Sweet Corn

'Tis the season for sweet corn! We have had several different people tell us we could come pick their corn, and we have gladly taken them up on their offers, which then means that it has to be husked. Abby, Riley, and Colby were excellent helpers! 

And of course, Trixie was a great help. She couldn't stand to be left out, so she helped herself.

:-)

Rainy Day

The boys went outside this morning, and noticed that one of their bikes had gotten left out in the rain.

And apparently, it really needed the wash!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Happy Birthday, Mom! We are so blessed by your excellent example of a mother to us. The many ways you serve us cheerfully and unselfishly are so amazing! We thank the Lord for you!

She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
 She watches over the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praises her.

Proverbs 31:26-28

Colby's twin

We recently had some friends visiting from Michigan...and their youngest girl, Natalie, looked remarkably like Colby. We have taken to calling them "the twins".  :-) They are absolutely adorable!

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, 

for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

Matthew 19:14

Girls' Day Out

Every summer, my aunt Michelle takes all of her nieces on a girls' day out (the girls who are old enough, that is). She took Jenna, Anna, Abby, Katie and I to De Smet, South Dakota, for a two day trip this past Friday and Saturday! We had a great time and learned quite a bit about the history of Laura Ingalls Wilder. The reason we went to De Smet, which happens to be the town where Laura grew up if you've read Little Town on the Prairie, was to watch the Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant that is put out every year. Each year they act out a different book from the series that Laura wrote, and this year the book was Little Town on the Prairie.
We also got to visit the homestead on the original 160 acres that Pa claimed. And the best part was the dresses that Abby, Jenna, and Anna wore. They were homemade dresses with sunbonnets! They got a lot of comments as we were walking around the homestead. What a wonderful opportunity to walk where Laura walked and to see history come alive!

At the Homestead

 From left: Jenna, Anna, Abby

A dugout house, similar to the one that the Ingalls lived in on Plum Creek

Being taught how to wash clothes!

So glad I don't have to wash clothes this way!

At school:

 Anna, leading the class in an exercise

Jenna

We rode in a covered wagon to and from the school house! In this first picture, you can see the school house from a distance. Notice the teacher standing in the door way. 

We even got to drive! ;-)

 There were also pony rides. There were some ponies for riding, and others that would pull a cart.

And just some cute pictures of the girls in their dresses:

We had such a good time, and we are so grateful to Aunt Michelle, who goes so far out of her way to make us have a wonderful time! She had been planning this since last November, and what a fun trip it was! We are so blessed to be her nieces. And a special thanks to my mom and to Jenna and Anna's Aunt Jodi for making the dresses!

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord,
and He delights in his way.
Psalm 37:23

Family Vacation #3

More pics from family vacation!

Silver Dollar City

We visited Silver Dollar City three days in a row. There are quite a few shops to look through, and a lot of fun rides! Our favorite was the new roller coaster...Outlaw Run! 

Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures of us on the rides, except one of Colby. But I can testify that they were a ton of fun!

What an awesome vacation! We had a blast, and were so happy that it all worked out. We stopped at my grandma's place in Kansas on our way back, and spent a few days there over the 4th of July. Our trip home was pretty uneventful, and we got back safely on Sunday the 7th. 

I am so thankful to the Lord for the wonderful family I have!