Corn Harvest

The guys went to the Busenitz's farm yesterday to get in on a little bit of corn harvest.  John's favorite book is "God's Miracle - A Seed" which is about how corn grows and is harvested, and he had really been wanting to ride combine again ever since wheat harvest.  What was interesting is that, when he came in the door, the first thing he said was "Ben let me watch Andy Griffith on his ipod!". I guess that was more exciting then watching him cut corn. Then again, he did ride for 3 hours which is pretty long for a 2 year old!

Not sure what he is thinking, but this was the only picture Trevor took of him!

Boys Being Boys

A redneck dinner

No, Mom did not know about this till the picture got on the computer!!

Josiah, Mark, & Trevor had fun chasing down this rabbit last week!

Trevor set out these frames for the bees to clean out and Josiah and him decided to help.

Fun at Kientz's

Sunday, some friends from church had us over to see their puppy's and to play bluegrass music! 

Josiah & Luke Kientz

Ashley 

Leah Kientz had her hands full holding John and a puppy.

Susanna Kientz and Bethany

Matthew on the barn swing. Ok, this looks a little dangerous!!!

Playing with the goats.

::Playing Music::

Ashley: fiddle & dulcimer; Kara: fiddle; Bethany & Susanna Kientz: mandolin; Jonathan Kientz: banjo & mandolin; Trevor: banjo; Matthew Kientz & Matthew: guitar 

Playing "presidents"  

Thank you Kientz family for the enjoyable time of fun and fellowship.

Friday, September 25th

Family Vacation

Branson, Missouri

Day Six

This was our last day of vacation and we hit the road running trying to get everything in.

John and Bethany feeding the geese down below.

The first item on our list was to go hiking at the Ruth Henning State Park.

The next item on our list to do was to go watch a movie and tour some exhibits about Table Rock Dam. These pictures were taken outside the visitors center.

John insisted he needed to take his shoes off and go wading!

The last stop was the Fish Hatchery right below Table Rock Dam. Unfortunately, we only had about 10 minutes here before they closed.

John watching a holding tank of baby trout.

The kids spent some time at the volleyball court/playground.

All In A Days Time!

Saturday was a sunny day and everyone kept busy with different projects: 

The boys were outside cutting wood for this winter; no small task since we heat totally with wood. 

  

The older girls were busy in the kitchen making pies, cookies and cinnamon rolls!

This is the creation that one of the boys came up with, using the extra pie crust. 

Ashley took on the project of organizing the hall closet; with John's help!!

Thursday, September 24th

Family Vacation

Branson, Missouri

Day Five

This was our last day at SDC :-(

John was not thrilled about being put in jail. Of course, it didn't help that there was a man snoring in there!

Grandfather's Mansion

What's the problem, can't you guys sit up!! 

How many John's are there? 

Ashley and Mark racing frogs at the Frog Float.

The Giant Swing

Making walnut taffy. The family favorite though is "wildfire"; this flavor has to be eaten slowly!

Lunch Time

With the redoing of the parking lots, we found the perfect spot to be able to spread out and make lunch!

Ashley, Mom, and Emily on the "Magnificent Wave Carousel"

A family tradition at SDC, funnel cakes!!!!

Marvel Cave

This year some of us decided to take this cave tour as it had been a number of years and some of the kids never remembered being in it. We were grateful that Trevor and Matthew came along to be our pack horses and carry John! Thanks Guys!! This cave has right at 600 stairs, and about once every 2 weeks the tram out breaks down and you have to walk up and out; not this time :-)

Trying to see what the new ride is going to be:-) For the record, the person taking this picture also looked; didn't you Bethany?!!

Wildfire

The shirt that gives all the excuses for not riding .......

Mom's favorites, "I'm supervising, Someone needs to take the pictures, Someone has to watch the little kids...." (double-click to make pic. larger)

Ashley, Kara and Emily trying on hats!!!

Lost River of the Ozarks

We did this ride last as it was a little cool and you do get wet; especially when you have family members paying a quarter a piece to shoot additional water at you!! Thanks Dad and Emily!!!

Bethany reading to John in the evening.