Pretty Pumpkins

Well, our wish of a nice mild fall has yet to arrive so we're still bundling up to go outside. Doesn't sound like the weather will be getting any better in the coming weeks either. Thankfully Joe has been in a pretty good mood despite the fact that this could be the worst fall since he started farming. Back and forth from beans to corn and back... even drying beans in the dryer... ugh, can't wait till everything is black and Santa is coming down the chimney :) Speaking of chimney's, Joe made our first fire of the year. I just love the smell of a real wood fire. It reminds me of growing up. Dad always had a fire going in the winter. Seems like yesterday!

Our fall display by our front door

Welcome to the Loula's!

One of our huge pumpkins.

Ashlyn wouldn't look up at me,

she was a little nervous about sitting up so high :)

Babies and Purses

Ashlyn has really been into babies and purses. She loves to push her baby around in the stroller, cuddle it and give it a bottle. So CUTE! Such a sweet little mommy.

Digging for her phone in her purse

Hello? Grandma is that you?

Farm Life

There are so many times that we walk out the front door and I think to myself that I'm so lucky. I have a wonderful husband who I love more every day and I have this amazing privilege of being a stay at home mom. Living on the farm is just so much fun (and A LOT of work!). There is ALWAYS something to "do". I'm glad that Ashlyn loves being outside since we as a family spend a lot of time outside. Right now exploring is Ashlyn's passion. There is always a new rock to lift, a dark corner to explore and trouble to get into! Most days I have a few things that need to get done outside like taking the garbage out or turning on the feeders for the pigs and after we get done with that I basically just follow her around and let her do her thing. It's just so fun to watch her learn. Life is good!

Chilly days

Here dad, I found a few kernels

for you to put in the bin

The girl loves to drive anything!

Making sure that everything is running smoothly

Looks like I need to help clean up....

Grandpa Tim would be proud... picking up spilt corn =)

Haning out in the shop

I feel like I've fallen behind with my blogging. Ashlyn doesn't let me get away with going on the computer without trying to help me. I'm sure you can guess that she's not much help, she loves to sit on my lap and bang on the keyboard and move the mouse!

Ashlyn hanging out in the shop a few weeks ago when the weather was still nice and warm :)

Pumpkin Patch

Ashlyn went to Grandma's Little Acre a couple weeks ago to pick out pumpkins. She had fun sitting in the big "chair" and running around checking out all the different shapes and sizes. She also got a couple pumpkins from cousins Jared and Chloe and a couple huge ones from our neighbors Kenny and Sandy. Our yard looks very festive... I'll post some pictures when the snow melts!

Little Number 4

Ashlyn and I went out to G&G Loula's to watch the Vikes game this afternoon. Ashlyn was sporting her Favre jersey. So cute!

Pregame workout...

Ashlyn checking out the inside of our new desk

Outdoor fun

Ashlyn just LOVES to be outside. She loves to go explore our whole yard... from the garden where she picks her own tomatoes to eat (literally), walking around the bins, looking at the pigs through the curtain and checking out the dark corners of the machine shed. I think she could give Dora a run for her money :)

Look what I got!

Petting the dog with daddy

Trying to give a "hug" to puppy's wagging tail

Tiling Machine

Joe was tiling the wheat feild about a month ago and Ashlyn wanted to check things out. She just loves big machinery that's loud :)

Daddy driving the tiling machine and Jeff pulling the extra tile.

Ashlyn sitting and bouncing on the tile

Her shirt says "I make dirt look good"

Watching daddy move to start a new line. What a weird looking machine!

Lawn Mower

We've been trying to enjoying the last few warm days before the real fall weather gets here. We put her little pool on the deck and she enjoyed that for a few days earlier this week. Our tomatoes are finally turning so we've been picking and freezing them to can later. Joe has been busy getting equipment ready for harvest and Ashlyn has taken every opportunity to help him in the shop. She loves to turn the steering wheel and honk the horn. We're going to have to keep the keys out of everything!

Ashlyn helping mow the lawn.

(thanks to Jon & Kristin for the mower!)

the flowers must have looked like they need a trim :)

all done!

six wheeler

Ashlyn LOVES to ride on daddy's six wheeler. He says the faster he goes, the tighter she squeezes his hand! So cute.

Planting Trees

Helping daddy plant our new oak tree that Grandpa Tim gave us. Ashlyn had fun scooping the black dirt back into the hole. She pretty much likes anything that involves getting dirty!

Splish Splash

The other day we were playing outside and Ashlyn decided to check out Gauge's water dish. It started out pretty innocent, a little splash here and there.... then there were sticks being thrown in... and then she wanted to get in! I tried to stop her at first but then I thought, what the heck? She was having such a good time and it was making me laugh!

Dishwasher

Every time the dishwasher door opens Ashlyn comes running to check things out. She loves to take out the silverware and stand on the door. Little does she know that someday this job will be on her chore list! :)