Boys and trains...

Izaac at Camp Stanhope for the long weekend and he's had a small circle of track and a train, but today we got some more track and signs, and the boys put it together and discussed 'switching' mechanisms, etc.

In the end, I'm not sure who had the most fun!

Happy Thanksgiving Everybody!!

These are the grandkids who showed up for a great T-day feast in Des Moines courtesy of their grandmother!!!!  (Including fabulous pies from both she and her brother, our Uncle Charlie!!!)

From left: Ben (17), Amanda (23), Michelle (19), Brian (26), Samantha (22), and Joe (19).
Missing from the pack was Alex, who worked until 11 Wed. evening, had today off, but helped
Allison serve T-day at her house in Waseca.  We missed you both!

Oops....

This is the picture of how NOT to run a coal train. The derailment happened a few weeks ago near Elk Horn, NE, and took out some of the rail line, too.

This is Bogart Wrigley and Georgy laying in the Prairie Room window on a sunny day earlier this week. They were very relaxed.

Then, that evil dog-cousin, Oliver (Alex and Allison's big puppy) came to visit for the weekend.

None of the cats are relaxed now!!! He looks so angelic sitting there. He's behaved well for me (going out into the yard this afternoon by himself for potty breaks!).

Happy Birthday Joe!

This is (from left) Joe, Bob, their dad, and Ben.

We had his birthday party in Des Moines last Sunday. The birthday parties aren't quite the same as when there were 7 small grandchildren and all the parents in attendance.

Ron and Patrick acclimated to their new home

Ron has made himself to home at his new house.

Patrick looks pretty relaxed on Marty at his new house, too.

How the non-farmer sees harvest in Iowa

First, all the helpers gather with their respective equipment.

This is a combine with a corn attachment, and into the field the work starts!

A tractor with a 'bean head' works in the field across from our house.

On the way home from Ames yesterday I saw this tractor filling a grain bin.

A field that's been completely harvested.

After the fields are cleared the soil is treated. (That's a tractor driving on the shoulder of the road in front of the anhydrous tank & pickup.)