Harvest Time

Fall is Kincaid's favorite time of year.  It means he gets lots of combine, tractor, and semi time.  A couple weekends ago we went up to my parents' in northern Iowa.  He spent the weekend attached to my dad's side.  Kincaid does very well on the farm.  He doesn't get in the way when fixing or moving machinery.  He never says he's bored. He can't soak up the farming lifestyle enough.  On the other hand, he's up early and goes full speed all day.  By Sunday afternoon he's ready to crash and we usually deal with a crabby kid.  When we were up there in September, he heard my dad get up at 3:00 AM and followed him downstairs.  He is so afraid Grandpa Ron was going to go outside without him that he barely sleeps.  If only he got this excited and paid attention this well in school.

He has also been riding with Grandpa Leon (Michael's grandpa) as he combines here.  Leon is not in tip-top shape so we never know which will be his last year of farming.  I want Kincaid to have as many memories with him as possible.  Luckily Leon has Kincaid-friendly equipment like my dad.  The tractors and combine have buddy seats that he thinks were made especially for him.

Sawyer even got a few rides.  So far he is a combine fan.  He gets in and falls asleep or stares out the window.  Never fusses.  I don't know if I can handle having two farm-loving boys.  They'll fight over who gets to ride in the tractor.  Maybe by the time Sawyer is Kincaid's age, Kincaid will be driving the tractors by himself and Sawyer can ride with him.

Both families have all the crops out now.  No major accidents or breakdowns.  Harvest is always a stressful time and high risk of a major accident.  I'm thankful for a safe 2013.  Now is clean-up time.  Combines, tractors, augers, semi, etc need to be washed and put away.

Grandpa Leon got TWO 340's this year!  Kincaid is always the first to ride in them. 

Waiting to ride in the combine with Grandpa Leon.

Grandpa Leon and the boys in the 7120. 

Riding in my dad's S660. 

My brother, Kris, looks a little like Eric Church.  With auto-steer no hands required. 

Kincaid spent a lot of time with Uncle Kris.

Sawyer's first time in a John Deere combine.

He was entertained by looking out the window.

Sitting in the tire of my dad's 8330.

Our families have been surrounded with agriculture our entire lives and I love that one (maybe two) of my boys enjoy it.