Little Watson Watches Papa Write A Sermon

Anna has informed us that Owen and Watson are going to go to papa's school when they are bigger. She claims that they can be preachers and that she can be a talker. Here I have explained, in simple terms, some of the steps to move from exegesis to homiletics. I am not sure how interested he is though.

Klackel Farms

I have been meaning to post these for a couple of days and Blogger was not cooperating. Tante Heidi came up last weekend and we had an awesome time. It was very low key- a lot of hanging out time, watching Planet Earth (which comes highly recommended), and playing with the kids. Of course, she brought a boat load of toys and gifts for the kids. They loved it!

On Saturday we could not decided to break out the lederhosen or the flannels. We chose the flannels and headed out to Klackel Farm for some autumn fun. It was a nice trip to Greenville, very sunny and bright- and windy.
We were greeted by the mayor of Greenville who welcomed us to the Farms. He assured us that there was plenty to do: hay rides, apple picking, cider mill tours, races, games, and tons of fun!
Watson was less than impressed. He thought that sleeping through most of it would be the appropriate thing for a 6 week old to do.
Anna and Owen raced around the track. They needed a lot of help. These little tractors are steel and VERY heavy. I am not sure how a 4 year-old could peddle them.
Here is Lydia and Watson picking apples. We picked Jonagolds which were so tasty. Owen and I both ate two while picking.
Here is Owen with his little treat. Notice he does not fool around- one in each hand! Let me assure you that we were given permission to eat as we gleaned. The only rules were no throwing apples and don't abandon your children in the orchard and pick them up at the end of November.
For some reason, Anna was able to stuff the most apples into her 1/2 pint bag. I bet she got 3 or 4 more than the rest of us!

Here the kids are petting a donkey. There was this 'petting farm' there that a bunch of strange-o types were running. They had giant cockroaches and beetles and spiders- all the things needed for a petting zoo! They even had those giant African cockroaches for sale at $5 a head. That is all anyone would ever need- an epidemic of roaches bigger than the dog for the price of a venti latte with an extra shot of espresso!
They also had these little barrel rides there. One of the Klackel boys was pulling this train around on his tractor. Anna did not want anything to do with this! Owen thought that it was the coolest thing ever.
Here is Heidi again. She is trying to escape from the children. I guess she was trying to get them lost in the maze. We were going to try the corn maze as well- but it was like 5 acres of maze. No thanks.
As we headed back to Grand Rapids we stopped at the famous Rosie's diner for an olive burger and a shake. No body told the new owners, but 'homemade olive dressing' is not sliced olives. It was good anyways. It is always interesting to go to a diner and see what the future was supposed to look like 50 years ago. Lots of steel- too bad the future was all plastic.
We all rested on the way home... except me.... I drove instead.

It has finally reached us here in west Michigan. Last week was 89 degrees. Today is roughly 50 degrees. The leaves are falling- soon we will have a blanket of snow. Home bound is close at hand.

Today when Lydia was making lunch I heard the camera being used. I looked around and told Owen to put the camera back. He obeyed cheerfully and this picture was what he took: it is kind of funny seeing his view on our lives.
Watson is finally smiling at ME. Me...Nathan....Nate....ME... I have been the one that Anna and Owen smiled at when they were teeny-tinys- but this kid seems to like Lydia WAY better than me! She looks at him and he smiles brightly. I look at him and he grimaces and requires a hand off to mama.

Notice the good cheeks. Where would a kid get such chubby cheeks? Must be some new flaw in the gene pool? Any rate, Anna thinks they are more than kissable!

Owen is the nap master these days. Lydia and I were just discussing how Anna quit taking naps one day and has only taken a handful since. This little guy is told to lay on the couch and within 5 minutes he is sawing logs.
Here is another one of Anna with Watson. What a sweet helper.
One more of the cheeks and a cheeky grin for mama!
Aunt Heidi is coming today and we will have more pictures from this weekend soon. We are not sure if we are going to German Fest or that Klackel Farms? Any suggestions? (And yes, we have lederhosen for the kinder.)

Opa Meet Watson; Watson, Opa.

Opa and Oma Malysa came to visit on Tuesday. Oma was here with Tante Heidi when Watson was born, but Opa had not met him yet. Of course Princess Molly wanted to come and to see him as well. We had a really nice visit, despite Oma not feeling well.
Here is a nice family picture. We took Molly for a walk and Owen and Anna walked her. They loved it, of course!
Molly's eyes are not good these days. She is about 17 years old! What an old brat. We love her.
Here is Larry with Watson. Watson was quite content and sweet the whole time.
Here is Oma with little Owen and Molly. We really think that Owen is quite cute, but his grins look so mischievous.
We have a few more pictures that Larry sent. If I have time, I will put them up as well... I think Heidi is coming on Friday too?? There will be some pictures there as well, I am sure!

Little Ellie

Today the Vedras stopped over for a visit. We talked about Ellie and her continued hospitalization. We had great prayer together. The church really needs to continue to pray for the Vedras. Continue to pray for the doctors to have much wisdom. Check updates here.