Drums anyone

We got out a new toy...a toy drum and the boys love it.  They just giggle when they hit it and they think it is so funny.  I tried capturing it on video but didn't do a great job, but here you go....

Maddie, Austin and Kris were helping the boys:)

Friends reunited

This past weekend our good friends Jamie and Aaron Burdorf and kids(Jenna, Brody, Blake and Bowen) came to visit their family and we were lucky enough in their busy schedule that we got to spend some time with them.  They came into town on Friday and we had them over on Saturday for dinner and to catch up.  We went to college with Aaron and Jamie and Aaron were together then and the rest is history.  Anyways Jamie and Aaron had Jenna and Brody and got pregnant with twin boys, crazy huh twin boys (running in the water jk).  Anyways they had some bad news delivered to them during her pregnancy, Blake had some severe Kidney problems and long story short may not survive.  But our little buddy Blaker's fought and proved doctors wrong.  Even though it was a long haul for his mommy and daddy traveling back and forth from Iowa City to State Center.  With two kids at home and Bowen making all the trips with mommy to see his brother.  He spent 70 days in the hospital and now is home with his family and doing well.  He is on dialysis until he gets his transplant but with all that he is a very happy, cute baby and he has awesome parents that take such good care of him.  His siblings are such big helpers too.  If you can please say some prayers for our good friends to find the strength to continue the care everyday and when the day comes for the transplant and pray for "Blaker's" to keep up the fight.  Here our some pictures of our boys!

Pictures Pictures and more Pictures

So this morning Jared and I took the boys to get their nine month pictures.  I asked one of my friends that started doing some photography on the side and she did great, we were very happy with how the pictures turned out.  We got a lot of pictures and it did not cost us an arm and a leg so that was really nice for a change.  The boys did great considering mom thought the boys should have three different outfits:).  I really liked the outfits and they are only nine months once right?  We went down to 4th Street in Sioux City and had some great back drops.

Oh and another big thing the boys did this morning to show mom and dad they are growing up as big boys.  When we went into to get them this morning they were standing up in their cribs, smiling at us.  Makes my heart melt every morning I go in and get them.  

Plowfest 2011

boys first ride...notice how they are trying to help daddy(too cute)

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This past weekend was full of fun, family and lots of laughs...oh and some plowing.  For some of you that are not familiar with Plowfest, let me explain.  It is an event that my parents started years ago (the exact date is up for debate, but I think 1979ish).  So, basically we plow a field.  I know you city people you are thinking... are you serious, you plow a field and that is fun?  Well, the plowing is just the beginning.  My dad (with some help from his brother-in-law Jack and his brother, Jim) gets up and out to the farm at 5 or 5:30 a.m. to start this amazing homemade beef stew.  The night before (Saturday night) is the cut up party.  Yep, we have a party for that too as we cut up everything that goes into the stew.  Over the last couple years, I haven't had to cut up much because we have had so much help.  This event is located on the farm I grew up on.  My brother Levi and his family live there now.  My brothers Levi and Steve and their wives Kristy and Alison put a ton of time into making this such a great, fun party.  We do it every year on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend, so people can make plans ahead of time.  Sometimes we have 300 people and sometimes we have 100.  None the less, we have a great time.  So what else goes on all day long?  Well, our day usually starts about 11:00 a.m. and do our annual Plowfest Walk down to the Ludwig's (our neighbors) and then take a hayrack ride back to the farm.  Then we usually start plowing about 1:00 p.m.  There are usually a ton of old/antique tractors and plows at the event.  The plows are supposed to be one or two bottom plows, but over the years they have gotten bigger and now it is more like 3 or 5 bottom plows.  They plow about half the field and then we take a break and eat and hang out and then go back and finish the field.  We have hayrack rides throughout the day and in the field as they plow so everyone can watch and take pictures.  We have plenty of snacks, stew and beer for everyone!

 Landon's godfather trying to start him early on the beer:)

The girls love the boys and love helping with them!  AS you can see from Landon's face he loves it too!

Not sure what was so funny but going to bet one of their cousins were making them laugh

Cheese...LOVE the big smiles

Landon waving...he loves to wave

 Starting to stand more and more and they really like it!

SiStEr'S...LOVE

Landon really thought Grandpa was funny I guess

Our walk to the ludwig's to get on the hayrack

oops had to stop for a potty break on the side of the road...too cute

Landon waving hello again:)

Tristan thinking can I just get down and play

Here are some of the tractors plowing

Uncle Levi, with Tristan on his first tractor ride

Aunt Kristy feeding Landon (after she woke him up, JK) a pancake for the first time, I was nervous but he ate it very well.  Later in the day she fed Tristan some cherrios and he did great too... I was nervous but they are ready for big boy food.

Landon loving the swing

Braeden

my nephew Owen adn Jared's nephew Braeden became good friends by the end of the weekend

My newphew Logan that is just like his father