jackson james turns 5...farm style.

My son loved tractors from the time he could first express a preference in toys! One of my son's favorite places to hang is my grandparent's hobby farm just a few miles from our home.  For his fifth birthday we combined those two things with a few great friends and family, snacks, bandanas, crawdads, rainboots, a hay ride, smores by the campfire and old fashion cane pole fishin' to throw one heck of a bash to celebrate our little boy.  He had a blast!  Happy Birthday, BooBoo.

kid's country fashions.

It has been awhile since I did a kid's fashion post and this past weekend's wedding pictures of my two children and niece left me inspired to update that.  Our families attended a country themed wedding for a family ceremony and the result were some adorable photo opportunities.  My son wore a handsome cowboy button down, fitted jeans and great cowboy boots.  He thoroughly enjoyed the outdoors, wagon wheels and country music.  My daughter wore a cotton printed dress, hand-me down cowgirl boots from a family friend and a huge head of curly hair.  She especially enjoyed running outside, posing for the camera and playing with her brother and cousin.  My niece wore a sweet, cotton gauze cream colored dress, brown boots (later white sandals) and a 5 toothed smile.  She enjoyed the pink balloons, food and dance floor. 

true outdoorsmen.

My husband and son are both incredible outdoorsmen. They love hunting, fishing, being in the snow, being in the sun, digging in the dirt, cutting down trees, fixing things, working with their hands, reorganizing their tools, being in the basement, starting any engine, planting trees, being on the tractors, driving in or riding in a truck, walking a field, blazing a path in the woods, having a bonfire, climbing trees, and they look good doing it all. Thanks to our great family friend, Sarah List, and her job for Carhart our boys are now decked out while they work in the Michigan outdoors. Their matching Carharts hang in our basement on matching cast iron hooks shaped like deer. They are true outdoorsmen.

boys of fall.

I am so proud of my boys. My husband is a true outdoorsmen and loves using his hands. When I see RJ and Jackson working on a project together outside, hunting, being handy or using their imaginations on the living room floor I am so happy. I love that RJ does the things with Jackson that I do not do with him during the day. I think RJ is an incredible man and when I see our son working by his side and emulating his hard working ways I am filled with gratitude. Thank you RJ for being such a great influence on our son and teaching him to be a good man, like you are. I love you both so very much.

jackson james.

My son is 4 years old today...it is hard to believe how quickly he is growing. He is an intelligent, charming, kind and generous little man. I am mesmerized and proud of him each and everyday. It is incredible how he can be so good when we as adults feel so flawed. I thank God for giving RJ and I- Jackson. He made us realize all that we had at a time in our relationship when we needed it. His smile and spirit make us happy everyday. I love you so much little boy.

my grandparent's farm.

I have so many fond memories of my grandparent's Michigan farm. My grandparent's own 40 acres in the "thumb" of Michigan with hay fields, wooded trails, a creek, cattle, multiple barns, 3 tractors, a pumpkin patch and hundreds of eye catching, adventurous opportunities (especially for a kid).

My brother and cousins and I spent so much of our time roaming those grounds in the summertime. My brother and I spent a couple summers from Arizona at the farm without my parents...one in particular, we chose going to grandma and grandpa's over a second trip to Hawaii and my parents got a vacation for the two of them, while we explored the farm. My grandpa taught us city kids what 4H was and took us to the fair to show his cattle. My grandma taught us how to cook homemade pies and hang clothes out to dry. My brother and I didn't do these things in Arizona. My grandma would tour us around and introduce us to all our "kin folk." We slept many summer nights in their gazebo after bonfires and smores put us into a deep sleep. We caught lightning bugs in mason jars and fished crawdaddies out of the creek. And that summer in 8th grade when the man who would eventually become my husband dropped me off from our first date we hugged on that front porch. This farm has held a special place in my husband's heart from that point on too-as he helped me chase cows, wade down the creek, fish out of the culvert and eat many of grandma's home cooked meals. This is the house he would race from to make his parents curfew and eventually where we would gather antiques for our own home from.

This house and farm hold an incredible amount of memories for me and the two people who live here have made it my second home growing up. They have taught me about country living, life and love. I am now raising my family just 12 miles from this ol' farm and I never pass up an opportunity to let my kids explore the farm. These pictures show my son learning baking techniques from great grandma and driving great grandpa's tractors (his passion). Next Tuesday, my grandpa is getting his cattle delivered for the summer and we will be there to watch them unload. I am so grateful for all the incredible memories this place has provided me and now my family too. I love you grandma and grandpa and your farm on Rossman Road:)

Jackson's Style.

My son is the most handsome thing in the world. I would describe his personal style as outdoorsy and preppy. He loves tractors, fire trucks and being outside. He is tough but sweet and thoughtful. He is an old soul and an amazing little boy. He is the light of my life.

Jackson loves Tractors

We live in small town America and my boys love to be outside. Here are few pictures of them being manly!