Happy New Year!

They actually made it until midnight so that they could see that infamous ball drop in Times Square, and to toast (with their non-alcoholic beverages!) each other for a great 2012.

Here's to hoping that they won't be too tired and grumpy tomorrow. Ha! Haa!!

My New Year's Resolution?

To dance more. Because it makes me happy.

When I'm happy, everything else just falls into place.

Cousins who wish they were sisters...

My niece is staying with us tonight, possibly for a couple of days. The kiddos are so thrilled to all be together. And, they are determined to see the New Year in for the first time this year! We'll see if they can stay awake that late...I hope that everyone has a FUN & safe night!

Happy New Year's Eve!!

Disbelief

She couldn't believe that Auntie M would actually give her the lamp that she so admired! Yes, my oldest step-daughter loves everything 70's...she's a displaced hippie, born 30 years too late!

A New T-shirt for Everyone

In April, we are going to take a trip to Tennessee to visit my sister & her family! I had a friend draw an image of the 7 of us driving down the highway in our Suburban, and we surprised the kiddos with screen-printed t-shirts (made by Hot Colors in Norway, Maine) for Christmas. At this point, they are trying to figure out what the t-shirts say and what it means to them. Shortly after I took this picture, there was LOTS of jumping around and screams of excitement! We are all super excited about this trip!!

Merry Christmas!

We hope that everyone has a wonderful holiday!!

He Really Was Here!

It looks like Santa enjoyed his snack...

He even left the kiddos a note, which my son read out loud for all of us to hear.

He was so proud to be able to claim that he was the one who made those yummy Chocolate Chip cookies. 'Course as far as he's concerned, there is no other type of cookie!

Putting their heads together...

It's nice to have an older brother when you need help with your homework!

Girls, girls, girls...

My niece is visiting this weekend. Of course, the first thing they had to do was saddle up Lily!

Snuggle-Bug

The kids all love to snuggle with Rusty and he loves every minute of it!

A Silkie & Her Egg

We just watched her lay that egg!

Way too cool!! I haven't heard the word 'awesome' said that many times in a long while. She is very excited to have been able to see that happen. Me too! That's only the 3rd time I've watched it, even though I've been raising chickens my whole life, 'cause the hens are usually quite private about their egg laying.

This One's for YOU, Uncle Lucas!

THANK YOU to all our soldiers & veterans!

Campin' out...or is it in?

No school (or work!) tomorrow! Whoo hoo!!

So, tonight we are letting the kiddos 'camp out' in the downstairs' family room, watching movies 'til they fall asleep. They're psyched!

Poached Eggs

This morning the girls learned how to make poached eggs - 4 different ways to cook eggs under their belts now! Good thing our hens are good producers! That's a bantam egg, by the way. A perfect size for a girl who wasn't sure she was going to like poached eggs. She did!!

Our Kind of Day

It was a beautiful day to spend outdoors, playing around the farm with the kids.

Both kinds - 2-legged & 4-legged! Lily got lots & lots of attention, the goats & chickens entertained us with their antics, and we got a few projects around the farm done. Just like busy little squirrels...we're getting ready for winter...

Snow Man

Not to be out-done by his step-sisters, my son built a snowman to go with their snowlady. One of the girls took Rusty out to meet him...

Fun Trick-or-Treating!

1st Day of Hunting Season

I would hope that no one would shoot our precious Lily by mistake, but every year we cover her in blaze orange, just in case. Better safe than sorry!

Her 1st Eggs

This morning we told her she could make her own breakfast - she is so darn proud of herself!

Breyer Bathtime

My horse figurines got a bath tonight! I'm so glad that they are now squeaky clean...as are the twins!!

Big Mike

My friend, Harry, who owns several gorgeous Belgian horses, let the kids all into Mike's stall so that they could pet him. This is why they call draft horses "Gentle Giants". There aren't too many horses that would tolerate those rain ponchos in such close proximity!