Father's Day on the Farm

Happy Father's Day!

Years ago, my Dad's first congregation started holding a chicken dinner in the park on Father's Day.  A week or so ago, Dad and I were talking and decided that it would be fun to go this year.  Darren and the boys have never been to Venedy.

(Sidebar...Darren has always tried to claim "small-town" status in our relationship.  His hometown has a population of a whopping 1800 and two blinking lights.  Venedy...population 138 according to the 2010 Census.  And, no blinking lights.)

So we went to the chicken dinner in the park.  I'm happy to report that Venedy is as timeless as ever.  It was fun to be back and to feel like I'd stepped back in time.  Even looking over at the Scanlan's house, I saw the same swingset and playhouse that I crossed the cemetery countless times to play in.  Such fun!

Mom has a nice recap of the dinner in the park here.

After Mom and Dad headed home, we stayed to take the boys for a visit at the farm with Roger and Joyce.

But before we left the park, the boys found some dirt to play in.

They're currently being hosed down with a power washer...but, Boys + dirt = happy kids.

Then it was past the church and down to the farm.

This was great!  For one, the boys have never had the chance to visit a real dairy farm.  Or any kind of farm for that matter.  Second, it was great to visit with Roger and Joyce. When we lived in Venedy, I spent every Saturday morning at their house.  We'd have pancakes and work around the house.  Then on Saturday evenings, I'd head across the street to the Sieving's house for dinner.

As a parent looking back, I see that Mom and Dad were rather clever with this arrangement.  Smart parents!

First, Roger showed us the baby calves.  The one the boys are looking at here was just born yesterday!  The calf was resting inside so the boys just peeked in.

Then it was onto the adult cows.

The boys came up close to some large hay bales.  Christian though this was fun...

While Connor tried to unravel one.

Then we saw some tractors.  Mommy had to climb up first.

Then, we went inside to see where the cows were milked.  Roger helped the boys climb up to peek inside the tank that holds all the milk while it waits to be transported off to fill up the jugs of milk we buy at the grocery store.

Joyce explained the process of how the milk gets from the cows to the tank to the truck to the store.  This tank holds 2700 gallons of milk.

Connor thinks, "Can I have a straw?"

On the way home, the boys both agreed that this was their favorite part of the farm.  They're both looking forward to another visit.

Thanks to Roger and Joyce for giving the boys a great experience today!