Written By: Vivi and Brigette Lay

This year we(Brigie and Vivi) got to go to the annual 2023 Tree Conference in Jekyll with JeeJee and Grandpa. We spent two nights at the Westin, and had lots of fun, and learned lots of new things! 🐢(Brigie wanted to add the turtle).

When we got there we had lunch at the Beach House, and enjoyed the ocean view. Then we got regestered for all of the Tree Conference events. We went to hotel and unpacked and settled in. Of course, the first thing we wanted to do was go to the beach. But it was a bit dirty, so we went to the pool instead.

From 5 to 6:30, we went to a kid’s night at the Tree Conference place. We got to touch multiple animals, and have a snack. Then we went and hit the swag booths, piling our bags high! There was SO MUCH FREE STUFF!! We pretty much went crazy.😝

**Here’s us going crazy over the free swag!**

**Here we are looking at the pollen swag booth. Brigie and I both agreed that it was our favorite.**

**And here we are looking through our “Swag Bags” with Grandpa. Look at our John Deer hats!**

For dinner that night, we got dressed up and ate dinner at the Reserve. And we topped off the night by watching Captain America back in our room.

The next morning, we ate breakfast at the Westin Cafe. Then we went to the beach again, but quickly left because of all of the dead sea life on the shore. The animals included a sting ray, three horseshoe crabs, and many sand-dollars.

After that we went to the pool and fed the birds Doritos. Then we went to the Annual 2023 Tree Farmer of the Year lunch, and got to meet the Tree Farmer herself! It was really cool, and we enjoyed it a lot!

Next, we tried to go to the water park, but soon realized it was in vain. There were SO MANY PEOPLE. So instead we went shopping at the village near our hotel. We decided to spur of the moment buy two hermit crabs!!! We named them Rufus(Brigie’s), and Cayenne(Vivi’s).

That night they had another kids meeting, and we attended. They served us dinner, and we got to watch finding Nemo. It was so fun! Then they had Dueling Pianos, and played things like “1,000 Miles",” and “Bohemian Rhapsody.” It was amazing!

The next morning we woke up early and packed. JeeJee and Grandpa said that they had a surprise for us. We got Dunkin’ Doughnuts for breakfast, which was great, but that wasn’t even the surprise!

They took us to the Okefenokee swamp! We went on a boat tour of the swamp, and saw lots of gators. Then we had a train ride and wildlife talk, where we got to pet two turtles, a red rat snake, and a baby alligator! It was so fun, and the perfect way to wrap up the amazing trip.

**Here Brigie and I are waiting to get on the boat tour!**

**Here we are posing in front of the female alligator. Can you spot her in the back?**

**If you couldn’t see her in the previous picture, here she is up close and personal.**

**And finally, here’s us posing with Mr. Bear before we head on home.**

As you can see, this trip was so fun and special! Brigie and I learned so much, and enjoyed getting two-on-two time with JeeJee and Grandpa. And yes, Rufus and Cayenne are alive and well! I can’t wait to spend even more time out in nature and with our amazing Grandparents!

Written by: Vivi Lay

This past week, Grandpa and JeeJee took me to the farm for a solo farm trip. They knew that I hadn’t seen hardly any of our land, and wanted to expose me to more of it. So we set aside a time for them to take me to the farm for two nights! Over those days, I kept a journal, writing in it periodically and keeping track of all I did. And now, I’ll use those entries in this journal post!

Day 1: Entry 1

9:12 pm

Right now we are driving to the farm in the dark. We just ate dinner at Olive Garden, and I’m starting to get sleepy. Grandpa keeps yawning! I’m super excited about the upcoming farm trip, and can’t wait to get there!

**Here’s me in Grandpa’s new truck, excited for a fun-filled farm trip!**

Entry 2: 10:45pm

We just got to the farm! It’s so late. Grandpa keeps sleep-talking, and I can’t wait to crash into bed! I have to wake up early tomorrow to look at trees!

Day 2: Entry 3

9:27 am

We all just woke up after a great nights sleep! I had a big bowl of cereal and a turkey nugget for breakfast. Right now we’re in the truck diving to Moss Hill tract. The mule is on the trailer in the back. We will drive around Weyco-Miller to get there. Then we’ll go to Carlton’s Hole for a picnic lunch.

**I’m eating a hearty breakfast before a big day!**

**Grandpa is loading the Mule on the back of the trailer!**

Entry 4: 11:35am

We just came back to the truck from Moss Hill. Grandpa had to chainsaw a TON of trees in the road. We looked at a bunch of the dead pine trees in the road. I helped roll them out of the way! I was also attacked by a yellow jacket and two spiders. Then Grandpa almost ran into a writing spiders web. On accident. I don’t know… I think it was on purpose. Anyway, we’re now heading to Carlton’s hole for a picnic lunch!

Entry 5: 2:16pm

We are just driving back from Carlton’s Hole. We went wading, and had lunch in the mule! I had a Grandpa sandwich(Pb and chocolate chips), a ham sandwich, and a Dr. Pepper. Delicious! Then Grandpa “accidentally” drove off the road, and we almost fell out of the mule. But thankfully, we survived. And we covered a ton of land! It’s super cool looking at all of the tracts I’ve never seen before! I really have a better appreciation and loving for the Harrison Woodlands, and all of the Pine Trees. We’re now driving to Buck Creek, then back to the cabin for cold showers. It’s so hot and humid!

Entry 7: 10:05 pm

Before we went to the cabin, I got to drive Grandpa’s red tractor! This is obviously training for future years. We went to the Station for dinner, and I got a DELICIOUS dinner, and an incredible slice of key-lime pie for dessert. It’s now bedtime, and JeeJee and I are about to turn off the lights. Today was amazing, and I learned so much!

Day 3: Entry 8

9:57am

This morning has been AMAZING! First, I had a biology lesson with Grandpa, where I got to drive the gheenoe with the motor and put fertilizer in the pond. Next, I got to eat chocolate cake for Part One of my breakfast. Then, we’re heading to Jimmy’s Coffee Shop for Part Two of breakfast. And finally, we’re going to Lacrosse!

Entry 9: 10:36am

We were just leaving Jimmy’s Coffee Shop, when who did we happen to see but Uncle Jimmy himself! We talked awhile and took some pictures. I got a frozen hot chocolate, and JeeJee got a coffee. We are now heading to the Hudson Place!

Entry 10: 11:49am

We just looked at the pulp-mill where Grandpa worked for two years. They make diapers there! We’re now heading to lunch. They serve their food cafeteria-style, and I hear they have really good desserts!

Entry 11: 1:00pm

We are now driving around and looking at different tracts. We just got back from the lunch place, which was impeccable. I heaped my plate high! Their banana pie was delectable. We are now heading to McLendon 2!

For the rest of the time, I was so busy that I didn’t have time to write! And we took SO MANY PHOTOS! We visited both Dozier and the Dairy tracts, and Grandpa even let me drive his truck! ON THE ROAD! It was so fun! As you can see from all of these entries and pictures, this Farm Trip was indescribable. I cherished every moment, and learned a ton! I would do it all again in a heartbeat! Thank you, JeeJee and Grandpa for this amazing experience!

Vivi and Brigie’s Jekyll Tree Conference 2023 Experience

Vivi's Coming-of-age Farm Trip