Tuesday, August 27, 2024

County Fair - Monday & Tuesday

The Southern Iowa County Fair was July 15 - July 20.
This year the static exhibit judging was while Aubrey was still in Tulsa, OK so she was not able to interview for her projects, but Avery was able to bring in a few as a first-time 4th grade projects.
Additionally, Avery brought her 2 goats - Dixie and Waffle. Aubrey brought her 2 heifers - Princess and Tinsel. Avery competed in the $20 clothing fashion show and the girls both did a working exhibit together making Mini Banjos. And earlier, they both presented a carcass beef that was butchered at the Sully locker! It was a very busy fair, but always such a great experience!

On Monday it was SUPER hot and storms were threatening when we were supposed to bring the animals in, so we held off until the later afternoon, just to realize that they whole fairgrounds would be closing early at 5:00 and there would be no cattle weigh in or goat weigh in. We basically got the goats unloaded and put in their home for the week and turned around and took the heifers back home so it would give them one more day to run free after being tied up already for a week in Oklahoma.

Avery's awesome sign she made before the storm and the goats got it to! 

Avery helping Lucas put up our club signs way up high!



On Saturday, Avery went to interview for her static projects with the 4th grade judge. 


She got a BLUE for her Christmas decoration

She got a BLUE for her "Pool Rules" sign, and also a "Low Cost" ribbon


She got a BLUE for sewing her koala pillowcase 

She got a PURPLE for her $20 Challenge (only 1 purple was allotted in that category)

Nothing like going straight from Junior Nationals to County Fair, with one night at home! 

Blake got Waffle a coat to wear to "keep the flies off" and to "keep people from seeing how good he was." He didn't wear it correctly right away - too funny! 


Loading up the animals on Monday afternoon was SO HOT!!!!! 

Since they moved check-in times for the goats and cattle, Mom had to do it by herself with the girls because Dad went to Marion County fair to help some other 4Hers with their show. We did it successfully! Aubrey can handle her heifers with no problem! 

We were saddened to see that the sign didn't even last for one day. 

Waiting to check in Dixie in her pen

Walking Waffle to weigh-in (with friend Regan)

All set for the week in their pen!


On Tuesday morning, the girls both volunteered at the "Many Little Farm Hands" booth. 
Aubrey manned the apple tree.

Avery enjoyed working at the sheep center - close enough to goats :)


The heifers all checked in and settled for the week! 

Oh, Waffle, you're so cute!

Avery competed in the $20 Challenge earlier this summer and presented her outfit and walked the stage in her piece - she got a BLUE and won BEST OVERALL $20, which earned her a PURPLE! She did great and this event was definitely up her alley! 



Aubrey's group of friends also came for the afternoon/evening as it usually is the "slowest day" at the fair and more time to hang out! 


Dad came back at night to help feed and bring to tie-outs!

The re-made signs in plastic - maybe they'll last?!

Going to wash before tie-outs!


Walking the goats and practicing bracing for the show tomorrow!


 

Tuesday, July 30, 2024

Tulsa Jr. Nationals

Aubrey and Steve loaded up their trailer with Princess, Tinsel and all their things needed for a week and went to Tulsa, OK for Junior Simmental Nationals from July 8-14. This was the longest time apart we have all been and we missed them dearly, but they had a GREAT experience! I found an Air BnB house just minutes from the Expo Fairgrounds where they shared with 2 other families: 3 dads with 4 kids. It worked well, but Aubrey was feeling a little "peopled-out" by the end of the week. 

The night before they left, as they were packing up, Aubrey sprained her ankle pretty good. 

So, we packed the ice packs and towels and she even elevated it as they were traveling.  We even threw in some lace-up boots of Jen's since there was no way her foot was going in a boot for awhile. 




Sales Talk - a 6 minute conversation with 2 judges to "sell" her heifer in a mock sale. She ended up selling it for her asking price of $5,000!


McClane - from IA, had to hold Tinsel while was selling her. 



Opening Ceremonies - all the 50ish kids from IOWA!

Aubrey and Brylnee at the house getting ready for their speeches!

She gave a 3 1/2 minute speech with 2 note cards about the current cattle inventory!

Aubrey and Brynlee enjoyed some Dippin Dots on a hot afternoon - and it did get HOT there! 


At the recreational volleyball tournement: Brynlee, Tiegan, Emily, Aubrey, Lucy and McClane - 
from IOWA - they lost their first game. 





SHOW DAY #1 with Princess!


We were thrilled to be able to watch her on the livestream! 





They have spent a lot of time together this simmer - good thing they get along so well :)

SHOW DAY #2 with Tinsel!







G and G Kaisand came down for the shows and treated her to ice cream - that's all she needs! 




Because out County Fair was the next day, Aubrey and Steve did NOT stay for the awards ceremony. Steve did not want to drive through the night and Aubrey wanted the heifers to be free for one night at home before county fair.
Sadly, Aubrey was unable to accept her awards and she got A LOT, so another Iowan brought them all home for her.

OUT OF 200 JUNIORS, She place in 4/5 competitions! 

⭐️
12th Genetic Evaluation Quiz
⭐️
14th Cattleman’s Quiz
⭐️
15th Public Speaking
⭐️
16th Sales Talk

AND…18th OVERALL JUNIOR! Quite an accomplishment!