Our summer fun continued into our FAVORITE MONTH OF JULY, so I'm literally jumping back in with pictures of Johnny at Camp T. I really love being able to see little snippets of them while they are away....especially when they are doing things they really love and enjoy like fishing.
My flowers were looking so good at this point in the summer too!
....and more pictures of the boys from camp!
When they get home from camp is when the chaos really takes place....everything sits in the sun until it goes in the wash-it is definitely an extensive process.
After getting back from camp, the cow walking began again....
Mellany was given this dresser and decided it needed some color! It looks so amazing in her room.
Then the judging started....Charlie was first with his electric project
Then Johnny with his model that took champion!
Mellany with her pencil drawing.
And Johnny again with his leatherwork knife case.
Charlie entered a watercolor painting he completed in school.
Lots more days were spent walking cows.....but I truly enjoy this time with my family. It is such a precious memory that I know I will deeply miss one day when the kids are grown and moved on past 4H.
Last, but not least, Mellany had her sewing construction and fashion revue judging.
After all the judging took place, we entered barn set up and FAIR WEEK. John was gone on a work trip to New Orleans for barn setup, so it was just the 4 of us. I know they are my own kids, but they literally set up our stall without any of my help, and it was impressive! They are such hard workers and they really busted it out on this night! I was so incredibly proud!
Early Friday morning of fair week, the kids helped load up their calves and they arrived at the fair barn!
Gammy arrived too and the fun really began.
This year I was asked to start running the milkshake stand with a few other ladies, and of course, I found the best taste testers.
Charlie hit up the magic show from the front row with Gammy. And of course got chosen to participate.
Papa and Teresa arrived in town for the fair too and we even recruited papa for cow help!
I don't know if Johnny or John are more sad that Tilly won't be around next year.
And then it was SHOW DAY!
Charlie was first with Debbie and did an amazing job! He had a large class and came in 4th out of 9. Then in showmanship, did an incredible job! His hand got caught in the halter and was in so much pain for the majority of the class, but he stuck it out until the very end. He learned so much this year and cannot wait to show again next year; of course we can't wait to watch him!
Mellany was after Charlie and looked like she had been showing for years. She showed Betty this year and she was calm and collected and the judge commended her on it in the ring. Mellany got to show in the Brown Swiss Championship class but ultimately didn't place. She did get 4th in her showmanship though and we couldn't have been more proud of her!
Johnny was the last to enter the ring and my goodness it was just as much fun to watch him this year as it was last year. He handled Tilly so well even though she was about 30x his size! His poor little bicep was so tired by the end but he stuck it out. He ended up in the champion brown swiss class and didn't place. Then in showmanship he took 4th! It was awesome!
A photo I will forever cherish! So thankful for the grandparents who come to support our kids (and us!). John and I were so happy they were all here of course, but our kids absolutely LOVED having everyone there for them.
After the dairy show, we had Mellany's fashion revue. She didn't win this year, but I definitely think she should have.....her outfit was INCREDIBLE! And is one she cannot wait to wear.
And there was lots of time spent with dairy cows...
...and at the milkshake stand!
At the end of the week, the Greased Watermelon Contest is the highlight!
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John even got to join in the fun as a judge this year!
The boys participated in an art contest and won some prizes!
After the greased watermelon contest, all the animals (or at least those that don't go to auction) go home. This was Johnny saying goodbye to Tilly.
After a long (and amazing) week at the fair, it was Mellany's turn for Camp Tecumseh (Equestrian Camp). It was another great week and I think it is starting to hit her that she's only got one year left before she ages out of a "camper" to a "counselor in training"
After Mellany's week at camp, we entered August. And that's where the end of summer "dread" starts. If July is our favorite month of the year, August is the absolute least favorite!
