Four

My baby is four.
This baby:



Oh, have I used this picture here before? It is my most favorite photo ever in the whole entire world. This morning we sat on the couch and looked at these photos and talked about how delighted we all were when he was born. I thought telling his birth story would be nice, but then I remembered what an awful story it is. Worth it, I know. But not really what I want my boys to reference for the miracle of childbirth.

He wanted a 'birfday party wif friends' this time. He is FOUR, after all. A John Deere party, he decided, but then later changed it to 'corn party.' Little farmer boy. So we used green and yellow decorations and filled two tubs with corn for the kids to scoop, drive through, and dance in. By the end I was thinking we'd be living in a 'corn house' for the rest of our days but it actually cleaned up pretty easily. The whole thing was wild and wonderful, and I love my friends so much, and my family so much, and I can't believe it has been four years since our littlest boy was born and our little family made complete.

I love you, Evan. You are determined and stubborn and exuberant and brilliant and helpful and fearless. I still love sleeping next to your warm little body on those nights we're all just too tired to get you boys all the way upstairs. Your little self conforms against mine just the way you did all those months you were growing inside me and all those months (years) after when you could only be soothed by the warmth of your mama. Yesterday I was helping you with something and teased "Sometimes you just need your mama." "And sometimes I don't" you answered matter-of-factly. No you won't, darling boy, but I will be here when you do.

Halloween

One year Halloween was so snowy then-Mayor-of-Lincoln Mike Johanns canceled trick or treating. It was an outrage. Many, many years we had to wear so many layers around our costumes that the end result was much different than the original idea. This year my children enjoyed playing in the park and roasting hot dogs and marshmallows with the warm autumn sun shining down.

I love global warming.

And we love our friends.

And we love trick or treating. The kids were so gleeful and excited as they dashed from house to house. All the high fructose corn syrup and artificial coloring they consumed was totally worth it.

Correction

I should have known that Tessa would have pictures of my baby watersking. She and our cousin Dan came to the Burwell Rodeo in July so we got to have some more fun at the lake.



Ta da!

Too fun.

Different, but not really

So these pictures might look just like the ones up yesterday, but they're not.

The sandy beaches and clear blue water here are at the river we tubed down with Matt's family over the 4th of July weekend.

It was great.

And if I had a thousand million pictures of that grin in the water, I would post each and every one.

Sunshine and Summertime

We made it out to the lake several times this summer, although of course it never seemed like enough. This was our Best Summer Ever because the boys were big enough to really enjoy it too.

It's great to have someone else to drive while the adults ski.

Ha ha. We would never allow our young children to drive the boat.

Only the 4-wheelers.


And it wouldn't really be Fun without Tessa...
And none of it would be possible without this guy...

...with whom I have been boating for many, many summers and they just keep getting more fun.

And this, my eldest, responsible child, my worrier, went on the tube by himself and loved it. He carefully practiced all the hand signals first, of course. And even more amazing, he skied by himself. There is no photographic proof because I had to stay in the water after helping him get situated, and watch him ski away from me across the vast lake.
A more profound mother would have more to say about that...
He was so proud of himself and so strong, holding onto the rope and standing up. We really couldn't believe our eyes. Evan got up too, scowling the whole time because he didn't like the water on his face. Classic Evan.

Watching these boys accomplish new and exciting things never ceases to amaze me. It doesn't seem that long ago that we were enthralled with our newborns opening their eyes. I can't even imagine all the things they will amaze me with in these coming years.

Sioux Falls

Remember that wedding we went to back in August? What's that you say, it's still the top of the blog? Oh, well, good, then you're all ready for part 2...

The whole weekend was fun, except for the grueling hours weaving around the orange construction cones and trying to avoid the flooded highways. If Tessa hadn't been with us the boys and I would still be sitting on the side of the road somewhere sobbing. Upon arrival, though, we were rewarded with the sight of our extended family and a fabulous dinner.

Favorite date(s)! (Right?)
Saturday before all the festivities we went to the zoo.

Have I mentioned lately how much I love my sister? I really, really, really love my sister.

All Dressed Up

My cousin JD married Bailie this past weekend in Sioux Falls, SD. The bride was beautiful, the wedding was lovely... but in my completely unbiased opinion the ring bearers stole the show.

They were good sports about all the picture-taking and walked down the aisle like they did this everyday. I was so proud of them. It was wonderful to be with family we don't see often enough. We wish many blessings on JD and Bailie and thank you for including us in this celebration!

And how CUTE are those guys?!