First item of business or "busyness" in November was a quick trip to Hotchkiss, Colorado. Why did we go to Hotchkiss? To pick up a Southdown Babydoll ram of course! Back in October, I bought these two cute Olde English Southdown Babydoll ewes. We named them Mabel and Molly.
Breeding season for these sheep was already a month gone and they are the perfect age for breeding and I knew that is what I wanted to do with them anyway, so I contacted everyone possible in and around Utah to find a ram ASAP and I could not find anything until I came upon Kristin at Western Woollies in Hotchkiss, Colorado. She had a nice dual registered ram she would sell me. So instead of waiting for an entire year to breed my ewes, I decided to go to Colorado to buy a ram. Kristin set up veterinary appointments and took care of all the paperwork to bring him across state lines. I convinced Mark to come with me on the 5 and a half hour drive to pick him up. We took the kids since they come everywhere with us, but they later said they wished we would have left them at the grandparent's house. It was a lot of driving for a few hours of sleep in a hotel just to come straight home again. We used the time in the car for reading Summer of the Monkeys and watching the beautiful sunset in the rear view mirror.
We stayed in a hotel in Delta, Colorado and got there in time for bed. The boys unfortunately woke up before 6:00 am and would not go back to sleep. So we spent the morning watching TV and eating breakfast. After breakfast we still had some time and so the boys sat down in the lobby. I got this picture of them watching the TV there. Everyone was a just a little tired. Too bad Brian and Timmy woke us up so early.
Finally it was time to head the 20 minutes to Hotchkiss. Kristin and her family were the nicest people and she showed me around her farm and gave me tips and advice and we got our ram, named Piper, into the dog crate in the back of the truck. The guys just lifted him up there. I did not have the thought to take any good pictures, but I did get this one just after getting the ram in the truck.
Six hours after that we were back at the farm with a new ram for our ewes. Mark lifted him out of the truck and we put him right with his girls. They have been happy ever since. I hope we get some lambs come Spring!
Maybe I haven't gotten any great pictures of the guy because really he is not the most handsome ram I've seen, but he'll do the job for now.
November was a busy month for me. Getting new sheep settled was not the only large item on my list. Setting up our Airbnb took a huge chunk of my time. There was the cleaning after our renters left, painting and fixing wall dings, placing furniture, washing linens, buying items needed, and then finally posting our space for rental. Here's a few pictures.
So far the Airbnb has been an adventurous experiment. Our neighbors are remodeling their home, so they have been the main occupants, but we have had a few "real" renters here and there. It is a nice place and I think people like it. We will give it a few months and see how things go.
Brian and Timmy had their Fall Cello Recital in November. Brian played the Bacharini Minuet and Timmy played Lully Gavotte. Both songs are from the beginning of book 3. They did a great job. My mom and dad came to watch them.
So glad these boys get to grow up on a mini farm.
My cousin Rich stayed with us another weekend while he was here at a dental conference. Here we are making music with the Nepal singing bowls my dad gave us.
The dog learned how to drink from the stock waterer. It is not an easy thing, she has to push a paddle down and wait for the water to come up. She always has water inside, but she gets thirsty out there after chasing a ball. I used to hold down the paddle for her to drink, but I like that she can get it herself whenever she wants.
Mark found a few good deals on some cellos, so we got them even though the kids will not grow into them for a few years. Here he is gluing the nut on with his special instrument glue.
I had to get pictures of the ewes to get them registered.
They have to be under 24 inches tall.
Thanksgiving week arrived and somehow we ended up hosting 36 people. I knew I had to clean my fridge. It was such an epic moment to have that fridge all clean that I had to take a picture.
This is just a random blurry picture of the kids. I love these two with all my heart!
One evening they ended up on Mark's lap looking through old pictures and videos on this blog while I cleaned the kitchen. Times like that always remind me how valuable the blog is and how I want to keep it going at least by month for our family journal. Brian and Timmy love looking at it!
The day before Thanksgiving the boys had school off so they got to help me clean and they actually really enjoyed peeling yams.
On turkey day we ate dinner at 2:00 pm. Mark's family came along with Chinese friends of his parents and several families and friends from our ward. I think Alice is explaining to some Chinese friends a few of the Thanksgiving traditions.
It was so smart of us to send the kids downstairs. They had a blast too.
The food and company were amazing. It was a very nice day.
After leading the kids on the horse and cleaning everything up on Thanksgiving I was one tired lady, so I decided to take the next day off and went up to the ranch were I did absolutely no work thanks to my mom. She fed us and we enjoyed the beautiful weather and fun cousin time.
The older cousins helped my mom put up her Christmas decorations. I have so many fond memories of the piano nativity set. I think I know every detail.
The kids enjoyed the hot tub before we went home.
For Family Home Evening that night the boys helped Mark put together boxes for all the missionaries in our ward.
I had some meetings at the school this week. I had community council meeting and a training for Meet the Masters. I get to teach Brian and Timmy's classes about Van Gogh and we get to draw a Starry Night.
We had put our TV in the Airbnb, so Mark decided to get one on Black Friday. Luckily he found a great deal and he got it installed above the basement fireplace.
I had actually really enjoyed not having a TV, so I was a little apprehensive about getting a nice big new one, but it is really nice I have to admit. I do like that it is in the basement instead of upstairs.
I included this picture even though it was taken back in August at Mark's friend's wedding. I forgot we took the picture until I got it from Mark's pictures in November. Oh how I love this guy and all he does for me and the boys. He is the greatest.
