Traci Thorson Photography

roger and eric got all our soybeans drilled in this weekend.  good job boys.  roger has to do some custom planting for our neighbor today and the planting is done.  the dirt is kind of hard and crusty on top so they drug out the rotary hoe yesterday.  they are going to go over some of the corn ground with this to break up the dirt so the corn can come through easier.  then they are off on their annual fishing trip to minnesota on saturday. 

karlie and i went up to AU on saturday and she got registered for her fall classes.  she was able to get them all on m-w-f so she is just commuting up there 3 days a week.  it was a long day – somewhat interesting – somewhat drawn out and boring – but fun all the same.  so excited for her.  i loved going to college.

took senior pictures for N yesterday.  i had a wonderful time and i think they turned out well.  kar couldn't go along (she was working) but when she got home she checked them out and she said they were better than she thought they would be.  i just love her honesty (thanks for the confidence babe).  i will show you my favorites.

we went to a local state park first:

then we did some exploring and found a great barn and fence along the road.

we spent a couple hours shooting and took over 100 pictures.  N is a beautiful girl and made it very easy for me. 

i enjoyed this so much and would love to do more in the future.  so if any of you want me to practice on you or your children let me know.

finished the weekend off with some steaks on the grill – yum.  eric cooked them – thanks bud, they were great.

have a great day! 

whether it is deer, turkey, doves, pheasants, geese, coyotes or mushrooms.

this boy loves to hunt!!!

now it is morel season.  actually he says it's a little late but he is still finding them.

look at the size of these babies:

to put things in perspective – lets look at one of them next to his size 14 feet:

wow.  they are cleaned and soaking now.  i think he is cooking them up tonight.  i am the only one in the family that doesn't like them.  i've tried.  it's a texture thing.

have a great day!!

is 18 today.

i can't believe it. 

it really doesn't seem like 18 years has gone by since she was this sweet little thing:

such a sweet baby.  even as a wee little one, she liked to be home.  if we went anywhere at night – even if it was just into town to my parents, she would be cranky and cry, just in the evenings.  people said, "maybe she has colic".  but the minute we walked into our house, she would stop crying immediately.  it's as if she was saying, "aahh, we're home – just where i want to be."

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KARLIE RAE!!!

we love you and are so proud of the woman you have become.  we love your gentle nature and your strong will.  we love the beauty within your soul.  we love that you know what's important in life.  we love that you are always smiling.  we love that you are so sweet to anyone you meet.  we always are complimented on how polite and warm you are and that makes our hearts swell.   

i am so proud to be your mother and i always have been.  you have really made my job easy.  i treasure our time together and realize how lucky i am to have such a close relationship with you.  (wiping tears – sorry)  I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!!

                     (her new camera)

my birthday wish for you – keep growing as a woman,  know happiness, peace and joy,  enjoy the little things in life,  remember what's important,  work hard in whatever you do,  enjoy life!!