Happy Birthday Gariann!

Today is Gariann's birthday, and I can only say that she's not as old as me...YET!




Aaron, Gariann's grandson, is growing and as impossible as it seems, he is cuter every time we see him.






















Saturday, we enjoyed good food and fun at Tom and Linda's. We took Zach and Wyatt along, and they really enjoyed getting to know their relatives. They especially enjoyed Jace and MyKelti, Tom and Linda's grandkids. They played in the pool in spite of the cold, rainy weather. The rest of us sat poolside, all bundled up, watching them.

























Our little goat family is also growing. The are an endless source of entertainment. The boys love caring for them and playing with them. They're so cute, we're going to have trouble when it comes time to get rid of some. However, we will have to downsize! Here's a picture of Barney and all the kids. From left: Brownie, Tuff, Dolly, Fluffy, Barney, Pinky, and Nanny.













That's the highlights of the past month, with the exception of Dennis' knee surgery. He had the knee replaced on June 20. It's going alright, we think. I think he's doing way too much, but can't keep him down. Today, he's mowing hay. It does need put up, but I think he's taking a big risk of an injury, which would be another set back! While he's unable to drive the truck, Travis and I are taking care of the grave digging. In addition, Dennis has several people needing rock, so I've been hauling a little rock too. I have been staying fairly busy, and the summer is passing way too fast! I can't believe that it's already the middle of July! Here's the "patient" while he was still at the hospital. Let me tell you, he was not there long! He had the surgery on Thursday, and I brought him home on Monday. He says the knee replacement would have been a breeze had they not torn the patella's tendon. That was a really big setback. He is supposed to keep the leg straight, and not use the muscle until that tendon is well healed. Anyway, that catches me up on blogging!

Friday the Thirteenth!

We were so sure that we would have more "kids" today, but Buttons fooled us! We were out there this morning before 8 to check on the babies and stayed nearly all day, just waiting for more to be born. Much to our surprise, Barney was the first to birth twin girls yesterday, June 12. Wyatt is a very proud goat owner! He's named his kids Pinky and Nanny. Pinky is the one with the white face and pink nose.














We're still not finished with the planting, and unfortunately, much of what was planted and growing is now underwater! The rivers are beginning to look just like '93!
We spent all day yesterday in Iowa City, getting ready for Dennis' knee replacement scheduled for June 20. That's just one week from today! We're hoping to get our hay up before the surgery. It would be nice to have it all stacked in the barn by then, but we can't seem to get more than two days in a row without rain.
There's more, but I haven't posted in so long, I really don't know where to start. So, I'll just add a "family photo". The picture isn't real clear because the camera had been in the house and was cold. That caused condensation on the lens. I learned that it's a very bad idea to take the camera from the house and start taking pictures right away.

Aaron Arrived Safely Today!

Shane did a great job taking pictures and getting them posted so we could all see Aaron! Thanks Shane! For those who would love to see more, here's the website: http://www.totsites.com/tot/lilwheat

Here's a preview.











I was going to post a few more, but having some technical problems. You can check out more and get all the details at the Totsites webpage.
Congratulations to Shane and Valerie! And welcome Aaron!

'Tis the Season...

Between rains and digging graves, they're starting to make some progress. Still a lot of ground under water, but the rivers are receding. Dennis plans to have his left knee replaced in June, as soon as the crops are in. Last day of school....June 2....YIPEEE!

While they guys were working Russell's ground, Dennis spotted an old friend! He traveled many a road with Dad in old "Greenie". Greenie seems to be enjoying a well deserved retirement!


Trivia question: How old is Greenie? I think I remember, but will ask Mom or Dad to be sure I'm correct. I know Greenie is older than our kids.

Happy Birthday Bobbie!

I hope you aren't feeling as old as I know you are!

We've had a fun day. Zach and Wyatt came and we've been playing school. We are now having a reading time, so I have a few minutes to let you all (whoever reads this) know what school is like at Mar Susie's One Room Schoolhouse. We did math, writing and music before lunch. After lunch we had science. In our science class, we were discussing gravity, resistance and inertia. Then we had recess. For recess, we did some grass skiing. We towed Zach on skis behind the four wheeler. I'm posting the pictures this time.










He made it quite a distance, but when he hit the wet spot, the resistance was so much less that he went over backwards!
How nice that our science lesson could be experienced in such a fun way. He also learned about inertia. When the skis stuck in a rut, his body continued forward motion until he hit the ground. And of course, without gravity he could have just floated up and away into the sky! Learning can be fun!

Prom Night for KHS!

And they sure had a lovely evening for it! Here's a picture of Jake and his friend, Megan.

In other news, yesterday Zach and Wyatt tried skiing behind the four wheeler. Zach was able to go quite a distance, but Wyatt just couldn't get his skis to stay together. I have no pictures to post, because I was driving the wheeler. It was fun, though, and I'm sure we'll be doing it again!

I saw (and heard) a wren this morning! That means the wonderful whippoorwills can't be far away! I just love hearing the whippoorwills!

Our goats are enjoying fresh greens these days. Two of them are very obviously carrying babies. We think the third one is too, but she's not as big around as the other two, so we think she'll be the last to kid. We expect the kids to start arriving anytime after June 24.

Well....that's it for this time. Planting season is here...I saw planters Friday down around Montrose in that light sandy soil. The seed corn was delivered last week, so as soon as it dries up enough to go, they'll be planting.

Prepare To CELEBRATE!

So far, all income you have earned this year is earmarked for the taxes you will pay in 2008. April 23 has been declared TAX FREEDOM DAY 2008! Doesn't that make you feel better? I'm planning a celebration. I don't yet have a plan, but will be thinking of how to celebrate appropriately. Any suggestions or ideas?
I read an interesting fact this morning. In 1910, Tax Freedom Day was January 19th. At that time, the tax rate was 5%. Today it's over 30%. I'd like to go back to Government 1910!!! Our American slogan should be "It's MY money, and I want to KEEP it", but realistically, that will never happen. So, we'll pay our taxes, and every time we have an opportunity, we're voting for LESS government!

Already April!

The first quarter of 2008 is history! Wow! Hard to believe how quickly time passes. Mom was right (as she usually is). She always told us, "the older you get, the faster time flies!" You know the old saying "time flies when you're having fun". Well, I'm going to let you in on a little secret. Time flies...regardless of whether or not you're having fun!
We have had some fun recently though. One fun event was visiting with the Eversons. They'd been vacationing in Missouri, and stopped for a brief visit as they were passing through. We caught up with them at Mickelson's, where we enjoyed a great meal together. Thanks Gariann!









Over the weekend, Dennis worked not too far up the road on a track-hoe job. There had been an old barn which had burned, leaving a lot of rocks, cement foundations and debris. While Dennis was working there, Zach and Wyatt were here visiting.





We played Walkie Talkie hide and seek until lunch time, and then went over to check on Dennis' progress. While there, the boys had a great time jumping off of what looked like a cement bridge.
After a fun day of playing, the boys made pizzas for our supper. Each of them made his own, and I made one for Dennis and me. They were very good. It was one of the recipes from Zach's book, Kid's In The Kitchen.

When It's Time To Play!

I remember way back when I was in about 7th grade, Miss Harness made us memorize poetry. At the time, I don't think I really cared much for it, but I can still remember much of what I memorized back then. That, in itself, could be a great lesson..."Be careful what you put in your memory bank." Or maybe..."Be sure you develop a memory bank...." But that's thoughts for another day.
Anyway, I was watching the boys this afternoon as they were having fun on the swings. The little Swing poem came to mind. I think it's a very well known poem by Robert Louis Stevenson.

The Swing

How do you like to go up in a swing,
Up in the air so blue?
Oh, I do think it's the pleasantest thing
Ever a child can do!

Up in the air and over the wall,
'Till I can see so wide,
Rivers and trees and cattle and all
Over the countryside-

'Till I look down on the garden green,
Down on the roof so brown-
Up in the air I go flying again,
Up in the air and down!
-Robert Louis Stevenson

Well, here's the picture to go with the poem.

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What a day! We enjoyed a wonderfully delicious Easter dinner at Mom and Dad's. There were just 16 of us there today. You can easily see who was the attention getter. Isn't he a cutie!

It was snowing!!! off and on all day. Strange weather!


We enjoyed the Main Street Opry in Kahoka Saturday night with Mom, Dad, Gariann and Kirk. The show was great, and the company was great.
The food...well, it could have been better.