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.

I've Got a Daisy On My Toe

Ever since I can remember we have camped. We camp at Fallen Leaf in Lake Tahoe. Some of my best childhood memories are of camping with my mom and her family. Hiking, fishing, swimming, getting dirty, cooking smores and singing around the campfire. Those are some of the things my childhood was made of. I am so blessed to be passing the tradition to my own kids and they love it as much as I did.

Over the years my Grandparents hauled 11 children camping. Their friends the Castanso's camped with them as well. Campfire songs were a Castanso specialty and they wrote the one that we have passed down the family tree.

I've got a daisy on my toe
It's not real, it does not grow
It's just a tattoo of a flower
So I look neat taking a shower

It's on the second toe of my left foot
A stem and flower but there's no root,
cause it wouldn't look good!
I got a daisy on my toe,
my right foot loves my left foot so

This song represents a lifetime with people who mean the world to me. It reminds me of singing and laughing with my mom. It reminds me of the undying, unchanging love of my Grandma and Papa. It reminds me of my Aunts, Uncles and Cousins. It is funny how a simple campfire song can bring so much emotion. So in honor of all those memories and my Grandparents and Mom, I got a daisy on toe.

Seattle Children's Museum

While we were in Seattle we visited the Children's Museum. We almost got turned away at the door because they have a weird policy of 4 children to an adult. Even teenagers count as children. Needless to say we were over the limit and they had to call all sorts of people to get a pass to let us in. We were told is was only allowed that one time because it was very slow and we would not be allowed to do it again. I was pretty put off and considered leaving but swallowed my pride and took the leap.

I am so glad I did because it was a pretty cool place. There was so much for little ones to do and explore and although it was a bit young for my older kids they had a ball too.

There was a Lego room where you could build just about anything and there were employees there to give the kids a helping hand.

A mini grocery store with shopping carts, isles, food and check out lines. We played here for quite awhile.

A stage with costumes, lights, curtains and seating. The kids invented a story and put on a play for me and the baby.

There was a construction store where you could build, a restaurant where you could be a customer or a chef. There was a trip around the world with houses and stores from different countries. There was a nature walk, a toddler area and our little artists favorite a real live studio!

We actually shut the place down and had not done it all. Once we got past the gestapo at the door, the employees were all very friendly and wonderful to the kids. I wish we had a place like this at home in Reno.

Turtle Bay

We were lucky enough to get to take a trip to Washington this summer. My Aunt and BFF was getting married. The drive is long, like 15 hours, So knowing I had all the little ones to entertain I planned a few stops.

Turtle bay is in Redding, CA. There are outdoor exhibits like the Paul Bunion Forest Camp and the walk through aviary with beautiful Lories.


They give you a cup of nectar and the birds land right on you. Ava was a magnet and had about 7 on her at one point.

There is also an indoor museum with interactive exhibits like underwater fish viewing, a tree situated on a glass floor so you can see the whole root system, and historic recreations of the Sacramento Valley.

While we visited they also has a visiting exhibit called Grossology. What can I say about Grossology? It was gross and the kids LOVED it! There were exhibits and games about boogers, gas, burping, there was a life sized operation game and the best part? A climbing area where you scaled the esophagus, traveled the digestive system and slid out the anus. I kid you not. I couldn't make this stuff up.

Owen is building a burp.
Shooting boogers
Jacob chasing Anna through the stomach and sliding out the anus!

As you got ready to leave there was one last stop. The identify the smell station! WOW! As you can see the kids were horrified. They were so traumatized they played with it for 15 minutes!

Summer Fun

Winter seems endless here. I think it is because everything goes dormant and turns brown. The lack of color is hard to deal with after 4 months. Trudging out to break up frozen water troughs and hauling buckets when the water lines freeze does nothing to help either. I look so forward to Spring. I plan gardens, buy seeds, tend to my frozen boxes and wait. I look for every sign Spring might be around the corner. I start seeds in my kitchen window in eager anticipation of warmer days and tilling the soil.

Sadly, this year spring was frigid. Snow does not count as spring in my opinion. My starters, started and wilted on my sink. Buds formed on trees and promptly froze. There was no garden for me. We also ended up a few hard births, a parasite problem from all the wetness and bottle babies due to the freezing weather and mom's who were not being vigilant enough. So spring went from a celebration of new life and a time of recovery from the long hard days of winter, to dealing with sick and dying animals and a lot of hard work.
Summer was just what we needed. Pastures coming alive means less hauling of hay. Dry heat kills the parasites and helps the babies grow strong. Hoses that work mean no buckets to haul...YES!

We kicked off the summer with the annual trip to Tahoe to the family reunion. It was a smaller showing this year but that gave us more time with those who made it. My number one priority is sucking up as much time as possible with my Grandparents. They have been a rock in my life. I do not have any idea where I would be without those two amazing people. My Papa wrote a book over the last few years. "World War II Recollections Of Clarence A. Burton," was ready and my copy was waiting in Tahoe. As always a trip with family makes a summer.

Plus spending time with people who have to love you no matter what is awesome!

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!!!

There are times in life when you look back and wonder where the days have gone. It seems like just yesterday I was holding a brand new baby in my arms. I cannot believe she is 1! I try to remind myself when the kids are sick, or won't sleep through the night, or are in a fussy phase, those things are just a season of life and bring opportunities for bonding and growth just like the fun times. Not so long ago I was wishing she would sleep through the night. Now I miss the cuddling as she speeds busily through the house.

Today as we celebrate her first birthday I am amazed by this little girl. Anna is sweet and the first one to worry and kiss a hurt or frustrated sibling. She is the family clown always trying to get a smile or laugh. She is busy as a bee but never to busy to get a quick hug. Of course she is also the smartest 1 year old I know. She has new words every day and can say a few sentences. She loves to dance! I adore her. She brings joy to my every moment. I am so blessed to be her mommy.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNA!