Farm Princess

This post is for my Gramma.

So, if you are not interested in seeing more from John Deere, Moline, or if you are not interested in seeing what happens when I pass the camera on to another member of my family, feel free to move on to your Saturday morning laundry. Or baking. Or that pedicure you've been needing to update.


P.S. That one other time I let someone else hold the camera, well that picture is at the very end of this post. I think it will be pretty obvious, minus the pretty part. You'll see what I mean!

From the store - LOTS of fun.

Hide and Seek with tractor wheels. I love my farm kid wannabes!

A new chair for their bedroom, perhaps? {To match Dad's new tractor??}




My new friends. Seriously. Somehow, if you carry a Nikon around your neck, people automatically assume you can take a picture, and take it well. I just wear the Nikon, although after owning it for 2+ years I have finally just read the owner's manual and think I am ready to start taking real pictures. Maybe.

Anyway, this group of Harley Riding friends labeled me *photographer* and I was honored to take each one of their cameras and snap a group photo over, and over, and over, and . . .you get the picture. {Hee Hee} The very last camera in the pile was my own, and I asked them to stay there for one more shot. They will now live in infamy in our family picture album.


Oh, and here's some chick who found a pink John Deere pillow in the store and held it up for her Nikon-wearing husband to see. He took the picture, but said if the tractor had to stay in Moline {ahem} the pillow did too. Or something like that.


There you are, Gramma! Proof that I am not completely selfish with the picture taking. But I sure think that there are better subjects in our family to use memory card space on.


After Moline? A little corner in Southwest Michigan, which we love, love, love. Stay tuned!

Pit Stop

We've been home almost 2-weeks now and I wanted to share some of the fun times we had on our trip, despite this feeling like old news now. {Illness has a tendency to throw my most well-intentioned organization and timeliness right out the window. . .}

Our first stop on the way out to Michigan was in Moline, Illinois. For some reason, I thought our family would enjoy stretching our legs at the John Deere Pavilion.

Stretch our legs, certainly, but it has caused 5 of 'us' to dream in green ever since. I'll plan better in the future. . .

This beautiful building is full of tractors, old and new, of all sizes and purposes. It is staffed by knowledgeable persons who admittedly told me they love to see little children come in and fall in love with John Deere Green from the get-go as it guarantees a next generation of customers.

{Not to miss out on an educational moment we used this discussion to teach our children about marketing!}

How many blondes does it take to drive a tractor?

Was it wrong for me to tell Braden to 'study up' as I was going to give him a pop-quiz in 10-minutes? What?? Pop-quiz and family vacation do not go together? You don't say. . .

We were amazed at the size of some of these tractors.

For some reason, I was particularly entranced by this tractor and large scoop - the possibilities for use around my home and yard excited me.

These cute little farmers stole my heart.

Gettin' serious during a test drive.

Dad says "Safety First, Farmers!"

I'm not sure what they are thinking.

{ It's probably best that I don't.}

My Guys!

Ryland found a place to put his feet up.

I didn't even have to tell Langston what to do - apparently farming is an instinct in my kids!

{That excites me very much}

Stay tuned for the next edition of 'Vacation Outtakes', where I endeavor to post pictures of our family vacation before Christmas is upon us. . .

the {impossible} mommy nap

Mom to 4-year old son: "Ry, I'm going to take a nap now so you'll need to play quietly."

{pause}

"Okay."

{pause}

"Should I wake you up if something bad happens?"

Closing my eyes, head on my pillow: "Yes."

{pause}

"What about if there's a fire?"

"Yes." {does this not fit into the 'bad' category?}

{pause}

"Should we call Dad if there's a fire?"

Pretending to sleep, hoping he'll catch the hint: "Yes."

{pause}

"Should we ask him to come home then?"

"Yes." {or now, so he can field these questions and I can get some rest}

{pause}

"Will he have to go back to work after he puts the fire out?"

"Yes." {is he thinking of starting a fire?}

{pause}

"Mom?"

"Yes?"

"What about guns?"


Suddenly napping doesn't seem like a good idea any longer.


"Mom?"

"Mom, where are you going?"

"Mom, are you done with your nap already?"

"Yes, Ry. Napping for Mommy could be bad for our family it seems."

I tried!

Sick, sick, sick. . .

Sick before vacation.

Sick during vacation.

Sick after vacation.

{Making the most of it with lots of snuggling}

We have so many wonderful new memories to share from our recent trip out to Michigan. As soon as the antibiotics kick in for ear infections, pertussis and the goop goes away from the pink eye, I anticipate being able to share with you all that God has done for us. Prayers for the health of our family are greatly appreciated - thank you.

-One tired {but grateful} mommy

Why do I go mourning? Psalm 42:9

You will yet, amidst the splendors of eternity, forget the trials of time or only remember them to bless the God who led you through them and works your lasting good by them. Come, sing in the midst of tribulation. -Spurgeon