• Aug. 3, 2007
Woo-hoo!
Finally, online again!! "They" apparently decided that it was time to send out someone who knew what he was doing and we are up and running again. If I hadn't been so distracted by the fair and our vacation, things could have really gotten ugly. Ah, the fair - now I can bombard you all with fair pictures.
The fair is kind of like a camping trip where you take your livestock along with you. (except we come home to sleep) You bring lawn chairs, coolers, extra clothes, a ton of animal gear, and yes, I brought some knitting. Wednesday we load up all our gear and critters and get everything in place. Here's the goats checking out their new digs for the week:
With 2 species to show, the boys are kept busy showing on Thurs, Fri & Sat. The sheep show (Fri & Sat) is pretty long - both days it started at 8am and finished around 4pm. Sunday we get a breather but we're still there to tend to the animals. Monday is the 4-H auction, and then we can pack up and go home. It's fun but by the end of the fair, we are pretty tired and the house is a mess of tracked-in fair grunge and dirty laundry. This year we were blessed with beautiful weather - what a difference it makes!!
This is about how we all feel by the end:
Middle boy takes a break in the most comfy spot he could find:
This is the part where I brag:
Thursday is the goat show. Middle boy had a great day there--he won champion doe, champion pair of does, and intermediate showmanship. (showmanship is where the child is judged on how they show the animal, rather than the animal itself) He turned 13 during the fair week and so that was a pretty nice present!
We had our first real win ever in the sheep barn this year. Oldest boy won a lamb last year in an essay contest and she went on to win Reserve Champion Ewe this year. We were so excited for him!
Here's a friend helping him show "Thistle." With breeding stock, it's common to have 2 people show the animal.
Even Doodle had a good fair - farmer husband insisted on showing her in the open show - even though she is such a little peanut. We thought for sure she'd place dead last but she was actually in the middle. And our youngest used her for Pee-Wee Showmanship as she's the perfect size for him - and he won! He was so thrilled - all the pee-wees got some money and a ribbon, but he also got a trophy. I love this shot with the judge:
Here's the winner getting interviewed by the sheep superintendent:
On Monday, with the 4-H sale over it's time to clean up the barns. load all the animals and gear and head for home. Oldest boy had a little mishap loading animals and cut his arm open on the bottom of a trailer. Nothing too serious but it did require stitches so we quick dropped the animals at home and headed for the dr's office. We were just glad to make it there before closing so we could avoid a trip to the emergency room.
To answer a couple questions, I did not enter any knitting. I would like to though, sometime. It would be a good idea because then at least I could get an exhibitor's pass, which is a little cheaper. Mamascrapalota asked what we do with the fleece - unfortunately, our sheep are meat breeds and they don't have nice fleece. I didn't really believe this until last year when I borrowed a spinning wheel and spun a bit of it. It's just really coarse , and not easy to work with. I have used some of it to stuff pillows I made for the boys. I should do more of that type of thing but it's so greasy and it's a lot of work to clean.
Thanks for looking at some of our fair pics!!
Comments
• Aug. 3, 2007
yay
Posted by Anonymous
yay goats! go goats!
and those at the haul of ribbons the sheep hauled in! might fine!
your sons are so cute in their photos, especially the one on the wooden bench poor thing. pooped.
xoxoxox
jen team goats
go goats
• Aug. 3, 2007
Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
I know that fair week is so hectic, especially for the families that show the animals. Last night at our co-op meeting lots of moms were talking about it since, here in our small town, this is fair week!
Congrats to your kids for winning such great prizes!
Randi
• Aug. 3, 2007
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Posted by woolwinder
Welcome back. I really enjoyed seeing the Fair pictures. Congratulations to your boys! I'm guessing their animals did well in the sale too.
• Aug. 3, 2007
Congratulations!
Posted by Thimbleanna
What a haul in ribbons -- great job to you and the boys. Love all the pics -- thanks so much for sharing. Gosh, I could comment on every one...that first pic of the goats -- can't you just see them talking to their neighbor -- just like the sheep in Charlotte's web. My fav pic though is of your little guy with the judge. The whole thing just captures the moment -- him looking at the judge, the boots and look at the big grin on the guy in the background. Too Cute!
• Aug. 3, 2007
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Posted by Anonymous
YIPPEE for you being back online!! I know how disconnected you've been feeling!! LOVE all the fair photos! Congratulations to all of your boys!! Brought back memories of days spent in the llama barn at the fair! So glad you had great weather! Makes all the difference at those things!
Janice
• Aug. 3, 2007
Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
Huge congrats! That is so exciting. And I am so glad you are back online.
Your family is beautiful.
• Aug. 3, 2007
Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
that was me, btw. darn comments.
~Kelli
• Aug. 3, 2007
Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
Congratulations! You all certainly had a very successful fair :)
I've been to fairs, but never knew anyone who participated, so your synopsis of your experience was very interesting...thanks for taking the time to write all about it.
Hope you can get some well deserved rest now and maybe do some knitting ?
happy knitting :)
hakucho
• Aug. 3, 2007
Untitled Comment
Posted by Danielle
I LOVE all the pic's of the fair!!! Big congrat's to all the boys on there big wins!!! Yeah Sheep! It sounds like satisfying, and worthwhile time. I bet even though you all were pooped out, you were very happy with your accomplishment :)
Glad you're finally back online too ;)!!
• Aug. 3, 2007
Untitled Comment
Posted by Kelli
Great pictures! It looks like such fun! Congratulations to all the winners!
Kelli
www.kellishouse.blogspot.com
• Aug. 4, 2007
Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
what a fun and work packed weekend. congratulations to the winners. sorry about the cut...ouch. good thing you got to the dr's in time.
jessica
www.somethingjessica.blogspot.com
