Spud Harvest Break

School is put on hold for two weeks while people work in the harvest. Although it's officially "spud harvest" it's perfect timing for our corn harvest. Hudson has been enjoying packing his pocket knife around nonstop. His mornings are spent in the chopper with Brent. He loves having jobs and being helpful. He has become very useful in leap-frogging equipment around now that he can drive the 4-wheeler.

In addition to the harvest, we've been making the most of the beautiful (downright hot) weather. We've been eating popsicles, sleeping out, riding our bikes, eating alfresco, running the waterfall, and canning up the season's finest-corn, tomatoes, peaches, and apple.

Dinner Bell's Ringing

It's harvest time and the kids couldn't be happier. We've been fixing and then delivering food to the crews. We even grilled burgers right in the field one night. Dalanie loves that it means drinking pop and Hudson loves catching rides in the trucks and chopper. One thing's for sure when you see our car beating through a corn field- the food has arrived.

Cold Turkey

My baby, almost 10 months, up and quit nursing this past week, cold turkey. Apparently there are more exciting things going on than hiding under a blanket to eat. Especially when you can already feed yourself spaghetti.

Let me just say "ouch!"
Ouch that she doesn't need me anymore.
Ouch at the price of formula.
And ouch from engorgement.

Our Secret

As soon as the older kids are fast asleep, Ruby and I play. It has to be our little secret because Dalanie would certainly not approve, she couldn't stand it. We don't have to share my lap and we never get interrupted. There are high speed crawling chases and sweet little neck munches. Baby lotion and footed pajamas. Giggles and cuddles and tickles. It doesn't take long before she's completely worn out and joins the other sleeping ones, followed shortly by me.

Corn Picking

The sweet corn has been on for about three weeks now. We fixed up an old wagon that doubles as a playpen for the girls while I'm picking.I'm the official picker, with some helpers every now and again. Hudson prefers to oversee the project and help load the corn into the wagon. At first the kids and I would pick what was ready and set up a little stand in town to pedal our corn. They seemed to enjoy it more than I did.By this past week, I was tired spending my afternoons selling corn and there was just so much. Luckily we found a buyer who took the three pickup loads we picked and people to help pick. One more thorough picking and the season should about be over.

Fair Time

Best Dressed Couple

Dalanie told everyone we were headed to the fair after church, and she was right. Everyone probably assumed the EISF, but we had better plans than that.

The Wilkins clan convened at the fairgrounds in Burley for a state fair of their very own. You didn't need a loaded wallet, instead your participation paid cash. If you brought humanitarian dolls, you earned money. Just there a lot of money was paid out since over 550 dolls were collected!We had a dutch oven dinner, country dancing, carriage rides, and maple bars that evening.
Monday morning we collected our premium money for our handmade or homegrown entries. There was a little of everything there; artwork, produce, quilts.

Then on to the fun and games. There was a cow pie toss, sack races, graces tournament, ring and stick race, and a half pipe competition.You had to "buy" your lunch, but the twisted taters and burgers were worth every penny.
After lunch we went to the carnival. Grandpa was giving rides on his swing. You could prove your love and win a stuffed animal for your significant other and enjoy cotton candy, kettle corn, and sno cones.I'm afraid we won't ever take Dalanie to a real fair, she'd cost us a fortune. Anytime you turned around she was asking for more money.

Skunk Farmers

We've been raising another big patch of sweet corn for the kids to sale. We've learned that you can't have corn without critters. So with our bumper crop of corn, we have also had a bumper crop of skunks. After taking seven, we hope there is not much more increase of yield in that department.

We had a close call the other day. The kids and I were loaded on the 4-wheeler, headed to pick corn. We drove down one of the rows, only to find a skunk feet away with it's tail in the air. I let out a crippled scream and gunned the 4 wheeler out of there. I'm glad to report it was WHEW, instead of PHEW That would have been bad, very bad. Apparently there was a trap there (good to know.) What a heart pounder. I still shake thinking about it.

New Look

I took my two straggly girls to the beauty shop.
This is what we came home with.Still not completely out of their eyes or tangle-free, but it helps.