The goof balls decided to make their own breakfast. I always like that idea but they came up with the theme "Scrambled" and made everything that way: pancakes, toasts & eggs. Needless to say not everything was consumed on their plates!
We went to Luke's baby blessing in Vale 2nd at 11:30. Because Emma had a talk in Primary we left immediately after the blessing. Emma gave an amazing talk on obedience. She had scriptures, a story and real life application. Ready for youth talks no problem!
In primary they told the kids about an Article of Faith activity they were planning in September. They gave all the kids cute pocket sized laminated cards with the A of F. Each one they know will earn them a different topping for their ice cream sundaes. Emma, Spencer and Ruth spent the rest of the week memorizing A of F during any free moment they had. I love how inspired they were. Emma & Spencer have them all memorized.
After we finished church we went over Nancy & Ed's to celebrate Luke's blessing. We were an hour late {and Kurt even later than that} but there was still food to eat & people to visit with so it was a win. It was good to hold baby Luke again. We even got to feed him a bottle. Jane came over, "awe his little toes" as she strokes them. So cute.
Afterwards we went straight over to the park to celebrate Tessa's birthday. Let the party continue!
The wind was blowing so it helped with the heat. We stayed for an hour & half and then headed home.
Cantaloupe for breakfast?!! Its gonna be a good week!
Monday morning we finished all our fair prep. Mainly backing all the art work on poster boards. A few more clothing items {thankful for a great sale at the Children's Place.} Plus developing a few pictures for stall Emma's poster & Spencer's photography submission. Austin and I put Spencer's photos together in the trunk of the car because he spent the day with Braxton & they took him to flag football practice that evening.
We were suppose to meet at 5 to decorate the Beef stalls. It took a while to figure out which stalls we were in and by the time we did I needed to leave with the little girls for clogging practice. {They were dancing at the fair on Tuesday night.} I left Austin & Emma at the fair to help decorate {hopefully they were helpful.} When we got back from practice the beef stalls were done.
Because Emma had a pig & the rest of her club is in the beef barn she prepared her own decorations {I'm just glad I realized she would need to prepare something on Saturday!!} When we went to the pig stalls we saw there was a Willowcreek Swine 4H group. That would have been really, really good to know! Oh well there's nothing we can do about it now. The lighting is terrible in the pictures but she stall turned out cute. I'm proud of her for putting it all together.
Tuesday morning Jane woke up with her eye swollen. She had gotten a mosquito bite Sunday night at the park at Tessa's birthday party. Each day it got worse. Let's hope she doesn't get a bee sting! Luckily she was never bothered by it.
Early that morning Kurt, Austin, Emma & Ruth {because she is always so excited to work and go with Kurt} loaded up Candy Corn {the steer} & Porky-pine {the hog} and took them to the fair.
Their new home before the slaughter house.
I loaded up the suburban with totes from the shed and unloaded them in the shop at the Nyssa rental before we came to the fair that morning. That became a habit of bringing a load over every day. One day I even got two loads done. The shed is looking a lot better & I'm starting to feel hopeful {like I'm making progress.}
We were excited to check out the Red Barn that afternoon to see what the judges thought of our art work. I was just praying that everyone would receive at least one ribbon. And they did! {phew}
Spencer's photograph collage got 3rd
Austin got 2nd place for his dragon collage
Lego Mindcraft faces
Dollar Origami Shirt
Treeko {pokemon} in color pencil
Belle singing outside
Mermaid Queen
Popstar Concert
Fair Theme: Dusty Chutes & Cowboy Boots
Fair Theme
Bird House
Tiger Painting also received Honorable Mention & $10 gift certificate for art supplies
Self Portrait
Cutest Pig in crayon
Doll Clothes & a pillow she made with sewing machine from Christmas {kits}
Rabbit out of legos {participation ribbon}
Watercolor tree house {love this one.}
The girls got dressed & ready for their clogging show and Emma stayed with them while I ran Spence over to his flag football game.
Before they went on stage.
Ruth's freestyle
After it was over Emma gave her pig a bath in preparation for showmanship the next morning. Other kids were practicing with their pigs in the ring. We thought that was a great idea and she practiced too.
Let the rest of the week Kurt the fair kids over early to feed and get ready. I arrived with the rest at 9:30 or 10 {depending on the day and when they were showing. And always with a load to move to the Nyssa house.} Wednesday morning Emma had showmanship. Its all about her and how she handles and works with the pig. She did very well and was very calm leading her pig. Her pig weighs 295 {the second highest at the fair by one pound.} He is so fat & lazy and doesn't like to walk. He tried to lay down twice during showmanship. The judge commended her for doing well with a lazy pig. She got a blue ribbon.
talking with the judge - eye contact & smiling are so important
While that was going on Austin had weigh in. He did it by himself since we were watching Emma. His trek sister Sundee helped him too. He hung out with her a lot all week, I'm so grateful she is so kind to him.
When we were showing we spent a lot of time at the Red Barn, commercial building and eating fair food. The kids would do the later all day if you let them or had the means to support it. We would walk in the gates at 9 am in the morning, "I'm hungry!" Somehow fair = food has become en graven in their brains!
We went to the library that afternoon to have a break from the fair and get cooled off. If you can believe it their air conditioning was too cold and I was freezing. Regardless it was the perfect break.
We met up with Jamie & Nicholas and spent some time at the fair with them. Wednesday evening Austin showed in a non-competitive "Home Grown" show. There were no ribbons, kind of like a practice round showcasing the animals raised in Malheur county. Practice is always a good thing. The non-fair kids and I did not come back over to watch.
Thursday they both showed in market. This is judged solely on the animal. The classes are determined by the animals weight {unlike showmanship class is determined by how many years you have shown at the fair.} She was in the last class {fat pig.} She was in the top two in her class and made it to the championship round! You should have seen her face when they handed her the blue ribbon, her eyes got all big and then she had a HUGE grin on her face. When I saw her afterwards, "I didn't think I would make it that far!"
Everyone was all smiles after that! Great job Emma!
Then over to Austin's market class.
lining up
He placed bottom 3rd in his class. They still gave him a blue ribbon which is all Austin cared about.
Marti & kids plus Kenzie and Tyler came to watch that morning since it was the only day both of them were showing. After Austin finished we checked out everything at the fair with them. Its so much more fun to explored with cousins!
Austin showing off his steer.
The bunnies. Jane will tell you a million times over that the bunnies are the best part of the fair!
Then we took all the non-fair kids back to Vale to get swimming suits & eat lunch before going to swim at the Vale pool. That was a great way to fill up the afternoon and stay cool.
I didn't bring my swim suit because we were headed straight back to Ontario for Spencer's flag football game & the fair. I didn't want to be all wet and weird after swimming for the rest of the night. Jane did not like me not getting in. I put my feet in the baby pool with her and somehow my shorts were completely drenched by the end anyway. Apparently Emma freaked out {at the fair} while we were swimming. She called Kurt upset {she didn't know he had gone back to work.} So Kurt went over {even though he really needed to get some work done at some point!} and spent some time with them {outside of the fair.} He is such a good dad.
Spencer had an AMAZING game. He was on fire! He had two touchdowns, interceptions and blocks {pulled opponents flag.} It was so fun to watch! They lost but it was still one of the highlights of my day to see him play {like an all-star.}
It was so H O T! Trying to keep him cool & hydrated!
Friday Emma had nothing and Austin had showmanship. The non-fair kids {even Ruth} needed some time at home so I left Spencer to babysit. It honestly worked out really well for everyone.
That afternoon we all went home and passed out. Kurt even came home from work to take a nap he was so tired.
I think Ruth and Jane were the only ones who didn't take a nap. It looks like they took selfies, colored and ate pizza on the couch instead.
Saturday was sell day! Last day - we did it! Emma's pig sold for $6 a pound {at 295 pounds a total of $1,770} Kurt did some leg work before the sell and had a buyer lined up to buy her pig. It is someone he does irrigation business with. GREAT JOB EMMA!!!
cute bums in the sale ring
We had a long break in between the time to sell steers {they sold a bunch of other small animals.} Mollie and William were there too, they had come with Jeff. So we looked around with them. And tried to find William every 10 minutes when he ran off.
Everyone was raiding the St. Al's booth for PINK sunglasses
Austin's steer sold for $3.10 a pound bought by Romans' Ranches, Jeff & Julie, Ruf Excavation, & Global Reality. {Weighing in at 1,284 pounds making a total of $3,980.40} GREAT JOB AUSTIN!!!
Like last year I was overcome with gratitude for the amazing people who support {and love} my kids. And all the kids in our community. This is why I love the fair. The kids work hard for months and month to prepare their animals & generous people in our community help them by donating money to their animals. The money for their savings account will definitely be a huge blessing in the future but the life skills they are learning along the way are far more valuable.
CANDID FAIR MOMENTS:
Beating the heat with ice cream cones or shaved ice
Ausitn cleaning the walk way of his 4H club with support staff looking on.
Emma did tell me, "Mom, the fair is bonding us."I can only pray for such miracles.
Spencer brought his pocket change on Saturday so they could play the arcade after the sale.
Austin hanging with Nyssa kids. His dad was teasing him for finding the cute girls at fair,
Every year I want to become just a little bit more dedicated and involved in the fair process and experience. It is a wonderful thing for our kids. I am grateful that can be involved in it. Thank you Kurt for the countless hours you devote to helping the kids get ready and do the 4H fair experience. We love and appreciate you! And of course, great job on all your hard work Austin & Emma. We are so proud of you. Fair 2K15 OUT!
~~~Romans Reflections~~~
- Jane get so excited to go to bed. You tell her its time and she starts giggling and takes on running to her bed. She just keeps on giggling as you get her blanket and doll and tuck her in.
- Every morning this week I asked Jane, "Do you want to go to the fair?" "Yes. In my stroller." She loved her pink umbrella stroller. "MINE."
- With the hot temps and being out in the sun most of the day/week we talked a lot about staying hydrated. Lucy had obviously grasped the point, "Can I have some water? I need to hydrate. {after drinking some} Wow it feels good to be hydrating."
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