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

This time of year is busy around the farm.

A new crop of calves are arriving from now until Dec...which we call Fall Calving Season

Cows still have to be milked and pastures made ready for winter

And sometime farm babies start practicing driving early.

Not to mention show season kicks into high gear here in the Southeast.  

Some shows like the pullet show at our local livestock show just award participation ribbons, while others place kids and their animals all the way from 1 to 10 (or more).

Showing livestock isn't for everyone.  

It takes lots of work to teach your animal to walk and set up.

Not to mention it takes a good deal of funds to feed your animal properly for show.

Sometimes it even takes a little help from a friend, when you are showing a ewe or a calf bigger than you.

But all that hard work pays off.  

Not only to the kids get ribbons and prize money

They also learn valuable lessons in responsibly, animal husbandry, and sportsmanship.  

Overall our 1st full weekend of showing went well but more than the ribbons and awards, the Farmboy enjoyed hanging out with his friends and eating Nana Peggy's animal themed cupcakes :) 

Until we meet again...

Caci

I hope everyone is having a great week.  

I am still recouping from last week's VBS.  

I love how our small church comes together to share the Gospel with children from our community. 

I love that our volunteers are AWESOME and always willing to go the extra mile.

And as worn out as I am...I am already excited about VBS 2015!!  

With summer travel, VBS, and such the boys and I haven't been around the farm as much in the last week.

But that doesn't stop my farm loving boy from getting in some quality time with his pullets.

These pullets are a 4-H project that I personally have a love/hate relationship with :) 

I love that ONE DAY (EVENTUALLY) we will have fresh eggs, 

but I hate the pecking, the beady eyes, and all other bird characteristics.  

I was so excited that our new smocked outfits arrived last week in time for church.  

I love the James set both boys got.  Wyatt did a great job showing his off while Waylon snoozed.

Thanks Stitches of Faith for a beautiful set of smocked outfits with cotton on it!!

This is how we roll on Sunday after nap time. 

Chillin' w/ our horseshoe glass in big bro's carseat

all the while Momma empties the car of 47,834 items!

And then there is this kid who cries when you put him in shorts,

(cause cowboys don't wear shorts)

who would prefer to be at the farm with his daddy,

who couldn't wait to get out of the car and help Marty

move calves this morning.  

Until we meet again.... God bless you & keep you,

Caci

Life has been busy around the farm.

There are cows to milk,

show lambs to work with,

hay to bale,

and work to be done.

The boys have been working their lambs every chance they get...which lately hasn't been often.

Even the baby can walk one of the lambs.

Wyatt's taken up with this calf...he claims he's the calf's favorite person.

These 2 have decided our small garden is their kitchen.

And the baby is loving feed time...mainly because he steals some feed

But apparently that is exhausting.  

Last Saturday the local Young Farmers & Ranchers group hosted the 1st Annual Sara Ann Comer

#Run4Agriculture!  We had great participation and were overwhelmed with the support of our wonderful community!!

Right at 200 folks registered to participate.

We were very happy to do something for this wonderful family whom we all love very much!

As a mom I was super proud of this kid!  He had been back and forth since the beginning on if he was running or not.  He decided yes and finished in 43 minutes and some change.  He said he wasn't running for Ag but for Sara Ann...to me that's perfectly OK.  

Needless to say the boys were worn out afterwards.

 Monday night started one of the craziest and awesome weeks of the year.

VBS or Vacation Bible School.  

This young man's face says it all!

I am so thankful that in our tiny church we have almost 50 people volunteering to help bring the word of God to our community children.  

Needless to say the last week (or ten) have been extremely busy.  

Until we meet again...

Caci

It seems like I only post on Wednesday...

maybe because it's easier to share pictures than words at times

This past week I was #blessed to find some photos our favorite photographer had done for us.  She had dropboxed them to me and I didn't even realize it!!  

Farm Boy #2 loves to walk up and down the calf rows and inspect each calf

Farm Boy #1 has gotten into the habit of helping feed calves more regularly, which is good since starting next week he will be feeding every morning

The boys have also been fascinated by the 4-H pullets they got.  

It's nothing to drive past our house and see at least one of them playing in the front yard with the chicks.

Farm Boy #2 loves the kitten as well... he has picked up a new word "KitKit" 

which he will yell until you find the kitten...who is probably hiding for safety 

We have been enjoying sweet strawberries and some yummy blue berries as well from some local farms.  We actually have had berries from Bush-N-Vine, Black's Peaches, and Cotton Hills Farms already this year.  We consider each of these farms to be owned/operated by dear friends which makes deciding on the best berries very difficult.  Let's just say we enjoy them all! 

Our show lambs have finally picked up on eating again since bringing them home a little over a week ago.  Lambs have to adjust to their surrounding and learn the new routine before they resume their piggish appetites.  

Farm Boy #2 was loving this toy we borrowed from a friend.  He likes to make tractor sounds from behind the paci.  He is actually in a field we had just cut for silage.

The Farmer...ever working.  He is honestly the hardest working man I have ever met.  I am amazed daily by his work ethic and passion for agriculture.

I'm not sure when the last time I talked to him on the phone that he wasn't on a tractor either mixing feed, chopping silage or baling hay.

That's all for now..

Until we meet again...

Caci