"Big Red"

Here is Calvin and Etame on "Big Red", our new tractor that came with the house. It's a bit complicated to run and it seems plenty powerful for us!

Most of the neighbors have a similar tractor. They put them to use in the forest too, pulling trailers behind them full of wood or debris. We just give the kids rides on ours.


Landon says it's not as fun as Papa's though, since our yard is not as big. Etame seemed to love it though - her first time on a tractor.

Look out neighborhood - the Coys are getting countrified!

New Laundry Hamper

I'm not the laundry person in my house. Thank goodness I married someone who is very particular about how he likes his clothes folded. He does most all of our laundry and boy are we thankful!

But sewing, that's my territory. So when Landon's hamper looked like this, I knew something needed to be done. The IKEA vinyl lining had seen it's day.


So I sewed up a new bag insert from pillow ticking which I found appropriate.



I then used my Crocodile puncher to put rivets through the material so I could tie up the ends with ribbon.

Much prettier, don't you think?


Mission accomplished. Onto the next project... some gifts, pants for Landon, and possibly a new backpack as well! His other may have to be handed down to Etame as it is proving too small.

First Day of Kindergarten

Landon is settling in as a full time kindergartner. I think he is enjoying all the social aspects of it the most.


At the front door, refraining from running off down towards the bus.


Daddy stayed home later just to see him off.



His new neighbor friend moving in this weekend whom happens to be in his very class!



We actually missed the bus because the bus driver wasn't used to stopping at their stop (they had a gradual entry) so I took him into school and saw that he made it okay.



Here comes the bus! At this point these days, Etame is screaming with anticipation.




Welcome home! Landon's favorite part of the day is riding the bus where he meets all kinds of new friends.



We're free, we're free!

Dancing on the... kitchen floor

Our nightly ritual is dancing in the kitchen while cooking dinner. Etame has caught on and poor girl is learning her dancing skills from me. (Please excuse the video quality - it's obviously not my specialty).

Ahhh Oregon

Here are more pictures of our trip to Oregon.

Etame loves her big brother and he is so good to her, taking her on a ride on his truck.


Here, cousin Grace is reading Etame a book. When she sees the camera, she really turns it on.


The last couple days we were in Oregon, she really turned on the personality. She is feisty and can have a temper at times.


Love those lips. Usually they are all slobber-covered.