January

Happy New Year! Here's what we've been doing so far. 

Ivey got a deer for the freezer... 

                               So did Sadie! Her first deer! Both thanks to our awesome game warden who took them hunting on the coldest day we've had yet this year. They were popsicles when they were through, but happy popsicles!             

Shane shot a buck in December. I'm not sure where the picture is though! It is a good bet that if you come to eat a meal with us, deer meat might be on the table. :) 

                                            

   We branded a small set of calves last week. We teased Sadie that she looked like a western clothing advertisement because she matched so well. :) 

Then on to .....our local stock show! Sadie had rabbits again this year. She isn't nearly as nervous about going in the ring now. She just waltzes in there, sets her rabbits up, and smiles. That's it!                       

                                     

                                               Except she still sizes up the competition and gives them the Stink Eye just for good measure.      

                             Touching base with her favorite fan when it was over.                      

                                                  Now, on to the pig show! This year Shane stepped out of doing pigs and Sadie stepped in. Shane hung close by for moral support though.   

                                         I thought Shane was taking one picture of us. He took about 10, and look who is coming up the back, photobombing. :) 

                                       

                                 Sadie and Napoleon having a quiet moment before the show. Oh wait, maybe Sadie is letting him sleep so he'll be rested enough to not squeal and complain when he's in the ring.

                         No more snoozing or smiling. It's all business now. To the ring!

           She was pretty nervous about showing her first pig, but she did great!            

                   So did the pig. He didn't squeal and carry on like he is prone to do.                                 

They got 4th place in their class. 

                                                    

Now onto Ivey and Vincent. First, it is important to note that Vincent caused considerable stress to Ivey by being too big. She had to put him on a strict diet the last week. She held her breath when they weighed him in, and he was under the limit - whew! Then she had to work hard to feed him back up and even gave him Gatorade to help him fill out again. By the time they were going into the ring, these two had a lot of history together.            

 He was one of the biggest pigs there - but they did great. Ivey absolutely loves pigs. She always has.

 Showing pigs is simply one more venue for her to indulge in her love for pigs.

 She proudly walked him all around the judge with all sorts of confidence...

 and they made 3rd place in their class. For a pig that almost had to go home before the show because he was too big, she was elated she got to show him and they placed. :)

The last show of the day is where Shane showed up.....heifer time!

 Shane had two heifers to show. He enjoyed showing pigs for a few years - until he tried a heifer. Now he's hooked. He named these heifers Molly and Margaret. Molly was  nicer. :) Margaret was a little ornery.

 All the guys showing heifers are the same age and good buddies. Here they are, bringing them around the ring.

Standing them up....

 Watching the judge like a hawk....until he looks away, then scramble to place a foot a little better. :)

Here comes the judge. Serious business! He got 2nd with Molly and 4th with Margaret. Quite pleased.

Now the heifers are back out to pasture, the rabbits back to the breeder, one pig went to a new home, and the other will in a few days. All is quiet on the western front...until next October when it is time to get pigs, speak for rabbits, and start breaking heifers again. :)