Four, four? How did this happen?

Somehow, someway while I wasn't looking Quinn turned 4. She was very excited for her 4th birthday. To her, this was a biggie. She wanted 3 things, bike, barbie house and fancy party. We were able to check all of those off her list.

She is a smart, beautiful and interesting child. Preston and I often joke that we don't know anyone like Quinn. She has a unique outlook on life, sense of humor and personality. She is strong, confident and humorous. And, she knows how to make herself happy. I can't imagine our family without her. We love you bug, QB, princess Quinn, sassy, monkey, baby girl. Thank you for putting up with us.

A Century of Agriculture

This year my family celebrated 100 years on the farm. Spilkers have farmed the land for a century and we decided it was a great reason to celebrate.

So all summer my family and the farm crew spent their spare moments (right, spare moments on a farm) painting, weeding, mowing, and spit shining everything on the property. When the party came it seemed as though even the rocks had been polished. It was an amazing time for our family.

I've always been proud of my parents and that land, but that night I was beaming. I'm not involved on the farm today, but it has been so influential to my life. That raising and lifestyle sticks with you. Now that I have my own children I realize how so much of who I am and what I have become points back to those 18 years on 722 Road. I watched my parents work hard - enduring tough times and worse weather, surviving the farm crisis of the 80's and working early in the morning until late at night. I remember getting off the school bus and onto a grain truck with my mom at the wheel and my homework on my lap. I remember riding on the floor of the combine with my dad so I would get to see him that day. They did all of that for the love of the land and to build an amazing life for my brother and I. Thank you Mom and Dad for not just talking to me about values, hard work and dedication, but showing me. Demonstrating each day what it means to believe in something, commit to it and never waiver.

This year my brother joined my dad on the farm. And with that, the Spilker farming tradition continues.

Fall

I love everything about the Fall season - cooler temperatures, beautiful leaves, my youngest's birthday, football, Halloween and pumpkin bread.

Enjoy it with a Snakebite:

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Snakebite!

Pumped up kicks

Connor's new kicks - sweet, huh?

Kickin' ass...

and takin' names in Pre-K. Well, technically writing her name (backwards). But, I'm sure Quinn is also kickin' some serious "a" in that class.

First day...check!

The first day of school is in the rearview mirror and we are officially in school days mode. The summer didn't just fly by, it zoomed by at mach speed. In the blink of an eye, gone are the lazy days (although they didn't really feel that lazy) and back are the days of homework, spelling tests, and packing lunches.

The kids are excited for the new school year. I always felt the same. There was such great anticipation and hope about what the school year would bring. I think this is going to be the best year yet!

Making 13 Lucky!

Happy Anniversary Preston. Yes, I will renew your contract for another year. I could count all the ways that we are lucky, but it would just make us look like sucks. Because we are really damn lucky.

You asked me a while back if I was nervous on that day in August in 1998. I wasn't. I wasn't nervous or apprehesive or worried. I was only excited. Excited about all that was ahead of us and all that I knew that we would have together. That hasn't changed - not one bit. I'm still excited about all that lie ahead. Thank you for being my partner in this crazy life. I can't imagine it without you.