Fantastic Farm

 Yes! More farm pictures. I just can't help it. The lighting, the big sky, it all makes for so many wonderful pictures.

 

A new baby arrived on the farm!

Signs of change

 Though the temps don't show it, it is fall. Our thermometer today reads nearly 90 but the leaves are changing and falling and collecting in piles below.  In attempts to urge my clients to book their fall photo sessions early, I set out to gather evidence that fall was in a hurry .

Next up- Grammy!

 Grammy was coming! And no one could wait. The days trickled by but finally, it was time to head to the airport to get her. Mack got to skip school- a surprise to Grammy and to her- so we loaded up the two kids and the ants in their pants and headed out. 

 It took no time at all before Grammy was whisked away , bouncing back and forth between kids room, patting this dog, scratching that one. Countless stories were read and I'm sure Grammy forgot what it was like to make a quick trip bathroom with out serious inquires about her planned duration coming from the other side of the door.

Mackenzie just couldn't imagine not taking Grammy to Hover park for some crawdad fishing.  After waiting out a torrential rain, she could finally show Grammy how it's done.

Crawdad fishing didn't hold Mason's attention long but the puddles left over after the rain storm, did.

Rainbow after the storm

Picture day landed on a day that Grammy was here. I decided to forgo school photos for some to my own liking. Mackenzie is wearing the dress Grammy brought her and the necklace Cass made for her.

Mr. Man wouldn't miss a chance for an early morning swing while I snap pics of Sister Girl

No one is ever lonely in our house.

Mason was excited to take Grammy to Petsmart. There were kittens there this day!

Tea party for three!

The kiddos and Grammy on her last night here. They're both wearing the vests she made for them. Hopefully we can meet Grammy in Michigan next summer!

Sister, sister

Life gets busy and sometimes you don't even have time to think about how much you miss someone. Then one day, you just find them in everything you do. That's how it was for me in Early August. I was really missing my sister, Nicole. I'd find a funny saying that I know she'd laugh at or a cute outfit or a song from our childhood would run across the forefront of my brain . Maybe it was because her birthday was coming or we'd had a few family events and noticed her absence-everywhere I went, there was a thought of Nikki, Pikki. Lucky for me, it was then that Ben surprised her with a visit to Colorado for her birthday. The weekend she was here was full and busy but I was so happy to have a " Nikki Fix" .  We attempted a photo shoot, the three of us, however it was quickly proven to a certain member of the family that composing a good photo isn't just clicking a button. Needless to say, the photos aren't public worth but they do provide a few laughs to those privy to seeing them.

Firsts

The first day of first grade was fairly uneventful. Mack had already explored her classroom from top to bottom at back to school night. Mack was up and ready to go and we walked to school where I waved as she joined a gaggle of girls and quickly forgot that I was there.  And so it goes, a new routine has developed. Mason is drowning in the windfall of attention that comes with being the only child at home during the day. Mack has missed her kindergarten teacher. First grade is very different. There is less singing and playing. While the teachers are all very nice, the children are treated like school-agers and , while there is plenty of friendliness , the warm-fuzzy feeling is a little muted. With that, though, comes more recess time and freedoms not afforded to young kids. Time will help her adjust to the difference. I hope it helps me miss her less . I love having more time to devote my attention to Mason but I do feel Mack's absence so much. This growing up is hard!

Last day of kinder, first day of first grade

Mr. Mason is having fun "painting"

Trickle down days

We are in the trickle down days of summer. School starts in three days which kind of thrusts me into " fall" thinking, even with me dragging my mental feet. So the back pack is stuffed, lunch box materials are at the ready, new shoes laces are ready to go in shoes that somehow still fit from last year. Eye doctor and dentist appointments have been made. The pool is down for the summer, my mind has switched to " next year in my garden" mode and I'm looking forward to putting the lawn mower away for the season.

My mind was pretty turbulent all summer long whenever my thoughts drifted to school and the impending decision about where to place Mackenzie this school year. I figured that surely something would assure me of a decision, one way or the other but it never did. My heart felt unsettled with every choice so my head kicked in, telling me that sometimes the best choice is no choice and so we have decided just to stay at Twombly until we have a definitive reason to look else where. Meeting Mackenzie's teacher, Ms. Martinez, and seeing that her classroom will be filled with sweet , familiar faces of several girls Mack has gotten along with before has helped to calm my fears. Ready or not, first grade is upon us. 

My friend Kristi wanted to find out where the sunflower
fields were . I couldn't resit more photos. You know, while I was there.

Mason ...Oh my goodness. I wish everyone person could experience his intoxicating ways of making people laugh. Despite his very " two" nature some days, he is really coming into his own person. His sense of humor blooms under the laughter he brings. One small giggle he causes only makes him try harder again to make someone laugh. Mason has been using the potty at his own will for a few months now. Some days he uses it a lot and others not at all . He has also learned to undress himself and these two components ( undressing and the peeing) have made for more interrupted naps that I care to have had. Finding a naked toddler in his crib , soaking wet, when I was thinking he was peacefully snoozing was not my idea of fun though the smile on his face and twinkle in his eye ( before his first naked time out) was hard to resist. Once things settle into a nice school time routine, we will tip toe towards potty training to see how he does. His most recent trip to the dentist office for a check up makes me glad that we get a six month break before the next once. Thank goodness for great office staff and a very helpful sister . We all narrowly survived.

Mike is really enjoying being on a day time routine. The change in his demeanor and energy levels are just amazing. We all enjoy his set schedule even though this means that he will miss every Michigan football game this season. He's been working to get his paramedic license back, too, as  way to bring in a little extra cash on weeks that he only works three days. He has decided to start small batch brewing , producing just a gallon of beer at a time. His first attempt wasn't a smooth one but with needing to buy less ingredients, hopefully he will be able to improve and brew more frequently.

I am busy as ever. My house is messier than it ever has been but the trade off is that I get to pursue my love of photography and rediscover " Missy" and not just " Babe " Mom" . I love being a wife and a mother but it's also nice to have a bit of time to do things that are just for me. I have steady business and new friendships thanks to my photography business and the good friends who support me by booking shoots. The extra income has been nice, too, though most of it goes right into savings . Of course, as it goes, things come up and large chunks are gobbled up before we can do anything fun . This is life and I'm happy to make things a little less tight all while doing what I enjoy and still being home with my kids.

This picture makes me grin because it captures Mason's energetic run . He has a definite "skip in his step" and his arms are always going. Maybe that's why he's so fast!

Still, we are counting down to an exciting visit from Grammy in just a few weeks and a surprise visit from Nikki just before that !  The next few weeks will likely crawl by, heavy with anticipation!

A photo shoot last week took me past this wonderful barn. I'd actually been eying it for a long time but I could never make it over to take the photos during the evening hours . This barn and the land it's on is for sale . My long time friend and fellow landscape photography enthusiast and I thought it would make a great photo studio/entertainment hall.

Almost a pro

I showed Mack how to take a picture . She is certain she's " almost a professional " . It may be true but I did feel an internal wince as she ran off into the field to take more pictures . This photo may be my favorite ever of her .

I've been taking lots of pictures of this smile ( not always mustached ) because , at her dentist appointment, Dr. Rachel said Mack's teeth first baby should be falling out any time now. I want to remember that baby smile forever.