A Walk Down Our Country Lane

Here in Arizona, we are coming into a most lovely time of year.  

Cool nippy nights, but moderately warm days.

I love this part of Arizona!  Four moderate seasons, gorgeous skies and mountains, and low humidity.

The boys and I took a nice walk the other day and enjoyed the lovely scenery.

This is Cocoa, mother of fifteen - seven living.....as best we can tell.

I never liked cats at all until we started having them for mouse patrol.

Cocoa is more like a dog, following us everywhere.  And the best part?

WE HAVE NOT SEEN ONE SINGLE SNAKE ON OUR PROPERTY THIS YEAR!!

Boys...puddles...mud........no words necessary.

The bell we brought all the way from Nebraska!

Muscle man Isaac loads up the cat food!

After a quick trip out to the garden, Joshua's shirt holds tonight's dinner tomatoes!

Well, that's a short recap of our afternoon walk the other day.

I feel so blessed to have this view to the north and to enjoy God's wonderful creation!

So peaceful!

Life is Crazy These Days.........

I thought life was so incredibly busy when I had all six children at home.  

What on earth was I thinking?  With just the youngest three, PLUS a new granddaughter, life is moving at an alarming pace!  

This post has no specific theme - just the randomness of our lives!!

At this particular time, my schedule revolves around Her Royal Majesty,

Miss Elenna!  I have committed to help Rachel out with babysitting so that she can successfully

finish her last year of nursing school.  

Besides......it's SO FUN!!!!!

The boys have been taken out of their comfort zone by doing school on the road!

It's been good for them, and they are doing pretty well at it so far.

Rachel's a great mom and she and David are certainly enjoying being

new parents.

Yes, you're seeing correctly - Elenna has had her first pedicure!

Grandpa Krause came to visit for the morning and enjoyed the little bundle!!!

He says our children were never that small.

Hmmmmm

We had another weekend visit to the lake a few weeks back with some friends, which was relaxing for Joe and  the boys.  Me?  Not so much.  But the weather was nice and it was fun watching them, and  visiting with the other ladies.

This is the view that greeted us as we arrived at the designated spot.......

Then........this happened.  Not just a blowout, but a "shred-out".  There was nothing

left of this tire on our travel trailer.  But fortunately, Joe - the ultimate "always prepared

boy scout" had a spare!

Isaac is a WILD MAN!!!!

Boy, did he love going on the jet ski with Joe!

Now for a bit of an update on David, who is a Junior this year.

He opted to do Cross Country this fall, and even made it into the newspaper!

He is also participating in the Future Soldier Program.  He's a bit early for that because you have

to be 17, but the recruiter was nice enough to let him join in the weekly activities.

He's ready to join the Army any day now, so this helps him keep his focus until he can!

We were all ready for the Super Blood Moon Eclipse.  

Joe was cooking on the grill at the time, so we all just enjoyed the beautiful

view to the east.

So that's what's been happening in our neck of the woods these days.

Whew.......I'm glad I got caught up.

I'll leave you with one more photo of the little princess.

Shopping With Rachel and Elenna!

Yesterday, Rachel was ready to get out and get some shopping done.......with her new daughter!  

She is not allowed to drive or lift much of anything yet, and with David at work, it was

 Grandma to the rescue......... with Uncle Isaac and Uncle Joshua, of course!

Miss Elenna was properly decked out with her hair bow for her first shopping trip!

We went to Target and Walmart before Rachel ran out of energy,   It was quite a circus 

with me loading everything (including the baby) into the car and dropping Rachel 

off and picking her up at the curb.  

But we got the errands done and Elenna slept the entire time.

Isn't she just precious?

Elenna - The Joy of New Life!

Joe and I are officially grandparents!

Elenna was born to Rachel and David on Thursday, August 27th.

All are healthy and well, and God has truly shown His love and mercy to everyone.

Isn't she just precious?

Rachel looks lovely, even after the rigors of giving birth!

We went down to see this sweet little family early this morning.  

 Isaac and Joshua were so excited!

I was so thrilled to get to hold this little 5 1/2 pound bundle!

Isaac was fascinated with this little baby girl and kissed her and 

touched  her all afternoon! 

He was amazed that Elenna's eyes were open - he thought babies were

like kittens, who don't open their eyes for several weeks.

Joshua, not so much.  He was very tentative in touching her and after holding her promptly

went back to his shark book - thank you, Courtney!

David got his turn, too.  He couldn't get over how small she was, and Rachel and I

both reminded him that his birth weight was very similar!

And now.......Grandpa Krause!

Isaac......the camera is over here!!!!!
Look at me!

Rachel, the new mama, looking radiant!

Little Miss Elenna, you are much loved!  

We pray for God's blessing on your life, and that you will love Him 

and follow Him all of your days.