Little criminal

Oooh la la what a lovely drawing Travis

Found the perfect blank canvas

Tyler attends preschool Tuesdays and Thursdays. Those days are supposed to be days I get a break...Yea right.  Travis has other ideas that includes drawing on walls, drinking and spitting out juice, covering my carpet with crushed pretzels and half eaten apple slices, throwing all my neatly folded laundry on the floor, playing with all food (especially yogurt), demanding his mother hook up toy trailers again and again and again..., climbing up on top of table tops,  biting his sweet mother, terrorizing his brother's room, and other nefarious activties.  I am always reminded on these days how much Tyler entertains his little brother.  We do have sweet moments but I do fantasize (obsess) about nap time.

sweet brothers

I have been remiss when it comes to updating my blog.  I have been inspired by a few bloggers out there about updating weekly.  What is going on in our lives kind of update.   Do you think I can keep up....I know I know I have serious doubts too.

We had a snow earlier this week.  We bundled up and headed outside.  That is a feat in itself due to the fact that it take 15-20 mins to put on our snow gear. The snowflakes were fat and heavy with moisture.  The windless plains allowed the flakes to float down and land softly on the boys.   Each point of the snowflake stood out on their dark snow coats.   I always like documenting snow because it is so rare lately.  The drought is still in full force.  Yesterday the temperature reached 66.   It was nice to air out the house and spend a few hours soaking up the vitamin D, but I would truly wish there was a few inches of snow on the ground considering it's only January.

On another and much more exciting note I pre-ordered my chicks.  Do I detect some eye rolls...Chickens are cool!  I went with the multi-varitey approach.  My selections include Buff Orpingtons,   Rhode Island Reds, Speckled Sussex, Easter Eggers, Barred Plymouth Rock, Columbian Wyandotte, and Welsummers.  Despite continuous internal debate I decided to get roosters, a Buff Orpington and a Barred Plymouth Rock.  We are to receive them the week of April 22nd.

I am also researching gardening techniques.  I am interested in companion planting and having a winter garden (cold/warm frames).  The simplest website I found about companion planing is here: http://simplehomemade.net/companion-planting/  I am basing placement of veggies and flowers on the websites advice.  Also reading a Self Sufficient Life by John Seymour.  Hopefully all this work will pay off.  Travis will be two by that time and maybe just maybe will be manageable in the garden.  I am planning on having a digging and excavating area in the garden filled with diggers and trucks.

Today I walked in on the boys and they were being so sweet.  Both were laying in Tyler's bed.  I like to capture these moments because they are so fleeting and very rare.

The Heritage of Harvest

Grand-dad and Tyler

On our farm harvest is closing.  The year has been a wild ride.  Record breaking heat and lack of moisture brought stress and pure amazement at Mother Nature's whims.  When you think you have it figured out she will throw you a curve ball.  I always like to take my children out and take pictures this time of year.  The backdrop of the cornstalks is brilliant in repetition and bright in color.  Even though the backdrop is glorious the primary reason remains documenting our family's and my boys' heritage.

Somewhere my side of the family distanced themselves from our German heritage.  I do not know how to make streusel, sauerkraut, or anything generically German. (Don't get me wrong I love a good Octoberfest.)  Generations ago my relatives shed their native heritage (and even changed their last name) and became American.  We also do not celebrate my husband's family native roots.

Now our inheritance has been and is the family farm for many, many generations (on both sides).  I am especially humbled at harvest, during this time we discover what our hard work was worth.  Our farm is about family and stabilizing and enriching our boys' roots.  Whether or not they choose to farm they will always have a heritage.

Grand-dad Tyler, and Travis

Hi Dad!!

Jammin' at the Pedal the Plains

Pedal the Plains is a 3 day grand tour of the Plains totaling 168 miles.  Bike riders start in Yuma to Wray, Wray to Burlington, and ending Burlington to Yuma.  The boys and I waved big waves as they made their way by our house.  At each town they stop off there is food, music, and general celebration (and perhaps an economical boost). 

We headed down south to Burlington to meet Granny and Pa.  Pa's band Highway 385 would be playing.  Tyler enjoyed the continuous sugar high from cupcakes and Travis wanted to explore all the buildings in Old Town.  Antiques and baby do not make good combination.  The petting zoo delighted Tyler and fascinated/freaked out Travis.   It truly was a great time and maybe? a yearly event.  I think next time I would like to check out the beer garden.  

Tyler and Granny checking out all the buildings.  Tyler's favorite was the jail....hmm...

Travis was enchanted by this little girl.  

Pa warming up

Highway 385 band

We don't see this everyday going by our house