Hayrides, Horses, and Hot Dogs

Today is Lauren's 2nd birthday. We celebrated last night with hayrides, horses, and hot dogs. Trista's older brother, Jerrod brought a beautiful horse and gave everyone rides. Of course, I declined....scared to death of animals bigger than me.

Something tells me Lauren wasn't too thrilled either. A girl after my own heart.

But there were plenty of other kids who thought it was great. Especially Jacob and Piercen, who thought it was the perfect opportunity to try out their new cowboy boots.

Everyone seemed to enjoy the hayrides...even BEFORE the ride. Just the hay, all by itself, had a way of invoking fun and frolic.

Neal was in his element, pulling the hay wagon all over the farm...underneath low-hanging branches...over bumps and dips...and the adults as well as the kids whooped it up. (Is whoop a word?....I think it is in Oklahoma.)


My grandkids don't much get into photo-taking. Maybe Jacob was just ticked off that nobody would wipe the Nacho Cheese Doritos off his face before snapping candid shots.

Emma, on the other hand, is very photogenic and I had to throw this in cause she's so dadgum cute!

This is my "no really, I'm having fun" smile, when I'm totally worried sick that one of these kids is gonna fall off the trailer and under a wheel and be crushed to death.


After it was good and dark, Neal, Jeremy and Jeff schemed to make the last ride for the kids "unforgetable." The boys took off to the woods, sock caps and green flashlight in hand and hid behind the trees waiting for the unsuspecting hayriders. When they jumped out, Jacob and Braden "hit the deck" and Emma was still crying when they got back to the house. Fun times at the Blevins' Farm.

Jeff's contribution to the party was his gift of photography. He did his best to get the kids to calm down enough for a photo shoot and got some very good pics. Except of course of my grandkids, who, as I said, aren't much into photo-taking.

Probably safe to say a modeling career is not in their future.

Braden (Jacob & Lauren's cousin)

Aubrey (little doll)

Picture-perfect Emma (also sister to Aubrey)


Jamison and Haylee (cousins to Jacob & Lauren)

Garrison, Piercen & Baylor

Trista and Lauren

It was a fantastic evening. We couldn't have asked for better weather, Lauren was inundated with gifts, the hot dogs and cupcakes were delicious and there weren't even any flies to bother us.

What?!? High heels??? You gotta be kiddin' me!

Notice one jean leg tucked inside the boot--one untucked. What a trend-setter.

More pictures (I know, can you believe it?) will be posted on Facebook.