Wild About Pigs

***Live in country. Must have animals.***

John, the good sport that he is, happily delivered 2 piglets to our doorstep, I mean barnstep.

It all started when I asked John if was going to get pigs again soon. He said yes, and then asked if I wanted him to pick me up a couple. I replied, "YES!!" It didn't take long to persuade Dad. It made me feel like a kid again, crossing my fingers behind my back that he'd oblige.

Here they come! The kids were all eyes. Rhya was NOT impressed at their ear piercing screams as we carried them to the pen in the barn. She started wailing herself but settled down after the pigs realized that they were safe.

A week later, when we moved the pigs outside, Rhya INSISTED that she be RIGHT next to us when we carried the pigs out. We told her that they would scream again but she said that she wouldn't cry. She surprised us and stuck with us the entire way, informing us that the pigs were fine. "They're fine, Mom! They're fine!"
                           

Meet the pink male. He's way lazier than the female. She'll be hop skipping around the pen while he lounges under their dugout by the haybale. 

I've had a lifelong affair with pigs. If you ask anyone who knew me as a kid what my favorite childhood animal was they would most likely remember that it was a pig.

My next job is to save the female from butcher day and take her to our new place! Do I sense a market for grass fed pork? 

2013 Wild Mountain Rugged Maniac Mud Run

Calling all mud lovers!!! If you're looking to get dirty, this is the ticket. We are incredibly hooked on mud runs. It's not competitive at all, just super fun, especially with fellow goofy friends!

                                                 Nate, sqooshing through the mirk.

                                                Travis- looks like he does this every day!

                                          We ran this with Gary last year and again this year. It's turning into a tradition.

                                          Andrew- this is the guy who hates to get dirty!

                                             Weston the workhorse

                                                       3.1 miles, 23 obstacles. Nate finished in 38 min.

Jana, Julie, Ellen, Maja, Darla- let's just say we didn't do it for the time but for the fun!

                                                                     FIRE

                                             Typical Nate- cool, calm, collected, hardly puffing

                                             Here come the girls- Julie, Ellen, Jana

                                           Darla and Maja- There was a pool of mud at the bottom, and they slimed Dawn       dish soap on us so we slid super fast.

These two make their own obstacle courses!

For the Love of Spring

Free range kids with the free range hens!

Mother's Day is so fun now! Rhya came up to me the night of mother's day. She was giddy with excitement over the bag of Dove's for me. We had to open them RIGHT AWAY and hand them out to everyone in site!

The countless rainy days have been much to this puddle stomper's delight. There's not a puddle that she won't try to splash in. She even tries to veer into big puddles in the parking lots. Wet socks? Who cares!

We picked up 100 chicks at the post office. Rhya's attention span lasts a LONG time in the chick pen. The other day I saw her snatch one up, nuzzle it, and give it a gentle smooch. They're getting MUCH harder to catch now, much to her dismay. Good thing 10 are layers so she doesn't have to say goodbye to all of them at butchering day.

Kristina called us up one morning and asked if we wanted to check out the banks of Hay Creek. Wow! It was great! Last minute picnics have been a big highlight of this spring..especially when it includes cousins and friends! Grady is getting to be quite the charmer. I am amazed at his ability to chuck down the food. Fistfulls.

This spring brought the birthday of little Gabriel! Wow where did that year go? I think babies grow up on me way faster when I have my own kids to take care of. It feels like they are slipping past me but someday life will slow down and our kids will love to have cousin playmates! He charmed us all by his cake performance and newly acquired walking skills.

Where one is, the other will be also. Karena and Rhya are INSEPARABLE. Lately Rhya has been doing special little poses and telling me, "This is what Karena do." They must practice gymnastics together. :-)

We hunted for mushrooms and found none- same with our hunt for rhubarb (which we found out was burdock, thanks to Gma Mo and my dad. oops. hilarious) Rhya shimmied over rocks and scurried up the hills just like a little goat. 

Brielle at 14 months, delighted to be outside.

Homeless

We said goodbye today to the only house we've known as a married couple and family. Nate bought our house before we were married and we've lived in it ever since!!

It was very bittersweet to take one last eye sweep throughout the place. There are so many memories of Rhya playing in that little sandbox with her bare toes, sliding down the old metal slide on her tummy, poking around in the chicken pen under the lilacs, going through the 'doggie door' (hole in the screen door- ha), flopping down the stairs on her hind end, on and on!!

I remember walking through the front door for the first time after getting married (and someone put a hedge trimming tool in our fridge!)
I remember fixing up the place and laughing about eating meals at tv trays.
I remember getting stuck outside in COLD weather when the garage door opener was being stingy.
I remember our interesting assortment of neighbors (good 'ole Harold).
I remember both nights of laboring throughout the house, especially leaning over the couch in the living room.
I remember sitting on the front step, reading children books, watching the cars go by.
I remember how the baby swing was set up 'just' so in the living room.
Oh, so many memories in a short almost 7 years. What will the next place bring???