November 28, 2010

• Field Trip….Fall Festival

  For our November field trip, we took a trip to the Ocheessee Creamery and Dairy Farm owned by Paul & Marilu Wesselhoeft, followed by a Fall Festival at the home of David & Robin Yoder!  It was a fun, full day. 

  I thought it was kind of neat that I caught this cow with his tongue on his nose……

  

  ….but they must all do that!! 

  

  

  This one was brave enough to let Danny touch his nose.

  

  The cows were feeding when we got there, then as they were finishing up, Marilu turned on the wave of water to clean out the feeding area. I had never seen a set up like that before, but it sure helped to keep the area clean!! (forgive me for not knowing all the technical names for this stuff!! )

  

  Then the cows walked (more like shoved each other along) over to the milking parlor…..

  

  They weren’t so sure about all these people watching them….

   (see the sprinklers in the floor? After all the cows were in, they got sprayed off to keep from bringing all their filth into the milking parlor!)

  

  Coming to investigate!

  

  Mooo!! I see you!!

  

  We had a LARGE group that day!! I think this was the biggest field trip ever! (Over 50 people!)

  

  In the milking parlor….

  

  Ready to be dipped and milked…

  

  Marilu dipping the cows and answering questions! 

  

  Milking the “old-fashioned” way.

  

  A few stayed after the kids left to ask more questions… 

  

  From the milking parlor, we went outside to the calves…

   Samuel got the biggest kick out of the calves sucking on his fingers and this one really seemed to like him! 

  

  Feeding time….

  

  After watching the calves being fed, we went to the creamery.

   Kirsten, Dylan and Danny waiting on the porch…

  

  A treat of chocolate milk and cookies!! Mmmmm!! One of the kids said it tasted like melted choc. ice cream and it did!! So good!!

  

  Lining up to be separated into groups to go into the creamery…this was ages 11 and up! We used to not have hardly anyone older than 11! Looked what happened!!  We ended up making it 13 and up and that took out quite a few kids!

  

  Our fine group of 10-12 year olds!!  (In another month Tamara could have joined them!)

  

   I was assigned as a chaperone to this group. Here we are hearing all about the process of pasteurizing the milk…and making butter! 

  

  The results….Mmmm!!

  

  If you live locally, give Ocheesee your business! Their milk is much better for you than store bought!!  And their butter and cheese…MMMMM!

   

  My sweet friend Denise sporting some roses!!   One lady who is sure to bring a smile to your face!!

  

   

  So from the farm, we went a few miles to David and Robin’s house….us Mom’s signed up for booth’s or games for the kids. I took jars of candy for them to guess. Whoever got the closest won that jar! It was so fun to see people’s responses!

  

  Caden takes a turn ringing the star peg!

  

  Denise did face painting….

  

  

  

  Taylor makes a guess and hopes for the jar of candy corn!

  

  Some of the ladies who didn’t have stands set up the lunch tables.

  

  Over-Under relay race…

  

  Kayla P. had a fishing game. The kids would throw their line over and she would attach a bag of goodies OR a wad of paper! 

  

  She was well protected!! 

  

  Then it was LUNCH TIME!!!  David grilled hot dogs and we had soup, chips, salads and cookies!

  

  Patty did hair wraps or braids….Anna came well prepared! 

  

  Guess who? These came in the gift bags from Kayla’s fishing game. The kids had fun with them!! 

  

  Tamara gets a braid….

  

  Then David took us all on a hay ride!! 

  

  He took us back through the fields…..

  

  Back to the horses…..

  

  

  and the cows….

  

  and back on the road!  He kept a close eye on us to make sure no one fell off!

  

  Arriving back at their house….

  

  Fun on the trampoline!

  

  Then it was time for horse rides…

  

  And more games….

  

  more painting….

  

  and more and more horse rides!!  

  

  Nathan couldn’t wait till I figured out who the winners were for the candy jars….and his Mom won TWO of them!!!  He was quite pleased!!

  

  Tamara loved this part of the day the best!!  Although we didn’t come dressed for it! 

  

   

  

  What a beautiful, fun day we had!! Thanks to all my homeschool mom friends and their kids for making this a memorable day for us all!! Especially thanks to David & Robin for opening their home for us!! This will definitely be a favorite memory of the school year! 

  • 8:07 pm
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