The many faces of Maverick.

Either the surprised look or the face he makes when he says "moo".

Nice smile:)

Maverick does "grouchy face" on command. He couldn't quite hold it long enough for the camera because a cute little smirk is showing through.

Showing off his perfectly crooked teeth.

He's got a mouth full of apple slices. Maverick LOVES to eat! The photo right after this shot was of apple slices rolling out of his mouth and a look of concern on his face. You're welcome for sparing you that photo.

Roaming the house looking for food.  He's probably looking for a hand out with his pouty face.

Maverick loves sand and rocks. Thankfully he likes to eat sand, but not rocks. He did, however, like filling up the bench with rocks. Brody told us that during preschool that is not allowed.

Papa & Mav: Maverick knows how to say "Papa". Mornings that I bring him to the farm, he's saying "Papa" before he even gets out of the car. As soon as we walk in the door, he leans over to go to Papa.

Both boys have loved playing in the toy kitchen. This can occupy them for quite some time. Mav especially likes to put things in and out of the microwave.

His first professional haircut by my brother-in-law Sean's mom, Donna. He looked so grown up after the cut. He's exercising a bit of patients in this shot.

Patient Maverick has had it even though the haircut took all of 4 minutes:)

The many faces of Brody.

Brody does not like tight pants. Lesson learned...this fashion style is not for his legs. Like a trooper though, he wore them for family pictures anyway. His face is bright red because he overheats quickly.

Loves doing fun things with Claire.

Loves a good party! With presents! Even if they aren't presents for him. (Notice Mav's hand on his shoulder.)

Loves snacks AND birthday cake! Did I mention he likes to do what Claire is doing, too?

One day he decided to help wash dishes and has wanted to ever since. He got the chair out and just did it all himself, washing them with the soap and sponge and then putting them all in the sink drainer. There are days he's very good about taking care of himself, including throwing dirty clothes in the hamper, getting dressed for the day and for bed, etc. Then there are other days, of course:)

Loves fixing hair, but rarely asks me. He'll ask all sorts of people if he can fix their hair, just not me.

He loves tractors (partial to red), he loves the farm, and he loves helping Papa and Sean with all farm chores.

He loves a good project (indoors, outside, or in the garage). He loves to be a part of helping.

He always, always says, "I have a great idea". Some ideas don't quite pan out, but you can't blame him for trying to trouble shoot.

Occasionally he'll look into my camera when he smiles...only occasionally.

He loves playgrounds. He asks daily to go to the one across the street from our house and one of the highlights of his preschool days is the playground visit.

He loves to build. Sometimes he needs a little nudge, so I just get out the bin of Duplos and he takes it from there. Here's his garage and house. In that house is a Duplo toilet, no lie.

Showing off our work of art so that Daddy can see it before Maverick destroys it.

He's taught me that we don't have too many Duplos because he can use them all in three quick projects.

He loves big things that move. We went to the open house at the Lonsdale Fire Station and he loved climbing onto everything, including this ambulance. When he went back with his Daddy, he showed him where the bandaids were and everything.

What three year old doesn't like firetrucks?

All things Brody:)

Sever's Corn Maze (minus the maze)

The boys in the corn pit.

Mav eating corn.

Yum:)

He thinks it's funny because we told him not to.

Nice smile from Brody:)

Claire is telling Mav something.

I love how Mav has his arm around Brody for balance.

Brody gets covered in corn.

Where's Brody?

Everyone loved the giant slide!

A couple of weeks ago we met up with the Docken family at Sever's corn maze to enjoy everything except the big corn maze. The kids did the jumping pillows, corn pit, giant slide, animal petting area, big hale bale maze, and lunch at the end. There is always more to do than we can fit in with our short windows between naps.

Steve & Cindy's Recent Visit

Brody rode an elephant at the Ren Fest

He liked it and was pretty proud of himself.

Mav liked watching the elephants, too.

Grandpa Steve reading Mav a book...or Mav reading Grandpa Steve a book.

Grandma Cindy reading Brody a book.

Watching scuba diving videos.

Steve & Cindy visited a couple of weeks ago and we went to the Renaissance Festival among other fun things. Brody enjoyed planting a couple of Ely trees at our house, too.

Airshow

Watching the airshow in Faribault

Perfect day for an airshow in September.

Mav watched more of the airshow than Brody. Even Ellie got to watch:)

Brody toured one of the airplanes.

Climbing up into the airplane.

We went to an airshow in Faribault a couple of weeks ago when Steve and Cindy came down for a visit. It was a perfect day for an airshow. I think Maverick enjoyed watching the airplanes fly more than Brody. After the airshow we stopped at the orchard for some apples and donuts by the pond.