Wordless Wednesday?

Nope!  Can't be possible when the county fair is underway.....

It was somewhat of a quiet night.  We were finally able to walk through the barns and check out all the animals.  Pigs, goats, cows, sheep OH MY!

Isn't this a pretty goat?!  Almost looks like a deer...

We grabbed a potato with old bay and cheese -

then headed over the hill to watch the demolition derby!

Who does this!?  Well....lots of folks in our county it seems =)

We talked about how it used to be up at the grandstand.  How in the heck did they do that in such a small area?  Just doesn't seem possible but oh....it took place and we loved it just as much back then.

Just before we left, we got a sneak peak at what was in the big, white trailer -

I wonder how many folks will come back tomorrow night just to see what this show is all about?!  I know we'll be back.  Well, I guess that's no surprise since we practically live here, lol!

Yep, just a couple of WV rednecks this week!

Goat show and more -

The goat show is always Tuesday which means it's time for Chase to wash Cast and clean her up for the show.

He did great - he always keeps his 'game' face on but has continued to learn the proper way to show each year.  Cast weighed 99 pounds so he won the 'rate of gain' award AND only one goat was heavier @ 109 lbs.   We are very proud of him, to say the least.

After a short break, it was time for the FFA, 4H, FCCLA bake sale.  This is such an awesome thing.  All of the groups bake something and present it to the crowd.

Mr. Kable is typically the auctioneer -

while a representative from each group gives a 'speech' to SELL their basket and what they intend to do with the proceeds -

It is heart warming to see many of the local business owners come together and meet the goal for a particular event.  For example, one of the groups needed $4,000 for an event they have coming up.  Quickly 4 or 5 businesses began bidding and agreed to all chip in $1000 (or so) to meet this need.  How cool is that?!  This bake sale is such a heartwarming experience.

Anyway, Ronnie and I have been able to be present for this activity the past 3-4 years and have soooo wanted to be able to buy something in support of either our children's 4H group or some other group.  Well, lookie here -

All Inclusive Expertise, LLC (aka Ronnie Crockett) was able to do so this year!  PERFECT!!!! 

And just so you know, this basket of cookies earned one 4H group $725.  Woo hoo!

And then.....

right smack in the middle of the Fair....school starts!

Both of them now in High School!  (makes for easier 'meet the teacher' and conference nights =)

I hope ALL students have a great first day and good school year.

Monday, Monday, MONDAY!

With the Sheep show behind us, it was considered a relaxing evening...the eve of the Goat show but for some reason, that's always a little less stressful.

Over the hill, to the arena we go, getting there early enough to see them gettin' ready - 

But just before the start time, an announcement was made.  It seems a little girl had won the 'escort around the fairgrounds' raffle.  That meant her and her two siblings would travel around the acres of ground called "The Jefferson County Fairgrounds".  

They were loaded onto a cart and sent on their merry way -

And once over the hill (and out of sight/sound), we were told that really wasn't the case.  You see their Dad had been in Afghanistan since December of 2010.  One of the children he hadn't even seen in person.  And, he was home!  We were going to witness the homecoming.  This is something I only see on TV.  Honestly.

The Dad and Mom waited - then the fair officials timed it just right -

And then the reunion.  Such a heart warming experience.  

and then their family portrait.  Wow!

See......our WV county fair isn't all that redneck after all, ha!

Ok, almost forgot.  We did see fast tractors -

Old tractors -

And most importantly......a BEAUTIFUL sunset!  Happy Monday!

It's that time again

and it doesn't seem possible!  Saturday came and it was time to load up Bow, Arrow and Cast to head off to the fair.

It does get easier every year but it's still kinda sad when we think about them never coming back to C & C Corral =(

Animals came in trailers, cages and even passenger cars, ha!

but they all settled in just the same -

Our camp is even all set up -so if you're looking for us this week you will find us at the county fair!  Life is good =)

We'll MISS you Jess!

One of our favorite things to do on Friday night is eat at Glory Days.  The food is always really good (with a great variety) and the service is the best, thanks to Katie.  But....we LOVE the greeter!

We've known Jessie for a long time...and she just happens to be our neighbor.  Last night was her last night at Glory Days as she is heading back to Marshall University.

So we hope you have a great year and are gonna MISS YOU.  Friday nights just won't be the same, ha!

First Major Purchase....

Chase and Cierra are both starting a new chapter (so to say) and are about to learn first hand how to live within their means. They both made a major purchase for which they are financially responsible. Wow.

Cierra turned 16 on Monday but doesn't actually her driver's license yet. But....she does have a car!

This means that once the fair is over and she's settled into her Jr. year she will be looking for a job and learning how to live on a budget.  =)  I don't think that's really a problem because she is very frugal already.  

Now Chase....well, he's pretty much like me, lol!  His purchase was more like a toy - 

It was pretty interesting watching him make his first 'business transaction'...

Chase's payment is less than Cierra's but he'll have to work just as hard.  

We are proud of both and know they will be successful.  Congratulations =)

suddenly....

i feel like summer has come to an abrupt end!

The lambs are sheered -

the goat is clipped -

so all are ready for the county fair!

so what better way to spend the last quiet, peaceful, calm night?!  How about listening to Jason Aldean

cooking on the grill

enjoying a glass of Fenwick Chardonnay

thinking about all I have to be thankful for and letting go of those things that 'keep me up at night'.
Yep, life is what you make it and tonight i choose to make it 'pretty good' =)

Oh how I've missed you so.....

Believe it or not, we just hit the river for the first time this year a few weeks ago.  We absolutely love the peacefulness but it seems we have just been so busy we couldn't find time to load up the canoe and head over to Shepherdstown.

Once there, it was awesome -and of course I like to take pictures and prop up my feet while Ronnie does all the work =)

he doesn't usually complain but of course, that could all change except that he likes calling out things to take pictures of -

beautiful pictures of clouds reflecting off the water and a blue heron.  All of which you can't see because my iPhoto download was corrupt =(

Anyway, I think you get the picture point that I am hoping there are many more evenings and afternoons spent in this canoe in the upcoming weeks!