It's been awhile....

What beautiful weather outside. While laying down on the hammock, I noticed how pretty this was. I love days off on Mondays. (Have to work next Saturday though).
Deb busy picking up hickory nuts with the help of Callie. Deb has been telling Riley wonderful stories about her Grandma Lori. She always had hickory nuts to eat. So Riley has been busy cracking and eating.

Champ and I doing what we do best. Uh Deb, you missed some hickory nuts over there. Actually I have chicken breasts and pork chops on the smoker.

Thought the old tire swing looked very nostalgic. Just waiting for someone to climb aboard.

Miracle, Waylon, and Gracie looking for food. They could just be fed and they would still be begging.

What a great night for a campfire. We sat out for 3-4 hours last night.

Our jungle cats hunting each other.

Riley was in a very lovable mood last night. Hugs and snuggles galore.

We did a little decorating last night. Huge pumpkins at Hy-vee for $3.33 each. Great price.

Me and my sweetheart. I love her so MUCH!

blog notice

I have a new blog for anyone that doesn't care.



www.whywouldyousaythatjeff.blogspot.com

I have to get some crap off my chest.

Happy Birthday Jess!

Love you so much. Sept. 9th, 1983 was an incredible day in my life.

I can still remember holding you for the first time. Coaching you in softball and basketball. Watching you go thru that awkward phase we joke about.

You're the best and I hope you have a great birthday. See you in a few days.

Anniversary Weekend.....Love you Deb!

Well we had a full weekend. The pics are not in order but here goes.

Deb, Brandon, and Riley walking at the zoo on Sunday. It was so nice there. Perfect weather.

My lovely wife and I in the children's area. I love her so much.

Josh sitting in the park. I kid, I kid. This was a great pic that Deb took of one of the chimps. They were very loud this day.

I am not sure how this got in here. Brandon must have photo-shopped this.

Me and 3 of my children on a beautiful Zoo day.

Brandon is scared of carousels. Who knew?

Me doing what I do best. It was very hard work watching Deb, Josh, and Jenna paint all Saturday.

Three of my girls.

Jenna and Josh also got new furniture this weekend. The nicest delivery drivers I have ever seen. The new chair and couch are awesome.

Brandon and Riley just tried to stay out of the way. This was on Saturday still on the old couch.

Jenna's smile says several things. One is thanks for your help. Two is I hope it dries a lighter blue. Three is why did I agree to this blue.

Josh painting the main bathroom.

Deb did a great job with the trim work.

My fav pic of the weekend. Jen and Riley on Saturday morning at Lowe's picking out the paint.

..proof that Riley can be a girly-girl...

Riley, Paige and Hayleigh playing with Barbies (Jeff always says he's not going to post Riley playing with dolls...only wants the outdoorsy pics of her...she loves her barbies and has just recently taken another liking to baby alive...that goes in spurts.)

Riley feeding Baby Alive

Isn't she cute?!

Riley talking to her sweet little baby. I love it when Baby Alive...says, "I love you, Mommy!"

Visit from Jess and Danny...more work on the farm...

Jess and her daddy before we left for Quincy (I know the date is off on this pic) We had a great visit with The Shaver's this weekend...it always goes by way too quickly though.

Jeff and Danny working on the barn-extension

Thanks for all your help with the barn, Danny! It is well on it's way to being able to house more goats for this winter.

(...sure wish I had taken more pictures. But, I was busy trying to get some of the mowing done too...)

Allow me the priveledge to introduce......

our billy goats for the season. First off this is Willie. Willie is a Capricorn , likes rap music and is a secret Miley Cyrus fan. Hobbies include eating, pooping, and staring. With a large muscular neck, he will be the number 1 ladies man at Slater Creek Farm.

Our second bachelor is a sexy Sagittarius. He is a little more outgoing than number one but still likes to stare until you get close and then runs. He loves working on vintage muscle cars and believes that all work and no play makes him a dull boy. Ladies and Gentlemen....meet Waylon.

Waylon and Willie are kept in a seperate pen from the ladies. So they don't know that we have already picked Willie to do the honors this fall. Five months later, we should have approximately 8 new kids. If Willie is unable to fulfill his duties as Sire of this outfit, Waylon will step in and be crowned Billy Goat Extrordinaire.

I am here all week, try the cabrito.

First Day of School 2010-2011

Riley ready for her first day of 2nd Grade... Brandon ready for his first day of Freshman year...

Both of them and Champ outside... (I need to paint my door frame)

Walking out to wait for the bus...

The bus arrives...(B made me promise not to come out to the bus this year...you know how embarrassing moms can be...) :)

The latest.......

Although we talk about all the work that needs to be done, sometimes a snuggle with a good friend is required also.
We planted a plum tree three years ago and it finally bore fruit. Although they are small, they are so SWEET!

Riley also had her two best friends for a sleepover. H and P are twins and the shyest children I have ever seen. They were on my softball team this year as well.

More plums. They are so pretty. I had never tried a fresh plum before. Very good.

Some people think that Riley gets her wild side from me. They think that her goofiness and her outlandish behavior is all mine. Well......I think you get my point.

The work continues

Well, some play has to happen also. Champ just loves Riley. Actually, Champ loves anything that might scratch his belly.

The chickens are battling for the best boxes to lay their eggs. Here, last years Reds are taking up the number one and two hole while this years White waits. Why she doesn't go in one of the other four boxes, I don't know.

The two birds in the middle are Guineas. Very unusual looking but they devour ticks by the millions.

This is Chance. Or Chancers as we call him. He looked so pretty in the green grass.

We are using an old door for our gate to our new pasture. Today, we painted it barn-red. I think it is very striking.

This is Miracle. Some of you might remember us rescuing her in the deadly-cold of January. She now is doing great and will actually be bred in the fall to have her own babies.

This girl loves her animals. Madeline and Alice love her too. She is a big help on the farm.

I built this cart out of recycled wood and two old wheelchair wheels. It works great and it will be used for hauling sticks and firewood this fall.

We also added another room to the goats Summer residence. It was a little tight for all five of them. Alice likes it already.

Riley in the feed-trough I made out of an old barrel. She does play with dolls also, but I don't blog about those.