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.

Church Picnics

Today we had a church picnic. It was at the Bonner's house and was a ton of fun. Almost everyone was there, including our most elder members.
We got a game of good ol' whiffle-ball together and I was talked into playing (with the assurance that there were 2 nurses present and others who know CPR). Mrs. Brandt played too which was awesome seeing her hit the ball and run the plates.

Long and short- I hit. I ran. I know.... its funny to me too.

They Say It Happens

I never thought that I would be one of those dads. You know, the one with 10,000 pictures of the first born, 5000 of the second born, and less than 10 of the third. Well... guess what? Want to see some pictures of Anna and Owen?

Here is the play-thing that Auntie Linda donated. She bought it for George . I told her that she can have it back when George and Olivia (the name I am giving the next Baby P until (s)he is born) move back to Grand Rapids. Of course, they can pick it up here as well in their James. Here is Anna with a big stick. She thinks that it is cute.
Okay, I guess there were a few of Owen's new toy on the camera after all. Watson is shown here being pushed in the baby stroller.
Anna stopped for a pose.
They wanted to try to push him together as well.
Here is my mother with Watson and the blanket that she made for him. She stayed for a week and was a huge help. All that hard work resulted in needing back surgery again and a torn rotor thingy. Don't sue me!
Here is Owen and a computer enhanced image of what he will look like at 57....oh wait, that is my dad.
This is one of Anna's crazy shots. I always love these random pictures.
And one after the house slid into the cliff...
And ending with Owen with a soap beard. Too bad we cannot take pictures of our own soapy beards in the shower. They are so much fun!

Some New Watson Picutures

Here is Anna snuggling with her little brother. She wants to do this quite often.
Here is one where we are breaking the rules of the Academy of Pediatrics. Do not try this at home:
Enjoying the pillow and a little drool.
Elfkin ears... just like Anna had.
To the right.
To the left.
Ahhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We are all falling!!

Miss Ellie Rose Vedra

Please welcome Miss Eleanor Rose Vedra into the world with us. Miss Ellie was born to Adam and Emily Vedra on Wednesday. She was 6 lbs 5 ounces and 20.25" long.

At the present time Miss Ellie is in the NICU at Saint Mary's on Jefferson. There are some serious medical conditions that are requiring her to spend some time at De Vos Children's Hospital.

Please check updates here on her condition and remember her in your prayers. Remember Adam, Emily, Noah, and Seth as well. Pray that the Lord sustains them through this trial. May God's name be glorified and the church learn of God's goodness toward us!

Again?

In September of 2005 there was a most horrid blog post about our dog Sam. Must it happen again?

Schnauzer for sale: $0.01

Whata Weekend With Watson!

This was a very special weekend for our family. Besides Watson getting baptized, we had some special visitors as well.

Here is Mrs. Lanning giving Watson a kiss. He is in the very special baptism gown that she made out of Lydia's wedding dress. All three of our children were baptized in it and we hope that it will stay in our family for generations to come. Maggie spent the weekend with us. She slept in the boy's room and Owen had to crawl in with her at 8AM to make sure that she did not sleep the day away.
Here is the Grand Rapids Commission of the RPCNA. We had a long weekend of examinations, family interviews, and hours of great Christian fellowship. James Faris was unable to be in this picture, but he is on the Commission as well.
Here is a goofy picture of the smiling Eshelman women. It looks like Brian is trying to snuggle up to my mom... but I assure you that this is not the case!
Here is another of Linda with Watson. She deserves two pictures since she made the dress. Today is Linda's tenth 40th birthday as well!
Here is Rev. Lanning with us. He has had the privledge of baptizing all three of our children. I cherish the pictures of him with them after the baptism. He gave a moving sermon as well as on Jesus's view of children. It is worth listening to again.
And one of the family. Watson was the picture perfect baby through the whole baptism. He slept the whole time!
* * * * * * * *Sorry, Bruce, no turkey pictures as of yet. I will get the video for Watson and make sure he memorizes all of the tips. You will have to take him hunting though... I gave it up after grandpa dropped me in the river!