Photo shoot without kids

I just recently gave in to the masses and joined Facebook and a dear old friend commented that I never have posted or e-mailed pictures of Kraig and I. I quickly realized how often I snap pictures of the Kraig and the kids that I don't really take any pictures of us together.

So I mentioned this to Kraig and we thought we would quickly throw together a photo shoot of just the two of us. So we grabbed my trusty Nikon D80, tripod, and put the camera on the timer setting. It really ended up being so much fun. We just love the way that some of the shots turned out. Tell me what you think...











Then we took a few shots of just each other. Here are our favorites!!


Look at these amazing blue eyes...



I like this one best in black and white...



So after this fun photo shoot, I decided to finally buy the remote that goes with my camera so that I don't have to always set the camera, trigger the timer and make a run for it. Now we will be able to pose for our shots and simply push the button and wait for it. My next photo shoot will hopefully be a fun, fall, family photo shoot. Wait for it...

Pumpkin Patch 2009

On Sunday afternoon, we took the kiddos and went to the pumpkin patch. It was a wonderful, cool, crisp, sunny fall day. An absolute perfect day for the pumpkin patch, as there was NO MUD!! This was the first time that we went to French Prairie Gardens and it was really wonderful!! They had a few great hay mazes of varying difficulties, obstacle course for kids, play areas for toddlers, hay slides, petting zoo, pig races, duck races, and a pig barrel train ride for kids. Oh yes, and I can't forget...delicious apple cider donuts. YUMMY!!



My mom brought my wonderful nieces, Kristen, Aly, Sydney, and we got to meet Kristen's boyfriend Josh. It was a great time being together with them.

Konnie on the pig train



We probably spent about 20 minutes or so trying to get through the hay maze. With our trusty hay maze guide, a beautiful 5 year old...we did our best to get through to the end, but sadly, that was not to be. We ended up coming out the way that we came in. But we all loved the adventure and had a great time with the kids. Kaden really enjoyed being swished from side to side as we turned corners and Kory loved touching the hay bales. Both the boys were in back pack carriers.

Picture of the outside of the large hay maze.



Kory, touching the prickly hay.



Our hay maze guide.



All three of our kiddos enjoying a nice break in the toddler play area.



Kaden enjoying his first Tonka Truck experience.



Kory exploring the hay.



Next, we headed to the pig races. I didn't realize what winners we were, but wow. They took volunteers from the crowd and Konnie was picked and her pig, the one with the red bandana won!!! Two races later, Kraig was chosen and his duck won the race. Needless to say, I am so proud of both of them. :)



Here is a picture of the winners donning their new prizes!!



Then it was time to play on the big culvert slide...

This is our middle niece Alyssa, we caught this great shot of her beautiful smile as she was enjoying her trip down the slide.



Now, our youngest niece Sydney, showing off her beautiful, powder sugar smile.



Our new college student, our oldest niece Kristen and her boyfriend Josh.



Here is Oma with all her grandchildren.




Oh what a wonderful day.

Boys and their tractor

Now that Kaden is walking so well, we are really enjoying watching him walk and helping Kory get ready to walk independently too. We really loved and soaked in the sunshine today. We walked around our sidewalk and the driveway. Both Kaden and Kory really love being such big boys. Watch this video of Kaden pushing Kory on the tractor...


Then it was Kory's turn to push...


What amazing boys!!!

New pictures of the kiddos

Kraig and I took the kids out to our field of alfalfa and captured some really precious shots.


Kory James...



Kaden Eugene...



Konstance Grace...





We took so many pictures trying to get the kids to all smile and look at the camera at the same time...needless to say it was challenging, but SO MUCH FUN!! We were so pleased at how well the pictures turned out.

What a blessing these children are to us!! We are so thankful for them, each and every day!!

Thank you God!!!

Mt. St. Helens

My Uncle Raimund and Aunt Ingrid are visiting us from Germany this month, and we are so enjoying have them here. We thought it would be a fun day trip to take them to see Mt. St. Helens.




So we headed out last Sunday morning around 9:30 or so. We knew it would take us a few hours to get there, but what we didn't plan for was the extra winding roads to take us to Windy Ridge. This is the closest ridge to actually view the side of the mountain that erupted. The boys weren't too thrilled with being trapped in their car seats for so long. We left just before their naptime and thought it would be perfect timing, but they failed to go to sleep, until just before we arrived for a lunch break at a Rangers station just past the town of Cougar.

After lunch, we hit the road again to get to our ultimate destination...Windy Ridge. We arrived around 2 pm, and the boys were going a bit stir crazy. Mom felt quite car sick, so she and Aunt Ingrid stayed down at the parking lot and let the boys play in the back of her van, while the rest of us hiked up 440 stairs to a landing with a great view on the mountain.

Here is a picture of Konnie, warming up for the hike, doing some yoga!!



We are just about half way up the side of the ridge here...



Here is a shot of the mountain



A picture of my wonderful Uncle Raimund.



Here we are, the adventurous hikers, nearly at the viewpoint.



It is amazing to see how much timber is still floating in Spirit Lake, and it has been nearly 30 years since the eruption.



The view of the stairs and parking lot on the way back down the ridge.



When we got back to the parking lot, we were all ready to head home. Everyone wanted to eat a quick bite, so that we could drive non-stop.



Kraig and I took the kiddos back to Dayton, and Mom, Uncle and Auntie went to Leavenworth. We didn't arrive home until 9:30 pm. It was heavenly to be back home and to be able to let Kaden and Kory play and crawl all over the place.

We have a walker...

Well, it is official, Kaden has started walking!!! He took his first few independent steps last week. He is sure proud of himself and enjoying his new found skill. We couldn't be happier!! Here is a video clip of Kaden walking...




Sorry that I haven't been better about blogging lately. We have been so very busy. Things should start settling down soon, I hope. :)

Driving around the farm...

Konnie took the boys around the farm for a ride on her John Deere Gator. It was so sweet to watch. Of course the boys absolutely loved it!!!

Konnie gave Kaden a ride first...





Then it was time for Kory's ride...



Then our fearless boy felt that he was ready to take the wheel...



This is how Kaden felt about taking a break...



The next day, we decided to let them all ride together...



Then everyone was happy!!