Curtains, Pouring Floors, and Other

 The barn curtains went up in two long days this week.

 Today they poured floors for the office, milk house, storage room, parlor, and hallway.  Nick and Brent were helping with the pour. 

Storage room

The curtains don't look all that fancy but they let in lots of natural light.  Yes, yes, Machelle, at least they let in light for now.  

In other news:  We have sticker pox around here.

Jamison tried hoisting his toolbox up to the "lunchroom" with bailer twine.  The twine broke.  So did the toolbox.  So he made another one out of a laundry detergent box.

Davis after making a baseball out of concrete.

Dirtpile fun

 Did I mention the weather has been great for construction?  Did I mention the same weather has been lousy for health?   Kaitlyn was running a pretty high temp last night and Davis was sick this afternoon.  Maybe I should have gotten a nursing degree instead of teaching. 

Domingo's hand is better and he's milking again.  Hallelujah!

For You Know Who

Yes, yes, here we are back at the farm again.  So sorry for those of you not remotely interested in barn construction. 

The overhead doors are in.  Kenton had one up today while they were pouring concrete.  Nick G. was here to help. 

You can see the overhead doors let in quite a bit of natural light.  Of course, so do unfinished walls.  That spot behind Kenton's head is where the bulk tank will go. 

Finishing the steps down to the parlor basement.  Should I be impressed or alarmed that he watched a youtube video to figure out how to do this?

 They also poured some footers.

My parents are coming in March.  Dad is doing the electric.  I'm sure I can find something for mom to clean that my Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval missed.  Domingo is not back yet.  Kenton and Brent are pretty worn out.  It will be eight weeks on Monday.  I think Kenton is going to encourage him to try it this weekend. 

Holly's House of Plague

We're sick around here.  Oh, joy!  Have you ever noticed that it only takes about 24 hours for things to turn from good (pretty much my highest Good Housekeeping rating ever) to slum? 

Hope things are better at your house.   

For Mom and Dad, Dad and Mom, and Dennis

So, what do you think of the green? 

Of course, red is always better ( ;-P  ), but the green looks nice. 

Kenton wanted you to see the tubing in the parlor floor.  

 See that hole in the back left hand corner?

That's where Kenton fell yesterday when he forgot about it.  He was sitting pretty gingerly last night.

This is one thing our kids do when they have free time during chores, go sailing on their private lake.

 
Whatever floats your boat, eh?

Our Two Boys

There's our cautious, responsible older son who said, "I would NEVER do that.  That's not safe!"  and our younger son whose eyes sparkled, eyebrows wiggled, and grin broadened, "I might actually try that.

How about you?

Two Years

It has been two years since this little miracle joined our family.  

We made a special book for her of the pictures we took in China and the ones that were taken before she came to us.

Sam and Ted were here to play that day.  

Do you think they had a good time together?

We are so thankful that she's part of our family. 

Helping

Days have been starting early at our house.  With Domingo out Kenton's day starts at 2:50 a.m. instead of 4:15. 

 He's been having the older kids help chore in the evenings.  They don't normally do this since this isn't a part of his regular routine.  He's usually working on equipment or doing field work over evening chores.  

Kaitlyn HATES to be left out.

 The kids have been helping feed calves.

Filling the bottles all the way to the top. 

  

Carrying bottles out to the calves.  I guess carrying them this way works but carrying them over your shoulder by the nipple is a good way to wind up with wet pants...as Megan found out.  

 Feeding a newborn. 

Washing up

Feeding hay

Playing in the grain cart.  Guess what she looks like when she gets home? 

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For Anne K, see I have flowers in winter, too.  :-)

January has been a pretty stressful month.  Normally it's a slower season.  Kenton looked forward to having lots of time to work on the new barn.  He starts at 2:50, comes in for an hour or two for breakfast ( sometimes), runs in for lunch and usually right back out, comes in for the evening between 5:30 and 6:00 and is ready for bed by 8:00 if not sooner.  We know it's just a season...but it's not much of a life.

Steel is Going Up

 The steel is going up on the parlor.  It sure makes it look like the project is starting to fly along.

The kids have been helping with chores since Kenton is short-handed.  Today they begged to go early so they could play in the parlor.  

We couldn't have ordered more perfect weather for this project...unless you object to mud!  The mild weather has been beautiful for outside work.

I think the "parlor" guys hope to start installation February 9 if everything is ready to go. 

Milk Dud Report:  Nick G. has been helping work on equipment.  Domingo is still out with a fractured hand.  My husband is exhausted...and sometimes crabby which is annoying because I prefer to reserve the role of crabby spouse/parent for myself.