Oxford Main Street Halloween Parade

Horses

Oxford Feed and Lumber gave out pumpkins

Tipping Tractor from CARS

John Deere Tractor

Parade paraphernalia

Tonight, another small town America night. We took our blanket and warm jackets and lined the main street in Oxford for an hour and a half parade. We saw both the high school and middle school marching bands, fire engines, ambulances, and even tractors! One small business instead of throwing candy gave away small pumpkins. It was a great event. So many people participated.

Another...Great Friends, Great Food, Great Visit

Aunt Coleen reading to Peter

Taking a ride on Uncle Tony's shoulders

awww.....

Coleen and Tony came to visit. It is such a more reasonable drive than the commute to Southern Maryland. Coleen came armed with goodies for Peter's Birthday and Halloween. We did the creek tour which included a visit to the hogs and of course the meadow. Tony got a visit with the chickens and we had another delicious farm meal. (I made pulled pork and Jeff made an apple pie) YUMMY!

Trick or Treat

We went to Wendell and Annette's for Halloween. Truly the best place to get candy because one of their neighbors gave out KING SIZE candy bars!! Peter had a good time, I think he was more interested in playing with all of Connor and Chelsea's toys. Chelsea and her friends were very considerate of Peter and waited for him at all the houses.

Swim Lesson Number 1

I signed Peter up for swimming lessons at the YMCA in Cecil County, Maryland. It is 15 miles from us, versus the YMCA of Chester County, Pennsylvania, which is 11 miles. Peter's first lesson was on Halloween. I think I got more wet than he did as he was relucant to stay with the class. The instructor really lacked good little kid skills, so I think Peter didn't feel a bond. He said he loved being in the water, and even in the one picture, he looks 'happy'. She gives us a report card that says Peter needs improvement! What does she know? He can blow bubbles in the bathtub and easily floats on his back too! I am certain with some coaxing he will be swimming laps around her. :)

Herr's Potato Chip Halloween

Chipper and Peter

Checking the loot

Peter isn't so sure about Chipper

Waiting for the hayride

"Cheese" curls

We have been taking advantage of where we live. And again tonight we were not disappointed. Peter got dressed up in his Bat costume for Trick or Treat at the Herr's Potato Chip Factory. The Herr's are our neighboring farm. Peter was greeted by the mascot Chipper, and we trick-or- treated our way through the factory. We even got to sample warm chips. It was really fun and free. Peter enjoyed one of his nine bags of chips on the hayride and we then ate dinner at the local Miss Oxford Diner, where we are becoming regulars. Click on my blog title for the link to Herr's Chips.

Great weather, Great Friends, Great Visit!

How high up?

Jackie and Matty

The beautiful Straiton Family

We had our friends Sharon and Matt visit on Sunday. The weather was perfect for a stroll to the creek and to see the pigs. We did not venture too far into the meadow, but Matt did take a turn at climbing the silo. I really think they were surprised at our little piece of paradise. We went to get ice cream at Kilby Cream, from cow to cone in two days! We carved pumpkins and I must say that farm life has made me quite a cook. We had french dip sandwiches and Jeff made apple pie. I hope everyone can see just how lucky we are to be living at Hickory Hollow Farms.

Kim and Jeff live on a farm E-I-E-I-O!

our night time routine

fresh eggs and peach pie

Kahlua at the creek

Peter at the creek our home on the way back from creek

3300 pigs in pens

front of our home what we see out front

still more out front on the way to the creek

out back with the chickens

For those who are unaware, we moved to Pennsylvania in quite a rush. When we returned home from Canada I had a job interview for a Part Time Kindergarten Librarian. When I found out I got the job things moved so fast. We got renters in our home in Maryland and headed north to Amish country. I am still not certain if this is the place I want Peter going to school, but for the next three years of our lives it is certainly the place I am privileged to call home. We rent from a Mennonite family who have over 200 acres of corn, 3300 hogs, half a dozen cows, 2 dozen chickens, sheep, and one llama. The home is very modest, oil heat, propane hot water are something I have to get used too, not to mention the threat of mice. A girl from Philly has very little interest in sharing her home with field mice. It is a small price to pay for amazing sunsets, great walks to the creek, fresh eggs, and just everything else you can imagine that is wonderful. Mrs. Harnish made us home made peach pie, and the most amazing biscuits. She has taken my laundry in off the line when it began to rain, and returned it folded. Kahlua has spent hours in the creek. We even discovered a small pond with lights for ice skating in the winter. You are all more than welcome to visit, I can't promise though you will ever want to leave.