Big Mike

My friend, Harry, who owns several gorgeous Belgian horses, let the kids all into Mike's stall so that they could pet him. This is why they call draft horses "Gentle Giants". There aren't too many horses that would tolerate those rain ponchos in such close proximity!

Milking Parlor

Here's something else that we don't usually get to enjoy at the fair because there is always such a huge crowd. We not only got to watch the process in the milking parlor once, but twice throughout the day! The kids were fascinated. 'Course I loved it best when the cows would look over at us....I wonder what they were thinking?

Fly Tying

Because there were so few people there, thanks to the horrid weather, the kids were all able to get right in and tie flies for fishing! Normally, it is way too crowded! They were so pleased with themselves!!

2011 Fryeburg Fair

It was wicked cold & wet, which made it perfect weather for hot cocoa...

HANG ON TIGHT!

Our oldest daughter, climbing the fake tree at the Waterford World's Fair on Saturday evening, not the least bit scared, but pretending for the crowd. She crazy about thrills - bungee jumping, rock wall climbing, flying trapeze, etc. I just think she's crazy!!

The Best Kind of Kiss

Right on the super-soft nose of a horse...

Go get 'em!!

Just imagine chaos for a minute...now imagine someone letting loose 10 baby pigs and sending twelve 6 & 7 year-old kids after them...hilarious chaos!! Good country fun!! Yesterday, one of those kids was my youngest son and he caught one!! He has added another critter to our farm and we couldn't be more proud. (FYI: the pig's name is 'Bacon'.) This was his last chance at the Pig Scramble since today is his 8th birthday. Happy birthday, little buddy!!

Teamwork

These two riders are working together to get this cow out of the herd and down to the pen...

Oxen

These little guys almost came home with me yesterday - they were just too cute with their little 'heart' faces....

The funny thing was, Tillie was terrified by them! I was shocked, considering how much cattle work we have done, but little cows, attached together and pulling tires, was very frightening, as far as she was concerned! Now, the draft teams with all their noisy harnesses, pulling big wagons or stone boats, she watched the other penning horses freak out at those, but never batted an eye. Baby carriages, umbrellas, golf carts darting in and around us, and the millions of other crazy things that make up a country fair didn't bother her a bit. But, in Tillie's mind, cows have a certain place - being chased around an arena - anything else is too weird. Horses can be so silly sometimes!

Highs & Lows

After the day I had yesterday, this was the best way to recover - 2nd place in the Novice Division at the team penning at the Windsor Fair!! YEEEEEE HAAAA!!!!!!!