Pinewood Derby

Friday night was our local homeschool group's annual Pinewood Derby race. We have been so busy that we didn't find out about it until Sunday afternoon before the race. Thankfully, B. and K. had an extra car. Since we only had one car, we told the kids they had to share it. We asked them to think of how they thought we should shape and paint it. Of course, each one had a different idea. The trick is to come up with a design that can be made from a small chunk of wood. Lacy profiled the design on the side of the wood and cut it out with a vertical mill. Thursday evening, each of the kids took their turn sanding the rough edges. Once everyone had their turn, Lacy put on the final touches to prepare it for paint. The girls decided they wanted their half to be purple with pink polka dots. Ethan wanted his blue.

Ethan painting along the half-mark line.

Sooo, we let the girls paint their half first and after that dried, Lacy and I put tape across it and Ethan finished his half off. The tape allowed Ethan to paint along the line without getting on the girls' half.

Alana putting the polka dots on.

Brianna concentrating very hard.

The result: a definite half-boy/half-girl pinewood derby car.

Half girl.

Half boy.

Once at the race, each one took their turn putting the car on the starting line. Each car entered in the race ran four heats. A total of 40 cars were entered. Our car got 2nd place in three of those heats and 1st place in the last heat. They received a participation plaque made by their very own Uncle Ryan. The kids are at the age where they don't really notice if they won or not, they just enjoyed making their car and watching it race down the track.

Ethan and K. at the track.

Brianna preparing for the race.

Alana and Justin enjoying some snacks.


The Brownmobile pit crew waiting at the finish line.

Cows & Cakes!

It's been a while since I've blogged so I will combine a few events. We've been quite busy the past couple of weeks. When Lacy's parents are away on business, we usually care for the livestock. The kids always look forward to 'chores' after Daddy gets off work. Ethan and Brianna takes turns driving the kubota (with parental supervision). Alana helps Daddy run the loader on the tractor and Justin sticks to mommy's side.

Ethan and Alana riding while Lacy dumps feed from mixer.

The kids have their shovels and help scoop the feed in at them smaller set of stantions.

Alana is admiring them from a distance. =)

Ethan is trying to hand-feed one.

Each day we have to scoop 8 buckets of shelled corn. The older three love to climb in the bin and play in it.

Alana topping off the already full buckets.

Ethan carries the full buckets to the door of the bin.

Brianna will end up with a boot full of corn.

When we get to the barn, the girls feed the bull some flakes of hay and carry on a conversation with the calves. It is so cute to see them holding hands and being such big helpers. This past week we had a calf that needed a daily shot. That involves getting in the pen and catching it, all the while watching out of the corner of your eye for mama cow. Ethan loves to get in on this action. The challenge is that with each day the calf feels a little bit better and gets a little bit faster. =) The kids are eager to help and we encourage it. I want to teach them to be good workers and to be a happy helper.

On a different note, Oct. 19 was Justin's first birthday. He had two parties. The first one was at my parents house. D. and A. and their little one came. My grandma (mom's mom) came with her husband, Thomas. They live in Indiana and only get to visit about once a year so it was nice for them to get to enjoy this event. The kids kept them entertained. My mom always gets the kids a cake with their favorite character on it.

Justin's cake featured Sesame Street friends.


Mommy and Birthday Boy


Justin enjoying the Caterpillar dump truck from Gammy & Papa

I hosted Lacy's family for a bash with cupcakes, homemade apple crisp, and homemade chocolate ice cream (compliments of Lacy's grandpa J.). We had a full house. For some reason no one wanted my 'out of the box' cupcakes. =) Everyone ate apple crisp and ice cream!

He's all smiles while eating his very own cupcake.

Which one do I wear first?

Brianna loves pictures!!

All in all we had a good time and appreciate everyone that joined us at both parties and the gifts they brought. Any time spent with family is a blessing! We love you all.

Anyone Hungry?!?

Well, we did it! Yesterday, was the broilers fateful day. We put 23 of our chickens on the 'butchering block'. I have been dreading this day since we decided to purchase chickens 3 months ago. First, a little history. Lacy and I met each other about 10 years ago. Shortly thereafter, his mom decided to butcher her laying hens. I wanted to get to know the family better and make a' good impression' so I agreed to help. It was definitely a learning experience for a young girl who hadn't spent much time on a farm. Needless to say, I was grossed out. It was all I could do to attempt to pluck the thing. Lacy's mom often jokes about the many times she would prepare chicken for dinner and I would always ask 'Is that one of your chickens?'
Since this experience, I have done many new things with animals that I never imagined myself doing. I have even helped pull calves!! I know it's hard for my parents to believe I am in there doing something like this. So, I was expecting the worst for my own chicken butchering day. I have to say it wasn't as bad as my first go-around at it.

On Friday night, we got out all of the necessary equipment for the big day. Our goods friends, R. and A. let us borrow a 'chicken plucker'. It has a spinning drum with rubber fingers. All you have to do is plug it in and hold on to the chickens feet. It does the rest. This piece of equipment saved us alot of time.We made a clothes line with two steel posts and baling wire to let the chickens hang so they wouldn't bruise the meat and to let them bleed out. When we were done preparing everything, we built a fire and roasted hot dogs and marshmallows. The kids have been wanting to do this for quite some time. I always enjoy doing it in the fall when the night temps are cool. I don't have any pictures of this because my camera batteries were conveniently dead. That's par for the course.

Saturday morning, we all rose early to get the fire started. Ethan, Brianna and Daddy worked on this until our much appreciated help arrived. Our volunteer crew consisted of Lacy's mom, sister, grandma and L. Each of us had a job and we kept the 'assembly line' going.

Ethan worked very hard keeping the wood to the fire.


Brianna worked hard taking care of Justin & Alana.

A. handled the 'de-capitation' part.

L. and Lacy ran the plucking machine.


L. and I skinned them.


A. and Gma M. took care of the rest.

I knew I wasn't looking forward to this process and wasn't sure how the kids were going to handle it either. They truly surprised us all. Ethan & Brianna both jumped right in there. Alana was a little unsure so she and Justin hung out in the playpen. I couldn't ask for a better baby. We hardly heard a peep out of Justin. He played contently with his tractor and munched on graham crackers.

When we were finished, we enjoyed home-grown beef on the grill. You wouldn't think anyone would have an appetite but we did. I guess I am officially a "farm girl". I'll leave you with some pictures of the day.

Alana's filling buckets to put cleaned meat in.


Justin's just taking it all in.


With the head!

Without the head!

Everyone gets hungry now and then.

Here is the fire and scalding pot. This is what loosens the feathers for easier pulling.

Brianna Cleaning.