Indiana, Rensselaer - Saturday, August 22, 2015 - Fair Oaks Farm

Since our motor coach is still in the shop we rented a car and booked a room at the Holiday Inn in order to spend the weekend with son AJ, daughter-in-law Kim and the twins Jackson and Braelynn.  Friday evening we enjoyed the community spirit while watching the Rensselaer Bombers vs. the Kankakee Valley team. 

 

 

 

On Saturday the twins had two soccer games.  Jackson spent some time as goalie.

 

 

Braelynn got in on the action.

 

 

And then sometimes it was just a waiting game.

After the soccer games we headed just a little north to Fair Oaks Farms.  We had lunch at the “Cowfe”.

I chose half a Havarti pepper cheese sandwich and chili – yum.

We hopped on a bus to the Pork Adventure Center.

 

 

We had to “shower” before we went into the facility so we didn’t bring in any germs.  The more they waved their arms the more bubbles showed up on the wall.

When they stood on a particular spot on the floor their picture was projected to look like they were standing amongst a herd of hogs.

A mezzanine with glassed in viewing enabled us to see all of the times in the life of a pig.  These little ones were a particular favorite.

One more photo op before leaving the Pork Adventure Center.

The Pork Education Center back at the main complex is the newest facility at Fair Oaks.  This carved wood pig out front is just the right spot for a photo.

Jackson was really interested in some of the equipment on display.

Jackson was the one who suggested they should try the high flying ropes course.  He soon found out that might not have been a good idea. 

 

 

He did get just a little more daring – after a LOT of encouragement from those of us on the floor.  Encouragement was all he was getting from us, none of us were going to volunteer to go up and get him.  In spite of the height I think this is a pretty safe activity with the harness and strong cables they are attached to, but I wasn't going up to find out.

 

 

Braelynn on the other hand took off a little slow.

But she was soon off on a daring adventure.  These pictures don’t do justice to how high she was, I had to use the zoom to even be able to tell that it was her.

 

 

When everyone got back down to floor level we checked out the custom playhouse.  This is half inside and half outside the building.

 

 

The inside was so cute.  Having this in your backyard would provide hours of entertainment.  But, I think it would set you back a pretty penny also J

 

 

I got Jackson to take a break from exploring this old truck long enough to get his picture taken.

At the birthing barn we just missed seeing the baby calf born.  I’ve seen enough of them I’m not too disappointed we missed it.

The jumping pillows provided entertainment a couple of times during the day.  Getting their pictures on this thing is challenging.

 

 

Then we were back on a bus, this time going through the operating dairy barn.

 

 

Seventy-two cows are milked every 8 minutes in this carousel style milking parlor.

 

 

Look at all of the cows in the background – it’s going to be a long day.

 

 

 

The twins couldn’t resist the magnetic climbing tower at the Dairy Adventure.  Braelynn went first and got almost halfway up before sliding back down.

 

 

Jackson also went up about halfway.  Keeping three limbs in contact while rolling the other one loose so he could move up was really a challenge – those magnets were strong.

We finished up the weekend on Sunday with a barbeque chicken dinner sponsored by a local church at the county fairgrounds - what a great weekend!!

Indiana, Rensselaer - Sunday, June 22, 2014

Yesterday we made a grocery run and when we came home, the yard was filled with geese – clean up time again L

They look really pretty when they are out on the water.  There are two families with little goslings.

The grocery in Rensselaer had some really good produce.  The last couple of weeks I have tried something I read that is supposed to make your produce last longer, and it does.  Add ¼ c. of white vinegar to half a sink of water.  Add produce and let it set for 10 minutes.  I set it out and let it dry before I package it for the fridge or freezer.  I’ve noticed a difference especially in the berries.  You don’t taste the vinegar.

Today just turned six grandson Jackson was scheduled to sing a solo at church.  He was a little hesitant early in the morning, but when the time came he ran to the front of the church, stood on a box in front of a microphone all by himself and sang “As the Deer”.  What made it even harder for him was that he had practiced to recorded music and that was what he was supposed to have this morning, but there were technical difficulties.  He ended up singing with piano accompaniment which he had never done.  Unfortunately, the pianist wasn’t informed that he was only supposed to sing the first two verses.  When she started the third verse, Jackson had that “deer in the headlights” look for just a second.  When he hesitated the congregation started singing very low and he picked up and took it from there.  Proud grandparents have been known to have a tear or two run down their cheeks.

Later on the whole vacation bible school group which included Jackson and Braelynn entertained us with some very energetic drumming to the bible school theme song.

When we got home Greg convinced his barber (me) to cut his hair.  We are going to spend some time later this evening with son AJ, daughter-in-law Kim and the twins at their friends Bill and Bonnie’s home.

Indiana, Rensselaer - Friday, June 20, 2014 - Staying with the Twins

I’m glad we got out on the motorcycle and did some exploring over the weekend and on Monday because the weather here on Tuesday and Wednesday certainly prohibited getting out and about.  I think the storms have passed now and we are expecting a good weekend.  I hear we missed some weather related excitement near where we had been staying in Madison County last night.  Seems a tornado touched down briefly not that far away from the campground where we were staying.  I imagine the wind got pretty strong at the campground.  We’ll be returning there after next week so we’ll see if they had any damage.

Last night we were in Rensselaer staying with our twin grandchildren while their mom and dad enjoyed a night out in Fort Wayne.  The energy of six year olds is mind boggling.  We enjoyed lots of board games and videos.  They suggested that we just had to try the “best ice cream in the world” at Busy Bee Freeze.

The watermelon ice cream with gummy worms came highly recommended, but we opted for something a little more traditional.

We got home late this afternoon – it sure is quiet hereJ  We certainly enjoyed the time spent with the twins, they grow up so quickly.

Indiana, Rensselaer - Sunday, June 15, 2014 - Father's Day and June Birthdays

HAPPY FATHERS DAY TO OUR WONDERFUL SONS, SONS-IN-LAW and GRANDSON

You guys are awesome fathers, our grandkids and great grandson are truly blessed to have you as dads.

We spent today with our daughter-in-law Kim’s family.  They had their entire family in for the weekend so they had a busy house.  After a wonderful lunch the grandkids with birthdays in June had to sit still long enough to get a picture and then the presents came out – pictures were pretty much a scramble after that.

Dad and grandpas staying out of the way.

Thank you to Dave and Donita and your wonderful family for sharing today with us.