So, for the first time since last November, our family left the farm for a full weekend. All of us. At the same time. And, we couldn't have left the farm in better hands while we were away!
John's cousin Sara, her husband Aaron, and their three fun-lovin' kiddos made their way to the farm from the big city on Thursday. They joined us for evening chores and Friday morning's chores. Friday afternoon, we headed out and left them to enjoy their farm vacation.
They tended the goats.
They gathered eggs.
They posed adorably with the goats.
They took care of all the little "peepers" in the "Peeper Pen."
They cleaned and packaged eggs.
They spoiled every last critter that calls our farm home.
That's a lot of milk produced in just one weekend!
And Sara did a whole lot of milking. This was definitely the part that made me most nervous about leaving. And Nutmeg did suffer some initial separation anxiety. Here, 8-year-old Noah recounts the story:
"Noah vs. Nutmeg
At the Beller's farm we milked the goats. On Nutmeg's turn she went crazy and when we let her off the milking stand she tried to run away. I caught her collar and she drug me across the barn floor. I slowed her down and daddy caught her. I scraped my knee when she drug me across the floor. I felt proud that I did that."
Sounds like there were a few crazy moments, but I'd left my milking ladies in good hands. Sara and crew were patient with Nutmeg, and things got easier the more accustomed to each other they became.
Of her time with the goats, Sara said that, "it's such a satisfying thing to care for them and then be milking them, knowing babies and others will be nourishing themselves with the milk." So very true.
Meanwhile, 4 hours away, I got to meet this little guy -- my newest nephew.
And Nana and Ops got to spoil their grandkids.
Girl 1 is such an amazing oldest cousin. Here, she is playing with one cousin while having her hair styled by two more.
And our brood got to enjoy some quality time with their cousins.
Ops completed his ice bucket challenge to benefit ALS research and then promptly joined the gang in the hot tub to warm up.
We really did have a great time at my parents' house, and the kids always enjoy their cousin time! We don't all get together very often, but when we do, those times are precious.
Thanks to Sara and family for filling in for us so that we could enjoy our little getaway! It wouldn't have been possible without you.