Monday, December 21, 2015

Merry Christmas

Our fifth Christmas picture with our beloved Shorty-boy. He looks like he is not having the time of his life, but he's really just listening to the girls.

And someday you can ask Miri about how she stayed on during the accidental bucking that took place before this photo was taken. She would have won a buckle. But all is well, and she got right back on!

Holiday Busy-ness


We baked a few goodies at Thanksgiving time, as a warm-up for Christmas. 

Aleaha is working on a special gift project for family (shhhhhh, don't tell!)

She's very busy!

Miri works on her knife skills. (nice claw grip on that spud!)

Sign on Aleaha's bedroom door.

There was the requisite gingerbread project (Mommy learned a while back to get the kits...sooooo much more fun, because you can get right to the decorating!)

Aleaha is making a tree.

Miri carefully places one of a jillion candies.

Structurally sound.

"It just needs a touch more."

They called it Whoville.

And then there were cut-out cookies to be made.

Aleaha used the Nativity Scene cutters, which are a little more challenging,



She cracked a smile only because her mother used potty language to make her laugh. Otherwise, she's in "that stage" of not wanting to smile or look at the camera.


Nice!

Miri's theory: "There is not such thing as 'too much frosting,'" We tried to discourage the flooding technique (ask Martha) using that nasty gel stuff, but she would have none of this moderation business. Notice the blue and red stocking? She said it's plaid, and the required the use of lots of gel. 

And as if that wasn't enough, they even got to participate in a cookie-decorating event at HP (which was awesome....a dozen cookies for each child, with frosting and sprinkles and no mess made at home!).

Life on the Funny Farm

We put a light in the chicken house to help with the girls' egg production. But it's left them a little confused. They sometimes come back out of the house after dark. And one night, I found them with their butts out the door.


And then one day this big, white bird showed up.

Is that a swan? Or just a wayward goose?

We have a new barn kitty. Her name is HoneyComb. She is not the feral she was thought to be - she's a lovey! 

She has made a little nest in the hay. Such a sweetie.

We've been keeping up with the muck in the barnyard. The boys have to be moved out while we use the tractor. So this is not what they typically stand or eat in. 

It's like that movie title....A River Runs Through It. 

Arby was very helpful when it was time to muck by hand. He literally used the pitchfork....

...and then he helped dump the wheelbarrow.

"My work here is finished."

Out and About

We took a walk and the silly girls posed as flamigos.

They weren't exactly the biggest helpers when it was time to rake leaves, but if it involved riding in the trailer, they were all over it.

We trekked through Storybook Land, and they quickly spied the Raggedy Ann and Andy display.

Sunday, November 1, 2015

Halloween Fun

Gramma and Granpa came over this year to help us throw the Halloween party with the Haunted Forest Hay Ride.

We were the Freakish Farmer and Creep Queen.

Quite the couple

Brain cake was fun

Gramma was a Fortune Teller, so she read the kids' fortunes.

We had some ghoulish ghosts hanging in the trees by the second pond.

So fun!

And the Dancing Witches reappeared this year.

The graveyard was wonderful (looked better in the dark)

Lots of signs, warning all of their fate!

heehee

Around the Place

Amazing morning

Misty beauty

Had a load of gravel delivered, but we couldn't spread it right away. The horses were happy to help move it around. Rascals!

All better!

Another gorgeous sunrise...

... and moonrise.

Family Stuff

We finally made it to OMSI. They girls loved it!

The planetarium and space-related things were a hit.

Goofy girls

Definitely a place for the kids

And the submarine was awesome for all of us!

Will be fun to go back.

We also took in the races at Willamette Speedway. (Won't soon forget how our backs felt after sitting in those bleachers)

We had a fun trip to a local corn maze.

The weather cooperated, fortunately.

Scary good time.

After selecting pumpkins, Miri wanted to get the wheelbarrow to help haul them back.

Aleaha was in dire need of help.

Miri to the rescue!