Trip to the Farm

Clayton and Reese helped Papa get the combine back to the farm yesterday (they had helped him take it in to be fixed a couple of months ago too). It takes about an hour to drive it there from in town. They spent the rest of the morning exploring the farm and picking pumpkins!

Loaded up, ready to go in Grandma's car!

Up in the combine

They picked a lot of pumpkins with Grandma

And climbed into the hayloft of the old barn with papa

Watching Football

Yesterday was Ohio's first football game so our family joined Great Grandpa and Grandma Branz to watch the game out at their house and have supper. They also had some of their friends over, Mark and Jennie Romohr and their daughter Julie. They had a lot of fun watching and interacting with the boys, especially getting Reese to say "Jennie" and "Grandma Pat." They also had fun convincing Reese to go to Mark to take some M&MS. Great, teaching him to take candy from a stranger, hahaha. Once he realized where the M's were though he started to visit his seat more and more frequently.

Who are you? But you have candy, so....

We caught a couple glimpses of Uncle Ty on TV and were able to yell "touchdown" once while we were there. Even though Ohio lost, the boys stayed entertained watching videos like "Green Eggs and Ham" on YouTube and playing with the toy trucks and motorcycles that Great Grandma keeps there for them.

Siting at the computer together

Getting tired and laying down to play

Before we went home Great Grandpa took Clayton, Reese (and mommy) on a ride around the farm on the 4-wheeler. We didn't think to grab a picture though. But next time you see Clayton, if you ask him about it he will tell you how we drove on the grass, on the water and saw a trailer and a combine and some augers.

At My Grandparents' Farm

My grandparents are moving to town this fall, so the we all went to Holdrege this past weekend so we (Darrel) could help with moving and cleaning up. I will always remember the fun times I had there growing up. I wish Clayton and Reese could have known what it was like there but I guess that is the way things go. This was the first time Reese had been out there and Clayton hadn't been since his first Christmas in 2010. I know they won't remember, so I took some pictures.

In the House:

Clayton and his Grandma cuddling in the living room

Grandma and Reese in front of the wood burning stove in the family room

 Outside ~ My mom took this antique planter so it will always be out at their place, but I think it just belongs on this hill. A hill that I always remembered being a lot bigger, by the way!

View from the porch looking south (I'm pretty sure)

A close up with Clayton on the planter (we just told him it was a tractor though)

Looking west

 I have always loved their mailbox!

Clayton walking down the driveway to the mailbox

Anything in there? Nope. "All gone!"

View from walking back up the driveway of the garage and Darrel, my Dad and Grandpa taking a little break from all the packing

This swing was made by my Great-Grandpa Daniel (my Grandpa's dad) and has always been there in front (east side) of the house. You can see the garage and the garden in the background (behind the trailer!)

Clayton and Grandpa on the swing

Reese playing in his jumperoo on the sidewalk along the front of the house with a grain bin in the background (looking north)

Clayton checking out one of the hitching posts that were always on either side of the garage

Playing with a truck outside, the garden in the background

 It was an emotional weekend for me knowing I can never go back to my grandparents' farm, but I'm glad I was able to share it a little bit with my own children even if they can't remember.  The boys certainly had a fun vacation day since we spent Friday night in what Clayton calls the "too-tel" (a good ol' Super 8!) We stayed up late (until almost 10 by the time everyone was asleep!) swimming in the pool and then he got to have a sleep over in "Papa and Me-Ma's" adjoining room (sometimes we hear Me-Mo and sometimes it's Me-Ma - and I can't really do justice to the way he pronounces Papa, it's really very sweet)

Visit to the Farm

We all went out to Great Grandpa Fred and Great Grandma Pat Branz's farm this afternoon after nap time so Daddy could get a little work done and show Clayton all the fun farm things, and spend time with family too!

Great Grandpa enjoyed a little Reese time!

Great Grandma did too, but we didn't take a picture - hopefully we can grab one next time!

Daddy and Clayton went to go see the tractors and the wheels:

We ate supper out there, and then before we went home Clayton got to drive the 4 wheeler around a little bit!

Reese was so interested in all of that, and maybe a little jealous of big brother!!

Sitting with Great Grandpa, watching Clayton drive the 4-wheeler

"When will it be my turn?!"

Fun at the Farm

Clayton had a big day yesterday! We got to ride in the combine with daddy, and Clayton loved to watch the big machine pick the corn. We stayed out there and watched the game with his Great Grandparents. Silly goof wouldn't hold still for a very good picture though. . . 

Nice smile, but he blinked - it's the best one!

He really enjoyed running all around outside and in and we thoroughly wore him out I think. After the game we stayed for supper and Clayton was able to enjoy some pizza in his Great-Great-Grandfather's high chair!! He is the 5th generation to eat in that chair. Amazing!! (It was his Great-Grandpa's dad's chair).

11 Months Old (Yesterday!)

Whoops! I forgot to post yesterday for Clayton's 11 month birthday.  He measured about 29 inches and weighed 20lbs 3ozs. It's so hard to believe that he will be a year old in a month! It is sneaking up so quickly.

In other news, Darrel and I took Clayton out to the farm so that we could get some things (like 18 month size clothes since he is starting to out grow the 12 month stuff) that we have had in "storage" there. We rode around on the ranger again, and he had he first tractor ride, which I think he thought was pretty cool!!

We also kicked his new ball around for a while before heading back home for a nap!

On the Farm, and other things

Clayton and I took a tour of the farm Friday afternoon with daddy in the four wheeler thing (pictured below). He really enjoyed zooming around in the great outdoors!

Also, I wish I had the video camera as well, because after we were all done and taking these pictures, he grabbed the steering wheel and started blowing rasberries! It was like he was trying to go and make the same sound as the engine. He is all boy!

We got back to Kearney yesterday around 5:30pm, safe and sound. We have sure enjoyed having Darrel with us for such a long stretch of time. This is what happened this morning while Daddy supervised and Mommy tried to catch a few extra z's...

And one of Clayton's favorite things to do, pulling Chloe's tail! Luckily, she doesn't seem to mind too much!