Fair 2010

Hi all...well we have been through the Calhoun County Fair and survived. I can't tell you what a relief it was without having a riding horse this year...truly a blessing. Yes we miss our Chip, but fair was so much nicer not having to deal with all the issues.

Katie showed a miniature horse named Sally and we had our two steers Earl and Frank. Earl ended up 3rd in his market class...and Frank further down the line. He had, as some would put it, a pot belly, so he wasn't as pretty as he could have been.

With Sally Katie won a pleasure driving class then ended up and Reserve Champion over all in pleasure driving. She also won a trail class as well. Later in the week she won a showmanship class in open class. She placed well in nearly everything she entered. Little Miss. Sally was such a sweetie...but by the end of the week I think she was ready to go home. We have to thank Lori so much for allowing us to have our time with Sally this year. Oh...Katie also won the best of class with her notebook for her mini as well.

The kids sold their animals at the auction on Friday. Katie got a nice price...and Erik got a surprise. He got to sell his own animal this year at the fair. He got an awesome price, some good experience, and job offers. So overall a great day. Erik ended the year, as a 4-H kid selling his animal at the fair, auctioning during the auction and he ran the non-livestock auction sale, and as a buyer at the 2010 Fair. Next year will be his final year in 4-H, so that will be a total 13 years in 4-H.

New experiences happen at the fair this year too. Erik and some friends had pick-up trucks and they entered them in pick-up truck hockey (this is done by pushing a large tire through the end of a makeshift rink using cement pylons). Also he was in the demolition derby during half-time of the regular demo derby show. Those boys truly had a blast!!! His truck has now gone on to bigger and better places...the scrap yard! :)

Ok...I'm sure you are all dying to know how the Combine Demo Derby turned out. Well...the Queen Bee won her heat and made it into the finals again. The driver didn't do much after that. We ended up 5th out of 5 in the final heat with some bumps and bruises to match. Erik, having entered his first Derby won his heat too. He went into the final with all the other combines wanting to take him out. He ended up 3rd overall, so a good showing for his first time out.

We are now gearing up for school to start and harvest. Emptying the remainder of corn in bins, trying to get away for a few days, and living life. Oh...the Battle Creek Enquirer did write an article about Erik and his combines...if you go to their website and put in the date, August 20 you can read the article.

Well you are officially updated...have a great remainder of August, and as always...be blessed!~

The Dog Days of Summer

Hi all...sorry I have been so neglectful toward this blog. So...we had the open house, and aside from my my near panic attack in wondering who, if anyone will be coming...it went very smooth. We did run out of cake, forks, plates, and the root beer keg was dry before the end of the party. So a run to town for more cake, plates and utensils. Overall the final count was 235 people served! A good time was had by all...and family and friends from all over came to wish Erik great success for his future.

So...since that time...Dexter is home from Topeka, IN. He is now officially cart broke. This was done by Mr. Henry Mast a young Amish boy near there...Dexter was his first project. Overall a good job. While there we got a cart and harness. We also learned about how the Amish in the area raise trophy bucks for organized hunts in different areas.

In the last few weeks we have been to a movie, thrown a baby shower, went to a wedding, played softball every Thursday and made up games the last two Tuesday's, went to a pampered chef party, went to South Haven for blueberries and to meet friends. Also, in the last two weeks we, Doug and I have over 140 hours each standing by with the fire trucks with the oil spill that happened in Marshall. Oh...yeah...picked 2 1/2 bu. peaches, and still are waiting on a few to get ready to put them up. Lastly...I took the day yesterday with friends and just floated in my pool. Wow that is a lot of stuff in a few weeks huh! :)

I have had a request from my brother to put pictures up from the open house on my blog. I know my friend B is a bit busy this week and next...but it will happen...right B? :)

So we are in the home stretch for our fair which is next week. Going from our house are two steers, Katie is also taking a mini whinnie...which is a miniature horse a friend has offered her to show for 4-H. Other non animal items are a demo derby pick-up truck and possibly up to 4 maybe 5 demo derby combines. Fun times. Come on over to the Calhoun County Fair on Thursday evening to see the fun and action of the Derby...you will see me again in the Queen Bee adorned with the crown.

Well take care all and be blessed!! ~ :)