Egg Drop Alachua

With our boys prepped for hunting, we left the house early Saturday morning to participate in the Egg Drop Alachua. Sponsored by a church in the community, the event was suppose to feature a hot air balloon releasing thousands of eggs on to the field but sadly the wind was too strong that morning. No need for the Easter Egg hunt in the field was plenty fun for our boys.

With their game faces on, Logan and Gavin were ready to crush the competition.

The announcer asked if the kids were ready and started to count down from ten! How many toddlers and preschoolers have that long of an attention span? After about eight, kids on the other side of the field started to rush the field. We were all about equal opportunity so we released Gavin since he was chomping at the bit anyway. Off he went to grab the egg he had been eyeing during his wait.

Apparently that one egg met his quota since he returned back to us after he dashed out to get his one precious egg. "Hurry, go get more!" we shouted and quickly he turned around to gather up more.

Of course, the little one got involved too and loved it thoroughly.

The slightly-larger-than-the-rest, orange egg was his coveted treasure.

Before the hunt started, there was plenty of fun activities to keep the little ones busy.

After receiving some candy for a prize, Gavin explained he had to wait until after breakfast before eating it. Just like Little Critter had to do in Happy Easter Little Critter gifted to him from his grandma.

Here is to wishing everyone a Happy Easter this weekend!

Cellon Oak Tree

Next door to the Rodger Strawberry Farm is the Cellon Oak Tree. This beast is the largest, living oak tree in the state and apparently can be seen from space. It measures 30 feet in circumference and 85 feet tall with a 160 foot average crown spread. It sounded impressive, so we had to check it out.

Logan is Mr. Independent over on the left while Sean and Gavin are climbing the lower limbs on the right.

I will admit it did not look that big from a distance.

Then we got closer and I saw the tree for its true size.

What a giant beauty!

Rogers Strawberry Farm

A close friend asked what has been my favorite part about living in Florida. While there were far too many answers, one that I had not thought of before moving here was the produce season. I would like to believe we are fresh food junkies and Florida provided local produce all year for our happiness. Greens beans, blueberries, tomatoes, green peppers, watermelon, corn, yellow squash and I could still go on. And when we learned there was a pick-you-own strawberry patch just a few miles north we set off to the farm!

Speaking of favorites, my favorite food is the strawberry. Far above peaches, raspberries, blackberries, cookie dough, fresh baked bread, nectarines, and pasta which are other favorites in my top ten. But the strawberry is king.

Since we went early in the day on a weekday, we had the farm to ourselves.

Gavin, a fellow strawberry lover, could not believe how many strawberries there were to pick.

Gavin became quite the farmer too after his lesson on not to pull off the green ones.

'Mom, there's another strawberry over here.'

Logan walked the rows at first not really knowing the fruit that surrounded him.

Then once discovered by this toddler, the fruit was no longer safe.

What a face!

One handsome farmer if I may say.

After mere minutes at home, we enjoyed and devoured strawberry milkshakes. We stayed busy over the weekend making a batch of freezer jam and a batch of strawberry syrup. We inhaled some fresh strawberries with ice cream too with finally me finishing off the pickings in one late night feast. Now our nearly nine pounds of strawberries are gone and I am left wanting to visit the farm again today.

Orange and Blue Football

This past Saturday was the Orange and Blue Debut spring football game and a great opportunity to introduce the kids to some Gator Football. 'Goooooo Gators!' as Gavin chants. You have to teach them young, right? Gavin actually talked about it all morning and could not wait. So we donned the appropriate colors and headed out in the cool 93 degree weather.

After watching about six minutes in the sun (and that's six minutes too long), we climbed to the top for some shade. I was surprised how both boys were really into the game. Logan kept waving and dancing his arms to the chants, while Gavin wanted to know what happened after each play. Sean was experiencing heat stroke next to us, so I had to make up some football lingo on the spot. Despite the heat, it was a great afternoon and one activity that I am glad we attended while in Gainesville.

Watch for Logan rockin' out while Gavin becomes an instant fan.

'I really like your race car, Papa!'

Every Wednesday night, I volunteer at our church as the Book of Mormon teacher to some of the greatest people in Gainesville. I have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity and have learned so much from the curriculum but much more from the students. However, every Wednesday night is also Test & Tune night at the Gainesville Raceway and Grandpa Forbes happens to drive a race car.

So last week, I was talking to a good friend who graciously offered to teach the class for me while our family supports Grandpa Forbes at the track. It was practice night so we got to see my dad race down the strip several times. The boys had a blast and surprisingly were not disturbed by the noise (once given their noise-canceling earphones, of course).

I stole these first two pictures off Facebook from Chuck, Sean's good friend from school, taken with his phone. Do you think point-and-shoot cameras will become outdated one day since so many people will have camera phones? Just a thought.

Inspecting the engine one last time.

Giving the 'thumbs up' to race.

Sean, Adam, and Chuck also known as Tanner, Adam, and Rutledge from the History Channel's Top Gear.

Making some last minute tweaks to ensure a smooth run.

Green means Go!

Go, Papa, Go!

My dad ran a 9.8 on his first run while going 135.27 mph! Can you imagine going that fast?

Sean was given a crew pass to help my dad out so I handed him the camera for some close shots.

Waiting for another run. Lucky number 217!

Making some adjustments before the next run down the strip.

We had a great night supporting our local driver at the race track. A big thank you to a sweet friend who gave up her night for our nontraditional family outing. And when my father came over Saturday night for dinner, Gavin straightway said 'I really liked your race car, papa!'

Mother and Son

Taken by an almost three year old.

The Clay County Fair

This event has been on our calendars for a few months now.

We pass the fairgrounds every time we drive to and from my father's so we have been reminded for weeks.

We were excited to see what new item had been deep fried, but to our surprise saw alligator eggs on the menu.

We were excited to show the boys some real farm animals and there were so many animals to see.

There were even baby chicks for Gavin to hand feed much to his delight.

A petting zoo with a large variety of animals who knew their sole purpose was to eat.

Amongst a large tractor display was a center island for kids to play and learn with play tractors, of course.

Going earlier in the day was such a wise move for we beat most of the crowds.

And we spent some time with this yellow fellow.

Gavin got to ride a handful of kiddie rides all by himself and LOVED them all. He was a pro rider for every time he passed us, he waved and cheered 'Hi Papa. Hi Mom. Hi Dad.'

Meanwhile this little boy walked away dejected but hopeful that soon he will grow up big like his brother. Logan is all about equality right now when it comes to Gavin. Whatever brother gets or does, he should be able to do the same.

Even though this picture may seem like an odd one to post, it captured our carousel experience perfectly. Gavin enjoyed every magical moment spinning because he watched himself the entire time in the mirror to his left. Logan meanwhile thought we were trying to kill him since after mere seconds he landed a death grip on me with shriek of terror mixed in.

And this picture takes the cake! Gavin's smile is perfect with pure joy, but the greatest part is the twenty something behind him riding the Wiggly Worm like a rockstar!

On our way out, we stopped by the early Florida area where this classic fire truck was housed. Earlier in the day, a fireman walking through the crowd gave both boys a toy fire hat which Gavin knew exactly what to do with.

Everything about the fair was fabulous: the food (healthiest we could find), the rides, the silly shows, the animals and most of all the carny folk!