Boender Christmas

Just a couple pictures from the Boender Christmas. One of my favorite things about having gatherings at the cabin is the kids spend most of their time in the garage area riding bike or playing basketball, AWAY from parents! :) Bad thing about this is that I don't take as many pictures as I should.

Group shot of all 9 grandkids.

Building a kid pyramid.

Elijah opening his gift.

VanDenBroek Christmas

Christmas Eve was spent with my family at Alex and Katie' s house. Here are a couple pictures of our evening.

Amelia showing us her princess jewelry box.

Ethan and Amelia both did a good job "assisting" Elijah in opening his gifts.

Ang gave Ethan a very cool CAT train set.

"It's all MINE!" This picture is a perfect example of a selfish kid! Elijah didn't want to share the toy he was riding with his cousin so we got out another one for Logan to ride. Elijah thought he needed this one to. Since he couldn't ride both of them at the same time he just sat on one and held on the the other so Logan couldn't get on. I think Mark and I will need to work harder on this kid!

This & That

I'm a little behind in my posting so here's a few of my favorite pictures from the past week.

Ferguson Christmas party - the kid table.

Cassia & I took a tummy picture together, she is due 12/28/09 & I'm due 2/10/10.

Kid's picture in front of the tree on Sunday.

Someone's not in the Christmas spirit!

Amelia looking so sweet.

Naughty Elijah! Lately I've been putting lotion on the kids since it's so dry. Unfortunately, Elijah thinks everything is lotion, including my hair paste (shown above). He also thinks Mark's deodorant and chapstick belong on his face.

VanDenBroek Christmas

Last weekend we had our VanDenBroek Christmas at the cabin. This confused the kids a little. They were expecting their Boender cousins to be there since it was at Grandma Boenders cabin. I told them both families are getting to big to have a party in a house so we will be going to the cabin for lots of parties. :) This worked out perfectly and I've already be told to reserve it for next year! Thanks to Grandma & Grandpa Boender for the cabin use!

A family picture in front of the fire place.

Grandparents with the grandkids.

Aunt Jean brought four very nice Jumbo puzzles that the kids enjoyed putting together. They also had fun dropping a little ball to Alex from the loft. I'm so glad they're easily entertained.

VanDenBroek Baking Day

For the past several years I've gotten together with my mom, sister & sister-in-law to make Christmas treats. It's always a lot of fun for the kids and a little bit of work for the rest of us. :) Thanks for the pictures Ang!

Grandma helping Ethan Decorate his cookie.

Two happy little helpers.

Making Oreo Balls with Aunt Katie.

Um, is that my kid licking the counter top?

My job, decorating sugar cookies.

Farm Bureau Annual Meeting

Last week Mark and I enjoyed a couple days without kids at the FB annual meeting in DesMoines. We always enjoy our time with the young farmer committee! The following pictures were taken at the meeting. I didn't have my camera with me for the fun stuff. :)

The young farmer committee.

We have a discussion meet contest at our Young Farmer Conference in January and the top 4 contestants train and then compete at the annual meeting. This is a picture of the top 4. Dustin in the beige suit was our winner.

Our YF President Jody on the right and Vice President Randy on speaking at the award luncheon.

Bruce Vincent, a logger from Montana, was our keynote speaker. I really enjoyed his down-to-earth speech about his life and the struggles he deals with being a logger.

Disney Princesses on Ice

The Friday after Thanksgiving Amelia got to go to Disney's Princesses on Ice with Emily, Kristen and her cousin Rachel. She didn't know exactly what it was or what to expect, but was VERY excited to have another "girls" day out. A couple days before the show Bethany and Erika DB came over to play. They were also going to the show. I had to laugh when I overheard them talking about the upcoming event. The conversation started with Bethany telling Amelia how she got to go with her grandparents to watch the Princesses. Then Amelia said "But I get to go with Kristen and Emily! But me and Rachel don't get to ice skate. We just get to watch Emily and Kristen skate with their princes Kurt and Karl." :) Princes Kurt and Karl! That's too funny :) A very special thanks to Kristen and Emily for taking the time to do this fun "girl" activity with the them!

Emily, Amelia, Kristen and Rachel

Emily and Amelia

All the princesses and their princes.

Cinderella waving

The seven dwarfs.

Thanks for all the pictures Kristen!

To top off the night Amelia and Rachel got Princess gifts, what spoiled little girls!

Fall Music Program

Last week Ethan had his annual Fall Music Program. It was based on this years school theme "I will follow Jesus... Matthew 16:24" The kids did a great job singing and I really enjoyed the actions the younger students did with their songs. Our music teachers do a wonderful job teaching the kids.

Ethan in the front row in red.

Ethan in the second row.

The K-5th singing.

Farm Picture

This is a picture of our farm taken on October 16.

Mark's Bath Buddy

After enjoying a beautiful afternoon riding motorcycle Mark was ready for a shower. He had quite the surprise when he went to get in! We had a little bat hanging from our shower curtain! To make matters worse this is the bathroom in our bedroom. Think I'll be sleeping with my head under the blankets tonight.

Not what you what to see when you go to pull the shower curtain closed!

We usually don't have to many critters in our house. He was our first bat and hopefully the last!

Mark took him outside where he belongs.

More Harvest Pictures

Harvest is going smoothly despite rain every three days. We finished all our own crops yesterday and are hoping to finish up custom work in the next couple days. Then its on to lots of custom anhydrous and field work.

Saturday we finished up our corn.

The combine is a little muddy, as it has been all fall, just like my kids!

The classic "Get out of my space" fight. Hmmm, what will next year bring with another kid.

Elijah happy to sit on top of the buddy seat next to Amelia.

Today I drove the tractor and grain cart, Amelia was my helper.

Gotta love when your husbands only instructions for the day are "what ever you do don't hit the new trailer." I need more help than that my dear! :)

You know your a farm kid when your afternoon nap is in the combine. :)

Mark working at Mark Jansen's farm.

Another shot at the Jansen farm just before lunch. There's an extra bonus when you work for him, he always brings out buffalo burgers for lunch or supper! Good Stuff!

Autumn Acres

Amelia, Elijah and I went to Autumn Acres last week with several other moms & kids from our church group. Amelia loved playing with her cousins in the different areas. Elijah was very shy until it was time to leave, it only took him 1 hour and 45 minutes to warm up to the place!

Towards the end of our morning I put Elijah with Amelia on this little ride. He loved it!

Amelia trying to do the apple sling shot. It didn't go so well. :)

Everyone's favorite the big slide! This picture is of Rachel & Amelia.

Playing in the corn box.

Elijah playing in a tire tube. Bigger kids pile them 4 or 5 high with someone in the middle then take turns pushing each other over.