Beans Beans the Magical Fruit...

Megan ready to go for a car ride to Ogden

It is that time a year again when the green beans are ready to be harvested and canned.  Because of this Tony is now on his crazy 12 hour shifts 6 days a week.

We decided to go and visit Tony this morning to go see all the fun bean equipment and to see how they are prepared and canned.

Tyler, Tony, and Josh in front of the bean holder thing

Tony had spent the night at the cannery because he didn't get off until 4:30 this morning and had to be back working at noon.  So we decided to drive to Ogden and surprise him.

We got to the cannery right when Tony woke up for the day, so that was good timing.  Megan had just fallen asleep when we pulled up, so she hung out in the office while the boys and I went with Tony around the cannery.

Tyler and Tony watching the beans being washed

We started at the beginning where they dump all the beans that had just been harvested from the fields.  Then moved on to where the leaves and stems are removed, the beans are cleaned, chopped to size, picked through by volunteers, put into cans, water added to the cans, lids sealed onto the cans, the cans are all cooked, then they are cooled, labeled and then boxed.  It is a pretty interesting process and fun to see how much work goes into canning fresh produce.  We all had a good time watching the big equipment.

Tyler and Tony in front of a line of beans

Megan had woken up while we were still looking at the equipment so the secretary, Arlene, took her out of her car seat and walked around with her.  It was very nice of the sisters to let us leave Megan with them.  It is REALLY noisy when all the machines are going, so I don't think Megan would have had as much fun as we all did.

Tyler, Tony, and Josh watching the cans being sealed

After we got Megan back we went and got some lunch.  Tyler saw Panda Express and said he wanted to go there.  He really likes to eat there.  The food was good and we had a good time just hanging out with Tony before he had to get back to work.

After lunch we dropped off Tony and I headed back home with the kids.  Megan cried at first, but then fell to sleep, thankfully.  We all had a good time and I am glad that we were able to go and see Daddy at work!

Tony and Tyler looking in the big pressure cookers (retorts)