Vacation Wrap-Up: Fun on the Farm

After a week at the cabin, we departed and headed back down south to Grace, Idaho. Home of the Toone Dairy Farm- one of my favorite places! My dad grew up there, and it's always so fun being there with him and his brothers, seeing him in his element doing what he loves. He can never wait to get those boots on, get out on the tractor and drive for hours around the fields helping out.

Anyways, before we got to the farm that Friday night, we went straight to the Caribou County Fair in Grace. We JUST missed the parade, which I was sad about because they threw out masses of candy. But we were just in time for the rodeo, which was really entertaining. We met my mom and dad, and Brittney's family there, and sat right up on the front row. The girls kept each other good company, as always, and I love that Cami had her hand on Ari's back for awhile. It was just resting there lovingly. :)

Of course we enjoyed some fair food while we watched. Jake had a burger and fries, and I had a big ol homemade corn dog (call me crazy but I love corn dogs). THEN we got some strawberry pie and ice cream for dessert, and shared some homemade donuts amongst all of us. YUM...nothin like fatty fried fair food. (Speaking of, I'm excited that the UT State Fair is just a week away!)

Spending time with Grandma and Grandpa.

Dad was so funny about his rodeo program. He was the only one who got one at the door, and we kept asking to see it, and he was very protective of it. But thanks for letting us steal it away every couple minutes! The best part of the rodeo was the very last bull rider and event of the night....they talked him up and said he was 8th best in the country. Up till then, none of the bull riders had been able to stay on, and were disappointing, but this kid came out and did a full 8 seconds and gave us a grand finale. It was exciting.

It was cold that night! Jake looks cute...even in his full U of U gear. Psshhh.

That night, we stayed the night in a motel in Soda Springs, and then headed to the farm first thing in the morning. My cousin Steven made us a delicious breakfast of pancakes and eggs, and then took us out for the traditional "tour" of the farm. Gotta do one every time we go cuz so much changes! This is one of my favorite parts...seeing the new baby calves that were born that day or the night before. Here was a new little guy.

Cami checkin out some pregnant heifers with Dad.

Visiting the endless pens of cute little calves. Dad kindly offered his fingers for this one to suck on. Bleh.

Grandma was a good walkin buddy. (By the way, look how good she looks! My cute mom has lost like 40 lbs and looks amazing).

The kids got to climb up and sit in the tractors. Cami was all about takin the drivers seat!

That thing was huge. It's amazing how much these tractors cost!

And who doesn't love to jump into a giant pile of soft cottonseed? We used to play in this as kids, and although it gets into every nook and cranny of you, it's lotsa fun. Cam didn't hesitate for a second- she was aiming for the top!

She got a little toss to help her get there, and had fun with Carter, Matt and Bryan before sliding down.

Posing in the skidloader with Dad.

Jake actually went out with the men for 7 hours that day, riding the tractors and touring the fields, and had a really good time. I could totally picture him wanting to settle down on a farm when he's retired...it really interests him. That's my boy! The girls stayed behind and visited at Aunt Peggy's house, and I was completely wiped out just from that short walk of the farm. Wuss. Cam had fun swinging in the backyard, since it is her favorite pasttime!

Silly bill.

That evening, we enjoyed a family picnic at my dad's Uncle Morris's and Aunt Marilyn's house with a bunch of extended family. Then we headed for home that night and arrived around 11. It was an awesome, long, relaxing, fun filled vacation that we will not forget!