Old Settlers Day 3

So Saturday was the last day of Old Settlers and now that I am finally blogging about it on Wed, it feels like it happened a long time ago.  We started the day working to set up our Farm Bureau Hot Dog Feed, Ag Activities and book reading.  We have had the pleasure of getting to know Dr. Dan Yunk, who is the the CEO of the Kansas Farm Bureau, as well as a children's book author and he was willing to take the time to come to Ness and read and sign his books.  They are a series called Kailey's Ag Adventure, when Kailey visits her Grandmother and learns all about different part of agriculture.  The first is about milk coming from a cow, the second about soil, the third about taking care of animals and the forth that is set to be released in August is all about wheat.  Eve really enjoys them and I will blog more about them in the future.  Along with the book reading, Tyler had contacted the Midwest Dairy Assoc. and they lent us their milking cow, and the local elevator helped us get tubs full of different grains grown in KS from the kids to dig around in.  It was fun to see the kids have a good time with the cow and the grain and for lots of people to learn about the books. 

Here's some kids learning about where milk comes from and one of the kids milking the cow.

We also got to feed the riders who were just getting back from the poker run. 

Later in the day we went to Tyler's class reunion and it was nice to see his classmates, although no one wanted to pose for a picture.  We came back home and tried to go to the demolition derby, (it was going to be my mom's and my first time) but there was so many people there we would not have gotten a seat.  So instead we went downtown and used the last of Eve's ride tickets.

And finished our time off with a funnel cake.

Overall we had a good time.  Since I did not grow-up in this town it's hard because I am not waiting for this time to come to reconnect with people who have moved away, but I appreciate how important that is for others.  Tyler was planting for most of the time, but along with my mom and the girls, we had a fun time and will anticipate it coming in five more years.

Old Settlers Day 2

Friday was the second day of Old Settlers and it was even hotter than the first.  We headed downtown around 11am to see the Pony Express come through and deliver special Old Settlers mail.  Eve was excited to see all the horses again.  Then there was a free BBQ lunch which was very tasty, but we didn't stay long afterwards because it was already getting so hot, plus we needed to start getting Eve ready for the fashion show.

The theme for this fashion show was Fashion by Remote and featured people modeling clothes from many different decades.  Eve was in a pioneer thrashing scene and worn a denim jumper with a gingham blouse and boots.  She was excited to go, but when I left her backstage I could tell she was nervous.  She was lucky to be in the scene with Tyler's cousins, Tim and Trevor, and Trevor's fiancee Amber.  They all walked out together and she was a little apprehensive, until she saw me waving in front and then waved back and announced onstage that she saw her mom.  She had a good time and asked when she will do another show again.

Here she is with Tyler's Mom Jan in a 60s prom dress she was modeling.

Later that day, we went back downtown to enjoy some free ice cream and visiting with some friends.  Eve had a great time going on more of the carnival rides with her friends and dancing around to the music.  It was a hot fun day.

Old Settlers : Day 1

Instead of Farm Friday, the next three days will be featuring some of the highlights of our county Old Settlers Reunion.  This event has taken place every five years in our county since 1880 and it is a big event.  Our small town of about 1500 people balloons to between three to five thousand over the three days with activities and reunions taking place all day long.

     Thursday was the first official day and the parade is the first big event of the reunion.  Most of the businesses and clubs in the county have floats and there are lots of antique cars and tractors.  We are lucky enough to live a block away from the parade route, but Tyler still went 2 hrs early to make sure we had good seats for us and our friends.  The parade was about an hour and a half long and the kids gathered lots of candy and some fun swag, like a slinky.

The parade started with the color guard and then the American Legion Riders.  The motorcycles turned on their engines right across the street and we all were woke up and ready to go.

This excavator was one of the fun highlights.  It would turn 360 degrees and the man would go and get to a good spot and throw the candy at the kids.  They just couldn't believe how it was moving.

Eve was a first excited to see Willie the Wildcat (Kansas State's mascot) but was tired and didn't really want to get too close to him.

Later we went downtown and enjoyed some fun activities.  We went on a horse and carriage ride through down and Eve met a Frontier Man and enjoyed looking through his tepee. 

The sun was very hot, so we spent the rest of the afternoon and dinnertime at the house before heading back downtown to see the High School's Rock Band.  Eve and Daphne both had a good time dancing to the music.  Daphne was even wiggling when we put her down and Eve was happy to see some friends.  She rode on a few carnival rides and it was time to come home, although we couldn't really escape the reunion.  Since we only live a few blocks away, even with the windows closed we could here the band playing fun oldies until midnight.

Today we are looking forward to some more fun times.  The Pony Express will be stopping by, a free BBQ lunch, some more bands and street dancing are some of the highlights, but we are most excited about the Fashion Show.  Eve is going to be in a pioneer scene and she is so excited.  We can't wait to see her on the stage, so come check back tomorrow for lots of pictures from that.

Firehouse Visit

Living in a small town definitly has its perks and today we got to enjoy one of them.  I have spent the past three days working on year end accounting stuff at the elevator, and the girls have been stuck inside due to bad weather.  So tonight with a little clearing of the weather, we decided we all needed some fresh air and went for a walk.  While out walking, we went past our town's firehouse and saw that they were cleaning and had all the trucks parked outside.  Of course we wanted to get closer and see the trucks, although Eve was very afraid the siren was going to go off and she hates loud noises.  The firefighter and his wife who were there were so friendly and took time to stop and tell us about the trucks and some of the equipment.  They even gave her a play fireman's hat, a waterbottle and a coloring book to take home like they do when they give tours to the kindergarteners.  Eve was really happy they thought of her and put the hat on right away, and everyone laughed when she put it on backwards.

    It was so considerate of them to take the time, even if it was only 15 minutes, to show us around and give Eve her stuff.  I find it one of the perks of a small town.  People are very inclined to share their time and talents with others.

We Love our Library

We are very happy to take place in my friend Christianne's "Love My Library" blog party on her blog Little Page Turners.  Her blog is a great resource for fun activities you can do with your kids that center on a book.  I have done many of them with my girls and hope that you take the time to check it out.  And we would not miss a chance to give a shout-out to our local library that we love going to at least once a week.

Here is our library!

We have two great librarians, Miss Jean and Miss Nancy.  They are always so welcoming, even to Eve's stuffed friends, and they never forget to give Eve some smarties after she checks out her books.

For a small town library there is a great selection of children's books and they are always getting new ones too.

We always make sure to come on the 2nd and 4th Thursday morning for story time.  We have been going since it started when Eve was 15 months old and have maybe only missed twice.  Eve has a great time and even takes our out of town family with her if they are visiting. 

Here are some of the kids enjoying a song at story time.

We enjoy our time at the library, and can definitely say WE LOVE OUR LIBRARY!