Syrup Soppin' 2011

My parents drove up in late October for the annual Syrup Sop in Loachapoka. This has become an event that we all look forward to each year.  And of course, Turner loves it when Tootsie and Pop come to town - for any occasion!

These two are completely silly...

The train made an early appearance this year while we were waiting in line for the "bathrooms". 

These two are two peas-in-a-pod.  That man is completely smitten by that child.

It seems unfair that while this good man works dilligently to make the popular syrup...

...kids like Turner get a joy ride on the big horses!  This was the first time for her to ride the really large horses and she really enjoyed it!

For some reason, the pictures I get of Mark and Turner at this event are some of my favorites of the year. I just love these!

After we ate our biscuits and syrup, took Turner for a ride on the horses and watched them make syrup for a minute...we got down to the real reason we go to the Syrup Sop.  The shopping!  :)

After about 5 min of waiting on us, Mark informed Tootsie and me that he and Pop had no intentions of spending 20 minutes per booth so they'd be going across the street to Pioneer Park.  We had never been over there before but I know now that has been a mistake on our part - Turner had a BALL!  Here, she's getting the corn off the cob, then below she's grinding that corn into meal.

But her favorite place of all was the school house!  She visited it twice with Mark and Pop, then brought me and Tootsie back across the street to see it!

This was her telling me that she was the teacher and that I needed to do what she said...check out that finger pointing!  Where in the world did she get the notion that teachers were bossy like that?  :)

We stepped across to the living quarters they had opened for tours...I just love this picture.

There was live bluegrass/folk music...which means Turner is going to dance!

And at another booth they let her turn the crank and make apple juice from apples!

She got the opportunity to dig sweet potatoes with a sweet farmer, and she learned quickly that if you pull too hard and your feet aren't properly planted...you'll likely end up in the dirt!

I am already looking forward to next year!!