How Much Wood?

How much wood can a lumberjack chop if she has never chopped wood? A LOT!

After a few years of buying cords of wood to heat our house in the winter, we decided to pull tags and cut our own. Neither Robert or I had ever felled a tree much less chopped and hauled cords before. So we packed up the kids, the dog, some lunch and headed to the mountains.

I have to say it was a blast. I know I am a bit odd but I just loved it. It was so invigorating working out doors. The excitement and danger of felling trees was a huge contrast to the usual homestead work I am used to. It was thrilling.

Poor Rob couldn't get the chainsaw away from me. In actuality, it was all we could do to get it all done. It is amazing how much muscle it takes to get that power saw through a tree.

The kids loved it to and ran and played tag in the trees all day. Dirt, sticks and woodland flora are very underrated as playthings and I think boxes of sticks, dirt and pine cones might just be under my Christmas tree!



We hauled 6 foot logs home and I spent the next two weeks chopping and stacking 5 cords of wood.

The wood shed was packed so I had to make a second stack on the side of the house. I get all excited everytime I see it.

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween from The Boo Crew

I have a few basic rules about costumes. This young son refused to participate unless he could be something I had said no to. I called his bluff. This is his "I am trying hard to look angry" pose.

She was just so amazed that they were giving her candy at every door!!!!

A Visit To A Retirement Community

Daddy decided it would be fun to go sing songs and spend time at the retirement home down the way. So we scheduled a day to go. It was very special to spend time with the ladies and gentlemen who live there.

While Daddy sang and played guitar the kids and I took turns talking with the residents and listening to their stories. The kids love all the attention and I think the residents did too.

After awhile the girls could not resist the music any longer and took to the floor for an impromptu dance recital. It was great!

All except this one who is a little shy. We talked quietly in the corner instead.

Taylor Creek Salmon Run

My Grandparents were close by in Lake Tahoe this Fall. Visiting them there is always a special treat for us. We get them all to ourselves and get to enjoy all of our favorite place, TAHOE! They were camping in a different spot than usual and there were trees that were climbable everywhere. The kids had a ball giving me a heart attack.



One of the things on our bucket list has been to make the trek to Taylor Creek to watch the Kokanee Salmon run. Somehow we manage to miss it every year. My Grandparents visit was timed perfectly for us to go all together. Taylor Creek Visitor Center has a short hike called, The Rainbow Trail. The hike is beautiful, easy and has a steam profile chamber, where you can observe see the creek from underwater and watch the fish in action through a panel of windows.



The hike is shady and stunning. There are markers explaining the different plants and animals you might see on your way.



There are a ton of areas to get right up to the waters edge and you could reach out and touch the thousands of fish filling the creek.





There were also plenty of bugs! This little guy was a huge hit.





They were just fascinated with how he moved and how soft he was. We spent a good twenty minutes examining him. It always amazes me, the wonder of children!



My Grandparents took the kids into the viewing chamber but I had my dog in tow so I had to stay on the trail. I went around and found a beautiful spot where a butch of fish had accumulated. When they can out the other side I brought them to my secret location.

As we sat there ooohhhh and ahhhhhing the fish, I heard a very low guttural growl. I looked at my dog and back up to the creek and saw the BIGGEST bear I had ever seen in Tahoe! This picture does no justice to how close and giant this guy was. Jacob snapped this photo as I quietly gathered the kids to leave. The creek was maybe a foot deep here and it would have taken seconds for him to cross. I was so proud none of the kids screamed!

Work Day

Fall is fast approaching and that means it is time to get the farm ready for a long winter. The chore list can be daunting. We have to shore up fences, build new shelters, cut and stack wood, clean and store tools for the season. It is a lot of work and a lot of fun.

The Fall animal routine is special. Fall is breeding time on the farm. Goats and sheep are seasonal breeders and usually only come into season in the fall. That being said, we did have a complete surprise this year. Our sheep had delivered twins and triplets in February. They should not have come into season again until October. Despite breeding science and a 5 month gestation period, they managed to pop another set of twins out in July, 3 weeks short of a full term gestation. The twins are robust and healthy. We are floored at the miracle but we will take it.

The sheep are out for fall breeding but still need the yearly work up. The goats are due to be bred, so decisions need to be made. Sarah's dairy goats need improvement if she wants to show the offspring. We order up a buck from a local breeder for her goats. We need a buck with good udder formation in his pedigree. My fainting goats are easier but we did have one pair I won't breed again, the baby was not as quality as I like. In preparation for mating we trim hooves, vaccinate, worm and fix fences. Bad fences are a farmers nightmare when bucks go into rut!

Jacob preformed his annual acrobatics while catching the goats and ended up covered in goat berries!

Anna was very interested and wanted to do the shots herself.

Dixie was also very interested, in eating everyone else's share of grain.

Jacob and Sarah handled the shots and wormer.

Sarah, Wyatt and I went out to shore up the fences.

The T-post driver weighs 50 lbs.

I am super woman!

After all the T-posts are finished I am off to find all the little rascals that disappeared during the hard work.

Riding BIKES?

What?

But who could be mad? Look at that face!

Seattle Science Center

While in Seattle we spent at lot of time at the Seattle Center. From all the awesome museums, to the live musicians to the fountain that is timed to music, we were awash in culture and did not want to leave. After our first amazing trip to the Children's Museum we knew we had to go back for the Pacific Science Center. They have a butterfly exhibit that I knew the girls would just tremble over. I am so glad we went because it was a great adventure.


Sarah was a trooper in her "boot". She broke her foot in three places right as summer started. She told me she tripped on the stairs but she later confessed she did a kamikaze dive off the balcony.


Bugs are always a boys favorite right? The bug exhibits were very interesting and had just enough of the "ick" factor to entertain the teenagers. The Butterflies were a huge hit as I expected. It is very warm and humid in the exhibit and there were a lot of rules to follow. Watch where you step and sit, butterflies are everywhere. No touching and if you are lucky enough to have a butterfly land on you, stand very still till it flies away. The girls were wishing with all their little hearts a butterfly would land on them but as hard as they wished the butterflies stayed just out of reach. Owen was a butterfly machine though and several landed on him. The first time he was thrilled but by the third time I think he was wishing they would go for the girls. Poor kid ended up standing stock still the whole time we were in there.



The Baby area was a big hit with the littlest ones. There were things to climb. Water tables to splash in. A music room to make lots of loud noise and a quiet area to read and relax. The Grandparents and I played with the little ones in there for a bit while the older group went off to explore the tide pools and other amazing exhibits.




After all that education who could resist playing in the fountain. It was built for the 1962 World's Fair. It is a wonder to be sure. Covered in spouts the water shoots in time with music playing through the park. After looking on in envy last time, we came prepared with our swim suits.