Sometimes, it just doesn’t feel good to sit in front of the computer anymore.

It seems I’ve been in front of the computer screen on a daily basis the past 2 months. I think I’m ready to load up the Beast and head south again! Before the new year gets much further into January, I’ve got to update my pictures and print my blog for the year. So, with that, let me tell you a condensed version of what’s been going on. One day soon (I hope), I will get the want to sit down and write again…

So, let’s back up to September. We had great weather for the proso millet harvest. The pickup header took a little getting used to for me. Seems like just about the time I sorta felt like I may have it figured out, it was over. And those of you who know me, know that the end of harvest is NEVER easy for me. Even though I was anxious to get home to see the kids, the daily routine and excitement of harvest was over.

The millet had to be swathed before the combines could pick the rows up. This was usually done about a week before the combine followed.

Doing The every-night-chore of blowing the Beast off.

White millet.

We picked up white and red millet. When we changed to red it was like Christmas. It was so beautiful!

The final night of Harvest 2015.

We worked nearly every day in September. One Sunday, it was decided we just needed to take the day off – rest up and enjoy a day away from the field. By accident, we were given the option to ride the Pike’s Peak train from the base of the mountain to the top with our farmer family. It was a BEAUTIFUL fall day. I was hoping to see more of the changing colors but I took what I could get.

It was about the clearest it had been all fall on this particular day. I think if we looked hard enough, we could have seen the combines sitting in the field!

It was a DARN GOOD DAY!

Before we left Colorado, we were able to get a view of the 2016 wheat harvest in the making.

We said our final goodbye’s and headed home, home for the final time for 2015.

Callie celebrated her 18th birthday on October 8th. On October 9th, she was crowned  the 2015 E-M Homecoming Queen.  The pressure of following in her sister’s footsteps was great. 🙂

Best friends since kindergarten!

The very next weekend was another Red Letter Day for Cal. She and her bestest Jordan, MT (Lusk, WY) buddy attended the Nebraska vs Michigan Husker Game. It was one to have been a part of as they actually won and the celebration was grand!

October wouldn’t be right without the pumpkin patch (thank you, Taylor for the pictures). Notice the black spots on the pumpkins? Due to a HORRIBLE early fall hail storm.

We also took the kids to a local “real” pumpkin patch.

And then there was a fun thing called Halloween that happened.

Our little firefighter, dalmatian and Aunt Taylor as a good witch. This was at the “Trunk or Treat” event at a local church.

Those beautiful trees behind Jamie are in their yard. They were almost neon.

Taylor celebrated her 21st birthday on November 2. Unfortunately the entire week prior was spent in and out of the hospital because Jim’s mom wasn’t good. On Taylor’s 21st birthday, we had to say our goodbye’s to this lovely lady, Grandma Ruth.

Halloween 2014

Her kind heart will be missed!

Five days later, on November 7th, Taylor’s boyfriend, Colten, proposed and she said yes. She reluctantly agreed to wait for a November 2016 wedding. Our harvest lifestyle certainly puts a cramp in plans. The months of harvest have to be thought about when there are major plans…such as a wedding.

And, so our family grows!

Time to get Frank and the Beast into their winter quarters.

Callie applied for and was accepted into the Nebraska All State Honor Choir for the second time. It. Was. Amazing!

Thanksgiving brought an ice storm. Not really bad but bad enough that mom couldn’t make it and we were without electricity for several hours. Made for memories. 🙂

Our plans for getting our traditional cedar tree was a flop this year. We started much too late in the day and drove from area to area with no luck. Poor Eli was heartbroken that we didn’t get to “cut, cut, cut” a tree. I think I’ll do a little more preparation next year! We didn’t get the cedar trees and had to buy some. It just wasn’t the same. I didn’t even smell like Christmas.

Yep, that’s Pike’s Peak  in the distance. This is another story that one day I will share but I just can’t yet.

Nora turned one on December 5. Happy Birthday little girl!!!

Our very last Christmas band and choir concert. It’s been a long time coming. We’ve been going to school activities in this school district for a LONG time! The next Christmas concert I will attend in this district will be when Eli is standing on the stage.  Jamie and Curt purchase some land in the district and will be building a house. I’m so excited for them!

How sweet is this? I babysat the kids while Jamie and Curt went to his work Christmas party. I got to spend the evening with them again when they celebrated Jamie’s 30th birthday. 30 years…

Eli lining up the OLD matchbox cars. These were my brother’s cars and they, too, lined them up just like this.  I’m thinking I need to invest in a few more boy toys.

Sights of the season.

We had an unexpected, unpredicted snow storm on Christmas Eve. The kids were so excited to see the snow that morning (a Christmas miracle), until they realized that it meant Jim would be gone. He had to go to the Air Force base in Bellevue to move snow. So, we had to postpone Christmas Eve. But it really was beautiful.

The house was full and it was noisy and it was everything I had hoped for! The kids were all under one roof for another day.

Our final Christmas celebration was at Mark & Candi’s house. We had a wonderful afternoon and even better supper. How blessed we are and how wonderful for me that these kids call me Grandma (or Ga)!

With that, I will bid adieu to 2015. And welcome the newness of a brand new year. Stay tuned and watch what this new year brings for the Z Crew!

Happy New Year!