'Aben'

I love the innocence of children.

I love love love the innocence of children whispering words to their Lord Jesus.

This video makes me laugh.

I wanted to share it with you all so you get then chance to see what we get to experience

three times a day at the dinner table with Natalie at this age. 

I want to cherish this age.

All too soon she will be all grown up.

WE LOVE YOU NATALIE GRACE!

You make us laugh with your sweet innocence.

You most likely bring a smile to your Heavenly Father's face as well!

"Aben" to that!

Taken 9/2/11

21.5 months old

Never a Dull Moment

Natalie loves to color and do stickers.  We do this atleast once a week.

About a week ago she was busy coloring and then applying stickers to her picture. 

They were garden- and tea party-themed stickers.

As she was getting close to done, I went over to see how she was doing and noticed she forgot the hat from the tea party-themed stickers. 

As soon as I said, "Natalie look, you forgot one."

She said, "HAT!" and had it on her head rather than the paper without thinking.

(These pictures are really bright, so hopefully you can make out the 'hat' on her head.)

What a hoot!  She keeps us on our toes...there is never a dull moment!

Taken on 9/2/11

Mastering the Somersault

Natalie has been really into trying to master the somersault lately. 

It went from rolling around on the ground just a couple months ago to this pose just the other day.

Love it.

And here is a video of just how close she actually is to mastering one.

Natalie Grace

Photos and Video taken 9/7/11

One week shy of 22 months

This is how we roll!

Stacked up.

Right at mommy's feet while she's working in the kitchen.

Lugging a stool around the kitchen and constantly placing it right at mommy's feet.

With a flyswatter in hand to kill all the 'bees' that Natalie lets in the house with her in and out all day long.

(To clarify, Natalie calls all flying insects 'bees'. 

I have yet to see an actual bee in the house...they are all flies.)

With our noses smudged up against mommy's just washed windows.

Cuddled together in the 'not-meant-for-two-kids' stroller.

In a swimsuit and rainboots.

These are just some clips into the way we roll around here most days.

Hope you enjoyed the ride! ;)

My girls

Now that Aleah is on the move crawling and standing up,

I catch a glimpse of what is to come, although in a much more intense form down the road.

They will be playing together in harmony, and the not, before we know it.

Here was one of my glimpses.

Isn't that sweet?

If you're curious like me, they were looking at the kitty outside.

Time is rolling by SO FAST, yet I look forward to more of what these glimpses will bring.

I. Am. Blessed.

Oh the {Simple Things}

This {simple things} in life are quite often the very best.

What am I talking about?

Oh, things like...

{a good hug from your best friend}

{a smile from a child}

{a thank-you from a 100yr old lady}

{a high five from a student}

{a tear from a good laugh}

{a cool breeze on a hot day}

{that oh-so familiar smell of home}

OR

...

the sight of one of these

(see below).

You're thinking,

"WHAT IS THAT AMY????"

Well, that is one of my favorite {simple things} in life. 

(If you can't tell what it is, it is a used butter stick that we keep in a bowl in the freezer.)

Now you're thinking,

"Seriously Amy.  You are ridiculous.  Butter??  And worst of all, USED butter?"

Okay, okay, okay.

Well, not that exact thing, but what comes along with it...

That sight in our house means that it is officially {homegrown sweet corn season}!

FINALLY!

We're way behind normal this year...long, wet spring season delayed planting our corn seeds.

Here are the girls, enjoying their {homegrown sweet corn}.

Natalie enjoying her 'boyn'.

Aleah's first corn on the cob. 

(According to me, a 'corn-fed raised Nebraskan', this is a very noteworthy photo!)

She really enjoyed it!

Sorry for this absolutely 'corny' post. 

:)

Now you're thinking,

"Man, that Amy is so funny.  What a great pun."

:)

In all seriousness though...

I DO really enjoy all of the simple things we get to experience in life like

{Corn.on.the.cob}

Oh the {Simple Things}

Crick vs. Creek?

Question of the day:

How do you pronounce the word creek?

Do you say 'creek' or 'crick'?

I must admit, I say 'crick'.

That's the only bit of redneck you'll find in me.

That's it.  Nothing more!  ;)

(If you know me you know those last few statements are not true.)

Now that we've gotten that VERY important issue out of the way, let's move on to a lighter note.

Sunday Family Funday!

This entire year has been a crazy one weather-wise. 

As a farmer's wife, my life revolves around the weather.  Why you may be asking yourself? 

Well because my husband's life revolves around the weather.

We skipped church to spend some time as a family during the seemingly never-ending seeding/spraying season.  This was the one time we could spend some time with our dear Tony.

On a day like this, we usually start out with a nice breakfast.  From here, weather permitting, outside time is absolutely necessary...no ifs, ands, or buts, or butts. ;)

Due to the SURPLUS of moisure due to snowmelt and rainfall, we decided to see if we could cross the crick (or creek for all you non-rednecks) on the cut-across road.

Natalie in her Daddy's arms looking on to the other side.

It is possible by foot.

Natalie desperately wanted to 'bim' (swim), so she got her feet wet.

A bit cold for the little tot!

Possible by feet.  But by wheel?...without floating away?

I have a great video of this that I'll try to post. 

You can hear me doubting my man and his wheels.

Ta da!!!

She was proud!

Now to move a couple rocks/boulders to make the ride a bit more safe.

Mom, does this one need to be moved?

Definitely yes honey!  Thanks for your help Natalie!

The crew on the way home.

We had to stop for some cows. 

Now that the Little Porcupine Ranch is truly no longer a ranch (in other words, we sold the cows and now just farm), Natalie doesn't get up close and personal with cows much.

She was off. 

They were headed somewhere, and I think if we'd have let her, she'd have been right there with them!

Cheese Theft

Isn't that the cutest guilty face you've every seen?

LOVE IT!

Not long after that face came this one.

And then this one!  That guilty feeling lasted about 2 seconds!

This was the day that I realized that Natalie doesn't need Mommy or Daddy's help to get into the fridge!

Taken on July 5th, 2011

19 months and 3 weeks old

4th and Family

4th and family...no I am not talking about football.

(Although I'm loving that tomorrow is my Huskers' first game in the Big 10.) 

4th and family refers to...

yes...

believe it or not...

...the 4th of July and a family reunion. 

That.is.how.FAR.BEHIND.I.am!

Anyways, this year our 4th of July was very laid back.

Emphasis on the 'very.'

Considering we had spent the two days before and morning of the 4th at the Heidner family reunion,

the family and I, along with Tony's cousin Travis and his family stayed home and didn't even do fireworks. 

Pause...

I'm allowing you time to take that last statement in.

Okay...

are you ready to move on??

Trust me, I understand.  As I look back, I am still in shock.

We were just THAT tired.

I think this was the first year in my entire life that I haven't seen fireworks on July 4th. 

Not sure...maybe when I was a weee lassie of an infant at less than two months old I didn't see them, but really, who's counting?

Anyways, here are some picture of our weekend.

Natalie getting to push Aleah in the stroller in a wide open gym.

She LOVES being a big sister and getting the chance at independence.

Aleah in her 4th of July outfit...on the 3rd of July at church.

Natalie snuck up to Papa and Nana a couple more than a few times during the church service.

Thankfully we were surrounded only by family.  ;)

Natalie in her 4th of July outfit.

Snack time!

Aleah spending time with Daddy.

On the go, with cookie in tow. 

What's up in the sky???  (not fireworks) :(

This is a common pose for Natalie.  I think she likes the rush of throwing her head back and forth. 

She must get that from her dad! ;)

Overall, the reunion was a blast.  We were all tired in the end, but it is so fun to meet new cousins and catch up with old ones every couple years. 

And about the fireworks, as sappy as it sounds, I loved the night of the 4th of July because I had my loving hubby and wonderful girls by my side, even if all we did was watch an old episode of Shark Tank with Travis, Maella, Olivia, and Colin!

Peek-a-boo!

Where is Natalie??

Peek-

-a-

-boo!

And she's off...never in one place for too long!

A special THANKS to Natalie's dear friend Noah for the wonderful fireman hat!

Aunt Carrie's Camera

The following pictures were all stolen given to me from my younger sister Carrie's camera. 

They are not in order, but I decided that they were all blogworthy.

(Pictures taken Aug. 3-5th, 2011)

Natalie in a wheat field.

All smiles!

Aunt Carrie and Natalie coming back from the field in the prowler, stopping for a photo op.

In the combine with Daddy.  Look at all those 'beep beeps' over there!

Good thing they installed this handy-dandy hook for me to hang on to.

Loving on Daddy.

Aleah, Carrie, Natalie's popsicle, and Natalie at snack time.

Aleah and Aunt Carrie.

Blue eyes.  Green popsicle.

Showing here popsicle to the camera.

BATHtime!  Natalie trying to put Aleah's head under the faucet like she does.

Someone was a bit excited to swing!

Kisses from Aleah.  Sloppy but SO worth it!

Natalie focusing really hard to pit a cherry while its in her mouth.

Thanks SO much for the pictures and memories we shared with you Aunt Carrie.

The trip down to NE wouldn't have been possible had you not braved all those flight connections and small planes! 

LOTS OF LOVE FROM US ALL!

We're blessed to have such a wonderful gal like you in our lives!