Farm Visit

Matthew and I attended our ECFE (Early Childhood Family Education) program this past school year and had a wonderful time.  We overcame some separation anxiety (just a little though).  On the last day of class, we went to a local dairy farm for a tour.  We went to the same farm last year but it seems like we learn sometime each time we have been there.

On the last day of class, Scott got to go to the farm with us!

Scott had also attended a couple of classes with us during the year!

Matthew was a little scared of the cows at first but soon got over it and would pet the young calves.

I guess he is checking his hand for germs or something!

I want to say that this baby calf was born only a day or two before our visit.

Matthew tempting to pet the calf again.

Of course, we had to stop so Scott and Matthew would look at (or admire) the tractor.

Matthew with his friend Ethan from class.

Matthew talked about Ethan all the time but when it came to class, he was to shy.

Not really sure what is going on in the picture but it's just cute!

We all got stickers that said "I met a dairy farmer"

We also had a yummy snack of string cheese and chocolate or white milk.

Matthew and I with the teachers from our class.

Matthew had so much fun in class this year.

It is amazing what he retains and starting doing or saying later when we are out of class.

He learned a few songs that he loves to sing.  Sometimes he just breaks out in song.  He doesn't always remember all the words but he loves to sing them.

Combine Riding Boy

Most of you know that Matthew is a Disney Pixar Cars lover!  After watching it a bazillion times, Matthew started talking about "Frank" (he's the combine).  On Saturday, Matthew and Scott got to ride in a real combine.  They were really excited.  I think (I mean I know) that farming is in Scott's blood and Matthew is loving it too! The "farmer" was an old neighbor.

Visit with Uncle Rory & Kevin

Our last stop on Saturday was in Clarissa, MN to see Uncle Rory & Kevin.

(Uncle Rory is Adie's Uncle and for those of you who don't know us or just started reading, Adie is Matthew's birthmom.  Adoption is an amazing experience.  We have added an awesome extended family!!)

They have 26 horses and some chickens (Bandee Chickens).

Then there was a tractor ride!

The little white horse was my favorite.

Emma had to meet all the horses. 

 So Uncle Rory, Emma, Matthew and Scott walked and walked and met all the horses.

I love this picture!

Matthew sure is listening to what Uncle Rory had to say!

Uncle Rory with Matthew and Emma.

Sorry Kevin the pictures that I took of you and Matthew didn't turn out.

Did I mention that they made us a wonderful supper and dessert?

Well if I didn't they are amazing cooks!

We had lots of fun!

Thanks for a great time Uncle Rory & Kevin!

Century Old Farm

Our next adventure on Saturday was all the way over in Wadena.  The farm that Scott's grandma grew up on was celebrating as a Century Old Farm.  The farm is now owed by Scott's grandma, Tillie's nephew.  It was fun to see where Grandma Tillie grew up.

Here are a few pictures:

The original farm house...

Aerial view:

Farm house after an addition and new siding....

They had an awesome banner with all the years and what was done or bought.

This is just the top part.

The Barn...

This organ was played by Grandma Tillie.

It was at my in-law's home for many years.

It was then taken to a relative in Wadena to be restored and is currently at the home of Grandma Tillie's sister.

Matthew and Scott loved the tractors!

This is the surrey that Grandma Tillie's dad owned and often brought her to school in it.

One of the earliest pictures taken of the surrey was in 1912.

The surrey was very upscale at the time.

Emma and Matthew in the surrey.

Farm

On Monday this week, we went on a field trip with our ECFE (Early Childhood Family Education) class to a farm. You would have thought that Matthew has been growing up on a farm.  He was not scared of anything.

We got to see lots of "baby" cows.

And lots of big cows.

Matthew even let them lick his hand.

It maybe helped that Daddy was holding him. 

Yes Scott even got to join us for our field trip.

I think those two would love to live on a farm.

Then we seen some baby chicks. 

They are so cute and fuzzy.

Matthew even had to give it a kiss.

Both Matthew's and Scott's favorite part of the whole farm experience was climbing and sitting in this great big tractor.  Matthew was a bit mad that he couldn't go for a ride.

Not sure how well you can see it but look at the smile on Scott's face.  It says it all.

See he had no fear!

We had a blast out on the farm. 

Think someday we will live on a farm?

Tractor Ride to A Farm

On Sunday afternoon, Matthew and Scott drove the tractor to the neighbor's small farm while I walked.

Matthew got to see cows.  Lots of cows and lots of pregnant cows.

This poor cow looked miserable when she walked.

Then a drive back home.

Daddy was even teaching Matthew how to steer!

He was pretty good by the time they got home.