4-H Fair 2016

The LaGrange County 4-H Fair is always a week that we look forward to.  We mostly go on Friday for the Open Horse Show.   Jonathon and I started going when we were dating, and we've continued the tradition every year as our family has grown.  We don't stay as late as we used to, but maybe as the littler children get older, we can pull a late nighter again.  :)  

This year Alegra decided that she wanted to enter The Voice competition that the fair hosted.  We weren't entirely sure of how it worked since we've never watched the show on TV, so Alegra wasn't entirely prepared with a second song since she made it to the final round.  She quickly learned a song and squeezed her way through it, but didn't end on the best note, so she didn't win.  BUT she did an awesome job and is looking forward to trying again next year.  We are so proud of her for having the courage to try it, and despite her mess up, wanting to do it again next year.  

On Friday we had our friend, Elli with us, so we got to the fair early enough to watch the extra shows and stop by the petting zoo and tour some of the exhibits and animal barns.  We enjoy walking around so much, visiting with old friends, family, and seeing how creative children are with their projects.

The children had been talking about their friends, the Browns and asked if I knew whether they would be there.  I hadn't talked to them to know.  While we were in the petting zoo they walked in.  What a sweet surprise to everyone to have more friends to hang out with at the fair.  After the petting zoo, we joined back up with them at the horse show and watched it together for a bit.

After getting lots of yummy food, we sat and watched the horse show.  We missed seeing some people in it that we always enjoy cheering on, but we did catch another friend on her horse.  It has been fun watching her over the years and seeing how much she improves from year to year.

Another fair year over and we're thinking maybe next year we'll have the children do a few projects.  They all have some idea of what they'd like to do, so maybe I can add that to my list of to do's for this school year and help them be a part of  it.  Thankful for family who are close by that can answer our questions to make the process a little more easier.  Watch out 4-H, the Bovee children are coming your way!  :D

A Succulent, Let Love Grow Bridal Celebration

We had the honor of hosting a bridal shower/celebration for a good friend that we fellowship with.  We pretty much stalked her pinterest boards to get all of the ideas, so yeah, she has really good taste in party theme for her own shower.  :) 

We really had a good time putting this Let Love Grow themed party together.  We had no chance to get together to put our thoughts and ideas together and have a crafting day of banners and party favors, etc. so we were totally unsure of how it would all go.  It turned out so beautiful, both the decor, food, and extra fun that we had planned for the ladies.  Enjoy the party through photos, thanks to my Alegra.

 A sign in the yard directing all the guests to the right door.

 The bride-to-be used to help with a community garden, so we thought it would really be fun to have a planter garden from their community of friends and family.  It was a fun project, and I hope they get a good supply of fall produce.

 I was so thankful that this cake turned out ok.  I'm suprised it made it from my house to 45 minutes away without toppling over.  :)

 These were super cute kabob sticks for the fruit.  So fun!

We had a crafting station for the ladies to all make a crown.  The sign on the table has the Scripture that says, "An excellent wife is the crown of her husband."  The ladies had such a good time glueing, creating, and helping one another get just the perfect look to their crown.  I loved this!  The branches were from the willow tree where the ceremony for the wedding will actually be taking place.  We thought that would add a specialness to the crowns.

 Mother and sister of the groom creating.

 We had a few pots with plants already in them such as peppers and a tomatoe.  We wanted to make sure they would get a harvest from those this summer.  

 Me and my sisters

 We always take time for the ladies to share Scripture, advice, a poem, anything that is special to them that they feel they should share with the bride-to-be.  This is always a special time as we also have a time of foot washing where the ladies can wash her feet during their sharing to her or after they've shared with everyon.  It's so special!

 Her mama loves her so much!  What a neat moment for a mom whose daughter will soon be getting to wash her daughter's feet. 

 And the mom-in-love

 Some very special sharing moments.

 She received some very special gifts of meaning and love.

 Some guests go really wore out.  :)

Time to plant seeds.  There were lettuce seeds, herb seeds, etc.  Hoping through the love of all of us, their seeds will grow and produce fruit in abundance.

 A group picture of all of us women who supported and loved on Darla.  

We love to celebrate joyous occasions and this is one for sure!  Looking forward to the ceremony joining their lives together!