Trying to Get Ready for Kidding

We are gearing up for our first big kidding.  We have had a couple abort already but we are dealing with a lot of first timers too.  The kids are on spring break this week.  So today we went and got some groceries and then came home had some lunch, packed dinner and snacks and headed off to the ranch.  We are making bonding pens.  Each goat has to spend 3 days in a little pen with their babies so that they will attach.  But when you have many goats we need a few pens. Here are some pictures.

 Elyssa spreading straw.  I think she forgot the fork

 Only Elyssa.  And of course after she complained that she was itchy.  I am not sure why

 Hey look who is driving that skid steer!  Does he a a license for that thing?  I am not sure about that.  Shaun did a great job.

 A boy and his toy.

 Taylor getting a quick run down on how to use it and where to park it.

An empty barn, a rope or 2, a pulley, 2 big sisters and a little brother willing to do anything that they suggest. This is their version of a zipline.  The 'harness' Jayden was wearing had many many knots.  They got him to slide down the rope a bit but not too far.  Wondering what will happen next time we are in this barn, although it is where the bonding pens are going so it won't happen too much longer.  Hey look at all that straw, spread so nicely.  That was my job today.

A Day at the Farm

We are starting to build our bonding pens.  Once a goat kids they need to spend 3 days together so that the mom will not abandon the baby or babies.  Of course we are back into the barn with the pulley so this was what they did today

Then Jayden came along and started pushing Elyssa, just like a swing.

Doug was working on a milk feeding system for the little bucklings that we have been buying and this is what one of them did to Jayden today

Goat says spread em.  I want to eat that hat.   The goat is actually eating the strings that hang down.  They really like to try to eat your clothes.  They really are silly animals.

Yes Dana and Steven, those are snow pants, snow coats, and hats because it was snowing today (that is the white stuff that falls from the sky).  It was cold today.  I think that we are supposed to get some warmer weather this week.

A Final Gymnastics, and a Play

Elyssa and Keisha have been in Gymnastics this year.  So last Sunday they did their final demonstration.  The whole program was called Rock Through the Ages.  They did their routine to Elvis' Hound Dog.

 Keisha in the middle waiting for her turn

 Elyssa in the middle front, waiting

After is was all done we got a sister picture.

Taylor's class put on a play called Samuelito.  They did a Mexican potluck for dinner and then the play.  They did a great job and Taylor played a missionary.

 Taylor on the left

 I don't think that Taylor liked the flash going off

 Jayden watching the play

OOPS

This is what happens when you go through the SD card for your camera and realize that you missed some stuff.
For Jayden's birthday party he wanted to have Duncan, my nephew, to come over.  SO we just did a family party.  We had I think the yummiest turkey I have ever had.

 Duncan and Jayden

 Auntie Merry

Ohhhh, Thank you Auntie Merry and Uncle Chad, this looks like something that could get me into a lot of trouble

 Ohhh a big bag.

 Time to climb into it.

 A Jayden present

 A sister and my cousin Eden grabbing the tissue paper

Watch out Auntie Merry, see what happens when you give a boy a nerf gun. They go after the person who gave it to them.