Fall Favorites

I haven't had much time to sit down and type about life this fall... but there is always time for pictures!

I have a four year old! He has cowboy boots. And the blondest hair you may ever see...

 Clearly a fall favorite... oh, little Wranglers!

We've had unseasonably warm temperatures. Hooray for lots of warmth and sunshine! And baby mullets. And big wheels...

We found a great deal on a used table to  replace our old, small table this fall. And we love it. Can you tell? [This is what I came home to when I left Daddy in charge one morning!]

Dax and his buddy enjoyed some apples fresh from the tree on a coulee walk. Can't get much cuter than this...

First fall sewing project: hoodie and leggings!

Here is the view from my bedroom window... I never tire of looking out of it!

Hanging out at the jobsite with Daddy.

Cowboy cousinly awesomeness at the rodeo...

Cousin Briggs. His daddy's old cowboy boots. Priceless!


Happy Fall!

Simple Things

When the kids are loud...

A trip outside will quiet and calm their nerves. Oh, and mine.

If simply being outside doesn't pacify them, a good hike up and down steep hills usually does the trick.

Nature is so good for the soul! God is so good and knows just what we need.

I will never, ever tire of seeing my children run down a hill with arms outspread.

Oh, simple things!

On a side note, Dax learned to do this:



What Happens at Grandma's...

...Stay's at Grandma's, right?


Wrong.


Because I got a hold of Grandma's SD card and downloaded hundreds of pictures of the going-on's at Grandma's house.


And really, does anything stay a secret with a 3 and 2 year old to rattle you out? Yes, Grandma-- Thor told me that you fed Dax a popsicle! ("Naughty Grandma!" he giggled.) We are blessed with Grandmas that love and nurture our kids while we go for an hour here or there.


So what DO they do at Grandma's? Why do the BEG to go to Grandma's house all the time? What is the appeal?

They water flowers. And sidewalks, and rocks, toys, house siding... really, just about anything. And Grandma lets them, of course!

They opt for fashional footwear.

Like rainboots.

Or Crocs. Because Grandma rocks the Crocs, too.

They go on pony rides. And Grandma has the cutest saddle, just for kids...

They find frogs. And bring them into the house. Because that is cool with Grandma.

They find bugs. Like this here caterpillar. I'm sure the kids know it's scientific name... Grandmas are full of knowledge!

They make mud. No questions asked.

They eat a delightful amount of popsicles. As they watch combine harvest the field nearby. It's like an educational treat; it's all good.

And wouldn't you know it-- even the horses are watching the harvest. It's all like a fairy tale.

They eat cucumbers. In whatever fashion they see fit.

 Nobody's telling them to "peel it like this" or "cut it like that"...

 Well, except for maybe the dog...

They eat as many garden tomatoes as their little hearts desire.

Or at least how many their little hands can stuff in their face. Because that's what Grandma planted them for!

 If that doesn't make you want to be a small child at a dear Grandma's house while mama's away, I don't know what will... in fact I'm thinking of heading there right now. Oh wait, it's after midnight... and I'm 26... shoot!

Tender Moments in Target

I wrote this blogpost a couple months ago but never finished it. I glanced at it and figured I should share this with you. If nothing else, print it out for Dax's baby book. So he will know how awesome his childhood was.

Tender Moment in Target #1:

Looking back exactly 2 months ago.

As we head back to our vehicle after our shopping trip, it begins to lightly sprinkle. Thor silently puts his hand over baby brother's head as if to shield it from the rain. Pretty sweet for a 3 year old, don't you think?

He held it there until we got to the car. I couldn't tell if he was trying to stabilize him from the bumpy-parking lot ride or if he just didn't want him to feel the raindrops. Or perhaps a sweet combination.

I almost cried, it was so sweet.

I didn't think he'd continue to hold his hand there long enough for me to snap a picture with my phone, but bless his little heart. He did.

Tender Moment in Target #2:

Fast forward 2 months. This trip to Target was a little bit more frazzled. A bit more rushed. A bit more chaotic. A bit less-cooperative on the parts of the little blonde helpers.

Thor and Dax are in the same position as pictured here, again.

Only now, Dax and Thor are playing with each other's hands. Thor is pushing and tugging, laughing and just generally being a crazy 3 year old.

Maycee is floundering about in the back of the cart. Trying to open consumables, throw things out, or just generally be a little stinker. Needless to say, it is not a great shopping trip and I'm thinking of my exit plan.

But then I see the brushes. I really needed a comb. I think mine got thrown away by one of the aforementioned crazies.

So I'm looking at combs for 2.3 seconds. Then I hear a "plop." Or maybe it was a "thud."

Basically, what I'm trying to say is this: Dax fell out of the cart. Onto the floor. In Target. Oh, yes. I was now that mom.

I scooped him up and nervously looked behind me. And wouldn't you know it, there was another lady in the brush isle. Seriously? Come on!

 So I did what any mature adult would do. I picked my baby off the floor and got the heck out of that store. After paying for my items, of course. Which didn't include a comb. (Come to think of it, I still don't have a comb.)

Summer Treats. Some Good, Some REALLY Good.

Homemade vanilla yogurt with fresh Colorado peaches. This is a delicious summer breakfast!

Tart green apples, sweet red apples, and mellow butternut squash = tasty applesauce! It doesn't last long around here...

Now for the REALLY tasty treats. Because we are not health freaks. We are, however, addicted to espresso. In the form of delicious mochas and blended drinks.

Enter new espresso machine. Ok, it's a few years old. And comes with some wear and tear. But a good deal was had (thanks, ebay) and espresso machine sure makes delicious shots.

The really good treat of the morning was clearly the "Fudge Brownie Dough" blended espresso.

I did choose an excellent "base" for my blended espresso drinks. I was looking for something as healthy, yet tasty, as could possibly be [for this type of thing].

I found that in Enlightened Beverages product line.

"Our Standard Frappe line meets the following claims of No Trans Fat, No Partially Hydrogenated Oils, No High Fructose Corn Syrup as well as being Lactose Free. All of our products are made without Propylene Glycol."

 And oh, my... it is delicious!

Dax Has a Thing for Tomatoes.

Don't these pictures just make you long for the time when you could stuff your face full of food--

and people would think it was cute?

Same Old Story

One thing I've learned about two-year olds: They are very repetitive. And they require a lot of repetition.

Ok, that was two things.

A conversation over breakfast the other day demonstrates. Maycee brought up her current favorite story of her cousin, Jayva, running into a fence at Grandma's house.

Maycee (2): Jay-ba hurt her eye on the pence [fence].

Thor (3): Yes, yes, she did. Now don't talk about that again today.

I love it.