The Baby

The Farm.

The Old House. It was built in 1871, I think, and my grandmother and great-grandfather were born here. My Great Aunt Nancy, now 80 years old, lives here by herself and keeps the farm going.


The barn yard.


Summer of 2010. We were hoping more family could make it, but we were so very glad to see everyone who was able to make the long journey and be there. We were so very excited to bring Chloë to this place and begin the 6th generation.


Summer of 2006. The big reunion a few years ago. I even managed to drag along a handsome boyfriend of mine at the time.


Summer of 1990. Daniel (bottom left) is a year old, and really does remind of Chloë. That's me in the pale blue shirt towards the middle.



Walking the tracks that brought our ancestors to this place. Never mind that it was almost 100 degrees with some ridiculous high amount of humidity.


One of the best things to do after a long day.




Aunt Nancy was hoping a couple of the boys could do some painting spot work on the New House, but instead we gave the entire front side a good painting (or whitewashing, as they used to call it). Katie graciously watched the baby.


Three Botkins and a Blakey on the old wooden swing.


Dad unloading firewood to store in the corn crib. Maybe the coons won't steal it.


A little goofing off too, of course.


My father managed to break a finger. Catching a football. This is the third time he has broken a finger by such a means. You'd think he would learn.




Going for a swim in the Marcus pool. My father learned to swim here. Except that he didn't float very well because he was such a wiry kid, so his scrawny frame sunk like a rock.




This is one of the greatest places on earth.

Everyone holds the baby.

I have hundreds of pictures I've been sorting through from our epic trip to Iowa. Here are a few of baby Chloë being held by some of her admirers.


Great-Grandmother Halcyon Heline Botkin.


Nana (or Mimi or Noni, or whatever Chloë decides).


Mama and Aunt Katie.


Great Uncle Matt.


Great Aunt Betsy and Papa.


Great Great Aunt Nancy.


Daddy.


Great Grandma Madelaine Moses.


Uncle Samuel and Great Grandmother.


Great Uncle Matt and Smokey.


Uncle Daniel.


Nana.


Great Great Aunt Nancy.


Aunt Katie.

The Storm

A few days ago, when we were in Iowa, we witnessed quite the storm roll in. We had 60 mph gusts of wind, and constant thunder and lightning. There were tornado warnings not very far away.


After the storm, the sky was an eerie orange, and an awesome rainbow appeared over the house.

In Iowa

It is our last full day on The Farm in Iowa. My father spent his summers and many holidays here growing up. My grandmother and great-grandfather were born and raised here. I have so many memories here, and have so enjoyed making many new ones with my little family. My sweet baby Chloë begins the 6th generation of stewards of this land. Her great-great-great-grandfather John Magnus Heline settled here in 1871 after he and his sweetheart Clara immigrated from Sweden. I love this place.

And I've taken hundreds of pictures, and will sort through them when we get back to Idaho, and get a few of them up.

My dad and sister have both written up some good blog posts on being here.

Red Door

We went out The Red Door a couple of weeks ago to celebrate Bryan's Grandparent's anniversary. It is one of the nicest restaurants in our little town, and we really enjoyed celebrating with our local family as well as Bryan's aunt and two cousins from California. Bryan's Grandparents have been living here for the summer, and it has been so much fun getting to know them better, and having them around to see Chloë, and celebrating birthdays and anniversaries with them.


I think she's going to be a concert pianist.

Sound Asleep.