His Final Year

This weekend will mark the final time that Isaac moves animals into the Knox County Fair as a 4-H member. 

Not so long ago, he was a nine year old arriving at the county fair for the very first time. 

​Oh, how things have changed since then.  ​

In those early years, he took his first full-sized market steer to the fair.  He had a hard time keeping his eye on the judge because he couldn't even see over the back of Sampson.  

I think he has grown up a little since then....

This year he decided to go out big.  

He's wanted to take another big steer for a while....but Mom and Dad couldn't hold him off any longer.

He has been working hard and is now into the final stretch.  Chance is getting washed twice a day (thanks to Walker washing while Isaac is at work).  Isaac has been coming home from a long day of work to spend late nights in the barn getting that second washing in. 

I haven't seen much of Isaac lately because I am in bed long before he comes in from the barn.  It's a good thing he is young.

​Chance is almost there...but not quite where we want him to be.  This next week is going to be a hard push to the finish line. 

Walker is taking a feeder calf again this year. 

Lucky has been a sweetheart since the day he arrived on the farm.  

Yes...we have a Lucky and a Chance...

​Lucky Chance.

Walker has been washing seven cows every day since we got home from Junior Nationals.  Needless to say, he has had to learn how to be efficient...especially if he wants to do anything else with his day.  

He is trying to cram in his Driver's Ed. between working cows...so he has some good motivation to make quick work of washing.  

Isaac will also be taking Autumn and Kennedy back into the ring.  

Kennedy and Autumn will both be shown in the breeding show, but will be in different classes due to the difference in their ages.  

Walker is taking a cow/calf pair for his breeding project.  Candy Cane didn't calve until May, so the calf hasn't been weaned yet and momma has to go along.

Cow/calf pairs are not our favorite...but sometimes you just show what you have available.

Walker has been working Colt each day helping him to get used to the halter.  He is only about two months old...so things may get interesting in the show ring.  

It's going to be an interesting week around here.

We cut hay last night and will be cutting another field today.  Finishing up first cutting and starting on second cutting.  We have to get all the hay up, hauled home, sleeved and put away...all before equipment move in on Thursday night and a chance of rain on Friday.

Saturday, animals move in to the fair, so they have just a few more days to fine tune the animals, pack the trailer and get everything ready to go.  

I think we are in for some more late nights...but who needs sleep...it's fair time!