We adopted 3 kids!

Jacob has always wanted to keep goats and several of the other children share his love for goats also so we've been watching craigslist for goats for a good while now.  This spring our farm has burst into greenery demonstrating our need for more help to tame the land therefore we decided to just take the plunge and get goats before Jacob left home for college.  At the factory where Steve and the boys were working there was someone who's neighbor had some kids he was selling so after a brief discussion weighing the pros and cons the boys decided they would use some of their earnings and buy some goats for our family.

Adventures in Butchering

ALERT!:  Please note that this blog post is about our experience as a family butchering our home-raised hogs.  There are graphic photographs and descriptions contained, read at your own discretion.  Please also note, that no hogs were harmed in the making of this post.  Yes, two were killed and butchered, but no hogs were harmed.  They lived a very good and happy life and just had one bad day.

Remember back in December when we brought these two cute little piglets home with us?

April on the farm

I haven't done any writing for such a long time.  It has been so overwhelmingly busy at our house I've only had time to tread water.  Our precious and dear baby was born the last day of February safe and sound.

Rest in peace, Sweetiebelle

Poor Sweetiebelle. 

Her health just continued to decline.  We had several people over to look her over and give us their advice on how to help her.  Most often we were told to butcher her.

A Year in Pictures...2013

This is one very, very long blog post with lots and lots of pictures!

I had little comments to add here and there, but for the most part it is just a year in pictures.  It's probably more than most people could sit and take in, but it was fun to look back on the year all together like this and I know of people who will love all the tons and tons of pictures of the children and all they are up to.  I wish we could visit in person together and you could snuggle one or two (or more!) up on your lap while we catch up a bit, but for now we are thankful for the internet to help us stay better connected.  Enjoy! :)