Unloading Corn

There was a fight when we redid the farm house. I wanted to extend the west window in the kitchen so the kids could look out of it when corn was being unloaded into the bin. And the boys complained. And they didn't want to do it. And they called me crazy. That no kid would stand in that window. That was before the twins. Before I knew there would be another. Much less two more. And there they stand. Watching Grandma unload the wagon. They they are.

Living History Farms

Big pumpkin. Huge.

Story telling . . .

It warms my heart when Matthew is nice to my children.

On the wagon ride.

Matt roasting Faith's marshmallow.

Cute for church

Because She Takes My Breath Away

Because That Little Nose is My Own

Jennifer Shayne, 16 months

A Pocket Full of Sunshine

Testing from BB

Posting from my backberry

A Few More

Grace is way into taking pictures. A rare photo of Shane and I actually together . . .

Mama and her babies.

Central Campus

I heard somewhere ISU was named one of the most beautiful campuses in the United States. Rightfully so. There is no place I'd rather be on a gorgeous fall day, expect in the combine.

ISU - At the MU

Gracie K.

Shane, Mark and the twins.

Little Faith, who had no idea, by the way, she was posing just like the statue.

Sometimes I love them so much that I can't stand it. This was one of those moments. In the mornings the girls stand in the doorway and wave goodbye to Grace. Well, it was about 5:00 pm and the kids were getting out of class, and CyRide was running, bus after bus. Josie stood on the steps of the MU, and waved to each and every bus. She waved to all the students walking into the MU. She was smiling and happy and adorable. One of those moments.

Thursday, October 9, 2008
16 Months

Then to Ledges . . .

Just because I think they look so cute . . .

Josie wanted to do it all by herself, but wanted to hold on to the railing.

Jennie would not hold onto anything. She ran up the steps and down the steps - at full speed.

Gracie and Faith

Britni had the day off, so I took the day off, so Shane took the afternoon off . . . we started at the apple orchard went to Ledges - which was BEAUTIFUL! Then to campus. Those pictures next.

Urbandale Apple Orchard

Jennifer Shayne
(above)

Josephine Sychra

Faith Ann

Grace Kathryn
*This morning Grace asked me to print off the lyrics for Pink's "So What" song and Brittney Spears "Womanizer" song. That's my baby girl. She's got stellar taste in tunes.

When they both have their hands in their mouths it's not so easy to tell, is it??

Harvest Underway

Jennifer and Daddy

I love the look on Josie's face. They were really into listening to me talk about soybeans. We opened them up, and counted them and even checked moisture levels with the bite test . . . :) They just knew how to do that. Must be in their blood.

First time in the combine. Josie fell asleep within seconds. Jennie fought Mark for the steering wheel. I hope this is the beginning of a lifetime love affair with harvest.

It was really dusty that day. Mark had just unloaded and I was showing the girls the beans through the window of the wagon.

Jennie Talking

For A Limited Time Only

Missy's she's all yours. From my phone so quality isn't the best.

Where Does She Get It??

I know this picture is posted below, but I just noticed the look on Grandpa Clinton's face and I had to laugh . . . the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree . . .

Apple Pictures

Apple Orchard - Sept. 28, 2008

They are apple girls. They love to pick them. They love to eat them. They love to throw them.

Josephine

Jennifer

Jennie says, "Enough with the pictures."

Church was really funny Sunday. The girls are getting restless and I think the whole church is totally consumed with their antics. Jennie was talking, talking, talking in her nonsensical, but sincere way. I have to try and get it on video. It's hilarious. And Josie just wants to run or throw her body every which way.

After church we went to Pizza Ranch, which is becoming all too familiar to us. Since our fridge is on the blink at Billy's and since Mom's kitchen is going through a major overhaul, and since Joni does not know how to cook, we end up at the Pizza Ranch.

And after that good time, we went to the Apple Orchard in Anita. It was so beautiful and kids, all of them, had a great time. It's out in the middle of nowhere. Down crooked gravel roads, and across from pastures laced with Oak trees. I've got a bunch of pictures of this outing, too. I'll post more later . . .

Part 5 - The Twins

15 3/4 months.

I love that top picture. I don't know why. Maybe it's because even their mother would not be able to tell who is who.

And I have no idea whose fat little foot that belongs to.

If Josie didn't have that birthmark, it's hard to tell what would have happened to us.

I love it when I get the comment from strangers that the twins "look identical." There's a good reason for that.

But they have their own look, too. Josie's face just melts my heart. She's a lot like her sister Faith. And in turn, too much like her mother. Not that we look alike, but there is a personality at work there. Fiesty and over dramatic. And my sweet, sweet little Jennie. She makes my soul smile. She's definitely ornery. She knows how to work the crowd. And those deep feeling eyes remind me so much of her Aunt Joni. Never one to get too worked up. She tolerates her sister's drama. But meanwhile, she's off creating her own . . .

The Beauty and the Spaniard

He's a kind soul. Gentle. But I think even the Spaniard was ready to give Gracie spankings after the tenth time she lost her flip flop.

Jessie and Eddie
Sept. 27, 2008