The Preschooler

Monday was the big day. Dane did well, barely looking back, while Daddy and Mommy choked back their tears.

In the car riding home after his first day, Dane told me, "I just want some juice in a cup, and then I'll sit on the couch and relax." I'm not certain where he picked that up, since relaxing on the couch is not a common occurrence around here!

I, Mommy, am very grateful for the web cam that allows me to peek in on him at any given moment. Even better, I can get the streaming video on my cell phone, which allows me to experience multiple surges of love in my heart during the day as I catch him running around with his new friends, playing games, or just sleeping during nap time. Oh, how we love our dear growing boy...

Lovely weekend

Grandpa and Grandma were here for the weekend- always a treat! The boys enjoying Saturday morning coffee out on the patio.

Blowing bubbles with Grandma.
Flying a kite with Grandpa.

Batting practice with Team Grandma and Grandpa.

Saturday afternoon we were invited to Trinity and Trelise's Tinkerbell birthday party. Their very creative mommy made their special cakes.

Coaching from daddy to blow out their candles.

Nora read the restaurant specials to us out at Lake Las Vegas on Saturday evening.

Beautiful sunset colors in the sky.

Dane and Nora pose with Grandma.

The family.

Grandpa and Grandma with the kiddos.

Dane's Sunday afternoon nap in his tent in his bedroom.

Sharla and Paul at the Venetian- looking good!

What a handsome boy! The kids had so much fun watching the gondolas and gondoliers in the canals at the Venetian.

Dane also wanted to sleep the night in his tent, so he and Daddy read bedtime stories by flashlight!

Tomorrow is Dane's first day of preschool. Where did my little baby go?

On the boat

Last Saturday was a beautiful day, so we headed out to the lake with our friend, James. He picked up wakeboarding like a pro, so we hope to have a few more trips to the lake this fall before cooler weather sets in. Even more exciting, Dane seems to have conquered his fear of the boat! Both kids had a great time, along with the rest of us.

Dane insisted I take a picture of this smile. I had taken one prior to this, but he told me he wanted to smile like this instead!
Nora went for a short little tube ride with Daddy.

Both kiddos liked to hang out in the tube in the bow of the boat.

Evening outing

We headed out to a local golf course Monday evening so that Dane could play around on the putting greens and driving range.

Like Father, Like Son.

Such a pretty view.

Segment 4

Last stop, Grampy and Grammy's house. I am disappointed that I took so few pictures during our time together. I must have been too busy visiting with our many friends and relatives that we had the privelege of seeing! We also did a little camping nearby in Grampy and Grammy's "RV/Camper."


Grampy and his girl.

Dana teaches Dane how to play fetch with Sully.

Swinging with Grammy.

Both kids loved the box full of little vehicles that Grammy brought out for them. Dane would scatter them around, but Nora was pretty content to sit on the bed and put them all away.
Roasting marshmallows with Grampy.

Sleeping in with Grammy.

So happy to be eating blueberries for breakfast.Grammy bought a little "time-out" bench for Dane and Nora. Dane wanted to ride on the bench in the wagon while Grammy pulled him home.

Off to the golf course.

Putting practice.

A John Deere ride from Great Grandpa.Dane had to check out all of Great Grandma's scarecrows!

Beautiful prairie skies.

Segment 3

Ah, the beautiful farm! It's always so wonderful to be there, and we miss it already!

Grandkids in front of the pretty tall hollyhocks.
Checking out the flowers with Grandma.

So beautiful.

Nora wouldn't nap until Zach came up and joined her. She kept her arm on him even in her sleep, just to make sure he didn't leave.

Fun four-wheeler rides.

We celebrated Ellie's 6th birthday.

The antique buggy still works. Nora liked the bouncy rides around the yard.

Playing hide and seek.

Melodee and Ellie fishing off the dock.

Ellie's first catch of the day- she was so proud!

Zach up in the tree.

Nora town hall, just a couple of miles from the farm.

Little girl on a big trike.
Nora in the clover.

Kiddos in the tractor.

Tractor ride with Grandpa.

Nora was content just to play with the rocks in the driveway.

The old barn with alfalfa in bloom.

I love this old tree that bends over the creek. Unfortunately, it has been so dry this summer that there was no water in the creek.
Daddy gives Nora a ride.
A swim at Elk Lake.