Family time... is a slice of heaven...

Balancing Gus while the apple corer pealer is twirling and David is "helping...." takes a lot of concentration, but grandma loves the resulting photo in Ruth's beautiful new kitchen. 

Now Gus is in the Johnny jumper as the ever helpful Davey is there to "help."

Aunt Ruthie found some shades for Gus... he is in the sun part of the time, so...

Gus prefers lying on the floor in the midst of the action, and really likes when Davey comes and gives him hugs and kisses, or just some attention from that cute big cousin...I can read Gus's mind..."He loves me a lot... He's always smiling at me, and giving me a lot of hugs and kisses... He makes me smile!"

Simon and Mary come home and they get some time with the corer pealer... Simon is a pro as he has run that "turning thing" since he was 2!  For Simon... anything that turns is the BEST!

Mary discovered that slicing an apple this way... it tastes really good!  "Mom, can we just leave them out so that we can cut our apples this way every day?"  "No, sorry."

Such a beautiful day!  Let's go for an adventure!  "Yes!!!!!"

Gus really likes the idea..."Let's GO!!!"

Down the path to the pasture... the boys bring their bikes.

Cats too... they like to go for a walk on a beautiful November day too!  "What happened to the water in the creek?" 

That's what 4 months without rain will do... it is called a drought, but we still love the beautiful weather day after day!

Walking on a cow trail in the shadows of the late afternoon sun...

The farm boys are excited to harvest some corn that they missed from the field by the pasture...

Very serious about their farming!

Our pasture adventure leads us to a huge cottonwood tree that had been blown over, roots and all, by the storm on July 1st!  Quite a sight and fun to explore. 

Cute Gus smile and all the other activity.  This is the only way this tree could ever have been "climbed."  Too bad, but kind of special for our "adventure."

I like the goofiness and craziness of this one... it speaks of the continual motion of life and how unpredictable it all is... So true of our day to day lives and especially when you have 4 under 7 a part of it! 

A wonderful gift of a day and family time together!

Grandpa's hat and hand...

You know how much I love clothesline pictures... but with Gus and Nancy helping... heaven!

It's a bit windy and cold on little hands, so mom warms them... Let's go see the calves and the bales!

The bales... you've seen one... you've seen them all.  But...

the calves are pretty darn interesting and they smell interesting too!

Or is it the calves that think that Gus is the interesting new and different thing?

"MMMMMMMMMMMM  He smells interesting too!"

Gus, you look kind of peaceful and comfortable in that feed bunk, or are you just praying for protection?  Just don't put that hand full of feed in your mouth.  Lord, thank you for this last day with our daughter and her son... how we love to share our wonderful life on the farm with them canning food, going for adventures in the pasture with cousins, sharing meals with grandpa, going out to put clothes on the line in a breezy cool day and then the cows and calves at feeding time, but most of all the time that we can laugh and visit and get to know this newest member of our family, and the beautiful LIGHT he is!  We are so blessed and carry forth the warmth of the love and sharing of FAMILY, FAITH, and FARM!  Jesus, we are so grateful for our lives and the beauty of our domestic Church - our family, and this slice of heaven here on earth!  Jesus, we trust in you!  Amen and Halleuia!

Bless-bless, Barb

Psalm 8

ALL: O Lord, our Lord, how glorious is your name over all the earth! * You have exalted your name above the heavens. Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings you have fashioned praise because of your foes, / to silence the hostile and the vengeful. When I behold your heavens, the work of your fingers, / the moon and the stars which you set in place: What is man that you should be mindful of him, / or the son of man that you should care for him? You have made him little less than the angels, / and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him rule over the works of your hands, / putting all things under his feet: All sheep and oxen, / yes, and the beasts of the field. The birds of the air, the fishes of the sea, / and whatever swims the paths of the seas. O Lord, our Lord, / how glorious is your name over all the earth! Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, / and to the Holy Ghost, As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be / world without end. Amen.
Antiphon
ALL: How manifold are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you have wrought them all; / the earth is full of your creatures.