Where have I been.....

I know I haven't blogged in weeks, but Spring is a busy time. It started with sugaring, which was an odd season this year. It lasted a few weeks longer than we typically have, but it wasn't as intense. We would have several days in between runs. We never had a BIG run even though we had about 40 more taps. In all we made about 55 gallons which is a lot less than last years 85 gallons. Then when it finally ended we had to clean up. Wash all the buckets, wash the arch, wash the tanks, and rinse the line. All time consuming & not much fun.

What is fun about Spring is lambing & kidding season. The babies are absolutely adorable & so much fun to watch. It's fun but tons of work. I am very attentive during this season. I check them every 4 hours during the day. My amazing landlord Arlene checks them before she goes to bed, and I go once during the night. Then at 6 am Mark & I grab our coffee to go & check again. It is exhausting!

Here's our stats:
11 sheep lambed & a total of 13 babies
2 sets of twins & one set of triplets (but sadly one didn't make it)
5- ram lambs
8 - ewes  ( April, Breeze, Daisy, Hope, Ridley, Eclipse, Sterling, Diva)
8 black & 5 white
Phew! we are done lambing for the year

Last Friday, I was in the barn watching Payton who was having difficulties lambing (her baby also died) when I heard one of the goats screaming, and I thought either someone was in labor or terribly hurt. I ran to the pen just in time to see our Nala have a little white buckling that we named Rafiki. He is the most precious little thing Ever! Our other goat S'more is due today, then we are done having babies.

I leave you with visions of cuteness that I am lucky enough to see everyday :)

Spring Pictures

JD had a great day, playing in the mud!

Poor Myra is so big she "sits" on her way up & down.
 Last year she had quads, so we'll see how many this year.
She's due in 2 weeks!

Tiny A  had the first lamb. It was a ram, and we
don't keep them, so we won't name him.

Heart had a ewe on April first, so her name is
April!

Bliss had our first set of twins. The white one is a
ram. The little black ewe I named Breeze. 

Way too much cuteness!

Peony lambed today. We are voting on Calla Lily and calling
her Calla, or Shasta Daisy.

Here April & Heart moved from the lambing pen
back into the flock. I hate moving them, they
look so tiny & I worry they will get hurt. But, they don't!

April found a safe spot in the hay feeder!

Meat birds are growing.  I can't wait to move them outside.

JD wants to help with chicken chores.

Finally boiling! Last year we were done on March 29
and made 85 gallons. Today we are up to only 35 gallons.

The dogs love to go gather & play in the woods.

I am so happy it's finally Spring!