Spring Visit to the Farm

A couple of weeks ago, the boys and I loaded up and headed down to the farm for about 4 days. We always love our visits down there and the boys love exploring everyone around the farm. Although Caden and I went down in the fall, this was Ethan's first visit since Grandad went to heaven. It was very special spending time with Granny and Grandpa and it is definitely something that I truly understand now not to take for granted. The boys think that it is amazing that Granny and Grandpa know how to drive the tractors, mule, 4-wheeler, and bulldozer just like Grandad did. They were certain that Grandad was the only person on the farm capable of doing those special things. Luckily for them, Grandpa showed them different!

The favorite way to get around the farm is on the mule. Grandpa took them over to see the cows and they came back with flowers they had picked for me. Sweet boys!

When Grandpa wasn't in the driver's seat, you can bet one of these two boys were

Until it was Uncle Chad and Aunt Ashley's turn to take Collier on a farm tour

Then Grandpa returned to the driver's seat with a lap buddy. Collier didn't quite know what to think about that :-)

Then we took a break on the back porch. I Love, Love, Love that we got a picture of these three with Grandpa! Grandpa doesn't care too much for being the center of attention. I kind of wish I had better dressed my boys for this one but we definitely play in play clothes at the farm!

What a great picture!

Then the boys went off to help Granny with weeding around the greenhouse...

And the sunporch...

       

Before they got distracted by the 4-wheeler. While I wouldn't let them drive it, they had a blast pretending

So much so that Ethan wanted to pose so that I could take this picture of him

While he was posing, Caden found his favorite thing to pull around the farm. But the wagon was full of papers that Granny planned to use to keep critters away from her berry bushes so they pulled it down to unload it

Granny could not stop laughing because when they started unloading the wagon, Caden yelled "Come on, boys, let's show them how it's done!"

Once their job was complete, he happily pulled that wagon all over the farm...

Until a lizard crawled up on the side of the wagon and kept the boys entertained for 30 minutes. The lizard then jumped off of the wagon and crawled up Ethan's leg. Ethan began to hilariously jump around saying, "Get off me, get off me." He was all about holding the lizard, but once it was on his leg, he felt completely different about his little friend.

Then Grandpa offered the coveted ride in the cab tractor, A/C and all.

Can't get much better than that!

       

While the boys rode the tractor, Chad and Ashley took Collier down to see Payton. Payton was amazed by Collier and kept nuzzling her. It was adorable watching them interact with each other!

Which was followed up with some car talk between Chad and CJ. 

Boys and their toys ;-)

And while the boys and I had to leave Sunday morning to get back for our evening bible study, the rest of the family went to church. I missed being able to go with them but I am grateful for our last visit down there as a family where we have a family picture similar to this one that they took that afternoon.

We are already looking forward to the summer when we will be able to go back and spend a few more days with them!