more fun times in NY

Sunday afternoon was a perfect day to hike up and down the driveway and yard looking for black raspberries... we were afraid we wouldn't find too many, but we got nearly 3 pints! I think it's save to say they were a bit hit!

the girls particularly loved them

it was also nice to have Aunt Tracy and Matt & Breanne come Monday night so we could make a big mixed berry cobbler (black raspberries, strawberries & blueberries) to share!

Afton found this great pogo stick and practiced nearly every day we were there, she could get about 4-6 bounces at best, but had a great time trying!

another childhood favorite of mine was Lollypop Farm, it's an animal rescue shelter/home/humane society type thing, but as a kid I just liked looking at the animals!

the kids were really happy to see the horses, they're blowing their lips like horses in the pic, that's why they don't look like they're smiling

the emu was also a favorite, they didn't really want to turn their backs to it though, I think they were afraid it'd bite through the fence

again, not pinching noses, they were trying to hold their noses upturned like a pig snout!
the funniest thing to me is that they thought of these 'poses' on their own

petting some completely relaxed goats. it was a really hot day, so most of the goats and sheep were in the barn by the huge fans, but there were a few totally calm ones in the yard that the kids could pet.

Being true Andersons at heart, we couldn't resist getting some outdoor work in on our vacation. Fortunately, Grampa is always working so we could hitch a ride with him and get something done.

the girls were both immediately excited about riding on the tractor, Malachi was thrilled to see the tractor, but way too scared to ride on it.

we hitched up the dirty old trailer (which Chi did want to ride in, though I wouldn't let him, way too many bugs and rust)

and we loaded up 3-4 loads of wood from various piles that Grampa had already prepared, and drove them over to the woodpile. We're excellent wood stackers, and even though the tractor wasn't working right (it needed to be charged 3-4 times in one day... I think Grampa said is was something with the starter, or the choke? I don't remember, he was also having trouble with his chain saw and his mower, so he was a little frustrated with how little outside work he was able to get done) we had a great time, and I think we were actually helpful, instead of just in the way.

Malachi was brave enough to pretend to drive the tractor at one point while the rest of us were loading wood, and he had such a fun time pretending that when Grampa went to turn it back on so we could go unload, he was finally ready to ride:

here's the blurry pic through the trees where we loaded the last wood into the trailer... and go figure, it wouldn't start!

so he missed his ride after all, but we were able to charge the battery again, and later we finished this pile, unfortunately Chi didn't get to ride later (I think it was nap time, though I don't really remember).

 

there was a great big tree just behind the tractor and off to the left that was knocked down by Sandy that Grampa had already started trimming, the trunk was all still there though, and we went down to see/play on/clamber across it the next morning, it's going to make some good firewood this winter!