County Fair

 Last week was the county fair. We were able to go for a bit to see the animals. Thankfully, Gerrit is not into rides so that is one battle we don't have to fight. I think Emmit enjoyed the animals the most. (This is not surprising, seeing he seems to take to animals more than Gerrit did/does.) We like the county fair because it is close, cheap and small. The kids get to see the animals up close, which is the best part. Some day we will take them to the big state fair, but seeing they don't know any better, our little county fair serves the same purpose.

The boys on their bikes, was after the fair. Emmit has really started to notice things and wants to be part of everything - including wearing a helmet!

A Few Days at the Farm

I have pictures from the past 2 times we were at the farm. I'm combining them into one post and warning: lots of pictures!

We drink a lot of water while working, the fridge is always stocked with bottles of it and Paul has enjoyed 'poppin' the tops off of them. He decided to teach Gerrit the little trick:

Gerrit loves it when Deb's granddaughters are visiting. Here Amaya (age 9) was there and the 2 of them did a lot of swimming. Here they are 'floating' in a smaller tub in the red neck pool.

Gerrit makes a great weight when hauling weeds to the compost pile (see we do work, its not always fun)

The tire swing is a fun little diversion from the hot sun. Paul enjoys pushing Gerrit and seeing how high he can get him to go in the air!

Not sure about the height!

Luke taught Gerrit how to steer the lawnmower. He loves going for rides and does a decent job of steering too.

Even the boring task of mowing can be fun. We found the ear protectors in the barn and Gerrit thought they were cool.

When it gets hot and we need a break, we head down to the 'beach' with the dogs. It was a fun little spot near the back of their property with a shallow creak (although there are some deep spots). The water is really cold and very refreshing. Deb, Amaya and Luke wondered downstream:

Gerrit rode one of the girls' bikes - he didn't care it was pink, it had 2 bells!

Seeing Gerrit got his clothes wet at the beach, he went for one last dip in the red neck pool and wore his dry bathing suit home!

Bella, (age 10) and Gerrit had more success harvesting beans than I did!

Gerrit found one of the girls' fishing pole and was fishing in the red neck pool. Yes, that is a Christmas ornament acting as the bobber. He was fishing for alligators...

This week was cool and we got all of our work done early enough to take a ride on Tug Boat. Gerrit usually does not want to go near the horses (Deb has 3) but I convinced him to go and watch Luke ride Tub Boat. Once we were over there, I sort of forced him to ride with Deb. He said he'd go if the horse did not walk.  Of course Tug Boat went for a little walk! :)

Luke was excited to ride and loves the horses!

Even after riding Tug Boat, Gerrit still did not want to get close to them. He fed them carrots by throwing them at the ground - the carrot is mid air in this picture!

Gerrit seemed to like the little ride with Deb he wanted to go with Luker too.

And he was even brave enough to go by himself!

The happy little rider! He was all smiles and talks about riding him again next week!

A Little Poolside Fun

We spent a hot Sunday afternoon by the pool. What better place than in Lake City with Team Beat! Emmit loved the water but thought he could touch where ever he was in the pool (he could only touch on the steps!). He made me a bit nervous around the pool, but there were plenty of us watching him!

Gerrit was determined to 'surf' on this board. Luckily David was just as determined to help him!

He definitely is comfortable in the water!

Emmit learned that drink boxes are tasty! Before he didn't seem to be bothered by Gerrit drinking one, but not anymore. If Gerrit gets one, Emmit gets one!

When Adam arrived (after riding here) he did his weight work out by throwing Gerrit in the water.

Gerrit still determined to 'surf' and seeing I was still in the pool, I was able to help him master it even if for only a second.

Emmit was practicing his floating and enjoyed every second he was in the water.

Go Fish!

Last weekend we took Gerrit to the cities to see Jamie in concert. Gerrit doesn't really put Jamie and Go Fish together because he usually sees Jamie alone and not in the role as singer.  He enjoyed the show although his enthusiasm looked like this:

I couldn't get my camera to take decent pictures based on the lighting in the concert hall, but here the 3 guys are singing in their old school track suits (Jason, Jamie, Andy).

At one point, the lights got real dim and the drums were highlighted by changing colors. It was really cool looking!

It was a fun show, we were thankful we were able to make it and we even had a chance to see Julie and the kids (and her family who we haven't seen in a long time!). They do such an amazing job spreading the Word to kids, we are honored to have become such good friends with Jamie.

Bunny Hops

I don't record many conversations I have with Gerrit and I think  I should. He's so innocent and makes me laugh...So here is a conversation with I had with him tonight:

Gerrit: Mom, do you have a mountain bike?

Mom: Not anymore, but I have a road bike, why?

Gerrit: To do bunny hops, I can do bunny hops.

Mom: Do you know what a bunny hop is?

Gerrit: A rabbit

Prepin' for the X-Games

Thursday, I took the boys to the skateboard park with Luke. This time I took the camera! Gerrit started off by doing his "tricks". {I was impressed I got the wheelie shot the first try.}

Gerrit couldn't get his bike up the ramp by himself because it was too steep. So I helped get the bike up and then helped him get up too. He wasn't scared to go down it and liked it when Luke went at the same time. Watching the X-Games this weekend has given him more inspiration to learn new tricks! Yikes!!

Even though Emmit didn't have wheels, he enjoyed climbing on whatever he could!

Down on the Farm

Gerrit and I were able to help out at the farm yesterday. A few shots of the farm and one of Gerrit in the wagon with the garlic we harvested.

Deb's granddaughter Ellie was there so Gerrit had someone to play with (Luke and Paul were on vacation). She is 3.5 and once the 2 of them warmed up to each other - they had a blast! They played so well together that Gerrit forgot he was suppose to help me harvest!

 At least they were busy so I was able to be productive and help Deb get her CSA boxes ready.

Here is the redneck swimming pool, also known as a horse trough:

When they were not swimming, they were playing on the sand hill:

They were busy talking the whole time and I wish I was working closer to them so I could've heard what they were talking about!