Grandpa Bob's visit to the Midwest

Our Jersey household is still beaming from our West Coast visitors earlier this month. My 71-year-old father, Bob, visited the Midwest to see not only his Jersey grandchildren, but also to visit Bohnert Farm, along with a few other “must-see places.”

To say our Jersey family has been patiently awaiting Grandpa Bob’s arrival for quite some time would be an understatement. This was a huge milestone for my father, as it was his first trip to the Midwest ever, as well as his first commercial plane ride in more than four decades. My older sister, Cathy, came in town to help make this a memorable trip.

I smile hearing that my dad never slept during his seven-hour journey to get to the Quad Cities. He asked for a window seat, looking out the blue skies to see much of the country-side for the first time. Once they landed, we were on the go—from visiting Bohnert Farm, John Deere, World Dairy Expo and Hoard's Dairyman Farm.

While I’ve made my way to World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wis. for more than a decade now, this was the first visit for my retired dairy farmer father. For him, it was like going to Walt Disney World for the first time. His eyes would widen, along with his smile as he was taking it all in; 800 plus exhibitors, 2,500 dairy cattle from across the country, and more than 60,000 people were in attendance.

My father’s favorite part of World Dairy Expo was watching the Holstein show—after all, it was his cow of choice to milk for nearly 40 years—and these exhibitors from across the country brought their prized bovines to be judged at the world’s best dairy show.

Back at home, riding on our beaten-up Gator, he got to see first-hand how Bohnert Farm operates. Bigger in scale than his 70-cow Oregon dairy farm, he smiled at the many similarities our dairy farms shared in genuine cow care and milk quality. Before he said his goodbyes and stepped back on the plane to head west, he said the best part of his trip was seeing Bohnert Farm. “I loved it. It’s a first-class dairy, and I love the pride that all the Bohnert family exhibits.”

From the mouth of my father, this compliment is treasured deeply, just as his visit to the Midwest is

Jersey Baby, 16 months

Yes, it makes me cry that our Jersey Porkchop, baby Jake, isn’t a baby anymore! It seems like this all happened overnight. While we knew he is our last child, we really worked hard to soak up all the fun stages, but even with doing just that, they seem to flow to the next too quickly for my liking. Jacob Patrick is no longer a baby and I’m really enjoying the toddler stage that includes a fast paced, go, go, go approach from sun-up to sun-down, thankfully with one really long nap in-between.
Baby Jake has been for the majority, really easy kid! He rarely cries, if he does, he has a good reason to be doing just that. He loves to explore and looking at him is de-ja-voo and reminds me of six years ago when his older brother was that age. They look identical!
Jake loves to play blocks, stacking them as high as they can go. He absolutely loves tractors (yes, he is a farm kid through and through) and makes the errrrrrr sound as he plays with him. He also enjoys looking at books, especially if they have anything about tractors, trucks, farm animals or food in them. He loves to eat, and occasionally if he cries, it’s because he just thinks he is starving! He is saying more and more words—moo, cow, cat, more, Ty, sis, mama, dada, bye, night, truck and more attempts at other words that I cannot think of right now. He is like a lil’ hen clucking away all day long and its pure music to my ears.
Jacob is weighing in right at 26 pounds and is ranking on the charts, finally! He baby chub that we’ve grown accustomed to is slowly coming off and baby Jake, well isn’t a baby anymore. Everyone adores and loves baby Jake, especially his father and I.

Jersey Girl, Kindergarten

WOW, our sweet lil' Jersey girl is growing up right before our eyes! For so many times and so many years, we had to remind ourselves that Cassie was just whatever age she was because she always seemed so advanced in ability and attitude than her peers. We would have to remind ourselves of this, especially me, when she would have her occasional meltdowns. I would have to say, she is just two or just three.
Well, now Cassie Ann is 5 and in Kindergarten. She has longed for this time to come, the time where she gets to ride the school bus and go to the same school as her big brother.
While he probably isn't thrilled to be having Cassie tag along, she has quickly learned to hold her own with two brothers. Cassie is a stand-out through and through. Doesn't matter if its with academics or her looks or her ability to make friends! She is a born communicator, just like her mom (funny how DNA works!) and while we tend to butt heads, I often remind myself she is just passionate and determined and someday I will be thankful for those traits. Packed into a 5-year-old body can be a bit dangerous at times though!
Cassie's favorite things include writing and reading--yes, I told you she is a born communicator. She asks for homework every night, and I give her fun assignments, like writing the names of all our employees, or working on her Christmas list. Her older brother rolls his eyes, but she is determined to be reading chapter books sooner than later! She loves swimming and basketball and playing with anyone and everyone. She loves the farm, and her and Tyler have their own fort they have build! I just love it and adore her!
Of course, everyone loves sassy Cassie, and she has the older men in her life, wrapped right around her little finger. Yes, I'm fully aware that we are in for it!

2nd grade, Jersey Boy

How is it possible that my oldest is now 7 and rockin' the second grade? I look at this picture and want to smile and cry! Smile because he has really matured and grown--not only in appearance, but in attitude, ability and self confidence. Tyler is very competitive and part of me doesn't like that, but really in this dog-eat-dog world, his competitiveness will come in handy. It doesn't matter if its with school work, on the basketball court or getting his household chores done before his sister, he wants to win! Then part of me wants to cry! Wasn't it yesterday that we were bringing him home from the hospital or working with him when he was 2 with speech? Our once chubby baby boy who from early on got the name porkchop has easily given that title to his baby brother. Tyler is slim, tall and handsome!

Tyler's favorite things include anything that has to do with the farm! He is a spittin' image of his father, in spades, and wants to be just like dad! It makes me smile! After all, I cannot think of a better role model for my children! He loves math, reading, basketball and soccer. He loves to play with his friends, and he has quite a few of them, no girlfriends (as of yet, which is A-OK with this mama) and while he loves his sister, he really has a special place in his heart for his baby brother.

He does and always will have a special place in my heart! Love this boy to the moon and back!

Seriously where has the time gone?

REALLY!!
Another 90 days have come and gone without me posting. I think I'm making this a pattern. EOY (end of year) goal is to do better with bloggin'! Now, hold me to it!