We went to the grand opening of our friends’ maple sap shed this weekend. Chris and Melinda own Stoney Ridge Farms, about 10 minutes from our house.

Lots of people came out to support them. There were tours of their production equipment (you need to boil the water out of the sap to get syrup) and a pancake breakfast inside. They have around 3,200 trees tapped and Chris welded a lot of the equipment himself.

Outside there were tree tapping demonstrations and a presentation of the tools that are used.

Ben even got a turn, I was surprised how interested he was. It may have been the power tools…

Before we left, we headed out back to see the storage tank where all the sap is kept before it gets pumped inside to boil.

I think Ben was a little bummed that there weren’t any animals on this farm, but he had a ton of fun playing in the mud with his friend Easton.

And the tractors, the boys loved the tractors!

I wore Cassidy in my Ergo carrier the whole time. She was unfortunately bundled in Ben’s old snow suit so a few ladies thought she was a he. It’s hard being the second kid.

It was really neat to see all the family come out for our friends’ big day. Aunts, uncles, inlaws, brothers…all these people we’ve met at weddings and birthday parties were out helping. This is one of Chris’ brothers and his girlfriend.

Chris and Melinda, you guys rock! Thanks for sharing your maple farm with us!

They’re holding an open house again next weekend too, check out their website for more info!