Fast Forward to Now...

Oh my goodness, I don't need to be told how awful I have been with blogging this past month. I already know and just feel terrible about it. So, with that said, I will do a quick re-cap of all that has been going on this past month... or so.


To begin, I started a new job! I don't think I have mentioned that yet? I am now working with a group called Parents as Teachers. I work with preschool children and their families providing resources and fun activities centered around the child's development along with preparing them for school. I have ten families that I am working with and visit with each once a month in their home. I am SO excited to have this opportunity. It has been the perfect fit- allowing me to use my teaching background plus I have a very flexible schedule that still allows me to stay at home with Mae. This has been great for Mae as well. She now has a new BFF named Tammy. Tammy takes care of Mae when I work and this has been good for Mae now to have another caregiver that she is comfortable and happy to be with.

At the end of October we made a trip to Birmingham. Having the time with family and friends was much needed and so nice. Mae really loved the time with her cousins- especially trick-or-treating with them (Mae is the cute ladybug).




Napping with Buddy.


Learning how to play the piano.


Meeting new friends.





I also had a wonderful time. We are looking forward to being back there for Christmas... which isn't far away, by the way (writing this makes me panic thinking of all that needs to get done before then).

The hunting season has also kept us busy. After much time and effort Dennis got the big one! We are all proud.



Hunting season brings many visitors and house guests. Our favorite being Uncle Dale and his friend Chris. We love company- especially family company. Anytime I can convince family to come all the way to South Dakota is very exciting. I cherish these visits.



Now we are at Thanksgiving. Where did the time go?
We are so thankful for all of our many blessings- most important being our family and friends.

It is our hope things are happy and well your way.

A Day in the Life of Mae

Peek-a-boo!

Mae may not have figured out the walking thing yet... however, the girl gets around and is VERY curious with just about everything. Being that our house is pretty wide open, keeping up with Mae these days can be pretty tough- especially when our dogs are around. Mae is obsessed with both Bama and Scout and they have SO much patience with her as she climbs all over them and chases them down.


Like most one year olds Mae also loves getting into things- for instance the dog's crate, the pantry cabinets, my purse, etc. Just when you thought everything was "babyproof" you quickly learn otherwise.


Mae climbs, Mae tears things aparts, Mae puts everything (except food I prepare for her) in her mouth, Mae is constantly battling me when it is time to change her diaper... Mae is a mess. But you have to admit, she is a pretty darn cute mess. She makes us laugh and makes life fun (and busy).


Her new twin cousins don't know what to think of her yet.

Fall Harvest

The fun has begun! Fall harvest (sunflowers and corn) started today which means things are BUSY here in South Dakota.
Mae and I decided to go visit Den at the field to check things out... Mae seemed to take this in more than myself. She was very curious about everything with the combine- the different parts, the way it felt, the loud sounds it made, etc. Dennis is convinced that one day she will be running her own combine. If she is anything like her mom, I am not so sure.

Watching Dennis and Mae tonight reminded me of Mae's very first harvest just one year ago.

Mae at fall harvest this year.
WOW! What a difference a year makes. I just want to hold onto this time forever and forever.
Hope everyone is having a wonderful start to the fall season. Happy Harvest!

We Heart Aunt Julie

Another week has come and gone and I haven't even written about our recent visit from Julie. Talk about love- Julie one day sent me a text saying that she had six full days in a row that she didn't have to be in rehearsal or had anything else going on. She then proceeded to let me know that she would be willing to DRIVE all the way to South Dakota to see us!! I couldn't believe it.
I don't know who was more excited?

MaeMeOr the dogs (they are in serious mourning since Julie left)
We had the most wonderful (yet very fast) four days. I just wanted to hold on to that time with her forever and forever. Soon enough we shall meet again. I am in the process of booking two plane tickets to Birmingham for October 29th- November 5th. Mark your calendars family and bff's because we want to spend TONS of time with each of you.

We love you and miss you, Julie! Thank you for coming all this way to brighten our month.

A Fun and Well Deserved Getaway

Oh my goodness. I have been such a terrible blogger lately. I made a goal of one entry per week and I have failed miserably this month. I think that I have a pretty good excuse though... we have been BUSY!
Dennis finally (and I mean finally because it was a long one- but good) finished harvest. Just as he was done and was driving the combine back to the farm the storm came. When I say storm, I mean a terrible, 80 mph wind storm. Dennis made it home and we were celebrating the complete of harvest when the sirens sounded and we took cover in our downstairs bathroom. Mae, myself, the dogs, and the cat hung out- that was an experience in itself, especially when the power went out. Dennis was out trying to stop the flood that was come through the window well into our guest bedroom. It was a pretty intense storm. We had many shingles come off the roof.The dog kennel blew away.The gas grill flipped over.Grain bins all over town were caved in.THANKFULLY no one was injured in our area- that is the most important thing. It has truly been a crazy year of weather.On a much happier note, we took a trip to Park City, Utah with my parents and had the most wonderful time. We are already trying to come up with an excuse to go back. It was the perfect vacation. Utah was absolutely beautiful, the restaurants were fabulous and time spent with loved ones was priceless. For anyone who is reading this and hasn't been there it is now time for you to plan a trip there soon.
The highlight for me was spending time with my parents and also going to Sundance.


Dennis would say the highlight for him was fly fishing with my dad.

Mae just loved it all! She was a really good traveler.


Our thoughts and prayers go out to the many residents along the east coast who are having to evacuate their homes. It is our hope that this hurricane will not approach land.

A Happy Birthday Indeed!

Mae Meadows Stanley has turned ONE! What an incredible year it has truly been.We planned a party for our birthday girl and who would have guessed how much she loved it?! Mae had the most wonderful time. Playing with friends Eating cake Opening gifts Loving life!

Happy Birthday to the most sweet and beautiful little girl I know. You have brought us so much joy this past year and we love you. I can't believe you are already a year old!

Harvest Time

Things have been busy busy here at the farm. Wheat harvest has been in full force for a couple of weeks now and we are pleased with the crop and with the progress made so far.
Mae and I have made several trips out to the fields to see Dad. I have been pleasantly surprised with how well she rides in the combine.I am even more impressed with how she has quickly picked up on how to drive one. I think Dennis has a vision of her running one in the future. I am not so sure.... although, I do think she looks pretty cute with her smocked t-shirt doing this.Rog came to see the action! This is his first time experiencing harvest and I know he is loving every minute of it. I also know that we love having him here!

Happy harvest everyone.

Pool, Popsicles, Priceless

Finally we have arrived to summer harvest and all is looking great our way!
With the excitement of harvest, there also comes a feeling of sadness because Dennis is busy, busy, busy and we MISS HIM! So I decided I needed to make this week a fun one for both Mae and myself to get our minds off of missing Dad.
As I posted earlier this week, I began the week forming a play group. We had so much fun that another meeting is already planned for tomorrow.
We also tried out playing in a pool. I think my friends here think I am so evil for waiting this long to get Mae in water this summer. Dennis and I are not water people so the thought never crossed our minds that Mae would love it.Guess we were wrong. The girl had a blast. *Note: please do not judge the bathing suit which is a size too big. The off the shoulder straps is not what we were going for but Mae could have cared less.What else could be a fun new summer activity for Mae? Hmmmmmm...... POPSICLES!Mae did not know what to think. She was overcome with curiosity and excitement. I don't think much of the popsicle made it to her mouth. What a wonderful mess.
Priceless first moments! Who knows what will be in store next? I welcome any suggestions...