Kaija is doing playdoh with the kids outside on a beautiful fall day.
The three Ms - Maverick, Max and Mara - hamming it up - they love that chair.
More ham...
What do you think?
Mara is learning to walk - loves shopping too!
Another day with GG teaching kitchen skills. Today they are cutting up pears for
pear crisp. GG peeled them, and Max and Claire cut them up. Claire stuck with it
for an hour, until they were all cut! Max was OBSESSED with the crisp until it was gone!
Time for harvest - the kids just love this time of year. Here we are peeling baby
Indian corn. They are so excited to open each ear and see what is inside. I have to
help Max take off the silk (and he wants to tear off the husks - I like to leave them on
for the "look"), Claire only loves the ones with pink kernels, Brody likes the dark colors,
Mara likes to make a mess out of the - well, everything, Maverick just enjoys climbing.
Brody is showing off his last ear. Mara is trying to tell Claire what to do, OR, is Claire
trying to tell Mara what to do?? Max DOES NOT like the silk. Mav is roaming the
periphery.
Mara AnnMarie is NOT a snuggler! She has had some health issues lately (teething,
cold, runny nose, fever, regular milk), so I find her snuggling often. I take advantage
of each opportunity, believe me!!
We gathered for a fall photo at the farm, surrounded by our career - hay! We took 300
photos and got one really great one! However, the ones we didn't choose are just too precious not to document. The kids got into a crazy mood, probably due to the crazy faces and noises their parents were making to get them to smile. Here are a series of shots of them enjoying themselves (instead of quietly smiling).
Max was determined to make faces. Nothing was makin' Maverick smile though.
Claire was on a roll. When something touches her funny bone, there's no stoppin' her.
Mara will smile anytime, anywhere, for anyone. Just get the camera ready...
We didn't get a great shot of the 5 grandchildren - but this is still precious, right?
I mean, in real life, this is the way it is!
This pose wasn't successful, too much jumping off the bale, but still fun! This is us!!
Papa is a magical person in our lives. He: teases and kisses and hugs,
makes oatmeal on farm mornings,
gives tractor and truck rides,
rocks 'em when they wake up,
is greeted by excitement every time he comes
in the house,
snuggles, reads books, shares his snacks,
does the round trip pick up sometimes to
give Omi a break,
takes 'em to school,
takes 'em to the zoo,
takes 'em out to eat,
takes 'em to visit Gma & Gpa Docken for cookies,
takes 'em to the garden to harvest,
snuggles in the morning on sleepovers,
saves their voicemail messages for years (and
listens to them EVERY DAY).
Yep, our Papa is pretty special and magical.
Our first time with the kids at Jesse James Days. Here are Brody and Max engineering the train with Everleigh and Claire as their passengers!
Around and around they go...
Such a feeling of power...
Driving on their own...
Brody wanted to drive a motorcycle like daddy does - he was a real pro!
Max and Claire share a ride.
We spent some time at the Middle School park while the Mamas were shopping at the craft fair.
It was fun to be with the oldest three on the equipment. They were brave.
Claire is strutting her stuff.
Max thought that was pretty funny.
Max doesn't mind having Omi hover close by in case he misses his footing.
Brody busts a move...
That was a sweet ride, except for the gravel in my Croc!
Peek a boo!
Let's see how this thing works...
Even Maverick wandered out on the gravel. Fun time - such a beautiful sunny day!
Claire started preschool! She goes on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, with Everleigh!
Brody started preschool, too! He goes on Friday mornings. Such a big boy!
