Prairie Sky, New Trees, and Time with Grandsons

We've had very little rain out here on the prairie, but we've had plenty of wind storms.

Back yard view of building clouds.

 The blowing dust in the air makes for some pretty skies, both morning and evening.

Moon in the early evening sky.

We picked out two lovely trees at the Oak Creek Prairie for the back yard.  Before planting could begin, several days were spent getting all the appropriate utilities to mark the restricted areas for planting.

Flags from electric, gas, phone, cable, water and fiber-optic.

Balled and burlapped, the trees arrive on a trailer.

With branches still tightly wrapped, the bur oak is planted.

Rusty offers his assistance, making sure the tree is straight.

The heavy white pine is wheeled into the yard.

Ethel (the bird) oversees the tree plantings.

It was hard work making a hole big enough for a 600-pound root ball.

Olivia and Chad flew to Chicago to celebrate their 10th Wedding Anniversary.  Rusty and I helped out by watching the boys while they were gone.  We had a great time with Pierce and Reece!  They are old enough to have their own busy schedules.  On Friday evening we took an hour-long drive into eastern Kansas to take Pierce to hockey practice.  It took both Rusty and me (with some advice from Pierce) to get him suited up for practice.  They wear quite a bit of protective gear. 

Pierce works on his hockey skills before practice begins.

On Saturday both boys had swimming lessons.  Reece told me the water he swims in is "one deep".

At Reece's request, we made a pumpkin pie.

Everyone got a chance to roll the dough for the pie crust.

Papaw Rusty helped them shave the nutmeg for the pie.

And everyone had a turn at running the mixer.

We made the whipped cream from scratch and it was delicious!

Taming the imaginary snake at the park.

The weather was beautiful, so we played outside a lot.

I see changes in the boys every time we are with them.  This time Pierce surprised me the most with his ability to be a good big brother.  He often let Reece have a "first turn" or fudged on the rules so the Reece could play the game.  What a nice way to treat your little brother!

Tin is the traditional wedding gift for 10 years.  We made tin lanterns for Mommy and Daddy.

We hammered nail holes into tin cans, added a handle, and inserted the candle.

Thanks Reece, and Chance, and Pierce.  Papaw and GiGi had a fun time!