A Boy, A Farm, and Tractors

These two boys played so well together all weekend. From drawing with sidewalk chalk, to pushing each other on the swing, to digging in the rock pile, to riding the four-wheeler, to picking up walnuts with grandpa. Anything Tayler did, Cohan wanted to try. Tayler wanted to help him with everything; Cohan wanted to try everything himself.

I was looking for Cohan, and walked to the back of the house behind a barn. This is what I saw. My dad had heard a tractor spraying fertilizer on the field. He took Cohan back to see. These are the moments when I wish we lived closer. Cohan loves my dad so much. He is a very lucky boy to have this land that he can always come to and a grandpa that would love to show him every inch of it.

This is one of my favorite pictures from the weekend. All the most important men in my life. I couldn't be luckier. I would say the only thing missing is my grandpa.

Our little witch.
He loves Grandma Chris...

Tayler and Cohan did Pop-Its on the sidewalk for a long time. After they were done throwing them, they jumped up and down the sidewalk trying to find more.

After a yummy breakfast on Sunday morning, Cohan and Talyer got to open their Halloween bags from Grandma Chris and Grandpa. Cohan was excited about all the books, fruit snack, animal crackers and paddle ball he got.

Gary, who farms the family farm, was over the night before for the bonfire. He told us he was going to be harvesting the corn the next morning. He used to take us on rides in the combine when we were little. I was so excited that Cohan was going to get to take a ride on one for the first time on my family farm. We knew he was coming, but wasn't sure when.

As we were finishing breakfast and opening Halloween bags, the kids heard a big noise outside. Everyone went out to see. As soon as Cohan caught a glimpse, he immediately started yelling, "TRACTOR!!!" He loves "tractors." It could be a riding lawn mower, a bulldozer or even a backhoe, this little boy will yell tractor. He loved his first ride on the combine.

A man and his farm...

Here are a few of the videos that I got Sunday morning. I took the first two while Cohan was on the combine with Scott and Gary. The last one was him waiting for his turn (while Tayler and Tyler were on it) . He kept yelling, "TRACTOR!!" Cohan has watched each one a few times. Each time he is as excited as the first time he watched it. Had we known he'd watch it and love it this much, I would have recorded more!!!

After we left, we stopped at the main farm house, where my grandpa lives. He is 97 years old. As Cohan was running around the house, trying to stomp on my grandpa's shoes, and playing with their dog, my Grandpa gave me some of the best advice. He looked at Cohan and told me to slow down. Savor each and every moment. Life goes too fast and before you know it you'll be old.

This weekend, I think I did just that.

Some of Our Favorite People

Scott, Cohan and I went home to Illinois last weekend for a weekend at the farm. My mom was in Wichita visiting my sister for Abby's boyfriend's book release party. Our plan was to head up to the farm Saturday afternoon. This meant that we had Friday and Saturday morning free.

When we got into Springfield Friday night, we called MeMo and Sarah and Tayler. They all met us at my mom's house. Tayler and Cohan played for a long time and Cohan stayed up a little too late!!! It didn't matter though, we loved seeing them have so much fun. Their giggles were contagious.

The next morning, we headed to breakfast with Colleen and Joe. Baby Stevens should be here soon. After breakfast, we headed to their house to check out the nursery. Cohan "tested" out lots of the toys. Can't wait to go home at Thanksgiving (that baby better be here by then) to hold the sweet baby. We all loved seeing Auntie Col Col and Uncle Joe.

GramMo's Fall Visit

It seems like this week has just flown by. By the time we get home from work, play with Cohan, cook dinner, go on our nightly walk and get Cohan ready for bed and read books, I am EXHAUSTED, and still have papers to grade and school planning!! So sorry I haven't posted these earlier!!

Last week we had an awesome surprise. My mom called on Thursday night and told us she was going to come and visit. We were SUPER excited!!! We had planned to take a trip to the pumpkin patch, so we were happy she could join us!! Cohan had been to this same place the weekend before, so he took off as soon as we arrived!!! The child has no fears... He loved all the animals.

Hay rides!

Cohan, mom and I got to hold baby bunnies. Made me want to take one home until the little fur balls starting nibbling.

We all loved the pumpkins we picked.

Stop and smell the flowers....

That night, after Cohan took about a four hour nap, we headed to Murray's for dinner. Cohan ate some of GramMo's steak and LOTS of my salad. We were impressed. We never order dessert, but Murray's has the best fruit crisp, so we indulged. Cohan loved it too.

Thanks mom for coming to visit!!!

When Scott and I first had Cohan, we promised each other that we would always take time away and do things without our kids. Even if it is just a dinner, working in the yard or a night away we have kept our promise. We love Cohan, but it is so good for us to have time away!!

This last weekend, we headed to Herman, Missouri for Octoberfest with my dad and step-mom for an awesome weekend away. I never knew Missouri had such great wineries. Octoberfest did not disappoint. We toured several wineries and microbreweries. Here are a few of our favorites.

The view at Oak Glenn was amazing. The trees were starting to turn and fall was in the air. Not to mention the AMAZING people watching. My stepmom, Chris, packed a picnic basket full of cheese, grapes, bread, apples, meats and crackers. It was an awesome day.

When we headed in town, there were great German polka dancers, kettle corn and people sitting enjoying the weather!

People sitting on the hills.
After a great day, we headed back to my dad's camper (more like a hotel), sat around the campfire and relaxed. On Sunday, we woke up, made breakfast and headed to Stone Hill winery.

While we were gone, Cohan went to stay with Nanny and Papa H. On Saturday, Cohan went with Nanny, Papa H, his cousins and aunts and uncles to a pumpkin patch. They all sent me pictures to show me how much fun he was having!!

They had told us how awesome this place was last year, and we were planning on taking Cohan this coming weekend to get our pumpkins for our house. Cohan will love going there two weekends in a row! More pictures to come after this weekend. We will take him to the Pumpkin Patch in the morning and then on Saturday afternoon are heading to a friend's farm for wiener roasts, tractor hayrides, smores and more!

I LOVE FALL!!!