When I was little, I used to love visiting my grandparents' farm. Since my dad was a fighter pilot in the Air Force, we moved every 2-3 years, and I don't really have a house that I "grew up in." My grandparents' house (and farm) in tiny Greenfield, Illinois has become the one constant "place" that I've known and gone back to my whole life. From the days of hogs to ostriches (those were fun years! :) to sheep to now the lone horse being boarded in their pastures, I have countless memories of riding on my grandpa's lap in his tractor, helping my grandma shuck corn or snap beans on the back porch, and loving the silence of the country. One of my favorite things to do over the years was to sit on an old metal glider they had in the back of their house- the view was priceless in the summer- acres and acres of corn swaying in the wind broken only by tree lines with winding creek beds. We spent Thanksgiving on the Greenfield farm this year and for the first time, I began to realize that our days on the farm are numbered. My grandparents are in their eighties, and spend their winters in Southern Texas. Their property is huge and would be difficult for anyone to manage, even though they are amazing- spry and self-sufficient in every way. Avery's been to the farm 3 times now- twice in the summer, which is my favorite time there. She loves it. LOVES IT. Even this time, when we didn't go outside much except to see Max the old gray horse, she squealed running from end to end in my grandparents's ranch house with her cousin Addy and finding joy in the simpler things in life- reading, napping (a farm tradition), huge noon meals (with Thanksgiving being the ultimate of a farm "dinner"), and having her parents' undivided attention. I hope Avery's little sister has a chance to see the farm someday, but just in case, I took lots of pictures. :) Thanks to my wonderful grandparents for having us, and to my parents for caravaning (not a word) us over in their cars (especially to my dad who listened to way too many princess songs on the way over). We are so blessed to have so many years of memories in such a special place. Happy Thanksgiving!
We had a special treat this visit- my cousin Kelly drove in from Nashville- she's in her Senior year at Belmont University. She is just the most lovely girl, inside and out, and it was great to spend time with her. The girls adore her:).
Chris was put on potato-peeling duty, even though he was in the Army and not the Navy! (Naval guys peeled potatoes, right?)
Matching outfits for Thanksgiving dinner.
Great-Grandma wanted to have a tea party with her girls :)
A pants-less Avery tries to venture out into the forty degree temps.- we shut that down!
Just being nostalgic- the barn and outbuildings (not the original barn- that was damaged by a tornado in the nineties I believe).
Back porch with views of the clothesline, and then, nothing but farmland- love it:).
Max, the old (and grumpy) horse.
