Beach Time, Garden Tractors, and Crafts

Towards the end of July, the kiddos were able to spend a long weekend with Pa and Gram.  One of the kiddos had asked prior to going about riding the boat again.  So...Gram scheduled a visit with Jim and Linda!  Unfortunately, their boat isn't up and running, but the kiddos still had a fun visit.

They might not have been able to ride the big boat, but they were still able to go on the water in the paddle boat!

Jim and his son like to participate in garden tractor pulls...I'm sure Dallas was beyond trilled to sit on one of their pullers!

Gram usually has a craft project to do with the kiddos, and this time they made stepping stones

with the kiddos' hand prints and names

Don't they look just lovely in one of my flower beds?

Until next time...

Vanderburgh County Fair

The day after the Jackson County Fair, Daddy had taken off so that we could go to the Vanderburgh (Evansville) Fair.  We saw on the daily program that there were pedal pulls that morning, so that's where we ventured first.  Once we arrived, it wasn't just any little old pedal pull; it was a state santioned pull for the National Pedal Pullers Association (NPPA)!

Dallas and Daddy were pretty excited to see the pedals that would be used

Check out the trophy table!

Even the fair queen court participated

The NPPA classes start with age 4, but the fair included the a 3-year-old for the day.  The boys and girls pulled together for the 3 year-olds, but starting with the 4 year-olds, they were separated.

Here's Reba's pull...


She pulled 32 feet even - the farthest of the girls in her class (there were a 2 or 3 boys that out-pulled her; I think there were 11 in her class)

Finally it was Dallas' turn...

He pulled a little over 28 feet (they only announced places 1-3; I'm thinking he ended up around 5th place in his class of 9 pullers)

Once we were done with the pedal pull, we decided it was time for lunch.  We had packed a picnic, so we went off to find a shady spot.  Dallas thought this would be a good view for lunch...looking out over the antique tractors

Reba enjoying the picnic lunch

After lunch was finished, we made our way down to look at the tractors.  There was an older gentleman riding around on his garden tractor that stopped to ask Doug about his Oliver t-shirt.  Doug mentioned that we have an Oliver 77, and that his grandfather farmed with Olivers.  The gentleman asked if Doug wanted to take the kiddos for a ride on his 1800.  Of course, they jumped at the chance!

Next, we were off to see all the animals.  First up with the FFA area/display

The kiddos thought we really needed to bring these piglets home.  Momma said "no"

We stopped in the show ring to see these miniature Herefords showing.

We decided to head back to the van and rest (in the air conditioning) a bit before the sheep show was to start.  Momma was the only one that ended up falling asleep...until we got back to the show ring.  Then, both kiddos crashed!

They had a decent breeding stock show, here's a look at the grand champion ewe drive (the Southdown ewe won grand champion)

We continued our walk around the fair once the breeding stock show was done.  The kiddos liked the chain saw demonstration, especially this piece of art work on display!

We ended the night at the Farmer (Truck/Tractor) Pulls.  Dallas thought he was funny stuff wearing Pa's hat...

Until next time...

Jackson County Fair 2013

As I mentioned previously, we had to get the sheep up to Pa-paw's house so he could take them to a few more fairs for us.  The first one on the list was the Jackson County Fair.  We have been showing sheep at this particular fair for over 20 years, and we absolutely love going back!  

This year, we decided to let the kiddos try the youth halter lead (pee-wee lead) class.  They had been working so hard with training the sheep at our house, and we wanted them to experience showing on their own.

We started out by getting the girls out to walk and calm down before entering the ring.

Finally, it was time for the class to start! Unfortunately, Dallas got knocked down by another youngster on his way into the ring and fell in a cow patty.  In the process, he bumped Reba, causing her to loose hold of Rebecca!

Once, Dallas got in the ring, he did great!

Reba decided she didn't like following everyone else in the class, thus passing them all in the parade laps!

Neither Dallas nor Reba won, but I think they enjoyed the experience.

Once the open show started, Little Miss was more concerned with smiling for the camera than watching the show

But when it was time for the lamb class, she was all business - helping Momma show Rebecca.

Dallas proudly showing Eleanor (with some help from Daddy)

Again...smiling for the camera!

Not sure if Dallas was upset with Daddy, upset with his placing, or just not wanting to smile...

Until next time...

Family Gathering

On July 18th, the kiddos and I (along with Rebecca, Eleanor, and Maybelle <formerly known as Baby> ) headed up to Pa-paw and Ma-maw's house for a weekend of fun.  We were needing to take the sheep up to Pa-paw's so they would be able to go to another fair.  Plus, one of my cousins was hosting a family party that weekend because my aunt and cousin, along with her kiddos, were in from out of state.

Along with my crew at Pa-paw and Ma-maw's house, there was Aunt Katie and Brian and Ian and Mary (friends from Canada)!  Friday night was a long, late night waiting for Aunt Katie and Brian to arrive.  Needless to say, the kiddos slept late on Saturday morning - Dallas nearly fell out of bed!

The party was on Saturday, and the kiddos were very excited about swimming in Luke and Kathleen's pool!

My little fish, Little Miss

Dallas also started taking off on his own (they both had on life jackets)

Dallas was the first of the young kids to go off the diving board...

Then, the other little boys followed suit (George Martin on the left, Austin on the right)

Luke and Kathleen's neighbor found a small turtle while mowing his lawn, so he brought it over for George Martin to have!  (Look closely, and you can see the turtle in George Martin's hand)  All the kiddos loved admiring the little creature.

After the swimming was done, Reba crashed for a nap, Dallas played some more with his cousins, and the ice cream turned and froze!  Then, Reba was able to do what she loves most...love and kiss on the little babies!

Dallas liked holding the little ones too

At the end of the evening, we decided to get some cousin pictures (even though some had already left or were in bed)

First up was a picture of my sisters and my cousin Kathleen.  Lisa is the oldest, and I am the youngest (there is just over two and a half years difference)

We've been doing this photo for just a few years...

Next, we had to get all the girls

L-R: Lisa, Vanessa, Kathleen, Vivian, Karina, Jennifer, Me, Reba, Katie, and Grace

Finally, half of the next generation...

Front Row: Vanessa, Karina, Juan, and Austin
Back Row: Aunt Carol, Eric, Dallas, Vivian, George Martin, Reba, and Grace

Until next time...