Baby pigs!

Skyler and I went to my friend Ken's farm yesterday to see some baby pigs.  Skyler was greatly entertained and got to pet a few.  There was even a monarch caterpillar and a donkey!

Amaranth.

AKA, the most invasive plant ever!  We planted a few amaranth plants 4 or 5 years ago.  Every year since, we've had loads of volunteer amaranth.  The species Palmer Amaranth is taking over fields in the southern US.  This is regular amaranth...

It was chest high. 

It's really pretty, too bad each plant has over 100,000 seeds!  Amaranth is a close cousin to Red Root Pigweed and Water Hemp.

Can you spot the dog?

I cut all of it down yesterday and sent it packing in the green waste recycling bin. :)

Slowly winding down.

The garden is peaking right now.  I'll probably shred off and till where the corn is tomorrow.  I have a cover crop mix coming that I will plant where the corn was.  This will add nutrients that were depleted from growing corn.  Anyone want potatoes? I still have 5 rows to dig...

Skyler is enjoying the harvest of carrots too.

Rain, rain, stay away!

I managed to get a bike ride in before the rain hit yesterday morning.  Last night, we all managed to go for a walk before the rain hit in the evening.  Winner, winner, chicken dinner!  

Photographic evidence of our walk with some awesome cloud pics...

Adorable.

I found this yesterday when Skyler sat down to eat.  So cute!  He's such a neat and tidy little boy!

Finally.

Skyler is now able to pedal his tricycle on his own.  He rode it up and down the sidewalk & then ran around the yard wearing his helmet. :)

Helpin' mommy bake.

Mommy decided to make zucchini muffins and have Skyker help last night.  He was so proud to be able to help bake!  I think the pictures speak for themselves. :)

Mmm, carrots!

Especially when they're from the garden.

This probably sums up Altair's thoughts...

About my tractor hobby...

Happy birthday Grandpa!

Today is Grandpa's (my Dad's) birthday.  Skyler absolutely adores spending time with "papa".  He's always been my favorite as well.  Happy Birthday Dad!

You can tell by this photo just how much Skyler loves Grandpa.  :)  Note the matching shirts my sister sewed them.

We actually celebrated last Sunday.  Skyler helped open every single one of Dad's presents.

Excavator 2.0

We watched the excavator dig yesterday.  The operator said they have 7 repairs to do in the neighborhood.  I think I may get a little tired of watching the excavator.  I'm sure Skyler won't!

Note that Skyler is "digging" Cheerios from his stroller with his toy excavator.

Excavator!

The city is replacing a sewer line around the corner from our house.  They have a nice and shiny new Cat 320E rental excavator to use.  Skyler is SO excited!

 

I tilled where the peas were this year so he could play in the dirt.  With HIS excavator.

A bike ride & a dog in a car seat!

We rode along the canal roads yesterday.  Skyler got a new helmet.

Maizey dog wanted to sit where Skyler does in the car!

Urban farming.

I stopped by my friend's farm yesterday.  One would never guess it's in the middle of suburbia.

4014 Big Boy update.

The UP steam crew has been working on the 4014 prepping it for the move to Cheyenne since the first of August.  They have even moved it back and forth a few feet using a front end loader!  It looks like they will move the locomotive sometime in October to a nearby UP facility to have the main roller bearings inspected.  I'm hoping and crossing my fingers that we'll get to see it come through Utah this fall.

Note the pistons and valves laying on the wood blocks.

More info on the work being performed here.

Pretending to be the dog.

Skyler is obsessed with sitting in Maizey dogs bed. I think he would sleep in her bed if we or she would let him. :)

 

Edit:  Surly has this video on their blog today.  Skyler has had to watch it at least 5 times already.  Enjoy!

Horse riding a fat bike.

The street sweeper.

Drove by 2 days ago.  Skyler hasn't stopped talking about it since.

And when you say street sweeper, this is the face you get!

Washing mommy's car.

An improvised bed & another stuck tractor.

Skyler napped on the couch yesterday.

A tractor from my former employer stuck in the mud along I80 near Wendover.

Smile for the camera.

Skyler really enjoyed having Easton over yesterday.  They both had a great time!  So did the adults.  :)

Our future cyclist.

Skyler got a Stryder bike a couple of weeks ago.  He's getting pretty good at scooting around on it.  Maybe he'll be a pro cyclist some day...