I'm an Auntie!!!

I LOVE being an auntie!!!! Yesterday we welcomed my newest little nephew into the world: Titus Allen Lanting, born to my wonderful sister and her husband (who's not too bad himself ;) ). He weighed 9lb 3oz and was 21" long. He's joined all his cousins in the ranks of being blonde (although most of mine were born brunette, they quickly turned blonde).

I am still, however, not a goat-mama (or whatever someone who has a goat have babies is...). Nellie is still plodding around looking so very heavy, with no real signs of impending labor. We called her former owner today and they really have no idea when she was due, so who knows if/when she's overdue! I'm just praying those babies are healthy, but not too big!

Belle. I think goats' eyes are pretty creepy, but I'm starting to get used to them.

 The layers have decided that the goat shelter makes an admirable place to lay eggs. Hmm...


So today was going to be chicken butchering day. And then it wasn't. And then it was! I found one of the meat birds struggling around with a broken leg, in obvious pain, so Christian decided to dispatch her and a rooster, just to be efficient. The rest are scheduled for next Wednesday, unless we lose more before then!

Aquaplex

Our local swimming pool is a great indoor recreational play area for kids- don't expect to get much swimming done! I can't remember the last time I actually swam, really! It's probably been years. Anyway, it's fun watching the kids have so much fun. :) This particular occasion was a reward for Ransom's potty training. Of course we don't have any pictures of him there. But we made it into a family get-together- fun times!

"The Chicks" are 6 weeks old and bigger than our 1 year old layers are right now! As lovely as their plumage looks in these pictures, they are actually practically bald on their undersides from lying around all day! Ick.

Christian has converted his lawn mower into a tractor- with great ambitions!

P.S. Still no goat kids. We all knew there was really an eternal pregnancy somewhere out there...

Quick Stories

Just because I have to record these...

Yesterday, I got an egg from the chicken nest and gave it to Tirzah to bring inside. Tirzah started yelling at the top of her lungs to the other kids inside the house, behind closed doors, "HEY! Hey kids!!! I found an EGG!!!" Then she started "singing" the Darth Vader theme song...

Today at Laura's co-ed baby shower, my dad was talking about raising boys and how boys are different from girls, etc. At one point he was saying that boys cannot wait to say 'excuse me'- if they have something to say, they will say it! As soon as he finished that point, there was a quiet pause and Elijah comes up to me, Mama...Mama....Mama.....  (and then very loud) I have to go POTTY! Case in point.

Dusty Days

Someday the monsoons will come, and every year it feels like forever. But really, I should be cherishing the days without mud! 

Chicks are 5 weeks old. Two more 'til dispatch!

 Sooo happy to get some fresh, cold water! We lost one this week to heat stroke, so I've been trying to be extra better at keeping them cooler.

Future 4-H-er?

This Belle is like a crazy puppy and just wants to play like we're goats. Tirzah does NOT appreciate it.

Flower-girl time past, it was time to cut Anne's hair! The idea is to have it short enough for her to learn to take care of it (wash/brush) by herself and be able to keep it up as her hair grows longer.

Life

 "Sammy the Moose" (hamster)

 "Hi. My name's Chubby. My mama's chubby, my daddy's chubby, and I'm chubby."

 Anne was a "flower girl" (she basically just walked the canine ring bearer down the aisle)...

 While Anne, Peter, and I watched the wedding, Christian took these crazies upstairs to the pre-school room to play. Next time, they stay home. :)

 Chicks are 4 weeks old here. They're catching up quickly to our layers, which are more than a month older than they.