Monday Was A Great Day!

I think the pictures from Sunday and Monday tell it all!

Fair IS Under Way

Well, fair time is well under way with the pigs going to the fair on Saturday. All the people there think we are nuts for having 9 pigs for 1 4-H member! We found out that day that all gilts show as both market gilts and breeding gilts - meaning we had more pigs than we probably did need but oh well - the judge will definitely know who Kaylynn is!

On Sunday, Garrett showed pigs for mini 4-H and boy did he ever do a wonderful job! He kept Porky Pig,a s he named him, in the center of the ring and answered the judge's questions with ease! The judge even recognized him many hours later after he had changed clothes and told him that he did a great job! We are proud of you Garrett! His fair experience is not over as he gets to help in the barn to get Kaylynn's pigs to and from the arena today. Also on Friday, he will show Sylvester, his cat, in the mini 4-H cat show. He is excited!

Last night 4-Her's received awards for their efforts in non-livestock projects. Our new 4-H club did well with 5 members being awarded top prizes! Kaylynn has 7 non-livestock projects and we are proud to report that she got a blue ribbon on all of them! She was named Reserve Champion of the Beginner division of Aerospace (rockets), Champion of Beginner Farm Toy Scene and Best of Show (Grand Champion ) of all Aviation projects! Awesome job Kaylynn! Papa said he wasn't sure if the pigs would be able to keep up with her amazing job so far at the fair!

After the awards, Kaylynn participated in the 4-H Olympics - teams competing against one another in 4 events. Her team came in 3rd out of 12! I believe she had a great time.

I owe you pictures as the camera got left in the show box last night when we headed home late - sorry!

Well, today is pig show day and Papa and Eric have already left for the fairgrounds. I am suppose to be making donation signs for the 4-H Council but am procrastinating and thought I would give everyone an update. Kids are still sleeping - they sure need it! Wish us luck today as it is to be humid and 91 degrees! We will let you know how it goes later this week!

Is It Already the Middle of June?

It has only been about 2 weeks since our last update and so much has happened! The soccer games went well with the Marion Ligthning team ending the first game June 6th with a tie and losing by 1 in the second game. The girls really made large strides in improvements this spring -we could not be more proud of them!

With the start of county fair only a couple days away, all but one project has been turned in! AAAHH! Pigs head to the fair tomorrow and show on Monday. We will try to post pictures from Garrett's mini shows on Sunday and Friday and Kaylynn's show on Monday as soon as possible.

Well, I should get back to trying to finish last minute things and getting the house picked up. Hope this finds everyone doing well and finding ways to stay cool!

Summer Has Begun

I know, I know - it's been 2 months. What can I say - busy lives I guess.

School is now out and we are in full 4-H mode trying to get projects done since they are to be turned in June 17th! Twice daily feeding of the newest arrivals to our home - with exercising daily. We have been joined by 8 pigs at our place. So far all has gone well. I have to say I am quite jealous of the digs these pigs get compared to when I was a 4-Her. Pictures say enough!

Moving in day

Marshmallows for the first time.

Check out these digs!

As I type, we are heading to South Bend for our final soccer games of this season. 2 games this afternoon and we are done. Hopefully that will mean some boating time is in the near future.

Quite the fierce fighter face!

Garrett had his first piano recital last weekend and was one of the few who played with no mistakes! He is still taking lessons over the summer - he asked to!




Pictures below show the kids in early May at the State Judo Tournament. Garrett faught hard and had some tough matches. His bracket pairings sere not quite fair but he did some great fighting! Kaylynn is now a 3 time state champion. She did great!

Garrett attempts a throw.

Kaylynn tries a throw!

3 time State Champion!

Although we have not officially received grades, we now have a 4th grader and a 2nd grader! We are told that Garrett got all high marks and that Kaylynn has again earned High Honor Roll wth straight A's! This would be her third times on the High Honor Roll in as many opportunities! We are proud of both of them for their hard work!

On a sad note, we had to put Jake down a few weeks ago. He had developed a bacterial infection in his lungs and it was terrible to see how he was struggling just to breathe. Was not easy, but we know that it was the right thing to do.

I expect that the next post will include 4-H news and the news reporting the safe and healthy arrival of a new niece! Stephanie and Andy - we are thinking of you and anxious when the phone rings! We can't wait to see pictures and know that everyone is doing well!


Well, that is about it for now. I could go on and on but I know how precious everyone's time and besides, I might actually have time to read a book for a a little bit before we get to the soccer field if I end this now!