Companions . . .

  We have been looking for another goat or two for Fern, since Phil passed away. And we finally found some. They are 8 month old does (females)both are Boers just like Fern. They are so cute. Jordan and my Dad had to de-horn them and give them some shots :( But even after that traumatic experience they were pretty friendly. They went right to eating and exploring with Fern. Austyn named them of course, and they are Frankie and Phillis(in memory of Phil). She did this all on her own. I was very impressed. She kept saying we need to get Fern a new Phil. And that we did! Two new Phils :) I feel much better now that Fern has a companion again.

That's Fern in the front and Frankie and Phillis are 

behind her.

I'm not sure which one is which. I'll have to ask

Austyn :)

We decided to take a walk and get out of the house. 

She was a fashion statement for sure.

Here she is again, another fashion

statement. We were watching this herd

of Elk pass through our field and she was

too excited to get dressed.

30 some Elk in our field. It was amazing to see them so 

close and on our property. I hope they make it a regular

trail.

  Austyn is still enjoying George. I have figured out that her attention span is about 20 or 30 minutes. And that's ok, I just need to keep it in mind and remember that she is 3. George had really bad teeth when we got him. We got them floated and even had to pull one of them. So needless to say he is feeling like a new horse. I've been having to lunge him before I put Austyn on. I can't wait for this summer when it is nice outside and we can go play horse together :)

  Quade is doing great. He is growing up way way way too fast. He is almost 1! It makes me want to cry :( He is only getting 1 bottle at night now, which is so sad. He can stand by himself forever and even catch himself when he starts leaning to one side or another. It wont be long before that boy is walking. He is ALL boy too. He will make truck sounds as he plays with his trucks and crash them into things. He is so rough compared to what Austyn ever was. I love to see the differences.

  Jordan is now starting to take classes and prepare for his Officer Development Program. Which I think starts in a couple years. Ya gotta love his drive, motivation, and stamina. Or otherwise known as CRAZY! I do admire him for knowing his dreams and goals and achieving them not matter what stands in his way. He is definitely a go getter. And I love him for that. I hope our kids get that from him. Come to think of it, I don't think there is anything I wouldn't want Jordan to pass along to our kids. Besides his volume control problem, but Austyn has already been cursed with that. Yay, for me!!!!

  I can proudly say, I have lost 5 pounds and over 5 inches so far. I think it's been 4 weeks. I'm very pumped about that. I was trying to lose the rest of Austyn and Quade by the time he turned 1, so I have about 8 or 9 more pounds to go by the 13th of February. I think that's pushing it a little, but I'll get close.

  I hope everyone has enjoyed the rain break. I know we have. This is going to be the best summer yet (I know it's still a ways off). Quade will be toddling and being at our new place is going to be great.. I'm so excited!! Hope all is well with everyone.

George...

  Oh man, I'm so excited to be writing about Austyn getting her first horse!!!!!! I know that I'm way more excited than anyone else about this, but Austyn's pretty pumped about it too. After we went to Austyn's first horse show we've been lightly searching for an old broke pony. Well Jordan's mom found him on Facebook over in Lincoln City. He is a white, 25 year old, welch/appy, and is 12 hh. He is the cutest thing there ever was. She named him George. She wanted to call him Austyn, but we wouldn't let her for obvious reasons. So the next best thing was George, since that is what I call her a lot. I can't wait to just play around with this pony and Austyn. Austyn is so excited to get her OWN lead rope and halter for him. Pink of course, he better be secure in his manhood! George use to give people rides along the beach before we got him.  So he will be great with kids. Jordan's mom said that she will haul him to Pony Club and let Austyn ride around in the arena while the big girls actually practice. This way Austyn can think she's doing Pony Club, but actually just dinking around. I'm so excited. I hope she likes it like I do. Her next show is in 2 weeks. Maybe we can have her trotting by then. I can't believe how rusty I've gotten with my horse skills. I'm sure they'll come back in a hurry. Did I mention I'm excited about George!!!!!!!!!
  Jordan, Quade, Austyn, and I are perfect. But did I mention the horse :)


Sorry the pictures are bad, but it was dark and rainy.

Austyn on George. She's riding in our family's

 old kid saddle.

Cousin Shaely and Austyn at Pony Club

Aunt Diane and Austyn 

  So a few days ago we had one of our goats pass away. He died in his sleep during the night :( Very sad. He was a triplet and the last born so he was always quite slow. He kind of had that failure to thrive thing going on, but he was a fine goat for what we needed. His sister is so sad and lonely. She stood where he died all day and cried out at us. She got out of the fence the next day and laid in the garage while Jordan worked on his truck. How sad is this. We are looking for one or two large goats for a companion if anyone knows of some. I told Austyn that Phil had died and went to live in Heaven with the Angels. She asked if he was coming back and I told her he was not. Then she asked if he can poop in Heaven and bite the Angels. She said she wants to get a new Phil for Fern and name him Frank Phil so Fern won't be sad or lonely. Sometimes she leaves me speechless.   REST IN PEACE PHIL !!

Here is Fern in the garage with KODA while 

Jordan works on his truck. KODA is pissed 

she's invading her space.