Grandchildren at the Siemens Farm

Since I don't want to listen to the presidential debate, the Cubs game makes me a little nervous, and I have sewn all I am going to sew on Owen's quilt tonight, I have just been thinking....about my favorite little people.

For the past seven days we have had time to spend individually, in small groups, and in large groups with the kids.

Thursday - October 13  Since Megan and Matt had Parent-Teacher Conferences, I picked up Cooper at Auntie's house to take him home.  Well, I varied that a little bit.  I met Hilary, Blaine, and Cooper, Tessa, and Owen for lunch at Chick-Fil-A.  Little did I know how popular that place is for young mothers and their children for lunch during the week.  Oh my!  I did have a great time with my two lunch companions, however.  We all completely finished our meals before we re-joined Auntie and Owen (who were sitting at the table behind us with Uncle Blane) to go to Hobby Lobby.

Later after Landon came home from school and Cooper and I had no dinner plans, all four kids plus Hilary and I went to McAlisters for dinner.  Good times!  Cooper and I were home probably 20 minutes when his folks came home from school.

Friday, October 14

It was Landon's last fall baseball game.  Gary and I went to watch him play, and Aunt Megan and Cooper were there also.  Once again - all four kids in one spot at one time.
Landon had three at bats, struck out the first time, had a nice hit but only made it to first before another runner struck out, then had a nice hit to left field and made it to second and stayed until the third out.  He didn't score, but he did have two hits!  Cooper was standing at the fence, watching his cousin play ball.  He yelled, just like he yells at the players for his daddy's team at Clinton Prairie.




Landon is getting ready to bat while Cooper watches.

After the game we had a late supper at Arni's in Rossville, then the kids learned that they were coming home with us for Friday night, which extended into Saturday night, then into Sunday when the camper pulled in and was set up in the back yard.

Saturday, Sunday, Monday October 15, 16, 17 - Farming with Papaw.  Visiting Grammy.  Landon and Papaw sleeping on the pull out in the fireplace room.  Tessa sleeping in the big bed with Mamaw.  Owen in the pack-n-play in Aunt Megan's old room.  Lots of fun.  Many memories.

 
Landon with his walking stick Papaw made for him.


Tessa ready for a wedding reception - what a beautiful Princess!

Monday, October 17 - Hilary, Owen, and I went to Bridgton to the Covered Bridge Festival. The weather was perfect.  The crowds were large, but manageable.  However, a bug had attacked me during the night and I felt lousy. Aches.  Sore throat. Ear pain.  Just horrible. 



On the way home we picked up Cooper and brought him back with us.  Now all four of the kids were at Mamaw and Papaw's house.  The big kids moved out to the camper.  Cooper slept on the pullout with Papaw. Poor Owen was still in the pack-n-play in Aunt Megan's room.

Tuesday, October 17 - All four kids went with Hilary and Blaine to Grandma Jan's while I visited Lindsey for a haircut.  One thing that I appreciate about our families is that the strict family lines are blurred in some areas.  I remember meeting Aunt Catherine, Uncle Jim, Aunt Madeline, Auntie Ann, Uncle Bud, Uncle George and knowing that they were all Gary's uncles and aunts but because I met them at the same time at an event for one side of the family or the other, I wasn't really sure who were the siblings and who were the in-laws.  It took me a while to figure it all out, especially when there were cousins involved also.  Cooper calls Jan 'Grandma Jan' just like Landon and Tessa do.  He thanked her when I picked him up and gave her a hug when we left.  He has called Blaine's brother Uncle Alex because that is what the Landon and Tessa call him, and Alex thinks that is great!  I am glad that our families can blend in that respect.  Our grandchildren cannot have too much love, can they? 

Tuesday evening all four kids were playing in the backyard, running around the campfire.  Playing hide-and-seek.  Playing with flashlights.  Chasing cats. Good fun. Great memories.

Wednesday, October 18 - Hilary and Blaine packed up and went home.  Cooper was still here.  Some one-on-one time with our favorite 3 year old redhead.  When his folks picked him up at Grammy's house this afternoon, he really didn't want to go home.  He wanted to stay with us. I know that he missed his mommy and daddy, but it made me feel good that he wasn't super excited to leave us.



Our grandchildren.  We can't get enough of them.  Really.  We are so fortunate that they live close enough to visit us often.  We are blessed that we have the time to drive to their houses and help out when needed.  We are also very blessed that our daughters and their husbands realize just how important family is to us and to our daughters. 

Nothing would I change about the six days of grandchildren at the Siemens farm. Well, maybe one thing.  It would have been more fun if I hadn't been sick for part of it!