Gas & Steam Show '09

I promised some pictures from this event a while ago. I was sick and Chris was in Denver, but I wanted to do something special for the kids while Daddy was away. So after a breakfast of waffles (not being the expert pancake flipper that Dad is), this where we hung out for 3-4 hours, not in any hurry, just being together, being near tractors. The weather was beautiful, one of the first truly warm days of the year. The boys really enjoyed looking at all the tractors and antique cars, riding in the cut-out 55-gallon drum "tank car" tractor train, playing with John Deere toys, sitting on the tractors, looking at the animals, taking a hay ride, watching the tractor parade (including a woman's tractor she had painted pink) and best of all, the saw mill.


It was quite loud while the saw was cutting through the log.




This was exciting. A non-motorized road grader that had to be towed.


They're having a great time even though it doesn't look like it.


David observed that they rode in a tank car - I guess he was right!


Trying to pull a heavy trailer but not quite able to get it going.


Vintage cars and trucks.


This man was using chain saws of various sizes to carve intricate wood sculptures. We guessed this was going to be an owl.


The toys. Unfortunately there was a lot of competition for the tractor and the loader. They settled for the wheelbarrow and the lawnmower most of the time.


The pink Farmall antique tractor. Just had to post it.


Joshua and David were quite taken with these musicians, who played a song just for them.


And finally - a surge of ecstasy breaks through Joshua's reserve - up high behind the wheel of a huge, real, modern tractor. Pure bliss!



What a beautiful day it was!

As an aside, Chris's great-uncle Dick Herm used to have tractor shows on his farm, just like this. It was fun to watch the boys experience something Daddy might have done when he was little. In fact, we often wished he was there with us that day! Maybe next year...

Easter

We're a little behind on posting some pictures I snapped on the church playground Easter Sunday when the boys were all dressed up. I've been sick, Chris has been traveling, we're getting ready for company (well, ready or not, they're coming!), and the list of excuses could go on. But here they are, a bit blurry, probably a combination of intense light, busy boys, and a poor photographer. All those who often check and find no new posts, thank you for checking in, and hope you enjoy!








If you like tractors, check back soon for some shots from this year's Gas & Steam Show.

Just Thinking

A few things came across my inbox from the Washington Post today that I thought you want to read as well. As if there isn't enough to think about already!

First, Op-Ed columnist Michael Gerson responded to Newsweek's "The Decline and Fall of Christian America." You can read Red Faith, Blue Faith here.

Next came the new NIH guidelines on stem cell research since President Obama relaxed President Bush's carefully thought out restrictions. This could be beneficial and detrimental. There are clearly ethical concerns, even problems, with many difficult questions and choices to consider. I have a lot of questions, but not too many answers. Meaning no offense to families who have been down the often agonizing IVF road, and we know and respect some who are on that road, I must just ask: if we are questioning the morality of stem cell research, ought not we also contemplate the morality of in vitro fertilization? This entire issue deserves serious reflection. I may never arrive at a satisfactory conclusion for myself, but I am willing to try. I would encourage you to thoughtfully ponder this important issue also.

"Peace Like a River"

During our routine Sunday evening family devotional time, we were doing our "action songs," along with Aunt Renee and one of her friends who happened to come in as we were getting started. Watch the clips below to glimpse the hilarious scene that had us laughing hysterically.



Here I stopped recording because I was laughing too hard to hold the camera steady. Dear David. But the song continues:



Apparently Joshua couldn't resolve the last note so he ended up repeating the song over and over. Who knows how long he would have been stuck on the second verse if we hadn't stopped him!

First Train Layout

Joshua and David built this train track last week all by themselves, except for a little help getting the smallest inner loop to connect. The design is entirely their own - and you don't even get stuck going round and round a small part of it! I was impressed.

First Video

We are not the most flashy bloggers but we are finally giving video another try. Our first attempt is Joshua singing the hymn "And Can It Be" behind the bathroom door.