 

 Like this.....

I don't think I've allowed my kids to get dirty enough.  So one morning I let them get dirty.  Real dirty.  Like roll around in the dirt, get all sudsy from bubbles, and then play in the sandbox.  This was the tub after a bath BEFORE lunch.  The water looks pretty clear, but it was disgusting! 

 For whatever reason, he thinks he has to put the wand in his mouth to blow bubbles.

I guess it is necessary if you want to blow bubbles out of your mouth!

More corn pictures because I just love watching him devour an ear of corn.....and then a second.....and then a third.....

 

 I realized I haven't taken any pictures at our new pool!  It didn't open until later in the summer, so we've been trying to take full advantage of the hot temps lately.  We did finally make it there enough to justify our season pass.  The kids love the splash pad.

 Of course I don't have any of the kids swimming because I'm in the water with them.  Lance made it a few times with us, but I never took any pictures.  The kids LOVE their Puddlejumpers.  These flotation devices are wonderful!  Grandma J and Grandpa A got Mara one for her birthday.  I know I've mentioned a few things before that they've gotten her that I didn't really think were going to be that great.  This is another example.  However, I was wrong, AGAIN.  Grandma J does know best!  Mara went from being completely afraid of the water at the beginning of the summer to swimming like crazy and back floating.  It's been so fun to watch her self confidence grow!  I got Micah one late in the summer, and he loves it much better than his baby tube. 

We have a couple more things we'd like to do yet this summer.  I'll keep you posted!