August. 2019

August, the deepest part of summer, when all the flowers and garden plants are at their best!

 Sadly, this big old tree died and had to come down, it was a big family project for a couple hot days.

 August brings the annual Threshing Days to Goessel, Levi and Noah played in the band,

 Great Grandpa collected candy!

 We ate as much as we could fit into our stomachs

 and then went home to work on the tree some more.

 This flower bed had a real moment here.

 Soaking rain in August is such a blessing!

 Suckers on the porch with Noah!

 Then we were off for vacation, via the train, to Chicago!

 We got two Roomettes for the journey, which meant we got to eat in the dining car - it felt very fancy.

 Cards in the observation car

 while we observed the corn fields

 As always, the train ride got a little long

 but then we arrived and made our way to our Airbnb. We grabbed some groceries and then went and got burgers for supper!

 Our place had a back deck and I thought it was great to eat breakfast outside.

 Cubs game!

 and Uncle Andy came to watch with us!

 Then we took supper over to Andy and Lia's where some amazing T-ball was played in the backyard with Ezra.

 And we got to meet Anna, our brand new niece!

 The next day we explored the Museum of Science and Industry

 After dinner we walked around the Gold Coast neighborhood so Levi could see the fancy car dealerships he'd been begging to go to.

 Jeni's Ice Cream was amazing.

 Bike tour through Chicago

 Pizza feast

 More time with Ezra

 and a final time to cool off with our toes in Lake Michigan

 then we flew home.

 The garden almost feels like jungle in August, the plants are big and working hard to produce.

 We still love to go watch the Smith's rodeo!

 And suddenly, it was time for football!

 The forage sorghum planted in June did a lot of growing in July and August.

 First day of 8th grade and 6th grade.

 Ben and I went to a Chris Stapleton concert.

 Garden goods

 The boys are becoming the local tech experts for the adults in our family.

 Happy birthday dad!

 Aww, Ryle and Wilbur.

 Tomato sauce time!

 The garden was a challenge with the flooding early on, then strong winds knocked tomato plants down.

 Football scrimmage!

 We had so much okra we finally cut the plants down, hahaha.