Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Must LOVE Cows

We had the privilege of visiting a dairy farm in Derby Line, Vermont, where you can practically spit over the border into Canada.
Milking about 1,000 cows every day and housing over 1,500 puts this farm in the top 10 producers in Vermont. Our host for the day was Trevor Gray, Lindsey's friend from UNH. If you caught on to the last name, you will guess that he is in it for the long haul.
Okay, now on to the cows. The farm milks Holsteins with a smattering of other breeds mixed in.
Mingling with the cows were a few of these big boys. They do their job well. He tried to demonstrate for us, birds and bees in real life.
My mother was sweet talking the cow. I am sure she will give more milk today.
Liquid gold. Captured in a pond and spread on the fields.Which are vast with thousands of acres in grass and corn.
Silage waiting to be fed. I feel so knowledgeable all of the sudden. Plenty of use for old tires that we pay to get rid of.If you are one of those that thinks your milk comes from the store, then you may want to skip the next picture. Don't want you to be queasy or anything. Gray farm ships a whole tanker truck of product to Boston every day.
A barn for ladies-in-waiting. 2-10 calves are born every day on average.
Sorry, baby bulls. No room for you on a dairy farm. After birth in a tub and getting licked clean by their mama, newborns move into a very nice heifer barn.
Well, there are several bulls being raised. Jack is one of the lucky few. If all your meat comes from the grocery store, don't think about it, at all.
Raised in sand because it does not harbor bacteria like sawdust.
Heifers grow and move to bigger barns.
Does she look happy or what? She loves the smell, the action, the cows! It's in her blood and I have absolutely no idea where that came from.
At this point, we are standing around talking to Trevor and his father. The camera is out of my possession.Boys must play in dirt.
Every farm has kittens.
Trevor's father is a very intelligent man who owns and runs multiple businesses.
Like I said, I'm not taking the pictures. Erika found flies on the farm, who knew. Note to self: ALWAYS leave your windows up on a dairy farm else you will be batting flies in your car for about a week.
Snails?
Thank you to the Gray family for the tour, education, and future opportunities for our daughter.

We headed South to visit Cabot Creamery.
Like I said, must love cows.







The tour took us through the plant and the free cheese tasted delicious. I cannot vouch for how much cheese our group consumed.Never too young to practice milking.


Thank you, Lindsey for sharing your passion with us. You are a wonderful farmer. I hope all your dreams come true.

For posterity:
Note to self, because husband wants to keep us safe in a moving vehicle, I was unable to get the following photographs:

-Canada customs and border with flag flying.
-Sign denoting midpoint in latitude between equator and the north pole.

Sigh.

Monday, June 27, 2011

Progressed to Third Trimester

It's official.

We are in our third trimester of pregnancy.

I expect to be more tired.

Weight gain is entirely possible.

Running around like a chicken with my head cut off is probable.

Because.............today we got:
LETTER
OF
ACCEPTANCE
China approves.

There is no turning back now.

Not that we would.

It's quite an unexplainable feeling.

Becoming a parent again.

For the ninth time.

Sounds crazy to me.

Completely crazy.

But meant to be.

Because God said.

Vacay - Day 2

Vacay - Day 2

Children.
Children.
What do you see?
Catch of the week, so far.

Surgery.The camp.Working together.
Huge Lesson.
We cut them loose.
Big kids like hanging out together.
Cora is a guinea pig.
She will do whatever they tell her.
Jumpin' like a crazy woman.
Swimmin' with the fishies.
Carlson loves to fish.
Nighttime means campfire.
Campfire means giant marshmallows.
Never too old for a gooey, toasted treat.
Marshmallow limit: 2.
This morning?
Empty bag.
I tried.
Chatting.Jamming.
Love this man and his ukelele.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Day 31

Today is Day 31 from LID.

I am glad I have the distraction of vacation.

Our dossier has finished translation

and is in the matching room.


Soon, very soon.

Vacay - Day 1

Vacation - Day 1

If you tell a three year old
he needs worms to go fishing...
he will find one.
And be very, very proud!
Love comes in all shapes and sizes.
Spent utterly too much time here.
Treat of the day: Root beer floats!
First sip of soda ever.
Farm Woman = Fire Starter.
Night time entertainment:
Block Tower Building Contest.
Trey = 13 blocks.

Lindsey topped out at 16 blocks.
Unofficial champion.
Everyone needs a cheering committee.
Concentration.
Almost there. Erika = 15 blocks.
Cora = 17 blocks.
She took her time.
Official Champion.
Kloey, on second try = 19 block tower.Thus ends the first day of vacation.
Lots of lying around.
Cloudy and rainy.
Took a walk.

Restful.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Stop Counting

I can't help it.

Today is Day 30 from LID.

Day 43 from DTC.

Hangzhou, China is waiting.
Got an update on Friday that the Chinese took some time off to go to "Party events."

I don't think it is THAT kind of party.

They are back to work now.

Thank you.

Agency rep is hopeful that LOA will come next week.

Progress!!!

Going to bed at 11:38 pm is vacation.

Kids up at 6:38 am, not so much.


Nothing to do the next day.

Nowhere to go.

They missed the memo.

The little boys are off their rockers.

Bouncing around.

Literally.

The girls are glued to black box.

It is rainy and cold.

I am so glad we came early because....

It's 11:30..............AM.

I am still laying in bed.

Oh yes, horizontal.

I am officially taking the day off.

And my kids are letting me.

I am the luckiest mom in the world.

Truly blessed.

It gets better.

My daughter likes to cook.

She is off to the store to get stuff for:

Pioneer Woman Cinnamon Rolls

Loaded omelets

Like peppers, onions, mushrooms, swiss, cheddar, bacon

Spaghetti with Artichokes and Tomatoes

Cape Cod Potato chips.

Sigh.

Goodness around every corner.

I need to take another nap now.

Good-bye.

Friday, June 24, 2011

One Word.

VACATION.

Vermont.

Fishing.

Eating.

Lake.

Family.

Playing.

Reading.

Relaxing.