Look who's walking!!

She's been creeping along for awhile.  Now she's taking steps on her own.  She's growing up!

At the Farm

Whatchu talkin bout Willis Wednesday

It seems like I start all my posts with, "It's been awhile since I've posted..."  This week is no different.  At any rate:

-Allison and Makenna spent a little over a week in Texas visiting Allison’s sister’s family.  While I was proud of how much work I got done in their absence, I missed them being here even more.

-Makenna stands on her own for quite awhile now.  She also will sometimes “kiss” on command.  It’s so much fun to watch her learn so much.  

-I’m quite tired of hearing about Michael Jackson.  I’m equally as tired of hearing how people are tired of hearing about Michael Jackson.

-On a positive MJ subject, he used to be quite normal.  Allison and I enjoyed watching a couple Jackson 5 videos on Youtube.  One video got even better once I noticed some increasingly super sweet dancing by a guy in the audience beginning around 2 minutes and really going to town around 2:30.

-I guess the U.S.Soccer team won a big match the other day.  In a related story, people everywhere were shocked to learn the U.S. has a soccer team.

-With the swearing in of MN senator Al Franken and past governership of Jesse Ventura, I wonder if any of Iowa’s two or three minor celebrities are considering a run.  Tom Arnold for house speaker maybe?

-I saw Transformers 2 last week.  While being pleasantly surprised by the first one last year, I was expecting too much I guess.  It could have been so much better.  Really, do robots need to swear?

-Yesterday a big storm developed mid afternoon.  It was fun seeing all the workers on my jobsite scramble to get their work done.  I think I even saw one guy running.  

With all the changes this country sees, it's easy to fall into the trap of thinking maybe our founding fathers ideals aren't necessarily relevant as much anymore.  Then I read a quote like the following and again realize they are smarter than way more of the general public.  From Thomas Jefferson, to his daughter Martha:

"But I know nothing more important to inculcate into the minds of young people than the wisdom, the honor, and the blessed comfort of living within their income, to calculate in good time how much less pain will cost them the plainest stile of living which keeps them out of debt, than after a few years of splendor above their income, to have their property taken away for debt when they have a family growing up to maintain and provide for."

If only the colleges taught like this in the freshman orientation classes.

From the Garden

Raspberries

Peas

Bell Pepper and Garden Pepper

Playing With Atticus

Makenna and I enjoyed a visit from Atticus and Paige today. It is fun to chat with another new mom and watch our kiddos play with each other.

Visit From Grandpa

Since my mom is still in Texas my dad decided to come up to Ames to visit us. He got to eat a home cooked meal, play with Makenna, pick peas, and use a chainsaw to cut out the stumps that were left in the front of our house.

An action shot of the chainsaw hard at work.

Home Sweet Home

We got back home yesterday. The flight home went well. Makenna was a champ once again and slept for most of the flight back. The best part about being home is seeing Jared. We sure missed him a lot!

Oh and he has been VERY busy around the house while we where gone. I will let him fill you faithful blog readers in on all that he got accomplished.

Texas - Day 9 "4th of July"

Texas - Day 8

It has been really hot here the past few days. Today we woke up and found out that the high for the day was supposed to be 102. That is pretty toasty! Needless to say it limits what we can do during the day. Pretty much all activities have to be done indoors. That said I thought that it would be a great day for my sister and I to go get pedicures. Because what else do you do when it is 102 outside. We had a great time. It was very relaxing and I think the kiddos were pretty good for Jason and my mom while we were gone.

Tonight we went out for supper with Jason's best friend's parents. They are very close to Jason and Erin and are pretty much like another set of parents to them. The food was great and it was good to spend some time with people who are so important to my sister and Jason. Of course Makenna put on the charm and had quite a few people ooh and awe over her.

Texas - Day 7

How do you fill your time while staying with your sister in Texas? You catch up on some much needed relaxation time.

And you watch 6 movies, play Wii with your brother-in-law so many times you loose track, finish at least 1 novel, and watch countless episodes of home improvement shows on Direct TV because back in Iowa you only get 5 channels.

Yep, I sure am enjoying my time here in Texas!

Talking to Daddy

Texas - Day 6

Today my sister had to go back to work. It was the first time she would be away from Jacob for a whole day. I'm not quite sure how she felt about leaving him, but if I would have had to leave Makenna when she was only 8 weeks old to go back to work I think I would have been a little sad. Although she had to leave him at least she knew he would be in good hands.....Makenna's!

Jacob did really well. He did miss his mommy a lot though.

I caught him staring at her picture.

And trying to call her because he just wanted to here her voice and say he missed her.

This One Is For You Daddy!!!

Standing

Makenna has been briefly standing on her own for about two weeks now. Everyday she becomes more brave and does it more often and longer lengths. I was finally able to capture her accomplishment with a picture.

Texas - Day 5 "Kissin' Cousins"

Today has been a pretty relaxing day. It has consisted of a lot of movie watching, Wii playing, and baby wrangling. Jacob had his 2 month check-up today as well. He was such a trooper with his shots.

I'll leave you with a few more pictures we took today.

Makenna and Momma

Makenna getting excited to "play" with Jacob.
Jacob "playing" with Makenna

Makenna giving Jacob some kisses!

Bouncing Jacob

Texas - Day 4

It has been a bit cooler today than it has been the past couple days, so we decided to do some things outside today.

This morning the girls took a trip to the local outlet mall to do some shopping. And the boys stayed home to relax and take a much needed nap. After lunch we went to a peach orchard to get some home grown peaches and homemade peach ice cream. The ice cream was delicious and I cannot wait to eat some of the peaches.

Here are a few pictures from the peach orchard.

Texas - Day 3

Today started with church. We got the kiddos all dressed up for church and to take a few pics. They both did great during worship. Jacob slept and Makenna enjoyed looking around at all the people.

In the afternoon Jason's dad, sister, and some friends came to visit and eat a late lunch. Makenna had a blast playing with the older girls. She was definitely the center of attention with them.


Jacob spent most of the afternoon sleeping and cuddling with whoever was holding him.

It was a busy day but it was great to get together with our Texas family!

Texas - Day 2

Makenna slept amazing our first night in Texas. Which makes her momma very happy. Her napping could use some work but I am not complaining because overall she has adjusted amazingly!

This morning Jacob was in a great mood and full of smiles.

And Makenna decided that the best way to beat the heat in Texas is to go swimming.