The "Farms"

Last week we went out to visit my grandparents. They live in a tiny (understatement) town called Myton. It's halfway between Duschene and Roosevelt. They have lived there for almost ever. My grandpa was born in 1925. My grandma is a few years younger...she claims she doesn't remember...My grandparents actually lived in San Francisco, Japan, and ?Salt Lake? I'm not sure about that last one until they finally settled in Myton. When I was growing up, it was our favorite thing to go out to the farm. We always got called City Slickers. I used to always feel a bit offended when they called me that...but I now very much appreciate my "City Slicker" title.

Summer's on the farm were the highlight of the year. I remember hiding when it was time to leave (and I got in BIG trouble for doing so...lots of places to hide on a farm) I could write for days about all the things we did! We, meaning my cousins and my brothers. My grandpa was a mechanic. He was an airplane mechanic during WWII. On the farm, they had this big shop. Outside of it, my grandpa stored all the old vehicles that he got parts from. There had to have been at least 50 old cars outside. We would play in the cars all day, doing imaginary things. The places we went in those cars...Also, they have a big pile of cinderblocks. It was still there last week...It was our imaginary house...complete with bedrooms, kitchens, yep, even a bathroom, that I hate to tell you we really used. Out on the farm, that's what you did...there are pig pens, a canal (that we called the river) that we used to go tubing down, horses, you name it! They brought a trough (sp? troff) up from the corral, and would fill it with water and we had our own swimming pool (I do think we cleaned it out first), we would herd cows...yes, I HELPED! We never had to worry that our hair was done, and dirty clothes were all we had while we were there! It's where I broke my leg when I was in the first grade. (My tibia and fibia...think that's the name of the bones...)

Being in Myton is every child's dream. Including my own children. The night before we went out, I told Kristin that in the morning, we were going to go out to the farm, and see grandma and grandpa. The next morning, she came and woke me up, and said, "Mom, we're going to see the Farms today!" That's what she calls my grandparents (think I put it in a previous post) Since they live on a farm, it's only fitting that they're called "The Farms" right?
I love my grandparents! I have learned so much from them! First things first: "You get what you get!" My grandpa is a hard worker. From sun up to sun down. He was moving irrigation lines, milking cows, plowing fields...and much more, I'm sure! My grandma - Grams - has taught me so much. She has always told me how much she loves me because I'm always smiling and happy(my kids would beg to differ). She has always told me that being happy is a choice you make for yourself. She doesn't waste ANYTHING. Even milk from cereal (which I HATE) I learned to have toast for breakfast when we visited...I am not exaggerating when I say she doesn't waste anything! She is teased all the time about it! She is proud of ALL her kids and her grandchildren, and I pity the person that would try to wrong any of them at any time. I love that my grandpa loves my kids. When we visit, he sits and talks with us the whole time. He even carried Haley through a field. She's getting fatter, and it's not as easy as it sounds! He's 82 you know! Pretty good for an old fart! (He used to wear a hat that said "Old Fart", and my grandma had one that said "Old Fart's Wife" Those things are stylish when you live on a farm...The farm doesn't ever seem to age when we go out...things seem the same and I love it!
My grandma had been saving leaves for the kids to jump in. They made huge piles, and then they jumped off a ladder into the leaves. She was trying to get them to stand on the VERY top of the ladder (right above the step with the sticker on it that said not to stand on this step or any higher) and then do tricks into the leaves...Hey, remember? This is where I broke my leg...Safety first was NEVER the motto here...
The kids had a blast. Haley even enjoyed laying in the leaves. As long as the dogs didn't get too close. On dog took a chicken nugget right out of her hand...ooh...I hate dogs...Here is a picture of the kids jumping in the leaves...



Jake is a natural dare devil...
Kyle was a bit nervous at first, but then got into it...
Kristin would only jump from the first step and ONLY if my mom was holding her hand...

I'm grateful for the chance to go visit. The days are so busy, it seems like a great way to take a day off!