Time to go Outside!

This picture was taken the second day of JB and Gloria in Colorado visiting grandparents on this trip. We had a couple of days of cold and snow. Lately it's been pretty nice here - in the 50s and 60s.

Jumping in the Leaves

JB had a blast about a week and a half ago, helping me rake up leaves and then jumping in them. It's a part of fall, right?

He actually was very helpful in scooping up the leaves with a rake and dumping them in a big plastic bag that I held open.

November Heat Wave...

It's been in the 80s here in Wichita, KS the past couple of days! It feels like summer except that the leaves have already turned color or fallen off the trees completely. It's nice for the kids to be able to go outside without jackets again. Next we are off to Colorado where maybe it will snow!

Did We Do That??

I guess the kids didn't understand that it's a toy box, not a kid box. They had "fun" putting them all away. At least it keeps them contained.

Four Wheelin' with Friends

Our friends, Nathan and Stephanie, and their two boys stayed with us for a few days. The kids had a lot of fun together and it was fun sharing our home and our backyard with friends. As you can see, JB and Gloria are having a terrible time on this four-wheeler with "Mr. Nathan." No, they had a blast riding slowly in the back yard. Thanks Mr Nathan!

Gloria helps her Daddy

The kids were very interested in the pheasant that Max shot and then plucked. Gloria was good at pulling out feathers while JB was good at tickling his Daddy's neck with a pheasant wing.

Gloria and the pheasant

This is our hunting "cover girl" with her hair blowing in the wind.

My Pheasant!

Actually, Zephyr was the one that went out pheasant hunting with Max, flushed the bird (made it fly from the ground), and retrieved it after Max shot it. It was a very pretty bird in all of its colors and it was also pretty tasty to eat. Quail is still my favorite. And this coming from a Boston raised girl? I know that's what you're thinking.

JB's next for plucking...

Little Miss Red

Does it show?

I just realized that I haven't officially announced (to those reading my blog, near and far away friends and family and maybe even people I don't know) that Max and I are expecting our third in April. I think I am showing now in pictures (at 16 weeks), so I thought I should clarify that. I waited a while in announcing the news even to people around me because of an early miscarriage back in June. We are very thankful for this new life. You will be hearing (if we are able to find out) what the sex of the baby is probably next month sometime.

So here it is: I'm pregers. This is both a scary and exciting prospect, but a very welcome one. The idea of three little ones can be an overwhelming thought, but I know that if I rely on God, He will give me the strength. Other moms have done it, right?... and are still alive today to talk about it and tell there funny stories (maybe not-so-funny at the time).

Mongo Pumpkin Picture

Corn Maze

A picture of us in front of the tall corn of a corn maze right outside of Wichita.

Max and JB peering through the corn.

Gloria and Tamsey (Below) in the corn maze. It took us about an hour to get through the whole thing. We must've walked about 3 miles. Gloria wanted to be held almost the whole way too and JB about half way. JB liked looking for "clues" and the boxes at the check points where he could hole punch a piece of paper. Overall, it was a fun time...and my exercise for the day!

Gifts from Max

Gloria was proud of the flowers her Daddy gave her during the ceremony. JB got a mini-patch from Max's squadron. Michele and I got flowers and Duncan got a coin from Max's squadron.

The Oath

This is where Max and Nancy (an officer who pinned-on Lt Col) took the oath of office and pledged to uphold and defend the Consititution, etc. The officer conducting the ceremony is Lt Col Knight, who we also knew in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and is Max's commander in the 384th Air Refueling Squadron. The Knights are fellow believers in Christ and good friends and good to have as commander and commander's wife.