Are you still there?

            It's pathetic to think that I haven't even had a couple minutes to post my september 12 of 12 let alone all that we have been up to lately...which has actually been quite a bit.  But I don't pretend to understand how the moms do it that have five kids, homeschool, have creative and planned in advance Family Home Evenings, cook elaborate meals, keep up on all their sewing and craft projects, keep an impeccable house, and maintain a regular cooking and personal blog.  Yeah, in my dreams that would be me.  When I get busy sadly the blog is one of the first things that gets shoved aside.  So, here is me attempting to catch you up.  We've got everything from Labor Day to Potato Harvest.
            Before we get to the events, we just wanted to thank everyone out there who remembered us and our little bro, Alex.  The Lord definitely heard all the prayers and fasting in Alex's behalf and that is the only reason that he only stayed a week in the hospital and has no brain damage!  It really has been a miracle to witness.  It will still be a long and rough recovery to the boy but I can't tell you how great it was to have him home and joking around telling stories like same old Alex.  We love you, man.

#1 The morning began with the wind carrying off with my Costco receipt only to land perfectly in the middle of the underside of the car.  Come on!  How in the world am I going to reach that with my stubby arms?
#2 I don't know if that is a happy or mad face Grady is pulling while climbing the tree.  Either way it was funny.
#3 I spent the afternoon with an awesome woman, Wendy Roth.  She reminds me of my dear mother and being far away it is nice to be able to hang out with someone like that!
#4 The mini wheelbarrow equals hours of entertainment
#5 This is Axel's makeshift unibrow that he artistically created this morning using my mascara he found in the car.  Being the awesome mom I am he wore it most of the day.  Mainly cause I found it hilarious.  Hey Bert!
#6 A dancing snowman toy that plays music.  Grady finds it every time he goes to Wendy's and it is definitely a favorite among the kiddos.
#7 Chillin on the grass.  This is a total "enjoying days of summer" picture!
#8 Eli reading Gems of our Valley.  It is amazing to read all the rich history that Grace has.
#9 Brothers having fun on the big wheel.  Axel is such a great big bro.
#10 Me, being a goober to Eli when he was trying to sweep the floor.  I know what is harder to believe me being a goober or Eli sweeping the floor?  Well, they are both regular occurences.  Eli, you are a good man!
#11 A definite "show your prom date" picture.  It's one of my favorites.  The water is cloudy because it is pure soap.  Axel is facinated with lathering Dad's soap.  I expect him to pee pure Dove.  :)
#12 This is what I get to look forward to when Grady eats Frosted Flakes.  Grrr.

Grandpa chillin on the chair for a minute in the cellar.

The beautiful Melissa that I can no longer compete with in best daughter in law cause she drives a windrower and the potato truck.  All I can do is laundry.  Shrug.

Eli showing all the cousins the potato operation

Braxton and Camille not forgetting Grady.

If we get to participate in many more harvests then you will find us living our dream!

Dirt is a boys best friend.  If you wonder where Axe is in all these pictures he made instant friends with Melissa and her little guy Jax.  They were inseparable.  They even rode the tractor with Jarom.  He said it comparable to being stuck in a cage with two monkeys...bare feet and all.  Farm life rocks.

I got to play farm wife right along side Lora as we made all the meals and kept the house managed.   The boys got to know their cute cousin, Ben.  Grady welcomed him in for sure as he kept trying to get a horsie ride from him and was completely frustrated when he wouldn't take his binkie. (Axel took the picture...he's getting good)

A very dirty Grandpa.  This was a regular end of the day sight when we could barely see his eyeballs.

We finally got to take a Harley ride together.  My first ride with all the leathers was awesome!

A historical site along the way...(the statue, not me!)

The diner which apparently was the place for all the retirees to go.  Boy did I get some stares from the older women.  I couldn't tell if it was disapproval or envy at what their younger days used to be like!

yeah, check out the view.

The Bobcat Homecoming game.  I colored the boys hair with finger paint and we had the school spirit baby.  It is nice to finally have a college sports team to route for!

He loves to hang from anything and everything

We commissioned Axe to take the picture...Aaaah isn't it sweet!

So, close we could smell the sweat...or my zoom is really good on the camera.  Either way it was a great game.  We creamed the Bears.

And now for some labor day fun.  Sand Volleyball the event we all wait for in anticipation

The whole fam lovin the yard games

All the kids checking out a burrowing toad under the well. 

Master of the Court

Boche Ball

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