I honestly just realized that the last blog post of photos I took were of my son at six months, mom-fail.  I kid you not, I have seven month photos somewhere and the eight month photos will probably end up being a mash-up of iPhone photos, but here are some proper 9-month pictures.  At his check-up he measured in at 30.5 inches and 26.4 lbs., or as our pediatrician said, the size of an average 18 month old.  He's a big guy, with a big smile, big dimples and the start of a big story.

Soren and I were home for Chelsa & Jeremy Jones' wedding so we stopped by the grounds at the University of Minnesota Crookston campus where my dad has designed the beautiful flower beds for as long as I can remember.  He is a master of his craft and he learned it from his dad, to whom the gardens are dedicated.  So this photo falls in line with three generations of family members taking their picture near this rock, it is a part of our story and as many ups and downs as we have, we have a good story.

Some of these photos have captions, I like to imagine what he's thinking.  I'm sure they are deep and meaningful thoughts.  My husband says I'm projecting, I think I'm just encouraging an early and thoughtful connection between the two of us.





His lightning fast crawling and consistent attempts to stand and walk do not offer many chances to sit and look at mommy any more.



"Wait, you want me to what?  Smile at you? How's a about we just go for pensive and looking at the grass?"


"Or I could do my, 'swamp monster creeping up on you' impression!"



This is just a tiny glimpse of my dad's work.  He is a true artist and is much too humble to say it, so I will.





"No, I wasn't just eating those and no, I will not open my mouth."


"The sign says dance, I guess I should dance!"



The day we left we went to pick up grandma at the University of North Dakota, my old stomping grounds.  Obviously, it was prime time for a photo shoot.




"Hey that wind is sure coming up.  What?!?!  What on earth is that horrid smell?  It smells like over-toasted bagels and garbage and for some reason I want McDonald's fries really bad and don't at the same time."  If you went to UND or have ever been downwind of the Simplot plant you understand, it's horrible.


We had a great time at home, the next photos he'll probably be walking so they will most likely be of his back and my camera falling as I chase him.

If you've ever been to the Rockies, people tell you it's "Big Sky Country" because everything looks so much more expansive there.  Maybe they're right, but there is something about endless horizons, fields that nourish the world and farm roads that arc over the curve of the earth that make you feel like you are part of something much bigger than even the sky.  Chelsa and Jeremy could have flown to any exotic locale to celebrate the exchange of rings and vows but they chose home, a place many people glance past but they know those plains carry a story so big it begs you to be a part of it.  They both knew their marriage would have to be part of a bigger story than them, than just that warm July Saturday, bigger even, than their love.

























The night ended with a perfect North Dakota sunset. There may not be mountains jutting out towards the heavens and there were undoubtedly guests there who have never seen the ocean, but say what you will about the plains, there are always exquisite sunsets.