James Girls Visit New Salem

It doesn't take much of a field trip to thrill my 3 girls. We went to New Salem today and all three of them were impressed. I have always been interested in Lincoln and his life. He is my favorite president and I visit the Lincoln Museum every year with my 5th graders and have visited New Salem, as well, for school trips in the past. We took the girls a couple of years ago to the Lincoln Museum for Father's Day with Grandpa Rankin and Aunt Kelly and Uncle Nick and they loved going there so I knew they would love New Salem as well! They are huge Little House on the Prarie fans and we have read the first two books in the series and have been stuck on Farmer Boy for the summer (it's the longest one). We have also started watching the series Christy on dvd and they really enjoy that as well. Anything to do with the pioneers, they are right there with questions and interest. Ella hasn't quite grown into the interest yet, I'm hoping Mrs. Wildenradt at Pooh's Corner will help out with that this year when Ella starts preschool. Ella's famous words today were, "I'm boring!" translation: I'm bored! She doesn't know to put the 'ed' at the end. Her favorite thing about the day was petting the dogs people were walking in the village.

Chris also found another Monarch caterpillar. It hasn't done anything yet, but we'll take pictures when it starts to. It is much bigger than Junior.

I'm warning everyone that I probably will not have time to post this week because of the fair. Please behave yourselves and NO BLOG HACKING this week (at least not on my blog)!!!!!

Thanks for checking in!

The James Gang

Lots Going On!

"Junior" at 12:30 today. We will keep you updated on this!

Chris has been so good about working with the heifers. We love you, Daddy!

Trying to drive a tractor and turn around and take a picture is not my specialty!
Sorry for my hand!

Me and the girls in Matt's barn. I look like a spook!

Emma and Darla - Darla is a BULLY!

Emma and Ella kept themselves busy at Matt's house with one of his kittens.

Tina getting her pedicure from a guy over by Lincoln. Thanks, Matt!
Tina refused to stand after we put her upright - such a drama queen!

Emma concentrating hard on beading her bracelet for 4-H.
Notice Emma's toes - we had her birthday pedicure on Tues.

Our Monarch caterpillar this morning at about 8:30.

Chris dangerously painting the barn.

We are on the countdown to the county fair, so we have been busy, busy, busy with fair preparations! We walk cows every night, tied to the hayrack, with me driving the tractor, Chris and Emma "leading" cows, and Anna and Ella riding on the hayrack. I'm sure we look ridiculous doing all of this up and down the lane, but you've gotta do what ya gotta do! Thank you Uncle Scootie for the great idea! We also had to take Darla and Tina to get a pedicure. It looks painful for them, but it really isn't that bad. Beauty is Pain, girls! Emma also had to make a bracelet for the fair for the Arts and Crafts. It turned out nice!

The girls caught a Monarch caterpillar and it is starting to cocoon ( I took that picture early this morning). We did this last year and hatched two Monarch butterflies and it was AWESOME! We're hoping this one will do the same! Before I posted I went upstairs to get something and noticed that the caterpillar was in its chrysallist (sp?). So I quickly took another pic of that and posted it as well. I hope we get to see it tranform into the butterfly because it really is an amazing sight.

Please notice the pictures of my daredevil husband painting the hayloft doors of the barn. I was sure that I was going to come back from town and find him laying in the driveway from falling!

Thanks for checking in!

The James Gang

Go Cubs, Go!

Heidi and Eric outside the stadium waiting to get in.

Fukodome, Chris' favorite player (I think it's just b/c of his name)

Cardinals warming up before the game.

I got my chance to finally attend my first Major League baseball game. Chris, in the past couple of years, has become a Cubs fan (thanks to all the AM radio he listens to) and Heidi and Eric had four free tickets for the 12:00 game on Sunday against the Cards. We had awsome seats, about 20 rows up behind home plate - we couldn't believe it! Heidi kept waiting for someone to come and tell us we were in their seats. The weather was perfect as well. It would get hot and then a breeze would come along and cool us off and by 2:00, we were in the shade. I took full advantage of this being my first game and ate nachos and bought a souvenir for the girls and myself. I might have to actually purchase a t-shirt (I'm too cheap to buy one at the stadium) now that I've been to a game. Here are few pics of us and some of the players at the game.

Officially a Cub fan,

Karen

PS: Sorry, Burk's family!

Happy Birthday, Emma Margaret!

Emma's display of her gifts.

Emma turned the ripe old age of nine on Friday, July 10th. She was named after Grandma Rankin and had to share her happy day with the funeral for Grandma. We all thought that it was fitting, though, because she shared Grandma's name. She even got "Happy Birthday" sung to her at the funeral dinner.

"The Cousins Are Here!"

Miss Sophia

Henry

Miss Colby is all smiles!

Princess Amelia getting out of the pool!

Jacob at the airport!

We love it when all of the cousins can get together and we had the opportunity this past week with everyone coming home for Grandma's funeral. Although it was sad letting go of Grandma, we did enjoy being together. Everyone is growing so fast and my girls love playing with, holding, feeding, changing diapers, or doing whatever with their younger cousins. I know that if Chris and I were to have another, I would have to fight my girls to hold it! Not that that will be happening! Here are a few pics of Jacob arriving at the airport and of Colby, Amelia, Henry, and Sophia playing at our house.

Thanks for checking in!

The James Gang

Fashion Statement

These boots were made for walking! or choring!

Times are tough on the farm when you have to get out of the pool to do chores - no worries for the James Girls they just put on their boots, go feed cows and jump back in the pool again. I don't remember it being that way when we had to feed cows?!

The James Gang

Swimming Time

Ella took some convincing , but I finally got her in the big pool
with her ring! Can't get her out now!

We have waited patiently the past couple of weeks for the weather to finally turn hot and for the pool to be comfortable. I'm not sure we knew what we were in for when wanted that weather. We've had temps in the mid 90's with heat indexes over 100. Needless to say, our pool/bath (the water is 90 degrees plus) has gotten much use this past week. Here are a few pictures of the girls living it up in the water!

Thanks for checking in!

The James Gang