Harvest 2009

Harvest 2009 was completed July 4th at Hopkins' Farms, just in time for grilling and celebrating our great country and remembering what the day is about followed by the Annual Mike and Avery Hopkins fireworks show!

Harvest was average in some fields, below average in others, and one above average; the week went by with only 2 or 3 breakdowns and no major accidents. One combine required a new fuel line in which my Dad brought from Hoxie, another combine required an auger cylinder from Portland, OR, a small catalytic convertor smoldering on 2007 chevy pickup, and 2 flat tires. We had great help with Evan's cousin Mike (son Avery), cousin Leonel (son Cody), my Dad, Evan's sister Christy, neighbor Jeff, Evan's Mom (she's the cook, babysitter, and gofer extrodinare!), Evan, and of course his Uncle Robert we farm with. Harvest is very stressful, busy, and exciting all rolled into one. The one time of year farmers anticipate the most and breath a great sigh of relief at the end.

Before we started cutting Evan spent 4 days helping my parents harvest their wheat; it was the first time either of us was away from Layton (glad it was Evan first :) ).

Layton had his first night away from a parent, his first combine ride, first harvest and tonight his first cereal. He ate rice cereal like a pro, first bite down the hatch and then begging for more. He is so much fun!

We get back into a regular summer routine this week with swimming and softball. We won our game two weeks ago then took a week off for harvest, we are 2 -5 on the season.

Hope your summers are all going well!