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4.18.2009

The farm

No trip to Ohio would be complete without a stop by Grandpa's farm. Monday the kids were still too tired from our time with Caroline's family and Tuesday it snowed (yeah, happy spring break...) on and off all day. So the plan was to stop by on our way out of town Wednesday. But then Wednesday morning we found out Grandpa wasn't going to be there as stopped by Aunt Nancy's house to say goodbye on his way to visit with a friend who had a stroke. With Grandpa out for the day, we (note that here WE means Ian and I) decided that we'd catch the farm later this summer. I was sad at the thought of missing it, but the 10 1/2 hours we knew we were facing plus the black hole of time that we call "meal time on the road" helped ease the pain. Kylie however nearly fell apart when we said we were going to skip going to the farm. Her nostalgia (even if it must be from hearing me talk about my love for the farm) eventually won us over and we decided to stop by for a quick walk around the "non-cornfield" part of the property. I'm so glad that she pushed us to take the extra time to stop!

Looks like we're gonna need to move somewhere with a yard big enough to justify a tractor...












Oh the memories I have (from all seasons) at this pond! Ice skating, fishing, caneoing, bird watching...

The edge of the cornfields ~ how different they will look in a few short months as the new growth overtakes the remnants from last year's harvest.
A little love for "the cat." Grandpa wasn't too keen on a cat around, but Grandma loved this kitty and it's still around nearly five years after she's been gone...
Trying the barn door. All my childhood this barn was red, but when the wood had to be replaced during my college years, Grandma told Grandpa something to the effect that "everyone has a red barn" and viola, it became white.
Taking turns running down (and in Caleb's case, jumping off ~ go figure) the cellar door. My kids are smarter than my sister and I, we used to try to slide down ~ hello splinters!

Due to the stop, we ended up rolling in our driveway at quarter to one Thursday morning, but seeing their joy (and reliving my own memories) was TOTALLY worth it!

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

oh the memories of the farm! The splinters... oh the splinters! I can feel them in my tushy now!

At least you weren't running from the bulls this time. :) I have great memories of being trapped on the bridge with cows on either side as well as being thrown over the fence as the bull approaches with thundering hooves!

Oh the memories!
Aunt Cici

Lisa said...

What a blessing to have a special place to relive childhood memories!

I love the picture of Caleb midair! And the one of the three of you beside the pond is very frame worthy!

Melissa said...

I am just thoroughly enjoying catching up on your trip....and your trip down memory lane with YOUR children. What a wonderful time you had, and your pictures are amazing as usual! It looks like Caleb fit right in with the family!!!

Nicole said...

I can't believe you were in Ohio and I missed seeing you all!!
Next time i will have to pay attention to when you are traveling LOL!!
I guess there will always be a next time!!
It looks like a GREAT trip and tons of fun had by all, those are always the best kind!

Laurie said...

I have just LOVED these past few posts, Kristi! It's been fun to read about your childhood memories while seeing your own kids connect to love ones and just enjoy the great outdoors. SUPER pictures too!!

Our Journey said...

It makes me think of my aunt & uncles house/horse farm. I love it still to this day & now Anne Marie talks about it all the time. It's so awesome when you can share such special memories w/ your kids & you see in them the same things you remember feeling! I LOVE LOVE LOVE the last picture of Caleb in mid air!!

Tricia said...

The cellar door always made me nervous (afraid of falling through). But not as nervous as going down those stairs into the deep dark cavern of the basement. :) I love the expression on Caleb's face in that last photo.

Sharon said...

I can so relate...the memories of my life growing up on our farm. Have been meaning to write a post about that one of these days as I drive by where I grew up everyday...