The Shrimp Harvest (Sat, October 21)

For well over 20 years my dad has grown fresh water shrimp in his pond. It has become a fall family tradition and according to my dad is a "command performance" by every family member.

My dad begins to drain the pond several days (I think) before the actual harvest. We must get the shrimp out before the weather gets too cold because we don't want them to freeze to death. Of course if you ask me I think it would be easier if they were frozen because then we wouldn't need to put them on ice, but apparently that doesn't make the shrimp safe to eat! ;)
The pond is usually near empty of water and only full of mud by Saturday morning. Everyone gets in the pond wearing rubber boots if they are smart and picks up the shrimp by hand.

The shrimp are then brought up by the barn where they are washed and put on ice. Later we take the heads off and bag them up for storage in the freezer. We are usually finished by the early afternoon just in time for lunch. Everyone changes out of their muddy clothes and heads up to the house where my mom has cooked a huge pot of spaghetti for everyone. Years ago they use to buy from the local favorite Dukes BBQ, but the crowd has grown too large for that.

Every year since Stephen has been in college the number of helpers has grown tremendously. It's fun to see some of the city college boys getting into the pond for the first time. They must enjoy it though because they come back every year and bring more new guys wanting to try it out.

It's been a lot of fun for me because I no longer get in the pond. (Dad, pretend you didn't read that!) My job is to run around and chase the little ones all over! It is so much fun to watch the boys at the farm because they are doing totally different things. Charlie is at the age where he is happy to run free without boundaries much like his big brother used to do. John Christian is now into everything from independently riding his gator all over the farm to helping my dad do work down at the barn. We are so fortunate to have families that live out in the country so that our boys can experience life the way their parent's did. Living in the city is nice, but there's nothing like the stillness of the outdoors and being able to see all those beautiful stars at night.

It was a wonderful weekend to say the least! Not being able to go home all the time sure makes me appreciate it so much more!

John Christian enjoyed grits, doves, and quail for breakfast!
He ate his dad's entire quail. Zach was happy that the boy liked quail, but a little sad because he didn't share any of it!

Yum, what a treat!

Aunt Beth and Cousin Elizabeth (Lizzie Lou to John Christian)
came from Greensboro, NC with Uncle Mark and Michael!

Mom, there is something in that bucket over there. I'm not really sure about it!

Ok, Will, I know Mom wants a picture, but I am too close to that bucket!

This is Will Conner. He dad and mine have been friends for years. It's hard for me to believe that "Uncle Steve" has a little boy just a year older than John Christian. He also has a daughter a year older than Charlie, but she didn't make it this trip. John Christian was so happy that he had a friend his age to talk to and play with! We wish Charlotte was a little closer because I think these boys could become the best of friends. Will needs to come back to the country more often. He wasn't too sure about John Christian's Camouflage Overalls which came as quite the shock to me because his dad was quite the fisherman back in the day (according to the G rated stories I've heard). I promise if you come back I won't torture you with those again.

Cousin Thomas
Look at this handsome little boy! We can't wait to meet your sister!

Aunt Amy and Thomas

Will had a great time holding this shrimp and torturing John Christian with it! I don't know what's worse - Will being afraid of camouflage or John Christian - grandson of Johnny Roland being afraid of shrimp?

Will showing John Christian that he could put on a glove and then touch the shrimp.

John Christian decided he would stay behind the chair. "No thank you Will! Keep that shrimp away from me! I don't like it! I'll just watch from here!"

Lizzie Lou and Thomas

City boys on the run!

Playing in Colonel's Boat

Our friend Scott captured a lizard and hooked it onto Will's shirt.

Look at that lizard hanging on for dear life.
The farm is like little boy heaven!

Uncle Steve putting on Will's mud stompin' boots!

All of the Boys from PC bent over trying to get a shrimp.

Front View

Zach, Molly, & I'm not sure who else.

We had some problems with the Gator at first. It didn't want to run, but once we got it started we didn't think the boys would ever get off! Lucky for me the battery finally ran out of juice! This gator is the best thrift store find ever. The wheels will soon fall off and we will probably have to invest in a new one with all of these boys!!

Will wasn't impressed at first since it wouldn't start, but once it got going he had a ton of fun!

Going,

Going,

Gone!

Dad, do I really have to look at that?

Ok, I touched it!

Seriously, take that thing away. I'm tired of looking at it!

Big Shrimp

Uncle Mark & Zach with a big basket full of shrimp.

The boys decided to try walking into the pond.

They made it to the bottom of the ramp.

Then, each of them got a boot stuck.

Uncle Stephen, the professional shrimper.

Here is Uncle Steve helping Will get unstuck first.

They tried to go a little further into the pond.

John Christian got stuck and the boys decided they'd had enough.

Thanks to Uncle Steve for getting John Christian out because his mom's boots were up at the house.

We were so happy because Meg, Miss Christy, & our long distant cousin Fowler came to see us.

Miss Meg is so adorable! We just love her!

Looking at the interesting things in the tank. There were shrimp, 2 freshwater eels (a new rare find), and a half frog - half tadpole! Fun Stuff!!!

John Christian tried to kiss Meg for the first time today because she was feeling a little sad. It did not make her feel better & John Christian didn't get his usual kiss!

Someone found a turtle in the pond. The children really wanted it to come out of its shell.

Come on turtle quit hiding!

Meg's daddy Wayne even came out for the harvest.

Steve and Cousin Bonnie (She came from Columbia & is Dad's first cousin.)

Thomas, Amy, Bonnie, & Elizabeth Redmond (I can't remember a harvest without her parents. They've been friends with Mom and Dad for years.)

Washing off the shrimp.

Cousin Carol and her husband (John Roland) came down from Pennsylvania for the event! Dad had no idea they were coming. I thought he was going to fall out on the floor when they walked in late Friday night!

John Christian was thrilled that Meg was able to ride with him in the gator. She has one of her own and he wanted to show off his new driving skills. The last time we were all together he could only ride with Meg because he didn't know how to steer. That was not the case today. He drove like a professional. We were all very impressed!

He finally stole a kiss or 2 or 3!!!

It really is cool to watch my little boy play with Christy's daughter. I can't remember a time when we didn't know each other and my mom grew up with her mom and dad. I am so blessed with wonderful relationships and being close enough for my children to benefit from them. No matter where we go in the Army they will always know there is a special place with friends waiting to see them.

See, more kisses! I see a pattern here!

Zach with nephew Thomas and son Charlie! People that didn't know us asked if the boys were twins. These 2 boys will be trouble when they are older. They are 7 weeks apart to the day.

Look closely to see the sweet little tears on Thomas' face. They say he can turn them on like magic.

Ok, if anyone reading this sees puddle stompers in a small size (4-5? toddler) let me know. I bought these off Ebay last year for John Christian. Charlie loves, loves, loves his brother's cool boots. He did a pretty good job trying to put them on all by himself too. ;)

Uh Oh, on fell off. Let me try to put my foot back in it.

Elizabeth decided to help him out a little.

He decided one boot was plenty.

Cousin John Roland.

Brother John Roland
Do you think there are enough John Rolands around here?

Molly is pretty much a city dog and doesn't like to be outside alone. However, on Saturday there were tons of people outside, mud to play in, & cousin Grady came to visit! All of my children were happy and each had their own friend to play with.

Such a beautiful beast!

Charlie enjoyed digging in the dirt.

Charlie and Molly are best friends.

Freedom to run & play without streets, sidewalks, and traffic. Hooray!!

Molly always knows how to make Charlie laugh.

We had another special visitor. This is Pop. He lived across the street from us in Cameron until we moved to the country. His entire family has always supported mine and they always looked out for us growing up. It was nice that he and some of the others from the Summers family came out to the harvest so that we could catch up.

John Christian was a Big helper pushing Thomas around.

Charlie is quite the animal lover.

This is Christine. She is Elizabeth Redmond's sister.

Charlie really wanted to ride in the gator like the big boys. I wasn't sure about it at first, but John Christian did a really good job driving slow and watching out for his brother.

I thought the battery was out of juice and so I let Charlie sit in the gator. John Christian decided to climb in beside him and push the gas pedal. The gator had just enough power to head towards the field and scare me to death before I could yell for John Christian to stop. Charlie obviously can't steer yet and that could have ended up as quite a disaster!!

Charlie back in the passanger seat.

Stephen and Dad

Aunt Beth and Uncle Mark