Down On The Farm

Last weekend was the annual fall farm party hosted by one of the ENT physicians with whom I work. He has a hobby farm and invites not only the entire ENT/Audiology clinic from our hospital, but also the entire ENT residency program (MDs in training) along with everyone's family. My DH and I have gone a few times, but this was Little D's first trip. I already posted some of the photos from the farm here and here.

I didn't think we'd go this year because it was the same weekend that our entire family was in town for Little D's baptism. Well...everyone at work kept encouraging me to bring the whole entire gang...and I finally caved in. (In our defense, we were not the biggest family group there -- we had 8 adults + Little D, but there were two other families with 10-12 people.) I'm glad everyone talked me into it...it turned out to be a perfect Fall day and a great family activity.

First up: Hayride. All aboard!



My dad, mom, and sister.

My sister & MIL (and another family next to her).

Besides being just a "hobby farm," this place is also stocked with LOTS of vehicles.

The ENT/farmer/owner happens to sort of collect old vehicles...of all sorts.

Little D hardly knew which way to run first.

What is this one?...

...An old SNOWPLOW! Yep.

Check out those tires.

Yep, OMMA actually took a turn in the driver's seat.

This time we were in some sort of old digger/tractor.

Notice whose hand I'm holding back from the gears.

I was just a tad worried he'd manage to undo the break & set it into motion.

Neither of us looking particularly with-it here.

But...I included it...just to prove I was *indeed* there.

Little D really didn't want to pose with PoPo (my MIL) for this shot.

He wanted to get down & run around...imagine that.

I did have to remove her beer from her hand to attempt this shot.

Somehow a beer, a grandma, a toddler, and a bulldozer all together just wasn't working.

Next up...A FIRETRUCK. Yep, the farmer/ENT owns an old firetruck.

Little D was giddy with excitement.

I have to say...he looks like a natural in the driver's seat.

Hey D...that's one BIG steering wheel...

...and you might need some help reaching the pedals.

It's a long way down from that seat.

Tiny boy + Huge truck = Pure bliss.

Up top the firetruck with Appa.

Yes, those are bales of hay.

Later there were rides on the firetruck...

...like a typical hayride, but even better, right?

Letting Uncle J take it for a spin.

D had a blast running through and gathering up the grass everywhere.

Wheeeeeee!

My friend/colleague, N and her baby, R.
You might remember seeing her before back in this old post.

Baby R is a little bigger now...and even cuter, don't you agree?

Those eyes!!

Little D sharing some grass with one of the ENTs.

Of course, once he accepted it from D, this game went on for a long time.

Thanks to E for being so patient & letting D bring pile after pile of grass to him.

Quick...there's time for one last tractor ride.

After "driving" all the vehicles, it was time for some good old fun in the dirt.

This might just become a fun annual tradition -- down on the farm.