A Day Out With Thomas

Last weekend the boys and I had a special treat from my parents . . . a trip on the Amtrak home to Ames for a special event at the Boone Scenic Valley Railroad - A Day Out with Thomas.















We had a 4 hour Amtrak ride to Iowa, and then a 1 1/2 hour van trip up to Ames from the Amtrak station. Cade really enjoyed the train, and Joel did excellent on the ride. It was nice to be able to feed Joel at any time and not have to endure much screaming. Cade's immediate words when we got on the train were, "Mom, this is cool." He spent much of the first hour looking out the window asking about each town that we went through. We ventured to the viewing car for awhile, but spent most of our time in our seats. I had prepared many activities for Cade to play with, but each lasted for about 3 minutes each. The Little Einsteins video was the longest attention getter - 45 minutes! Even though he was jumping from one thing to the next, he was not loud or running all over - thank you Lord! We had a nice relaxing day on Friday, playing with the cousins and just being home. My Grandma Sparks lives near the Amtrak station that we came in to in Iowa, so she spent the weekend with us because it was such an easy way to pick her up and take her home. She enjoyed holding Joel and talking with him often. She was also our weekend dishwasher - thanks Grandma! Cade loves to play at Grandpa Bill and Grandma Glenna's house. They have a bunk bed, and he thinks it is the coolest thing because he cand climb and climb and climb. It is just constant excitement when we are at their home.
















On Saturday we awoke and got around quickly to go see Thomas! We thought that there would be a few things to see with Thomas before we got to go on our ride at 10 am, but when we arrived it was basically a Thomas the Train Fair! There was a story telling train, two jump houses, a magician, a musician, a train car to play on, food, wooden and plastic Thomas trains to play with, coloring sheets, stamping sheets, the train depot, a picture with Sir Topham Hat, a gift shop, and a trolley car ride. There was A LOT TO DO! Unfortunately Cade was not in a mood to listen well, so he tried to dart from us many times. He wanted to do what he wanted to do. Though I wish we could have changed his mood that day, I did enjoy our time at the event. Thanks for the wonderful train ride and all of the delicious food Mom and Dad!




















Our train ride was not as exciting as we thought it would be. We were not being actually being pulled by Thomas, rather a diesel that was out of sight of the children. The train car that we rode in looked like Annie and Clarabel. The cars were very old. The sounds were cool as we rode, but since we had already been on the Amtrak Cade wanted the train to go faster, but we were at a nice walking pace.































We had a wonderful weekend at home in Ames. It was a great break for me from life. I didn't have to think about what food to fix, or even fix the food. I didn't have to work on my business. I didn't have to clean. I didn't have to do laundry. I only had to worry about keeping Joel happy and making sure Cade was in line. It was wonderful! Thank you Mom and Dad for taking care of us so well!

Mommy enjoyed the train ride home - Cade slept for half of it!! He is a sleep fighter, so it is a rare occassion that he would sleep without quite and being alone. He was VERY tired after such an eventful weekend! I think that I would take the train again if I make the trek home without Curtis again. It worked out very well.

Joel is 8 weeks old and growing!

I just love this picture, so I had to post it again!

















We were outside playing last week, and Cade invited Melvina, our neighbor, out to play with us. I enjoy capturing these moments on camera because I think that Cade will have enjoyable memories of Melvina and Frank. He always enjoys playing in 'vina's yard and with her tractor's inside. This evening, Cade was eating grapes off of Melvina's grape arbor. And Joel cried in her arms for a few minutes while Mommy was finishing up the mac and cheese for dinner!



















The boys took their first bath together, and Joel made it out alive!
















Pop and Grandma Bev's garden keeps growing and growing and growing. We picked more tomatoes this evening to make even more salsa. I think Bev has canned tomatoes everyday in the last month. Grandma Bev really wanted a picture of her prize winning squash with her IL grandboys! Tom's favorite produce in the garden is the butternut squash. He was so worried that he would not have enough squash earlier in the summer, but I don't think he has to worry. They had 2 squash that were bigger then Joel, plus others that were a bit smaller! Enjoy your squash Pop!

The National Forest!

A week or so ago Pop Tom was working at trimming the trees and bushes at their home. Their neighbors have a large area of their land that they do not maintain and it is very overgrown with weeds. Unfortunately these weeds and vines and trees come to Tom and Bev's property and enjoy smoothering the fence that is on the property line. So as Pop was trying to take care of his neighbor's problem (which he just loved!), Cade decided to adventure into the NATIONAL FOREST of weeds, trees, vines, posion ivy, and neddles. He had his bow and an arrow and was pretending to shoot animals in the National Forest. I am not sure how this title came about, but when I got outside it was pretty cute! Praise the Lord we only came away with the stinging neddles and no posion ivy!

Homestead Parade!

Every September Princeton has their town festival - Homestead Weekend! We have a big parade and other activities around time. This year the Budweiser CLydesdales were at the parade, and a few dance teams from Chicago were in the parade too. The classes that have graduated from Princeton High School come back for their reunions on this weekend, as well! Each class - 5 years, 10 years, etc, 50 years - have a float in the parade and then usually a gathering or two throughout the weekend.














We sat near our friends, Mom Courtney, Evan, and Cami Driscoll, and their Grandma Sue. Cade enjoyed spending a lot of his time watching the parade with Evan, who is just 8 months older than Cade.

















At the parade in Wyanet in July, we taught Cade to stand and put his hand over his heart when the American flag comes by. As he saw the flags approaching he told me that he was going to stand and put his hand on his chest. It was so cool how he remembered. A little patriot in the making!

















Joel started his time at the parade in his stroller, but that only lasted about 15 minutes. The rest of the parade (2 hours) he spent next to Mommy in his sling. We were both REALLY sweaty when we got home.

















Cade really enjoyed the South Shore Drill Team! Check out his dancing skills!

What have we been up to lately?

I just thought I would give you an update on all of our family's activities lately! We all seem to be busy and full of life!

Joel has been growing and growing and growing! He has been cheering for the Cubs, and it must have worked because they swept the Pirates!


















Cade has really been into hunting and cooking. He loves to watch Daddy's two favorite channels - Food Network and VS. (hunting channel). So Cade is often running in and out of the house wanting to use his new knife to cut food, and then back outside to hunt a deer. Washing hands is a large priority in Mommy's world right now! As you can see in the picture below Cade even wanted to wear Daddy's boots.

















Mommy has been working on a little craft project for Cade - felt people and accessories. We are going to be taking a trip on the train next week to go visit Grandpa Bill and Grandma Glenna. Mommy is looking for activities to do on the trip, so she decided to create this little activity. Hopefully it will be an attention getter for a few minutes on the train!














Daddy is studying up on hunting. Bow season starts October 1st and he is pumped. He took some target practice last weekend and is hoping to scope out his hunting land this weekend!

Joel at 6 Weeks!

Joel Charles Odell on August 31, 2009.















We went for Joel's 6 week appointment yesterday. He weighed in at 12 pounds, 6 ounces, and measured out at 23 1/2 inches long. Growing along very well! Unfortunately the doctor labeled all of his fussiness as colic. No fun. His poor little digestive system is having a hard time in this big world. Pray that his tummy stops cramping and we will do what we can to relieve the pain for little Joel.

Joel also received 2 shots. It is so hard to inflict pain on your own child on purpose. He did very well and quickly stopped crying. No reactions so far!


Joel on September 1, 2009.