oh henry

This is my sweet nephew Henry. He turned three last week. He is so cute and constantly cracks me up. Two of his birthday presents were a bat and green rubber boots. He liked the bat because it was yellow (his favorite color). His arm is in a sling because he broke his collar bone. It didn't slow him down though...he was ready to play baseball.

I loved his green rubber boots!

girls weekend

Last week I had a little college reunion with my friends Julie and Mandy. Mandy came down from Manhattan to visit for the weekend (Julie lives around here). We had a great time catching up...and relaxing. Dinner at PF Changs, Barnes and Noble, Starbucks, swimming, and movies. Cora tagged along for her first girls weekend. It was great to see you Mandy!

When we were walking around Bradley Fair we saw this duck with a mohawk. Crazy, huh?

daddy's girl

Cora is a daddy's girl. She loves talking to her daddy. She even smiled first at her daddy. Joel is so sweet with her...she definitely has him wrapped around her finger. I love watching them! I am thankful for such a wonderful, loving husband. Happy first Father's Day Joel!

night out

Rain makes for a happy farmer's wife (it still feels weird to call myself that). Not only is the corn growing, but Saturday we got to enjoy an afternoon at home together and an evening in Wichita.

It was a great day!

big girl

Cora is three months old now and changing all the time. She loves playing with her "happy hippo" and grabbing her toys.

She would rather not be on her tummy, but she is getting better at holding her head up. What a big girl!

a new cousin

Matt, Rachel, and Ellie were here last week to visit. Ellie had a very important announcement to make...she's going to be a big sister! Cora is looking forward to meeting her new cousin in January. Congratulations Matt and Rachel!

first picking

This is my strawberry patch hiding among the MANY, MANY weeds.

I was so excited to find that there was a whole bowl of strawberries to pick. They are so yummy!

Joel didn't want to be left out and wanted me to include a picture of his crop. Don't you think his corn is looking fantastic!?

memorial day

We spent Memorial Day at Joel's sister's house near Elmdale.

Cora watched as her cousin's played in the puddles.

Everyone was having a great time until...

Ellie started crying because she got wet.

And Henry started crying and hit his brother Harrison because he splashed mud on him. Harrison was the last one standing...he didn't mind being dirty at all!

packing up

These are the "before" pictures of my kindergarten classroom.

Cora came to help pack up the room. She was such a good little girl for being at school most of the day while we packed. She hung out in the play kitchen sink for a while!


My mom spent a lot of the day helping me take stuff off the walls and pack up. The boys came in the evening with dinner and helped load everything up. I was so thankful for their help!

These are the "after" pictures. It was sad to leave for the last time and say goodbye to teaching, but I am excited for my new job as stay-at-home mom. Big changes this year!

baby dedication

Cora was dedicated at Grace Community Church on Mother's Day. It was a special day with lots of memories. Thanks to everyone who came!

Matt and Rachel dedicated Ellie on the same day (left) along with several of our friends from church (Jon and Lori Jordan and Makenzie are in the middle).

Grandpa Gary and Grandma Vi (great-grandparents)

Grandpa Jack and Grandma Natalie (great-grandparents)