Father's Day at the Farm

They don't get much more handsome than this.  Tate is one proud Gator driver.

This is what happens when nature calls.  Of course, he is peeing directly towards the highway. I can promise you he didn't learn that from me.

I love this little smile and his sparkling eyes.  This picture captures Tate so perfectly.   

Crazy Cousins - Quinn was hauling quite the load.  Watch out though he was a crazy driver!

Shooting some hoops in the Barn!  Love this action shot of Devin.  All the cousins took turns.  Fun afternoon at Mamaw & Papaw's House.

Well this is what the day was all about....Dad. 

These boys are lucky to have this great guy as a role model.  He gives so much to them and our entire family.  We all appreciate his hard work and dedication. 

 

Love You!

Fun Filled Family Farm Day

Devin and Tate could not get to the farm fast enough this morning.  Greg headed to up really early.  The boys and I were all awake before 7 AM.  We quickly got ready and all had cereal before heading towards Princeton.  On our way to the farm, Devin said that he had a list of things he wanted to do today.  The list went something like this:
*Ride in the combine
*Ride in a tractor
*Ride on the Gator
*Visit Grandma Bane's House
*Ride in the new semi truck

I called Greg on our way out and he was getting ready to haul a load of soy beans to town.

Greg fished out a seat belt so that Devin could ride with him.  No telling when that seat belt was used last..

Love his grin.
He was so excited to be riding with Daddy in the grain truck.  

While Daddy and Devin were headed into town, Tate and I headed toward the farm.  We stopped at Grandma & Grandpa Bane's house to get the Gator.  We rode the Gator our to the field where Grandpa Bane was in the combine picking corn.

Tate loves to practice driving.  He was watching the combine pick corn.  

Here comes Grandpa Bane in the combine.

Mommy and Tate playing around.  We were waiting our turn to go for a ride in the combine.  I love Tate's eyes in this picture.  

Future Farmer?  I would say the odds are pretty good.  He loves everything about the farm.

Watching the combine unload corn into the new semi truck.  Once all the corn was unloaded it was our time to ride in the combine.  

Tate loves riding in the combine.  Here we were stopped again to unload more corn.

Up next, Devin.  He could now, check another item off his list.  

We we got done taking turns in the combine we hung out in the field with Daddy and Papaw Barry.  Tate had found an ear of corn while we were waiting.  He's pretty corny.

Next we moved over to the grain bins.  Tate had been watching the semi unload into the augur. He looks so grown up trying to zip up his jacket. 

So you can't work all day.
We headed to Mamaw and Papaw's house after eating lunch in Union.  It was time for naps and a little playing. Tate decided to cruise around Mamaw's House in the pedal car.

Practicing his driving skills.

Devin chose the Big Wheel.  This happens to be the same Big Wheel that Brad and Greg rode around as kids.  They have to be at least 25 years old.  Devin loves it.  He even figured out how to get going fast and turn sharply, making the rear wheels skid out.  

Devin's serious driving face.

Beautiful Fall Sky.
So thankful that the rain has held off.  They still have a lot of farming to finish up.

After playing at Mamaw's, we all loaded up and headed back out into the field.  This time we took Mamaw with us.  

Picture in front of Papaw's new semi truck.  On Friday their other semi had an electrical short, that caused a fire in the cab. They were lucky enough that they discovered it before it did to much damage.  They had to pull the semi out of the barn.  They were able to put out the fire, but it still caused damage that must be repaired.  Papaw contacted a couple of the local truck sales places and bought this semi over the phone.  They needed it desperately to finish up all the farming.  The boys each got to ride in the semi truck and honk the air horn.  Devin was excited to mark another item off his list. 

Quick picture with Mamaw and Papaw before hauling all of the equipment in for the evening. 

Farm Livin' is the Life of Me

So we left the big city of Chicago and headed towards Moline, IL.  That is the home and world headquarters of John Deere Tractor.  They are celebrating their 175th year.  It's not like my kids haven't ever seen a tractor before, but this is THE home of John Deere and Tate has quite the obsession lately.

Devin in front of the John Deere Pavilion.

Because it was their anniversary year they were having a special celebration for the kids.  We started by planting some seeds, watering them, and then harvesting our produce.  The next activity was fishing.  Both of the boys snagged some big fish.  Then we moved on to cow milking.  Then we stopped by the orchard to pick some apples.  At the very end we sorted all of our produce out to deliver to markets in the area.  After completing the activities the kids received John Deere bags.  Nice little surprise.

Waiting in line to drive on the Gator obstacle course.  Perfect opportunity to pose with the "deere".

Cheeseee....

Devin mastering the course.

Tate's such a big boy.  Driving his older brother around.

Inside the pavilion there are all sorts of John Deere equipment you can play on, drive, and push every button, lever,switch, etc. 

Here the boys are checking out the cab of a great big bull dozer.

I love the concentration on his face.  He really thinks he's driving this thing.

I said it was big!

That bucket would make anybody look small!

Tate driving Dad around on the new and improved Gator.  This thing is pretty "beefy".

Devin is sitting on the golf course mower. 

Waiting for a peek inside the combine. 

 

After checking out all of the tractors and such in the pavilion, we headed to their John Deere Store.  Tate had to wear his new hat out.  He couldn't even wait.  He was very proud of his new toys and wouldn't let the bag out of his sight.

Maybe this is my future shopping partner.

Captured a perfect moment.  Love his expression. 
The shirt really says it all. 

What Season Is It?

So what is better than spending some time outside playing at the farm?  Maybe Spring weather that feels much more like summer!  Hard to pass up an 80' day outside burning off some energy.  

We spent most of Sunday afternoon enjoying the beautiful day.  We headed to farm and dug out lots of toys.  All Devin was concerned with was having 4-wheeler "races".  We raced around the yard and farm and won every race.  It sure is great to have a vivid imagination!

Hard to believe that Tate can already reach the gas pedal.  Devin couldn't reach the gas pedal on the gator until he was 2 1/2 or 3.  Now all Tate needs is a driving lesson or two.

Tate even had the chance to go for a ride around the yard.

Somehow we all managed to squeeze on the 4-wheeler.  Poor Tate looks a little squished.  

 

Tate show us his driving ability.  Currently its not the best.  The only thing he knows to do is to put the pedal to the metal - typical male.