Boy's Day Out!

Every year, hundreds of farm businesses gather in Des Moines for three days for the Power Show.  During "the farm show" (as Caleb calls it), visitors can stop by booths of their interest to get information, order products or just look out of curiosity. There are small companies offering accessories to what farmers already have (buildings, livestock, equipment, etc.), as well as actual equipment ranging from ridiculously oversized, technologicalized (in my opinion) equipment to pickup trucks and more.  This year, the Van Zante boys and neighbor Miles decided to have a day out, just the guys.  So they packed themselves in the car, grabbed a thermos of coffee, stash of doughnuts and homemade white chocolate chip chocolate cookies (new recipe and they were VERY good!), and headed to the big city of Des Moines, Iowa for the day! 

I sent along the camera with instructions to take a lot of pictures of Caleb. (Yes, Caleb played hooky that day!  And he loved every minute of being so grown up!) Josh came back with five pictures, two of which were repeats.  Oh well, at least he brought back the camera... and Caleb!  And to my knowledge, nothing else... I kept the checkbook at home.  (Ha ha... just teasing Josh a little there!  But seriously.... I did!)

Anyway, enjoy the four memories Josh remembered to photograph:

This is Caleb standing on the platform of a Hagie Highboy (a sprayer).   We own an older, much smaller version of this, which is what Caleb is used to seeing.  But you know what?  The chemicals don't see how big or fancy a piece of machinery they're coming out of is; they kill the weeds just as dead whether coming out of our modest sprayer or this big thing.

(I must put in a disclaimer here:  the (mostly negative) opinions expressed in this blog post regarding the ridiculousness of the cost, size and technology that some "farmers" have become so obsessed with are those solely of Amanda; the addiction to shiny new green paint is stupid, both in regards to financial common sense and stewardship,  and no one has any business buying paint they can't afford!  Anyone with a true love for caring for God's creation, being stewards of the land and for other farming aspects will enjoy farming sitting atop their well used tractor and aged combine as much (or more) than curling up nice and comfy in their new plush thing with air conditioning, CD player, and  GPS that supposedly drives itself and is so pretty on the outside.  It may be easier, but I'm sorry, that's not farming.

Please be sure to relate these opinions only to Amanda and not the rest of the family... ask them for theirs, they may or may not be willing to share.   :-)

Ahhh... I can't tell you how good that felt to get it off my chest! )



Caleb sitting inside the Highboy.  Don't get used to it, Big Guy!




The wheel was huge!




This was a massive engine to something. I'm not sure exactly to what,  but I guess it was picture worthy. 

 I think all four of the guys really enjoyed themselves and came home thankful for who we are, what we do and how we do it!  I thank God daily for our blessings, and for the heart that He's given my husband for modesty and hard work as well as for wisdom in the stewardship of our finances and resources.  I'm very proud of him and so grateful my children have him to be their guide and teacher as they grow into the adults they one day will be.