building a new pack barn

with lots of help from these 2 farm boys.

practicing baseball,

running shavings from our new machine,

participating in the annual SAC #Run4Agriculture

welcoming new calves...

and kittens...

enjoying green grass...

fresh strawberries 

and warm sunshine.

We have made a delivery of isolette covers to our NICU

spent countless hours at the baseball field

and been fishing...

I even got a bouquet of farm flowers from my 2 boys

What does spring look like where you are?

Welcome to what I hope becomes a weekly series.  Each week I plan to give you a brief glimpse into our life as a farm family through photographs.  I'm sure there will be weeks with interruptions but for the most part I hope to be here.  If you have questions about the photos or what is going on in them please read the caption and ask any questions in the comments section below.

Farmgirl all dressed and ready for church.  I'm not sure about other parts of the country but in the South we love smocked outfits and big bows! 

Farmboy2 helping Nana feed calves at the barn.  Our 2 youngest go to the dairy each morning to help while our oldest goes to school and I head to my town job.  

Farmboy showing one of his heifers (with a little help) at our local livestock show.  Fall is full of shows, shows and more shows.  To help balance everything out we limit the number of shows we attend.  This year we are doing 2 lambs shows and 4 cow shows.  

Farmboy had a great day at our local sheep show bringing home 2 grand champions.  Now if he would just pay attention to the judge we might take showmanship too. 

The Farmer and Farmgirl enjoying themselves at the Cub Scout camp out

Reasons like this are why we decided to limit shows.  This allows the Farmer to get away and relax.

The Farmer and Farmboy2 got to enjoy sunrise on the beach during our camp out,

since "we are not all dairy farmers". 

My morning calf greeting.  Each morning as I'm leaving the barn this calf comes out to greet me.

Farmboy and his registration papers for his "first official" heifer.  Purebred animals are registered with their respective breed associations.  These animals get an official name and number.  Then we use those names and numbers while showing and then again when the cow has a calf.  

The farmboys helping to gather feed from bulk storage for calves.  Farm kids learn early in life how to work and that on our farm every one has to pitch in.  Our boys love to help out.  Sometimes I think it's just to get dirty.  

Farmgirl and I after church waiting on the Farmer to feed cows.

Yes it's September and we are already feeding hay due to the drought.  

Until next time may God bless you real good,

Caci

We have started & finished our market hog project for the year.  Wyatt didn't win his class however he was 2nd in showmanship and both of his pigs had 81% cut ability.  As with each year he learns a little more and is better prepared for next year's project.  

Cleaning fence lines and installing cross fences has become a "favorite" past time lately.  We want to move some heifers into spring grazing fields that haven't been used as pastures in a few years so there is a lot of fence work to do.  

And sometimes with all the work around the farm you just need a nap with daddy.

Other times you are Mr. Fix it!

We enjoyed a couple of small snow accumulations that were gone almost as quick as they arrived.  Which honestly isn't a bad thing for us.  

I've had the joy of catching cows & heifers who always think the grass is better outside the fence a few times as well.  

Prior to putting a new calf in a previously used hutch we clean each hutch.  The farmboys have been learning how to help ensure each calf has a clean and comfy home.

Since is has warmed up considerably in the last month (today will be mid 80's).  The boys have been outside as much as possible.  Enjoying time with the cowdogs..

and working in the garden.  

This is the beginning of Wyatt's 4-H garden project.  He planted carrots and lettuce a couple of weeks ago.  He's having a decent germination rate at this point but needs to do some weeding and thinning out soon.  

And in the last few months we announced that are adding a new addition to the farm this summer.  We are expecting a little farmgirl to arrive in July.  

There you have it...a small glimpse into the last couple of months around the farm.

What's been going on around your home??

May God Bless you & keep you!

Caci