May Fun

 Rachel's class went to Nelson Pioneer Farm for a field trip. They got to experience what it was like to go to school in the 1800s. Wow, they were thankful for Mrs. Groenenboom's sweet heart and kind teaching manner after that!

 We fed chickens, milked cows, ground corn and made butter then had it on cornbread. It was a very neat day and I highly recommend a visit there sometime!

 Gideon played saxophone in band this year and they had one last concert to show the 4th graders the instrument choices.

 BJ moved a hay bale and found 5 baby coons. I warned the kiddos that we were not keeping any of them. They can be so much trouble!! We had a fun time playing with them and I have to say that is was pretty tempting to keep them. We found a special someone to take care of them until they grow up and can be set free.

 When it is to wet to be in the field we run the cows and calves thru for their wormer, bug spray and check over. I always enjoy checking all the calves and cows out and bringing coffee time.

 The little girls really enjoyed it too.

 This is how muddy the kiddos get if they find a mud hole with their 4 wheeler.

 BJ mowed the triticale and started chopping yesterday.

We have been slowly working on cleaning things up on the farm yard. In my dreams all the shed will be painted, one building at a time right? The kids did an amazing job at helping me and we got all the primer on. Today we are headed out to put the red on.

 We have had a fairly chilly spring this year so the birds have been taking full advantage of easy food. I will fill these feeders and by the next day they are both gone and needing filled again. Wow, they eat more that two dogs do. This bird watching could become an expensive hobby! The little girls and I just love watching the birds, we have so many different kinds and they are all so pretty!

 My sister Moriah had a small surprise going away party for my mom. We had a few friends, cake and a time of prayer. It was great and I think we actually surprised her!

Rachel, John and Gideon are all involved in baseball or softball. It has been a chilly spring for this, not to mention very busy. There is not a week this spring that we don't have at least three games. Last week we had a game every night. I am really looking forward to the warmer temps. It makes being at the ball field much nicer! John is in these 2 pictures. He is learning lots and really enjoying it!

 I was able to join Gideon for the first time on a field trip Tuesday. We went to the Living History Farms. I had so much fun and I am ready to take the whole family again sometime!

 Can you believe he is 11? I can't!

Random Pictures of Our Busy Times

 I have sat down to blog at least 4 times in the last day and a half. Finally I am getting to it!
Adalli helped me make cookies for Gideon to take to school for his 11th birthday! Crazy I know.

 Every time I stepped away she would take a big spoonful of the chocolate.

 After Gideon's cookies she still wanted to "cook" so I gave her some dry oatmeal and she stayed busy for another half hour or so.

 BJ and his family have been keeping very busy even tho we have had a pretty wet spring. In the 10 years that we have been married this is the first year that he has not been very busy planting corn in the field on Gideon's birthday! Don't worry he was still busy, just not planting!

 The kiddos love to help out with the cow chores!

 More tile work. It was so muddy in some spots that the dozer had to hook up and pull the tile machine.

 This was Gideon's first year in the District 5 track meet. He did very well despite the snow, rain and freezing temperatures.

 Taking care of bottle calves is a full time job! Rachel, John and Gideon have been doing an amazing job at keeping them fed and happy. The little bald face calf (Pretty) likes to suck on the black one's(Chocolate) ear if she doesn't have a bottle close by.

Planting officially started on Monday morning around 12:30 a.m.. BJ, his dad, brothers and some good hired hands were able to get a lot of planting done on the 3 dry days of the week. No sleep tho!! Now that is has rained, hopefully they can catch up on sleep before the next couple dry days come!

Spring Projects

 This is how you keep the seat sensor from turning the tractor off. Probably not what they had in mind when they built it. You got to do what you got to do. :)

 BJ was wonderful last weekend and tilled the whole bumpy, weedy and clay filled "yard" up and planted new grass seed. We are hoping and praying we will have a nice new yard when it grows!

 Natalie loved riding on the tractor!

 This was a muddy day the end of March. We went to feed the baby calf and decided to play in the puddles.

 Natalie really didn't like the mud all over her hands.