The Girls and I went to El Campo last weekend and made a trip out to a rice field where Grandpa was cutting rice. Addie was thrilled to drive the combine and was constantly jumping up and down to check to see how full the hopper was getting. Her favorite part of the ride was dumping the rice into the augger cart pulled by the tractor. Nora took it all in and would randomly get very excited about the whole process. Uncle Dwayne, Aunt Holly, Skylar, Cadence and Luke were all there too. Skylar and Addie had a blast playing in an augger cart partially full of rice while Cadence and Aunt Holly rode with Grandpa. They made rice angels, buried their shoes and swung from the bars of the augger cart just to name a few of their play activities. Addie even got to ride in the tractor when Uncle Dwayne eventually dumped the rice into a truck. The next morning we went out to "help" haul hay. Addie and Skylar had fun walking around on the hay bales - I was up there with them the entire time (once the pictures were taken) so there was no real danger of falling.
The pure joy and excitement that each new experience brought to Addie was really amazing to watch. We're talking about little high pitched squeals, finger pointing, constant questions ("Mommy, do you see the _____?"), and constant movement to ensure she didn't miss a thing. If Nora was around (she was with Grandma in the car part of the time) she'd get really worked up and excited - if for no other reason than because her big sister was excited. It makes me happy that Addison is absolutely crazy about animals and all things outdoors. At least in that way she takes after me!
The girls with Grandpa and his combine
Nora and Grandpa
Addie takes control of the machine!
Addie did a great job of actually holding Nora for this picture!
Addie just hanging around in the augger cart.
Skylar, Gayle and Addison
