This photo was a last minute addition, but I had to add it. Paisley was so excited to wear Esther's headband from her costume, she would sway her head side to side to let the feathers tickle her cheeks!

We had a blast preparing to wear our costumes! You can see the anticipation for the evening all over their faces!

Here are a few random photos from this fall-

farmer Paisley...

Having some fun at the pumpkin patch!

I love that my 3 year old's image of heaven is dancing around in a tu-tu (probably pink) with Jesus. I love that I get that same image in my own home everyday with Esther and Grace- (well, almost everyday ;)- reminding me that the work I share with my husband is such a sacred calling, reminding me to count each day as a blessing and each moment a chance to turn our daughters' hearts toward the One true and living God.

Lord please keep my heart soft and my perspective eternal.

What a blessing it was to be back at the farm and see family! My cousin Duaine showed us around, gave the kids tractor rides (a little boys heaven=) and Wanda prepared a meal for us to share.

Great Grandma holding Paisley... Paisley was fussy during this meal. Maybe the travelling finally caught up with her.

Judson, however, was all smiles!

On our way out to the farm for the first time, we stopped at the gravesite for Grandpa and Grandma Dickson. Mom brought rose petals for the children to place on the grave. They all were very respectful. There is also a little headstone for Mary Pearl, mom's older sister that passed away at birth.

A.MAZ.ING

While we were in Colorado Springs we had the pleasure of meeting up with my dad, Grandpa George. We were able to spend the afternoon together and meet up with my Uncle John, Aunt Cindy and cousin Nate for dinner. It was good for my girls to meet their Grandpa, for the first time. After our time together Gracie said randomly a couple of times, "I miss Grandpa George."

If your reading this dad, you left quite an impression!

There was a creek running right past our little cabins in Manitou Springs, CO. Everyone enjoyed it, especially once the joy of panning for gold was discovered! Grace, however gave us a great scare... that is to say for 5 seconds my heart lept out of my chest and I was stricken with panic. Thankfully my dear Mr. F responded clearly and quickly to grab my baby out of the creek that she was floating in, face down, after tumbling down the rocks. She was very shaken but Isaac was a great papa and very mindful to not allow her to sink into a deep fear of water, walking her across the creek together one more time helping her stay calm.

Amazing, isn't it? How quickly life can change. I am so thankful that we were all out there watching together, looking out for each other. Imagine what could have been...

I don't have any pictures of time at mom and Ray's RV, but we had the wonderful convenience of walking next door and sharing meals there. Thanks mom!

Here are a few pic's of the Ghost Frontier Town we visited in Manitou Springs. This was such a great place! All of the kids had a blast exploring all of the exhibits and playing "frontier."

Panning for gold... a lot of experience gained in this department!

Making silly faces... again lots of experience gained...

Gracie has the reins,

so glad dentistry has advanced.

out for a ride together! I would go back to this museum in a heart beat. Everything was so well displayed, I enjoyed reading about the ways of life back then. Standing there reading descriptions of laundry machines and methods of cooking made me so thankful for modern conveniences, although even now I find silly things to grumble about. The latest Rod and Staff newsletter put it well in the article "What Is New?" based on the book of Ecclesiastes.

"...Further, consider human behavior. Has it changed a lot since Adam? Although technology makes life today seem drastically different from just fifty years ago, people's attitudes and characters have really not changed. The housewife who got tired of heating water to do her laundry in 1950 has her counterpart in the housewife who complains about her automatic washer working too slowly."

HA! before I lose you and you and you write off this article as too harsh, let me share that the main point was not to discourage you from daily chores but to encourage a "new perspective of life." That is the life of those who seek God, the unchanging God in whom the one true newness is found- "new birth, all things become new (2 Corinthians 5:17.)"

Soo, whether I lived in the days of the wild frontier or the days of the wild "now," I will choose to be thankful, choose not to grumble and do my best to love the NEW life I have been given in Christ.