The Farm Part 2

Their pasture land was my favorite. Here we're all taking a ride in Uncle Steve's truck looking at the slightly rolling hills, beautiful trees and creek.



Uncle Steve dared the kids to sit in the cold creek for a dollar.







Earlier that evening we went down the road to their little country church.

This church my great grandparents also helped build and was where the 3 generations have attended. So it was where my mom attended as a child.

My grandfather who was a farmer by trade, also was an artist. He took art classes through a correspondence course and therefore was considered the local artist. He painted the two paintings in this church, as well as landscape scenes on barns and chalktalks for local Sunday Schools or VBS'.

My grandfather passed away one year before I was born but my grandmother gave me several of his well-worn art books, since I inherited his love for art.

This was the same month and time of year my parents were married here years ago.

I'm so thankful to be a part of this 3 generations + of parents who urge their children to follow Christ. I know that being raised in a Christian home doesn't mean you will be a Christian. But to be raised hearing the gospel and reading the Bible from an early age sure saves time when life hits and you're wondering what's going on. I'm thankful for that moment in late high school when I decided to commit my life to Christ and that little bit of faith has grown bigger and bigger as Christ reveals Himself to me on a daily basis.

Going back to the farm, I was noticing what a beautiful time of day for my parent's wedding reception in the enormous front yard.

Driving back to Milwaukee to see daddy who was working at a sister company of his, the boys were excited to 'ride' his rental car.

Later that night, we had supper at cousin Sarah's house where my other cousin and Aunt Ruth and Uncle Jim joined us.

Here's Gracie, the kids' second cousin enjoying icecream next to Judah.

In Milwaukee, Daddy treated us to the notorious Kopps for frozen custard.

On that last day Daddy had to work, I took the kids to the Milwaukee Childrens Museum. The kids had so much fun.

On the way home we stopped at another McDonalds but this one had a play place so that was a nice way to get out their wiggles.

The Farm Part 1

Whew. It's been a whirlwind of a summer so I'm going to try to catch up before the next whirlwind begins. In July, we took a trip to my family's 3 generation farm in Wisconsin. My great grandparents build this house in 1908 (Building cost: $1200!). My grandmother, an only child, grew up and married a farmer and they took up the farm. Eventually they had 4 daughters (my mom is the second oldest) and the youngest married a farmer and they've had the farm ever since. It's an Anne of Green Gables sort of place.

I've always liked Aunt Nancy and Uncle Steve- and they were so great to let the kids and I crash their place for two days. The kids had a blast.

Uncle Steve always likes to tease Sophie. Right off the bat, he asked her who her boyfriend was- while offering her a raw corn cob- while eating a chocolate chip cookie.

Here they're all packed in for a tractor ride.

The weather was beautiful. It was hot for them, but cooler for us. The breeze was wonderful.

They had a Jeep! Judah had a grin the entire time he was on it.

Well, not the entire time. When the battery ran out, it was a sad moment...

Aunt Nancy hooked up the sprinkler for the kids at the tree swing.

How many great-aunts do you know who would run in the sprinkler with them? It didn't take them long to think she's great.

At the end of the first evening, the kids went and sat by the field while Uncle Steve lit some fireworks. "We've never had fireworks like these", Josh says. The boys weren't sure what could be better.

Sophia's 10th Birthday Tea Party

Sophia's 10th birthday has arrived, it is hard to believe! We had so much fun planning her birthday party. She chose to do a Tea Party theme. I found some great ideas (much of it thanks to Aunt Ruth!) and the day turned out to be a lovely one.

After her 11 guests arrived, they each sat for a picture with the parasol in their finery.

Then, there was the group shot to be taken (Later, I emailed each family their photos).

Then they were escorted to the dining room which was decorated with tulle, candles and fine china.

They were told to use their lady-like manners as they were served their 6 course meal. The first one- the veggie tray. Of course all beautiful ladies eat their veggies...so no one could refuse.

After the first course the young ladies were read a story- Miss Spider's Tea Party. Each time the girls heard the word "spider", they were to make a scared sound and each time they heard the word "tea" they were to say "please" (the most enthusiastic one got a prize).

The next 'course' were the assorted cheese and crackers. After this course the girls played a game where they tried to throw the mini marshmallows in the tea cups.

The next course were the sandwiches. There were heart shaped egg salad sandwiches, peanut butter and jelly ones and mini cheeseburgers. After this course the girls played a word game to see who could come up with the most words from : Sophia's Tea Parlor in 2 minutes.

The next course were the fruits. Berries were made into kabobs on jeweled toothpicks. The game following was 'Pin the Lid on the Teapot'.

The final course served inside were the sweets- chocolate covered strawberries, lemon squares, yogurt covered pretzels and homemade butter mints were served.

The girls ended their stay swimming in the pool. We served the cake outside while the girls made bracelets to take home as their gift.

It was a delightful day and I know Sophie was so thankful her friends could celebrate this day with her!