Red, White and Blue Singers

The elementary school has a wonderful Veteran's Day program.  The Kindergarten through 5th grade do a great job of singing some patriotic tunes and the high school band and vocal groups share their talents, too.  It is a goose bump rising occasion to recognize the local Veterans and think about the sacrifices they have made for all of us to have our freedom.  

The Red, White and Blue Singers are in the balcony. 

Lucas -- fifth over from the right.  

Singing his tunes.  

Layne, Clayton, Lucas, Holden and Lydia.  

"Grand Old Flag"

Fairgrounds 5K

I've participated in a couple of 5k events in the last year and Lucas had asked to do one. He doesn't have any idea how long a 5k is {it's 3.1 miles} so I wanted to find one that was appealing to kids.  Guess what? One of my favorite places in the world has a 5k fundraiser.  The IOWA STATE FAIR.  The money goes to to the Blue Ribbon Foundation which helps renovate and restore the fairgrounds.  When I saw this 5k had a specific kids event, I was hooked.  

I've been to the state fairgrounds for lots of events, so I've seen it in different appearances {including freezing cold and snow covered while showing cattle at the Iowa Beef Expo in February when I was a youngin'}.  The day of the 5k, the fall colors were on display and it was crisp fall day - perfect.  

We were captured by the event photographer :-) 

The Chase the Cow Kids Run did exactly that - they chased the cow.  Each age group of kids went a little farther, based on the age of kids.  Lucas' age group ran 100 meters.   

Do you see him?

Way on the end...

And they're off! 

I was so proud of him and how much he loved it!  There is nothing better than watching your child discover new things, try something out of the norm, and be successful.  

After his race the 5k/1mi walk started.  It was awesome that after the kids race he said, "when do we run the one together."  He wasn't even phased and ready for more.  We probably ran 50% of it and he enjoyed the whole event.  No complaints.  

Post race! 

Remember where we were?  

How could there be a better post race snack than...

CORN DOGS! 

and...

FAIR SQUARES! 

We are absolutely doing this race again.  

*I don't know who to give credit, but several of these photos are from the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation website. 

Harvest

Harvest 2013

We had a very wet spring, which led to a planting season that lasted longer than normal.  On Ryan's due date {June 23} Brent still had a couple of customers planting.  This is not what would be considered normal.  Summer was dry and the late summer heat really took a toll on crops.  Harvest was fairly smooth weather-wise but yields were not anything stellar.  We are always thankful for a safe season and any crop produced.  

Ready to ride! 

His favorite thing to do.  

A whole day of riding with mom running the grain cart.  A fun Saturday!

Catching up!

On this particular day we saw two deer that Uncle Brian chased out of the corn with the combine and three hairy and fat raccoons.  

Another day, another rider.  

Mommy and Hannah. 

Ryan loved it, too! 

Four generations of Perry farmers.  

Grandpa Steve, Hannah (2), Lucas (5), Brent, Ryan (3 months) and Great Pa in front. 

Skills lesson -- the pliers. 

If you give a kid a tape measure...

he will measure everything!

Inspecting her uniform. 

Ryan and Great Pa. 

We love any farm/tractor/combine time we can get (including mama) and look forward to next year. 

Brent is already busy selling seed for 2014.  

Bitty Baby Tea Party

Miss Ellie, Megan's daughter, had a Bitty Baby Tea Party this fall.

All of the attendees and their doll's.  Well, Hannah is actually sitting on her baby doll...

Sidney reading a storybook to the girls. 

Mama's are always so busy!

Time to eat! 

Hannah's turn to tell a story :)

Cupcakes! Best party ever! 

The girls had tons of fun playing together and eating yummy treats.  Everyone got to take home an American Girl goodie bag with fun things.  Hannah never tires of playing babies and can even talk her big brother into playing babies once in a while.  He's a good sport :)  

~football~

It certainly hasn't proven to be a great ISU football year, but nonetheless, we still cheer loud and proud in our family.  

The day before the ISU vs. Iowa game.  Friends no matter what.  

In their jerseys. 

My love. 

Varsity Marching Band. 

Lucas and Papa Steve. 

Never miss an opportunity to eat a corndog.  

The forecast has predicted rain all night.  We were fortunate enough to miss it, but the clouds looked cool.  I like the atmosphere of night games.  

my nephew...

...is taller than me.  

And he's only 13.  

Orchard

About a month ago, Lucas had a day off from school.  His school field trip to the orchard was so much fun that we decided to round up our friends and go back.

Hanna, Hannah, Lucas, Jonah, Josh, Noah, Jack.

In front - Ryan and Jacob.

Before the maze... when they were clean.

Kim and Noah.  

She probably tossed those shoes.  The maze was crazy muddy. 

Results of the muddy maze. 

And what happens when you are running around the muddy maze.

Hay ride.

Ryan and Jake.

Horse races.

The hay maze was way more my style!

I don't know the official name of this homemade slide, but the kids loved it!  

Hanna and Ryan.

The jumping pillow.  Jacob organized races across the jumping pillow with the boys.  

I bet they made 30 laps back and forth.

H and H.

The large pedal tractors were a hit for all ages!

Maggie and Jonah. 

H and H. 

Jack.    I love this picture because this little boy LOVES tractors and he looks so natural with a friendly farmer wave.  

This boy love it, too.  

Look at this smile! 

I'm trying to talk Brent into building a tractor track and buying a few of these tractors.  I haven't been successful.  

She had a blast but it really doesn't look like it in this picture, huh?

Gramma Vicky came with us, too! 

I love this photo, too.  

Noah and Hannah. 

Another favorite.  Oh my, we had a fun day!

The boys.  

J-U-M-P!

So content.  

Next year I'll be chasing him around!

Jack and Hannah. 

Jacob and Hanna.  

We may have started a new tradition!