Sept 2011

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9/5 Pedicures and friends

Today got Labor Day, Erin, Maddie and I went to Hutch for pedicures. It was so fun! We recently learned that the Elsn err s will be leaving, these girls hans been friends 10 years I think. We will miss them!!!

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9/4 Horns and AI Servo

While taking a photography class last spring I tried to get one of these shots of stopping the action with a blurred background.  Finally got what I wanted with Hans on the bike.  Sweet! This little doe will need to be de horned.  Her brother is the lucky one.  Although he needs a little something done too!

9/12: The way it goes

It’s just the way it goes when you are a freshmen!   Collin has a few plays in this game, but there are several “ahead” of him, so tonight he takes the play in as an option and tries his hand at sacking the quarter back.  A learning experience, right?

9/3 Erin’s turn

  I slept in Saturday  morning.  I was beat!  It was an emotional and busy week at work, with the kids and the goats!  I awoke to the sound of the pick up taking Collin to 8 a.m. football practice.  (Whew, glad Chris had more energy than me!)  Erin announced that when Dad got home from checking irrigation, she would learn how to milk the goat!    Here we go!

Dolly is Erin’s goat, so we are all sad that she miscarried her “kids”, but we are hoping to have her bred this fall.  Until then we can go ahead and get what milk we can.  She did the same thing this morning.  First she put her foot in the bucket and next she kicked it.  Will we learn by tomorrow?????

9/1 Milking the Goat

Well, after much deliberation and waiting we decided to milk Dolly, realizing that any hopes for a kid are passed.  We did well for first timers!  Actually it’s funny.  Chris got the stantion made and it seemed narrow to me, but that is because of how fat Dolly is!  (it’s true) 

So I am learning how to do this procedure and she is being patient.  Well at some point she starts to kick her leg up and I think we are about done.  Next, she sticks her foot in the bucket.  I tell Chris I think we are done.  He says, “Nonsense, you need to keep your arm in front of her legs.”  He gives it a few more squeezes and SWOOSH she kicks the bucket off the stantion.  DONE, indeed.  The cats got the remains.

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!