OVRFARM

Awhile ago Kenton decided he needed his own email.  I totally agreed.

I got pretty excited when I saw his address - ovrfarm

I thought it was a pretty unique way of letting me know that he was ready to ditch the farm and find a new career or he's looking forward to retirement. 

Turns out that ovrfarm stands for Oakview Ridge Farm!  

Bummer!



BUT...

this morning he made the second step toward his "new" career.
He already bought a semi and trailer.
Today he passed his test for his CDL.


Farmer or long-haul truck driver?

I think I'll pick the farmer option.
At least we get free milk and beef.



If you want the rest of the story...

He got tired of paying people to haul his corn and come back empty.
This way he can haul it and bring back minerals or fertilizer or whatever.

STANDARD DISCLAIMER!
(Sometimes I only think I know what I'm talking about.  Don't quote me.)

p.s.  Joan, you're right.  Farming isn't so bad.
Some days.

Beautiful

Rivers look better where they belong.

Milk Dud Report:  Oats - 60 acres.  Done.  Soybeans -  about 50 acres out of 85.  Corn - 120 acres out of...a lot more.  

Rain, more rain, and more rain.  More water where it doesn't belong.

Pittsburgh Children's Museum

Field trip photo dump

Debbie might decide to stick to a buggy with a driver like Davis.

It was such a fun day.

A River Runs Through It

I get so tired of being flooded out.  

We got a real gully washer this afternoon.

I guess that's what happens when you live below a ridge.

Milk Dud Report: Kenton started planting this week.  All the oats are in (60 acres) and (drum roll, please!) yesterday he started planting corn.  He planted 30 acres yesterday and planted until he got rained out today.  

He's doing mostly no-till so no more plowing.  It took me a long time to appreciate the look of a freshly plowed field.  Now he's not plowing and I miss that first sign of spring and the freshly turned dirt.  

I guess I'll have to "settle" for this

as my first sign of true spring.

  

Megan decided to turn eleven last week.

I went all-out and put sprinkles on her birthday cake.  

(I know, I know, they're going to take back my mom badge any day now!)

We celebrated by finishing school that day.

On Wednesday, Megan, Davis, and Jamison were all sick.

A bummer beginning to summer vacation.

The homeschool group had their end-of-year programs.

All four of ours fell into the "younger" group with Poppin' Proverbs and Manners for Moppets.

Hannah, Brianna, and Megan

Kenton and I weren't the only parents that suspect 

that not a whole lot of practice was required for this scuffle.

It seemed to come pretty naturally.

Davis and Tori

Jamison 

Kaitlyn did a great job with her four little poems.

In other exciting news, if you missed it earlier...

We are DONE with school!

And since their evil mother likes to get a jump on things for 

canning season survival purposes...we'll be starting again next week.  

But just one day a week.  

I'll have one in 7th, 6th, 4th, and 1st.

And since I haven't had my review yet, I'll have curriculum stacked everywhere for a couple weeks.

And!!!

I'm buying a piano.

Right after Kenton gets the money for the money manure pit.

I have a baby grand on loan right now. (Bless my piano tuner, Nancy Salmon)

But I've loved the stuffin' out of it and it needs to be rebuilt.

If I have to listen the evil twang of those two untunable notes much longer 

a straight-jacket will be required.

Considering what Kenton has gone through in moving pianos (3) during the last two decades, this is probably going to have to last me, not to mention that friendships and backs wear thin when you move a baby grand.

I'm so excited.

My husband does not fully appreciate the gravity of the situation.  I figure if I talk about the relative merits of Kawai vs. Yamaha vs. new vs. used long enough he'll get the idea of how annoying those two untunable f's are pretty quickly. 

If you are thinking WHO CARES ABOUT A DUMB PIANO?  May I remind you how I feel about ALL animals?  Now we're even! :P

Megan tried a little photography this week.

Kaitlyn was a bit miffed not to be included.

I think Megan made it up to her by painting her toenails.

Soccer Mom

Soccer mom!

That's me this time of year.  

Yesterday was opening soccer season.

Since I'm about as much of an athlete as a rock,

I'm thrilled that all my kids are interested in sports.

Everyone had pictures

and everyone was scheduled for two twenty minute games. 

It was a little crazy trying to keep up with everyone.

The day started at 9:00 

and we picked up pizza on the way home at 6:00.

It was freezing cold.

We hung out in the van as much as possible.  

The van looks like the Duggar family camped out there for a year or so 

without access to a trashcan. 

The house looks almost as...memorable as the van.

I'm thinking of firing the maid. 

She's really lousy.

Emily and her faithful companion Minnie.

Milk Dud Report:  Kenton and his dad worked on the pasture fence.  They're replacing posts.  It's time to get the oats in and the corn planted, but it's been a late spring here (Is it coming or are we sticking with a green winter theme?) and the ground is too cold/wet.

As always, my standard disclaimer applies.

Reaching New Heights

The kids had a chance to go rock climbing today.  

They've gone once before with Coopers Rock Climbing Guides and loved it!

The adventure sports program at the college was looking for some willing participants.

They didn't have to twist anyone's arms too far.  

Jamison loved this climb because it was one of the hardest.

Davis' favorite was this "chimney" climb.

(Kaitlyn)

They also got to try rappelling.

It was an instant hit.

I was stunned that Kaitlyn couldn't wait to try it.

Davis enjoyed it, too.

Davis, Jamison, and Megan

Kenton was bummed to miss it.

Kaitlyn is light enough she got a few tugs to help her on her way.

Emily was a good sport.  Not old enough to climb (today) but cheering for the others...

until naptime hit while she was stuck in a lawnchair.

Let us know if you're game to try it.  

Milk Dud Report:  Spring work officially started.  Kenton spread fertilizer on the hay fields.  

Standard Disclaimer:  When it comes to farming, I only THINK I know what I'm talking about.  Quote me at your own risk.