Sporty Kind of Day

After the fireworks and excitement of the high school homecoming game, we were all set for more sporting fun :) As it turned out, we didn't have long to wait. My niece was ready to take the (flag) football field before lunch the next morning. It turned out to be a spot-on perfect day to be standing around outside. We actually got to see my varsity nephew up close and congratulate him on his solid effort on the football field the night before.






Graysen kept wandering over to the sidelines to see his buddy cousin G-girlie. I think both he and B would have joined the game if they'd been invited :) The little spot of sunshine in pink spent the weekend calling me "Aunt Jekkathuh" love that! She walked up to Buck and said, "Who are you?" He said, "I'm your Uncle Buck." She was like, "Huh, okay." And off she went to play . . . and just like last year, she got to my mom's house, saw our dog, and squealed, "CHAUNCEY!" :)





I managed to get a giant sliver in my palm at the flag football game and Gabby got one in her finger (those tricky railroad tie landscaping elements). We left G-girlie's game a little early, so we could run back to my mom's, switch the laundry, pull the slivers, fix some sandwiches, and jet over to my nephew's soccer game! Even with the sun behind us, I still managed to sunburn my forehead . . . UV rays love me :) They are willing to bend to make my face glow like a tomato, ha!

We were impressed with A's team--they had a lot of hustle and the score wasn't even close! A had a couple smooth moves, and it was fun to see him out there kicking around. As you can see, we forgot our chairs ;) Brennen asked to ride home in Aunt and Uncle's sweet new vehicle, so off he went with his cousin.

As for the rest of us, we would meet him back at my parents' house to celebrate the October (and summer) birthdays.




























As you can see, those extra loads of laundry quickly came in handy :) The boys got soaked jumping on the trampoline with the water sprinkler blasting below them. I think it is sheer prayer power that keeps those hooligans from getting hurt bouncing around in slippery conditions on that thing.

Meanwhile in the kitchen, the girls were busy getting the noodle pot on. Graysen did come in to dry out and lay out the wax paper to prevent sticking. G-girlie and Gabby helped with the noodle placement, and Maga ran the noodle machine. It ended up being a super tasty crock of noodle tradition. Well, done ladies!

It was a good thing that all that table length was available. We seem to fill it quite easily these days. Where high chairs and booster seats once abounded--now we've got big teenage football, choir, and track guys crowding for elbow room :) I'm glad there is still a younger mix to the mass. The little ones are growing quickly, but it's nice to have little faces, voices, and interpretations around the table.






Isn't it sweet how H holds on to her brother's arm while he opens gifts? Well, not a gift from me. See I had this great idea to order a week ahead of time online--and then I put my mail on hold for the vacation. So the gift arrived in plenty of time . . . I just wasn't around to get it. Oopsie! The same went for my brother's summer birthday gift. I wasn't sure what to get him before, but then inspiration struck and I ordered his gift in the same round as my nephew's . . . I mean, he's waited this long, what's a few more weeks? ;)

We did, however, remember G-girlie's birthday gift, because Caelan made it! An allergen-free knit puppy she can call her very own. You may have also noticed from the picture, G$ was quite ecstatic about his bear holding a surfboard riding a skateboard t-shirt from Maga and Grandpa B :) Funny kid. Little H tried to talk G$ into a swap when she saw his next gift--a Transformer! "I will give you my basket of Little Ponies and you will give me the Transformer to play with?" To her, this was a top notch deal--the girl loves horses! Graysen wasn't quite ready to trade ;)




By the end of the day, Madden was on the XBOX (I assume it was XBOX :) and the boys--Buck included--played and played. He had my brother get him re-started in the logistics of the game, since it's been a few years since Buck passed the ball. Buck was thrilled that our boys both learned how to play with him! Gabby also picked up the controller and figured out how to punt and receive.

They had such a good time, that when we got home (and our vacation technically continued because Buck had a few more days off), he and I went out to dinner (and to run errands). We got Gabby's birthday ring cleaned, my wedding set checked for danger points (it's all good), we bought  a mega water bottle for the guinea pigs and more hamster food (super romantic date, right? :), we went to the Dollar Store for birthday decorations, and the grocery store for groceries, but we also went to Game Stop. Wow, another unexpected bunny trail ;) At Game Stop we traded three old games for credit--and boy were they generous! (Not.) We got three cents for two games . . . yes, six total pennies for games that probably cost in the $30 range originally and like a dollar for the third. However, the Madden game Buck wanted to buy for our collection was only $5, so it all worked out.

I guess if they are going to play video games, they might as well play together. Caelan picked up a controller yesterday, so now she can join the fun. And speaking of fun (another total aside here), ever since we brought home the chickens, Graysen walks through the house clucking and bocking!! I don't even think he knows he's doing it. Bock BOCK! :)

Baby Love

The grand finale of our vacation was getting to snuggle the little baby of the north :) He's so smiley when he's warm and his tummy is full. Caelan wanted to try to get a better picture with him than the first go-round at the hunting cabin. As you can see, she wore the same shirt, baby also wore stripes, and the result was quite adorable :)



My sister and her crew showed up after breakfast. It was our first official chance to get all the kids in one photo! It has gotten so much easier to get all the kids in one photo!! Chauncey noticed what was going on and he quietly slipped into the picture to pose as well. Funny dog :) He looks embarrassed that I caught him in this pic.

We were chatting over the weekend and realized we have kid in every grade from fourth through eleventh--that's like almost a solid decade of annual graduation parties! Whoa baby. With three more coming down the line, and that doesn't even include cousins' kids. I may need to start a graduation gift savings account ;)




Oh that new van. She's not so new anymore :) First trip through the backroads--dirt a-flying, gravel a-crunching, dog a-shedding (so much shedding). The kids worked pretty hard to get the inside cleaned when we got home, but the outside looks pretty much the same. Maybe I should move it out into the rain? Well worth the miles and the overstuffed rear window. We had a great time, were glad to spend time on our own and with family, and we were grateful our neighbors didn't mind daily checks on the critters we left at home. Good team effort to make this vacation happen!

Celebrating God's Love in Two Languages

Okay, one more before we go back in time to the vacation--that is a grand task, blogging all that is!

Last year with Buck's fall bonus, God allowed us to help jumpstart a long-hoped for project at our friends' ministry. We just wanted them to be able to give a Christmas gift to their staff, they turned it into an ever-growing project to bless all the little ones in their care! Sadly, one of their board members passed away just a couple of months after our gift. He was devoted to deaf children and, in his honor, his family gave a large gift to build a lovely playground for all the children of staff members, visitors, even international guests.

Today was the dedication ceremony and the ministry team was kind enough to invite us to participate . . . I didn't expect the 70 plus people who were also in attendance! They filled the ministry halls with a fun mix of ASL and English. Our ASL teacher was there and encouraged us to practice, practice, practice. "Full immersion!" said he. We did have a couple of short conversations and I really tried to follow along to the speeches in both interpreted English and spoken ASL. My efforts were so nerve-wracking I told my friend G (who was kind of helping me, but really mostly letting me figure it out on my own) that I had broken into a sweat with the effort :) What redeems my efforts is the enthusiasm and appreciation the Deaf have for those who try, even just try, to learn to communicate their heart language. I wish I could retain more and learn faster!

The kids were delighted that three of their favorite families were also in attendance, along with other children they've met in and out of the local deaf community. The boys went to play football, oh, and Gabby went too. The day was misty and cool, but they still had an opportunity to go out and try the playground (which will have additional bits added as the caretaker of the grounds continues the process of building it). Pretty neat opportunity to be involved in something that makes so many people so happy! My friend S signed it well, "A reminder of the childlike joy that we will one day experience in God's presence when we, as His children, meet our Father face-to-face."

Educational Funnies

Well, it did ask him "when?" :)--Graysen

Always thinking of his audience when telling a story, ha! :)--Brennen

Can You Can Can?

We tried a new venture this week--preserving food in cans :) Well, technically Buck and Gabby worked on this most of one day, while I worked on school and other household tasks. They had success with about half the jars, the others didn't seal (so they are in the fridge). Pickle party! Also, jalapenos and perhaps even some okra (which may end up being a Christmas gift :) It's kind of a long process with a lot of steps, but it's not as difficult as I imagined it--maybe because I was not directly involved in that round of the process :)

The next day, we still had two flats of tomatoes to take care of. My online research indicated that we should not risk the boil method for tomato products, since the acidity level is not high enough to kill botulism should we not be quite as successful in our canning methods as we'd like. However, we're new enough to this that a canning machine is not on the horizon. So, Caelan hauled tomatoes in from the flats outside and plopped them in the boiling water for a minute or two, then transferred them to the ice bath. Gabby then peeled the tomato skins off and made me a stack for chopping. I chopped and pureed in the blender, then we put all that back into a pot--into which Caelan added the chili starter packet and other required ingredients--and let it simmer :) Hours later, it was cool enough to put into freezer bags--two. That's it! All that work and we got two gallon freezer bags of squashed up tomatoes :)






I also made a pot of chili with random things like sausage I had defrosted, green chilis from the deep freeze, fresh tomatoes from the porch. I liked it, and I think the kids liked it. We were hoping the chickens would provide us with a third egg for cornbread to go with the chili, and just as Caelan was mixing up the batter--whew! Graysen came in with a still-warm, freshly laid round of protein (and then he washed his hands--I hope.) No eggs today yet, but we've had three per day for the first two days.

So, after about 36 hours the chickens were released from their confinement. I guess they had to learn where their new home is located for nesting by not being allowed to leave from it. There is much to learn. I'm reading "Chickens for Dummies" and assigning applicable pages to the kids to likewise read and learn. Today they gained knowledge about chicken structure and personality. Apparently the color of the little skin patch over the birds' ears indicates the color of eggs they will lay. Who knew? Probably everyone but me ;)

Chickens don't like rain and mud--we've got both, lots, for the first time (maybe the second) all year. So, I don't know if they are exactly happy, but they seem content hiding under the shelter. We gave them half a watermelon yesterday (I think it had worms in the rind, so I opted to not serve it to our family). The birds hollowed the thing out! Buck came home and wanted to check on them--as the kids had easily 30 times during the day--and was impressed that they were all out and about. He was even more impressed when he went to check on them after dusk and they'd all made their own way back inside the shelter. All Buck had to do was shut the little door; no chicken wrangling required :)




Gabby got a few great pics of them during their first taste of freedom on our farm . . .



I still haven't figured out the chickens' names. I think when it is dry and we don't have to wade through inches of mud, I'll go up and spend a little more time with our flock. It is fun to see what they're up to though!

Here is the vole Graysen caught . . . so we set out traps to keep them from stealing our beans. The traps killed one or two voles the first day. The next day Graysen found one whose (ew) nose was nipped off by the trap. I'm glad it didn't bite him!! We had to have a talk about picking up injured animals. I had him drop it in a ice cream bucket and then Buck had him toss it over the fence into the pasture. I don't expect it survived very long, but we didn't know how to end it quickly. We may have to research better :( Anyway, while he and Brennen were taking care of that task--these three deer were just watching them to see what they were up to. How fun (mostly) is our wild kingdom? :)



Oh, I nearly forgot! The boys and Buck built this handy dandy step to help everyone reach the eggs inside the coop. Pretty smart!

Chicken Time

I know I'm jumping over the vacation (those posts are in draft mode), but I had to update with the culmination of much of our summer's work--the chickens are in the coop!!

Although the weather was sprinkly, we selected this morning as our chicken day, and we weren't going to let a little rain (and mud) stop us from finishing our task!

First up--kittens. Awww, they've grown so much! We were actually (don't tell the kids) tempted to take one home with us. Why? You might ask. Well, the answer is voles. Yes, adorable little field mice-like creatures have moved under our barn and are the leading cause of the disappearance of our veggies--poof, gone!! I'll update more on that later. However, we thought perhaps a cat might help keep this population under control . . . to be continued . . .

Our arrival time coincided with feeding time for two orphaned baby calves. Maybe not orphaned . . . but abandoned? Anyway, these two little fellows (I assume they were fellows?) get a gigantic bottle every morning. I think S said they were two months old? It is good experience for our boys to try bottle feeding an animal--it's a little different than feeding a baby :) As you can see, they started out with some very knowledgeable helpers to get them started on their calf feeding career. Too cute!




Just out for a walk with the cows . . . as you do . . . :) So our next challenge was finding the birds we'd previously tagged, convincing them they wanted to be caught, cutting the tags off of their legs, and inserting them into our giant dog kennel.



There was quite a line of capturers--fishing net and all--heading for those birds! It really didn't take much time at all with all that help. At that point, we discovered we'd only originally tagged six chickens . . . we upped that number to seven to match our nesting boxes, and into the kennel they went! The birds weren't exactly happy, but they rode contentedly (at least they lived) back to our house on the luggage carrier attached to the hitch of our old van.

Before we left, we learned that two more newborn calves, twins, were due to arrive at S's farm that same morning. We stuck around to "help" her build the pen to contain them. She was very kind and kept assigning us tasks so we'd feel like farm hands. Again--good for the kids! Graysen mostly went crazy driving with S's middle daughter. I heard her say, "I'm way more fun to ride with than my sister. Watch this!" and off they went zooming across the lawn. In the distance I hear the echo of Graysen's, "That was awesome!!" Even Buck got a fun ride by S's elementary school-aged, golf cart driving crew. They had to pick up a pallet for the swinging door to the calf pen from another part of the property, so off he went with his tiny blonde driver at the wheel :)

After the posts were dropped in place, the fencing wired up the middle, and the pallets in place to block the big cows, Brennen and Caelan helped throw down bedding from a fresh hay bale. Soon after, the calves arrived--still sporting their umbilical cords from the day before. It's amazing that a 75-lb. baby can look so little! Let alone two; that poor mama cow :)




Finally, we decided we'd better get home and get lunch rolling. We ended up needing to go to the feed store for a few more items, but the transfer from kennel to coop went fairly smoothly (with Brennen's help :) The feathered girls will be locked in the coop for two days to acclimate, then they'll be allowed to play in their fenced in yard. Hopefully they'll begin laying eggs soon!


























Oh and did I mention that S and her three girls sent us home with TONS more veggies? So many in fact, one of our stops was to get some . . . ahem . . . canning supplies! What?! Me? Us? Can? Well, S makes it all sound so simple, I guess we'll give it a whirl! That would make us better farmers after all ;)

It's a good thing we took out the seat just in case we needed to put the chickens in the kennel in the van. We ended up needing that open space for all our veggies!!