8/30 While Mom is away

Can anyone guess what Sunchip was up to while I was at work and Erin was at school?

8/26 Preview

The Friday before fall sport season begins Sterling school system has a preview.  This evening began at 4 with the JRH volleyball preview.  Erin played C team, it was kind of sketchy!

The next on the agenda was the 6 p.m. preview of Hans’ 5-6th grade team.  Except, the JRH was on the field, so at 7 p.m. the announcer announced the boy’s team.  Grrrr. 

At 7 ish the JRH football played the 9th grade football team!  Collin is number 80.  At 8 the HS football played.  It was a long night!

8/26 Naughty

The Sterling College semester is underway which means Chelsy is back for the semester.  She came for a visit today which was fun!  The dog was not on her best behavior at the table begging for pizza scraps!

The goats definitely put on a show!

 

8/23 First Day of School

The much anticipated day arrives.  Collin, Hans and Alan are off to school.  Erin is the lucky 8th grader who does not have to go today so the new students and 7th graders can get acquainted with the school.

  

8/22 Preparation

Chris begins work on the corn header in preparation for corn harvest.  The dry land corn has died in the draught this year, but it still needs to be cut for insurance purposes.

 

Alan gets a good laugh when he realizes the kids is trying to nurse on him. 

A goat tale…how strange!

Poor Dolly was clearly pregnant when we left for NJ on the top photo, but all the others are after we returned and she is getting smaller, not larger!

8/19 Rosey

Rosey has been our primary Mamma kitty for many years.  This year while we were gone something got her.  She had a large wound on her chest and her right leg/ elbow.  She showed up to the house very thin.  We have given her antibiotics and some goodies to fatten her up!

8/17 Trampoline Fun

Hans and Alan were playing on the trampoline when I came up to the house from taking goat photos.  They decided to pose for me by “fake” fighting.  The results are kind of funny!

8/17 Mastitis

Awoke this morning with kids doing better and looking stronger, even frolicking.  However, Darla has lumps in her teets evidence of mastitis or so I thought.   Where in a new pen with fresh hay did she get that!!!  I worked with her throughout the day, but when they clogged at noon, I called our goat guru again.  Cheryl came out and gave some antibiotics, but I did learn something.  In livestock mastitis means the milk itself is infected, not just the glands (like when i was nursing).  Darla's milk was not pussy or gross, the teets were just red and inflamed.  Hopefully the antibiotics will work.  The kids are helping too!

Isn't it amazing how God these babies to know just the right position to get in the nurse without getting the milk into their lungs? 

8/16 Heat stroke & Back to school shopping

Ugh, should not have left school shopping until this week.  Hans, Erin and I load up and head to Hutch for some shopping.  We get Hans set up with his pants for football and chin strap and school supplies.  Erin and I made good use of some Maurice coupons.

When we got home the carmel kid was under the tire again in 100f heat in direct sun.  He was shaking he was panting so hard!  We brought him and his sister in alternatively to cool them down.

 

8/15 Happy Birthday

Today is both Carol (Grandma A) and Uncle Pat’s birthday.  Carol says her birth certificate says the 14th, but her mother says she was born after midnight and therefore the 15th is her birthday.  Now you know!!  We took her cake and ice cream for dessert.

The kids are settling in and thankfully Darla was feeding them first thing in the morning.

Today is the first day of 2 a days and fall sports practice.  Collin goes 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. for 2 hours.  Erin 3-5 M-F and Hans Tues/ Thurs practice.  Alan and I are ground control and taxi service!

8/14 New Kids

We invited Grandma and Grandpa A to go to lunch for Mom’s birthday, however, first thing Chris notices that Darla is preparing for labor.  After church we call home and Billy assures us she is still eating and “wandering” around.  When we get home at 3:30 she is beginning labor and by 4:30 we have kid #1 and by 5 we have kid #2.

  She was so frightened at first she looked at the kid as if it was foreign to her.  She warmed up, but would only let them suckle if we held her.  It was worrisome going to bed, but we were hopeful she would settle through the night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Funny stories.  Chris encouraged me to hold her and let the kids eat.  I was to have one of our children help me.  I get Alan as Hans was at football and Collin and Erin Youth Group.  When we go to get her she is laying down and stands to deliver her afterbirth…twice.  Alan lost it when she started eating it!  Farm life!

Next story.  Chris gets home to help with the holding.  I was holding while he worked  with the kid who was having trouble eating.  Darn if when I reached down to move the other kid into position if she didn’t  bowl me over legs high in the air and jump over me.  “YOUR JOB WAS TO HOLD THE GOAT” Chris said.  I did my job much better the second time.

Transformation: in just an hour or so

8/10 Football Camp

Hans and Alan went to SHS's football camp, "Putting the Fun back in Fundamentals".  As a high schooler Collin got to help out!    They had a great week with some good exercise and pretty good weather.  I took my camera the last day and caught some great shots.  Both boys are very aggressive in their play.  Alan even got to take Hans out during a touch/ tackle play.  Hans had a great reception and run, but here comes Alan.  Alan suffered a face plant and jammed finger, but it had to be worth it to get big brother OUT!