Labor Day spent laboring...

Happy Labor Day! Today we planned to work around the house/yard and enjoy the day. The weather was absolutely beautiful. After breakfast as the kids were brushing their teeth I heard grandpa passing by on the tractor. Unfortunately the kids did not get to the window fast enough to wave. We did find out what he was planning on doing...picking the potato crop in garden at Great Grandpa Turner property. So we loaded the kids up and headed out...we knew grandpa would get a kick out of the kids helping out. Since grandpa no longer picks potatoes like he use to he had to stop and wait for us to get there, so the kids could help. The kids had a blast being there as well as working. The property is gorgeous and I have so many fond memories of it as well as the house. I really enjoyed being able to watch my kids find some of the very same things I did and play in a similar manner.
Liz ready to work...
Ready to rock 'n' roll...this method is a LOT better then how grandpa picked potatoes prior to finding the potato picker...

the potatoes just roll out...

Get ready, set, go...

Alex doing his part...

Liz is not so sure about the "broken" potato...

Last row of potatoes coming up...

Zach pre-occupied with the tractor...

Liz picking potatoes...

Grandpa directing Alex where to throw the weeds...

Daddy and the kids watching the potatoes come up...

Quick family portrait...

Watching Grandpa spread manure on the garden....country living is great!

Playing by the old wishwell and using daddy as a jungle gym...

Uncle John directing the helpers...

Everyone takes a turn sitting on Grandpa's tractor...

Grandpa and his helpers...

My helper, Alex, carrying all the shovels and rakes...

The kids helping Uncle John sort potatoes...

Roxy waiting for us...

Celebration for Grandpa

Today the afternoon was spent celebrating my dad's 60th birthday. My parents have finally put the mobile home down by the lake, so we decided to celebrate grandpa's birthday by doing a little fishing and relaxing. By the time we got there, Willie was catching fish after fish with Lexi's Barbie pole...so quick in fact he did not even have time to hand the pole to Lexi. We all had a great time sitting on the floating pier watching Willie fish and playing around the "cabin". This will definitely be the new hot spot. Happy Birthday Grandpa!
Willie showing the kids the "catches"...
Four future fisherman/woman

Gracie seeing what's for dinner...

Zach holding a fish after Uncle Willie caught it...

with this look you'd think she had caught it herself...not yet...

Alex thinking...aren't they suppose to be bigger?!?!?

Kids being supervised by their aunties.

Grandpa fishing with Gracie with the Barbie pole since his fishing pole seemed to be "defective".

Boys wrestling over a ball...

Auntie Jackie playing a little kickball with Liz...

and then some catch.

Walkin' in the Woods

Last night/early this morning were signs we were on the mend for sure. We had made it thru the night without a single explosion. Luckily for us, my aunt and uncle own the land across the road by the river. Not only does that make it so we can walk over there but also for Jeremy to cut out the dead trees for wood to heat our house. Since that time of year is fast approaching, Jeremy decided that this morning he would walk the woods to assess the trees. Since the kids were in better moods...we took them for a trip across the road. Since the grass still had a little dew on it, we put on there rain boots and headed across armed with a bag of bread for the duckies.
Daddy leads the way thru the tall grass...
under some branches...

and into the woods.

Liz takes some time to try to climb a tree...

and the three agree for a nice photo op on a fallen tree.We were able to get right down to the water pick up shells...

as well as "skip" some rocks into the river (it was more throwing rocks).

Daddy showed them a tree where the deer had been rubbing their antlers on and we saw the deer beds too.

Liz and Zach taking a much needed break...long grass, fallen trees, branches all make it hard to walk being this size.

Although they are sitting still, they were not as cooperative at this photo op.

Daddy checking out the trees and Alex is advising what he can cut down.

Liz trying to set this tree upright...grunting and all...that's our girl.

As we walk back to the house this time thru the field, I caught some grasshoppers to show them. We got back to the Catalpa trees we transplanted at about 8 inches tall...they have at least doubled their size. The kids are more interested in the grasshopper on the leaf at the first tree.

and are looking at something completely different at the second tree.

Daddy makes all things better...

So I know the kids are sick when they don't want to go outside or will only be out for a bit and want to come back in. While Jeremy was at his parent's, I was able to get the boys out for about 20 minutes and Liz flat our refused to go out. The kids always miss daddy while he is gone...doesn't matter if it is a work day or a quick trip out of town or a long trip...they are always asking about him...this time was no different. They are also very happy to see him once he does return. He returned as the kids were just waking from naps, so what a treat it was to wake and see him. Well daddy obviously rocks the house cause not only did he get them out of the house but he got them working too.
The task: haul wood chips to the new flower garden and spread them out.
Equipment need: tractor, trailer, rakes and shovels.
Here is the gang ready to work and headed to the work site...
He did not have to give much instruction to his helpers...first ground level...

then from on the trailer...

until it was empty...

job well done...onto the next trailer full...

This time...big trailer or they will be at this until dark...

Daddy and his helpers...

Alex working hard on filling the corner...

Liz on the opposite corner...

Zach working on the areas in between...

They are hard workers...

they don't stop until the last wood chip is gone...

then for the ride back to the shed...

stop to wave at mommy! They were exhausted when they got back in!

Cute toes!

I think this is the first post I can think of that I did not have a title for and struggled to come up with one. We have had a heck of a start to the month. Jeremy took today off so we could make a quick trip across the state to go see Great Grandpa Pluemer, Nana and Papa. Unfortunately on Tuesday night/Wednesday early morning Alex got sick...which then Zach got sick as well. We played things by ear but after 3 nights of no sleep, this morning we decided daddy would go by himself. I don't think I have changed this many diapers since the kiddos were newborns...and they are awful! Today also marks the first day of Jeremy's vacation, which means it is also the beginning of our "staycation". We plan to do things locally as well as just enjoy time at home as a family. Other news is we are officially calling Liz day potty trained...how exciting is that!!! Now I will work on Alex as he has shown more interest then Zach, but will not push. So stay tuned for posts about our staycation adventures.
Love, Jen
Even though the picture is fuzzy you can still see the goofy faces and cute toes! The kids were enjoying a little couch time, which they have done a lot of the past few days...in fact cannot get them to stay outside for more than a few minutes. Even sick, they are cute!