August 7, 2011

Reflections on 4-H in Elkhart County

Morgan is now a 10-year 4-H member.  Wow!  Where has the time gone?  I remember our first time visiting the Elkhart County 4-H Fair after moving back to Indiana from California.  The kids were 5 years olds and under.  I (Chris) couldn't wait until our kids could enjoy 4-H just like I did as a kid/teen.

Not to brag too much, but there is something very special about our county fair.  Elkhart Co. 4-H Fair has been considered the 2nd largest county fair for many years now, just missing the mark to Orange Co.

Beyond being one of the finest county fairs in the nation, it has a ton of wonderful men and women who work year-round to create a great 9-day experience like none other.  Here are just a few pictures that will give you a glimpse of the fair itself...






This year may possibly be our last year in 4-H... it all depends on whether our support commitments are at 100% by next summer.  Reflecting on the past 10 years of 4-H for our kids, we've truly enjoyed our "front row seats" in the Lamb Barn during the week of the fair.  It's such fun to watch the fairgoers and get to visit with so many friends and family while at the fair. 

The kids have experimented with various 4-H projects over the years - foods, sewing, fashion revue, salon print photography, scrapbooking, ceramics and sheep.

Morgan's salon print this year was of darling kids she met while in Thailand...

Bailey completed a beautiful ceramic project of "The Last Supper".  Lots of details in the faces & clothing...

Showing sheep, though we're not the model sheep-showing family, has been a blast for the kids over the years. We've enjoyed showing suffolk, romney, tunis, speckled-face dorsets, and this year we showed dorsets.  Here are some pictures over the years of showing sheep...

Since Morgan was in Thailand most of the summer, she didn't show sheep this year, but Bailey, Spencer and Easton enjoyed showing their sweet dorset sheep - Horsie, Luther & Loser. :)

Thank you, Elkhart Co. 4-H Fair Board, for all the hard work you put into the fair each year!  It is the highlight of our summers.  We know already that we will miss being part of such a great program after we move to France.

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