YEEHAW!!!! Harvest Hoedown 2013

My parents moved out to "the middle of nowhere" Louisiana after I graduated High School.  They found an absolutely gorgeous 60 acre plot of land and knew they had to have it.  They could picture grandchildren running around in the yard as they rocked on the front porch.  A scene that occurs so frequently 12 years later.  Now my parents have always considered this land a gift from God, as they consider all their belongings.  They have also never wanted to keep this gift all to themselves.  They love sharing it with others.  They have hosted campouts, paintball wars, bonfires, youth water night, and numerous family get togethers.  However, their desire was to have an event where friends, family, church, and neighbors alike, could all come together for a beautiful time of fun and fellowship.

Thus, the idea of a Harvest Hoedown was born.

The plan: games for the kids, chili cook-off, my dad's famous hot tamales, hay-ride, piñata, and a bonfire like you've never seen.

In 2001, my parents hosted the first ever Harvest Hoedown.  It went so well, people were begging them to do it again.  Those who didn't come the first year, were already asking to be put on "the list" for the following year.  It quickly became an annual event and with each passing year it became a little bigger and better.

Last year, bc my sweet mama was taking care of me after a surgery, Harvest Hoedown had to be called off.  But this year, they came back with a BANG!!

The week leading up to the big event was quite busy, especially with a house full of kiddos.  But no worries. We put those munchkins to work!

 We had them sorting candy....

 Stuffing the piñata....

taste-testing cotton candy.....

 painting games.....

 even testing out the outhouse.  Not really. (Although it is a working outhouse)

 And boy, did we wear them out!!

My mom prepared these snazzy little ticket books for every kid who would be in attendance.

And when 4:00 on Saturday rolled around, the games began!

As the gams came to an end, the winners of the chili cook-off were announced. 

 The winners are: Connie Tuttle and Harry Langley!!!

 And here is Aunt Connie wearing her prizes

After dinner, was Hayride, Piñata and BON FIRE Time!!

We even had a few stick around to watch the first half of the LSU/Bama game. Never a dull moment....

It's rumored that this might have been the last year for Harvest Hoedown.  GiGi and PawPaw say they are getting too old. (humph!)  I guess that means we young folk better step it up if we want it to continue.  Who's with me?