A Very Happy Birthday

The Birthday Boy

On January 27th, Andrew Micheal Stevens celebrated his 14th birthday. It just happened that his birthday was on the same day that our family helps with the horticulture auction each year at the Polk County Youth Fair. He was a little disappointed that he would be spending the day working at the fair, but it turned out that Andrew had an incredible day! He was given awards for his Chinese Cabbage and his blueberry plant. He earned 1st place in Horticulture Judging, and made $$$ auctioning his plants! Our good friends the Waldman's made it even more special by surprising him with a birthday party! He had a wonderful day!

Working at the Polk County 4-H Youth Council Booth

Hanging out at the Archery Match

Tri-Color Chinese Cabbage

Andrew's Tri-Color Blueberry Bush

Getting Ready for Horticulture Judging

Parade of Champions!

Friends

A surprise party given by our friends the Waldmans!

On Saturday we had a family celebration and enjoyed this awesome cake made by It's a Piece of Cake in Auburndale

They put a edible photo of Andrew sailing on the cake!

Matthew's Last Youth Fair

2010 marked Matthew's very last Polk County Youth Fair. After (sigh) 9 years of horticulture, whip popping contests, chili cook offs and other projects, his Youth Fair days have come to an end. Several other members of our 4-H Club are also saying good-bye to the Youth Fair. Some are graduating and others are moving away. So this year was bitter sweet for us all. We had a wonderful time and are so thankful to everyone that came out for the Whip Popping Contest. Matthew didn't place this year, but having our friends come out to support him was so much better than a trophy! (Perkins was pretty fun too!)

Andrew, Margaret, Matthew and CJ.

William is one crazy cowboy!

Horticulture Judging is a Stevens/ Stricklen Family tradition. We have been doing this together for years! We were so glad Markie could join us this year too!

Matthew finally (after years of coming in 2nd place) won 1st place in the Seniors. Andrew won 1st in the Juniors.

Polk County Youth Fair 2009

The Polk County Youth Fair has been a big part of 4-H for my children for the past 8 years. This year the fair was moved from March to January. This made it a bit difficult for Horticulture projects, but somehow the boys both managed to get blue ribbons on all of their vegetable entries in spite of a freeze a week before the event. Matthew also placed 2nd in the Senior Horticulture Judging Competition and Andrew placed 1st in the Junior Horticulture Judging Competition. Here are a few pictures of the event.....

Andrew identifies citrus.

Matthew and and his friend Peter wait their turn at the Whip Popping Contest.

Matthew receives his 2nd place ribbon for the Senior Horticulture Judging Contest.

The Polk County Youth Fair

Some of the members of the Florida Crackers 4-H Club. Matthew is in the back row, on the left.

Andrew receives an award for Reserve Champion!

Every year our children look forward to participating in the Polk County Youth Fair. This year's fair was held the end of February and both of the boys had a great time. Matthew participated in the Whip Popping Contest along with several members of our 4-H Club. He placed 3rd in Senior Division, he is a true Florida Cracker! Andrew received the honor of Reserve Champion for his horticulture entry, a Pandora Vine that auctioned for $100!