Chug-a-chug-a-chug-a-choo-choo!

This year's Steam Engine Parade was a first for our family. My parents and brother's family have made this an annual event while we were out of the Midwest, so we looked forward to joining them this year on the mission to throw a Mister Freezie Popsicle to almost every spectator. My Dad restored my Grandpa's John Deere 630 a few years ago and he enjoys driving it among the hundreds of other restored tractors in the parade. If you are a farmer and remember the "good old days" this is the ultimate town festival for you. In order to get ready for the parade, Dad first had to rebuild the wagon that we all sit in. The floor had given out, so Dad replaced it with a new one, a floor that Erik screwed in about 400 screws. That floor is going no where. :-) My Dad also had a friend that built this tiny John Deere using a lawn mower engine. It was so small, my six year old nephew's legs even looked crammed as he drove it. He sure did give all the farmers something to admire chuckle at as he followed Grandpa's tractor. The Mr. Freezies went over well on the warm fall day. With our extra hands on deck for the first time, we actually got a bit ambitious and threw a few too many out in the beginning and didn't have much for the end. It was fun, but it was touch and go for our hands, frost bite almost got the best of us. Note to self for next year, bring gloves.

Grandpa's little helper...he worked so hard he couldn't make it through lunch.

The crew and Hayden's small tractor. (Click on images to enlarge.)

Peek-a-Boo!