Car Wash

We woke up this morning to snowflakes falling out of no where. Looks like it's a good thing we got the car washed yesterday while the weather was still nice. Well, make that both cars. As soon as Hudson saw that I was going to wash the car, he pulled his cozy coupe out of the garage and started scrubbing. Forget the lemonade stand, Hudson is going to set up his own car wash.

'Tis the Season

Hudson looks forward to taking his Dad lunch. I don't know if it's because Brent shares his chips with Hudson or if it's because he gets to ride in the chopper. Regardless of the motive, this time has become sacred to the little guy. I don't know which one enjoys it the most. Look at the first pictures and you tell me.

I got to make another trip to Jerome for parts today. Harvest is winding down, so hopefully it's my last "trip" of the kind. I was trying to remember. . . 3 or 4 ventures over to that part of the country. Who knows. At any rate-- I got to see a lot of corn being chopped, spuds being dug, and beets being hauled. It's a busy time for lots of folks.

I have vowed to stop my canning for the year. Last night was the clencher. Both kids were screaming and I was up to my elbows in jars of apple pie filling that were not sealing. It was very frustrating, hence my promise to put the jars away for the year. Although my drive today got me thinking. How could a person package up all this sunshine and warm weather in a jar so they could pull it out during the winter? It was such a beautiful day. Hmmm. . . If anyone has any idea it might just be worth hauling my water bath back upstairs.

Changing of the Guard

Dalanie has been sucking on the same pacifier every day for the past nine weeks. It's the one she got sent home from the hospital with. It's been a wonderful relationship.

Comfort. Quiet. Peace.

We went to her 2 month check up today. She got her shots and needed a little comfort. Wouldn't you know.

I lost it.

I think I might have left it in the exam room. So long dear friend. Hello new pink friend.

Once Again

Once again, I left town with my camera in tow but the memory stick in my computer. I've got to quit making a habit of that.
Last Wednesday the kids and I went down to Grace with one of the chopping crews. We pulled the in-laws camping trailer down and set up camp to fulfill my duty as camp chef. It was a decent job, but cooking in a primitive kitchen made me miss my kitchen at home dearly. It seemed like I no more than got the dishes washed up and it was time to start the next meal. I think the crew enjoyed some warm meals. They are all so tired of sandwiches and lunch boxes they could puke.
The nights got a little chilly, we all got a little sick, but it was a nice change of scenery. The leaves were changing on Fish Creek and it was a beautiful reminder that life is good.
Hudson loved when the "guys" came back to the trailer at night to eat. He has become friends with all of them, but Dale has taken the lead as his favorite. Hudson loved riding in the pack tractor with him.
Although it was a nice break, I was ready to get back home. We got home on Saturday, just in time to make it to the last few minutes of our ward's harvest party. As a matter of fact, we celebrated in farming fashion because it was straight from Grace to the party- no cleaning or dolling up.
Home Sweet Home. Laundry, canning, dishes, and cleaning.

Sissy

We love our sissy.

Spud Day

Spud Day.










It's a long standing tradition in Shelley. As a matter of fact this event has been going on for 79 years now. The weather was beautiful of Saturday, so the kids and I took in the parade before heading down to the park for a free baked potato and other potato themed events. When it was time for the potato picking contest, I asked Hudson if he'd like to participate. He agreed, so we went out onto the field to get ready. He was having fun picking up the biggest ones or knobby ones with "noses" and putting them in the basket. When the event officially started, I dumped the potatoes so he could start over. This really upset him. He threw the basket and started kicking it.
I could hear spectators laughing at his performance. How embarassing. I couldn't get him out of there soon enough. I'm sure it was quite the sight since I had to carry him off in addition to Dalanie who was hanging out in her Snugli. I just should have never asked.

Chop, Chop Mom.

My son is obsessed with chopping. For the past few days, he's been "chopping" corn with a toy combine that he borrowed from Grandma. He has packed it everywhere with him. The header was constantly falling off, so I was the designated mechanic (since Dale is taken this time of year.) I told Brent about Hudson's behavior and he decided it was time to break out the "real" toy chopper.
When we purchased a chopper two years ago, the salesman sent Brent home with a toy for our then baby, Hudson. It was quickly put away once Brent saw that the recommended age was 8 years old. I remember him saying, "he's got to learn to respect it. He can't have it until he's 8." Well, time went by awfully quick. Now as a 2 1/2 year old, Dad has deemed Hudson mature enough to play with the chopper.
This morning was the big unveiling. Before heading out to do a little chopping of his own, Brent decided to replace Grandma's faulty combine with a Claas Jaguar 900. He reserved the rights to take it back at any time if Hudson isn't treating it right. (Poor Dalanie. . . she doesn't stand a chance. Who's going to want to deal with her dad, especially this Dad who is even protective about a toy chopper.) It turned out to be another busy day of chopping. He barely had time to eat dinner or ride with me to mow the lawn. "Chop, chop Mom." --I'm just glad the lights don't work on the dang thing or he'd still be pushing it around in his bed.

And not to overlook our little Lanie. She is getting so strong. She's been holding her head up for a couple of weeks now. My favorite is that she's starting to smile as a response.

It's Here

Corn harvest. Sadly enough, we've been at it for over 2 weeks now and I'm barely getting around to posting about it. Perhaps it's the love hate relationship I have with it. Back before kids. . .well, actually before two kids-- I was an integral part of the harvest. I drove truck. I did it while I was pregnant with Hudson and then 2 years with him. Since we just welcomed Dalanie into our family 6 weeks ago, I decided that it would be best for me to sit this one out. I didn't realize it was going to be this hard on me. It's not that I still want to be in the truck, because I truly enjoy being home with the kids and having time to take care of the home and yard. (Don't worry, I've gotten a few opportunities to get back in the saddle.) I think it's because I have no husband. He leaves early and comes home late and tired. It's always very stressful and I am counting the days down until it is over. Then we can all breathe a big sigh of relief.

I have been trying to do my part as lunch lady. I usually deliver a lunch, a little co-pilot and co-pilot's lunch to Brent. (It doesn't work to feed Hudson before he goes because he usually eats most of Brent's lunch anyway.) It's Hudson's favorite part of the day. He loves to ride in the "cha-cha" with Dad. The only problem is that he falls asleep and cannot stay on the buddy seat for the life of him. He bounces all over and is so miserable that I am usually called to rescue the poor fella. On Saturday the tradition held true. Hudson no more than got his sandwich out to eat and he fell asleep.

Blessed Day

Today we blessed Dalanie. Brent forgot to state by what authority, so he had to do it over. Despite that, it was a beautiful blessing. All of the family was together. It was a full house, but what can be better than good food and good company. We appreciate everyone's support. While Mom, Nik, and Deid helped get the dinner ready, I sent Tameka upstairs with Dalanie and the camera. Here are a few of my favorites.
Mom helped me make her dress using the pattern from my blessing dress. Grandpa Parish gave Dalanie her bracelet and Grandma Wilkins crocheted the beautiful white afaghan for her.

Bigguns'

My Grandpa Wilkins raised some pretty impressive watermelons this year. He brought a couple to the reunion. They were really big and the sweetest I've tasted this year. Everyone enjoyed them, but Hudson savored every bite. By the time he was finished, he was a sweet and sticky mess. Grandpa says the secret is good drainage and not to over water. His were grown out in the gravel.
My Mom has some spectacular pumpkins. It's funny because my Dad is quite proud of the giant gourds his wife raised. He wanted some pictures of the grandkids out in the patch. This is the best we could do.

Tea Party

To kick off the holiday weekend with the Wilkins family, Mom and Nikkala hosted a tea party to welcome Dalanie into the family. It was such a fun party. People came dressed up and we got to enjoy yummy food and visiting with the ladies of the family.