From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Wi

As many of you know I've stepped back my growing the last few years (years off). I'm a guy that tries new things. For me personally life is too short to be a broken record. What's my thing right now? Well....I've got 12,000 miles on my bike this year. That's what I do.

Anyway my 10 year old Amber came to me last fall and asked if we could grow pumpkins again. Yikes. That sounded like a lot of work. But I agreed we'd give it a try under one condition. She needed to actually help. Most of us know how hard it can be to keep a 10 year old engaged.

I was nervous, but she spent nearly every minute of "the work" with me in the patch this year. I tried to do a pretty good job, but didn't try to grow a WR by any means. Like I said I like to try new things and growing a WR isn't new (blatent brag alert!!). So we just did a "pretty good", had fun, and seem to have gotten VERY lucky getting both our pumpkins to the scale. I'm not worried about being competitive. I do that on the bike. I wanted to get something to the scale that we could share together. I knew for sure that if Amber lost both pumpkins she'd probably never do it again. It looks like we will get both to the scale. God must want me to grow pumpkins and I can live with that. I'll get years of memories with my daughter growing pumpkins!

Please see my diary for a few drone pictures. These are super, super cool. I can't say how proud I am of Amber and the time we've shared together. We'll be taking one to Nekoosa, WI this weekend. With no intentions to be competitive we will in fact be competitive. Next weekend is Stillwater. Probably the #2 weigh-off on the planet....again we'll be really competitive. My 10 year old is going to mix it up with the big boys. In her first year out. How awesome is that???!!!

Hope to see some of you soon! It's great to be a bit back in the game!

10/5/2017 11:06:14 AM

Arden, NC

Great pictures and a great story. You're a good Dad to your girl. Keep supporting her in her dreams, it'll mean a world of difference to her in how she sees the world and her confidence. Look forward to what the two of you do in the future.

10/5/2017 11:40:26 AM

Marion,IN

This is one of the best stories I've read in a long time. Thank you for sharing.

Mark G.

10/5/2017 12:09:32 PM

Peosta, Iowa

That's awesome chris!

10/5/2017 2:04:04 PM

Salem, Ohio USA

Amber- GOOD LUCK!

10/5/2017 2:41:51 PM

Buffalo, MN (Billsbigpumpkins@hotmail.com)

Looking good and good luck to both of you and the rest of the family in what endeavors are ahead.

10/5/2017 3:03:52 PM

Central NY

Awesome...good luck to you both!!

10/5/2017 4:30:42 PM

Hamilton - New Zealand

Awesome stuff, a great message.

10/5/2017 5:29:22 PM

Ely Mn

Goosebumps! So awesome!

10/5/2017 6:03:22 PM

Frankfort Ohio

Good luck

10/5/2017 7:10:09 PM

Upa Creek, MO

Nice pics and story, I bet you start a trend for next year. I'm in.

10/5/2017 9:16:13 PM

Sparta, NC

That's what it's all about

10/5/2017 9:58:44 PM

Western NY

Nice! Pretty soon, she'll be dictating the weighoff travel plans, trust me.

10/5/2017 10:01:06 PM

JACKSON, WISCONSIN. ; )

Well said champ well said..... go get them amber .... Chris we will see you and amber in nekoosa for sure ...

10/5/2017 10:46:04 PM

Dillonvale, Ohio

That's awesome. My son got some seeds last week and was all too excited to let me know and to say he wants to grow one next year. I'm sure it will be an adventure

10/6/2017 7:55:23 AM

Massillon, Ohio

Cherish every minute with these kids. They grow up fast, and these activities will be gone - but the memories last a lifetime. My oldest granddaughter went off to college this year. I was thrilled when she wanted to bring several new friends home for the weekend, to see the pumpkin patch. I could hear her telling stories of all the fun things we had done over the years. It warmed my heart!

10/6/2017 8:49:50 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

Chris, incredible story!!! Next thing she will tell you "I want to be going to Mars"!! Be ready!! Grow em BIG!!! Peace, Wayne
PS...Is diary under Chris S. ?

10/7/2017 2:03:17 AM

Muddy Waters

Thinking the same thing next year Jackson & I will go orange not competitive anymore.Orange is where its at in my book with the kids. Punk on CHRIS! Punk ON!

10/8/2017 6:24:52 AM

Rhode Island

chris
great to have a world record holder and friend back in the game. we missed you.
pap w

10/8/2017 11:29:42 AM

Wi

I wish more folks could have been there to see the surprise and sense of accomplishment yesterday with Amber weighing 200# over the estimate. One proud dad

10/8/2017 5:24:17 PM