Counting down

As we await the arrival of Baby B in +/- 4 weeks, we're settled into the swing of things with a month of school done, soccer season officially underway and Zack starting his first year of scouting.  I'm most thankful to have us all under one roof this fall.  Last year at this time was the beginning of our move process.  We were getting the house ready to sell and Joe started work here in Missouri on Oct. 1 while the boys and I held down the fort in Georgia.  Thank goodness for being together to enjoy my favorite season of the year!  

Ironically, we're preparing for another life changing event this fall but this one comes in a much smaller package.  I'm happy to report all has been well at my doctor's appointments.  I start going every week now and next week we'll have an ultrasound to check the baby's position.  Hopefully he or she is head down and ready to go.  The cooler weather is helping make this last month more bearable, that's for sure!  I haven't taken any side shots of my belly but there is a picture of me at the bottom of this post so keep reading.    

Here are a few photos and stories from the past couple of weeks.

George the Planter
If you ask George what he wants to be when he grows up, he replies, "a planter".  He grew corn this summer from two seeds of "super corn" that Papaw Hested got from the OUR IOWA magazine.  The magazine holds a contest to see who can grow the tallest corn from their seeds.  George won't win (you have to live in Iowa to enter) but he thoroughly enjoyed the process.  The shorter stalk was eaten by the local deer but made a late comeback this August.  Great Grandpa Powers would surely be proud of George and his corn.  

George and his corn on September 17.

Andy the Bug Collector
Andy and I enjoyed a trip to the library this week for craft day.  He decorated a bug box and a bug collecting hat to go with it.  He was quite proud of it so we had to take pictures when we got home.  Andy said Papaw has a hat like this so he'll have to take it to the river and wear it with Papaw.  I don't think Papaw's hat is quite as fancy as this one.    

Andy wearing his newly decorated hat and holding his bug box.

Top view of the hat

Zack the Cub Scout
Zack attended his first pack meeting for Cub Scouts on Thursday.  He earned his Bobcat badge, his first badge, and is already busy working on achievements for his Bear badge.  He has several friends in his den and is off to a great start with scouting.

The Webelos painted his face as part of the ceremony for receiving the Bobcat badge.

Joe pinning the Bobcat badge on Zack's shirt.

More Fun from the River
My little sister captured some great moments at the river from our Labor Day trip and I wanted to share a few of her photos with you.  Check out her blog www.werthreading.blogspot.com  to read her awesome update from the weekend and see a few more pictures, especially of our cute nephew Henry.

George, our friend Jeannie and Grandma enjoying a boat ride.

Henry and Andy don't need to worry about finding a place to sit.

Nothing like a good sunset cruise on the river to put a guy to sleep.

Or, nothing like a good campfire to put a guy to sleep.  You can tell he had a s'more before he fell asleep.

We had to get our ice cream fix at Grandpa's Parlor before we left town.