Down on the farm!

Even though this was the little pork chop's second trip to Iowa - it was his FIRST trip to the farm!

One of his favorite books to read is 'My Farm Friends' and during this trip all the characters came to life! 

Papa Butcher was excited to show us around... we started with the piggies!  One of these white pigs is Ethan's pig Chester.  Ethan is such a good little showman!

Here they come, Drew!

Mommy - can we get a little closer??

Look at me, Papa!

 Next stop - let's check out the cattle!  We headed into the cattle shed and got up close!  Ronnie also loves the visits to the farm  - I'm not sure how good of a farmer he would be... I think he should stick to baseball :-)   I am so happy he loves going back to Iowa and that it will be a big part of Drew's life!

It's not a trip to the farm unless we check out the John Deeres!  

Mommy... I got this!

The Merrill's in the cab of a tractor...you don't get this in the city!

Our last stop on the farm was about 15 rows deep in the corn!  I absoltely love going home in the summer to see the lush crops.  It reminds me how important my brother's and dad's jobs are... FEEDING AMERICA!  

I am so proud to be a farmer's daughter!

Field of Dreams :-) 

Before we got all packed up and headed north to the Webers, we had to make one more stop for some shopping.  BOMGAARS!  Papa decided when he was down in Florida for Drew's baptism that Drew needs some tractors to play with!  We left with two tractors for Drew and a John Deere t-shirt for daddy!  SCORE!

After leaving the farm, we headed back up to Mankato to spend one more night with the Webers.  Pit stop in Okoboji on the way home!

Here is a shot of us from the dock at Barefoot Bar -- perfect spot to end the weekend.

This was such an awesome trip  - we sure do miss everyone and can't wait for the next one!

Love,
The Merrills