Crazy Weeks!!

Unlike other farmers, we are still calving.

Let me rephrase that! Our cows are still calving! It's been a crazy month so far! But I wouldn't trade it for anything! I LOVE calving season! There's something about new babies that I love! Ok, I don't like to train them to suck off of a bottle or deal with (sometimes) kicky mommas, but all in all it's the best season!

I better introduce you to our BIG, happy, cow family! :)

Meet our babies!!

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Dopey(left) and Stormy(right)

Marshmellow(Left) Bashful (Right)

Lady

Grumpy

A over view of our lovely calves!!

 Sleepy






and
Tiny!

 

Here's a list of the moms and their names.

 

Girls!!

=======

Ginger had Stormy

Dillybar had Molly

Hope had Marshmallow

Roseabell had Lady

 Doughnut had Tiny

 

Boys!

=========

Lucy had Dopey

S'mores had Bashful

Lil' Red had Grumpy

and Rosebud had Sleepy!

 

I don't know if you caught on or not, but the boys are all dwarf names off of Snow White. I thought that since we have a solid white calf, we should have some dwarfs!

 

Ok, So each calf has a story behind their names. Grumpys name wasn't an accident....

 

We where driving to VBS when we noticed that there was a new calf. I decided that Becca and I would go get it after VBS. Well, when we got home I walked up to the calf and it was even walking towards me, when it suddenly took off like something was chasing it! I stood stunned for a moment and called to Becca who was visiting with the cows. I started to walk towards it and I noticed that it was caught to the fence! I yelled to Becca and ran over trying to get my phone out of my pocket. Becca was right behind me. I thought for sure I was going to be trying to untangle a wild calf from a electric fence. Not very much fun. As I got my phone out of my pocket, the calf busted through the fence. I heard a awful pop and crack sound. (Still not sure what that sound was.) Running the rest of the way as fast as I could, I tried to climb the fence to get to the calf. (Of course I was wearing a skirt then.) I scanned the ditch trying to get a hold of mom. I finally got a hold of someone! Grandpa Steve! He was visiting. So, I called him telling him we have a crazy calf that went through the fence and I couldn't find it! Becca came and I explained to her. I found the calf laying funny, still on the fence. I pet it's head and whispered to it. " Ok, Becca I'm going to try to get it through the fence and I want you to....." Before I could finish it jumped up and went through it again. Becca jumped back and it took off in the fence. Away from it's momma, us, the farm and on it's way to our neighbors. I spun around and ran down the fence line on the highway while Becca was trying to get it to stop jumping in and out of the fence. It veered and went into the swamp , Becca followed it.

 

I paused for a breath and ran back to the gate, climbed over and waited for help. Soon Grandpa , mom and Kaity arrived. We were figuring out a plan when the crazy calf came shooting out of the woods and kept running towards the fence. Mom and I try to cut it off. It was too late, through the fence and in the ditch and across the highway. Luckly for us the Speeddee guy slowed down for are crazy calf. We watched it cross the road and run in the field across from us. I am here to say, that wow that calf can run!! Grandpa was following it while mom went to get rope! It ran all the way aross and then towards the dirt road!    Mom finally found the rope and drove towards Grandpa. Kaity and I run across the field trying to catch up with them to help. Kaity stops, "What is it Kaity??" I yelled quickening my pace. "I think Grandpa is hurt! He just fell and mom is running towards him!!"


Kaity takes off to Grandpa I vear off to the truck where Becca and Ali were. Becca was holding her ears, she was scared.  "Something is really wrong Grace!! Ohhhhhhh!!!" Becca said, freaking out more by the second. "It's all right Becca, Grandpa is ok. He probably just jumped on the calf." I assured her as my fear grew.


And I am now here to tell you now that my Grandpa was just fine! He jumped on that calf and pinned it down while mom was tying it up like a rodeo calf. It was a site to see him holding the crazy thing down! I drove the truck up to them so we could throw the monster in the pickup box. Mom had to sit on it so it wouldn't jump out.


Grumpy was the strangest calf I have ever seen! After having him with the other calves for a few days he decided to go crazy again and go through the fence. Well, it's a little hard to go through cattle panels, so he kept running into it until he broke the fence  a part! And believe it or not we have him with the calves and he is as calm as he could be. I don't trust him though. 


That is Grumpy's story. I thought we should name him that since he always seems grumpy with his life. :)


He's no Farmer! He's an inventor!
I call it the "Bottle holder!" Nice name, huh??

Ok, every famer needs to be an inventor at one time or another, and this was that time! It's so nice to not have to hold two bottles and fight off the other 6 calves! Thank you daddy for making life easier!!! :)






Warning
For the younger reading audience, please go have your parents proof this before you keep on going.
This picture is NOT for the weak hearted, it will make your inside turn, your head spin and  your heart melt.
Proceed with caution.

I warned you!!!

We got ducks!!! My mom , always wanted ducks! They are so cute!! This is Milly or Billy. (depending on whether it's a boy or girl.) It is the runt of the group and the cutest!!

Yes, the chicks and ducks are living together! I think some of the chickens are confused and vice versa. 

They love our mud puddles that we have! :)

Yes, duck are a nice addition to our farm.

Meow!!!!! Meow!!!

I know what your thinking, "Oh no, not that time of season again!" Yup, the kittens have arrived, but a month or two late.

We knew that Cheetah had kittens, we just couldn't find them. Well, we found them a month old, and as friendly as can be. Ok, ok, we snuggled them and made them friendly. So, we have two kittens that we will give you for free!!! I'm sorry, but one found a home, So, all we have are two boys. Mathew and Mittens. (Names optional.)  The black one (on top, Mittens) and the white with brown ears and head. (bottom one, Mathew)  

Well, that's all for today! Thanks for reading and may God bless the rest of your summer!!                                 

 

What happened on Friday



It's a nice, windy, rainy day for a field trip! Do to do to do to do deeeeeeeee dummmmmmm.

Ok, go back and read that in a singsong voice. I promise it will make more sense. :)

HOWDY!

Last Friday we had the pleasure of having the Kindergartens from the Floodwood School over!

It was a TON of fun to have them!! The kids were really sweet and well behaved!

So, we had stations for the kids to go to, a bunny station, pig/piglets, chicks, and calf station. The kids went in groups and pet the animals.

They requested to see the big cows, donkey, and horses. So, we let them in one of the empty pens so they could see them. There were lots of excited kids when they saw the horses, donkey and a few astonished expressions when they saw our big bull Sir Walter.

I had a ton of fun leading Stormy around and letting the kids pet her. (I'll introduce you to her soon.) Austin, (my cousin) was proudly showing off his bunny, Luke's fort, and running off with the boys. ;)

Rolling, Rolling, Rolling.

The kids thought the animals were fun until they started to climb in the culvert. I think there was 16 out of 19 kids in this thing! I always knew that it was fun, but this confirmed it! 

BABY BUNNIES!!??

I would say the top favorite things the kids liked to do was probably, holding bunnies, feeding pigs, and rolling in the culvert. It was so cute watching the kids hold those bunnies!!!

Let's pause for a moment and behold the beauty of this picture.

"Oh it's so beautiful!!" (Wiping a tear and smiling.)

Yes! My wonderful Grandmother bought like 7 watermelons!! I was very happy until I found out that we were sharing with the kindergarteners. It was a sad day. It was gloomy out, raining, and the watermelon was going fast. (If you haven't noticed yet, I LOVE watermelon!)  I must say though, once I saw how happy the kids were about it, I was ok with sharing! We even had two left! Score!!! :)

Then after showing them all the animals, they sat on a wet picnic table to eat watermelon and watch my mom (Cora) attempt to make butter by hand cranking it. We did end up doing it in the mixer because it is a lot faster. :)

And that's all the pictures I have! I had the calf most of the time. It's pretty hard to hold onto a wet calf with one hand, while taking pictures with the other.

New members of the Family!

Meet Stormy!!!! My little girl, the daughter of Ginger and Sir Walter.

She's a lot of fun to walk around! She actually enjoys going for a walk! :)

I could go on and on about Stormy because she's my calf and who doesn't brag about a pet you have!

Meet Molly!!

Yup, this is Molly. This picture tells it all. Her mother is Dillybar.

Molly is NO fun to walk, it's mostly tug of war or drag the calf around. (Praying she gets the idea of the halter and lead rope.)

I have had my fair share of calves taking off running while I was walking them, but never have I been dragged!

Pulling out my phone I turned to Molly. My stance not braced at all, I quickly snaped a picture and was posting it when I felt a jerk on the lead rope in my hand. I looked up at the calf and I felt the ground as I landed on my belly. I hung on to the rope with one hand and holding my phone with the other. Molly jumped and took off. A few feet later I was able to get on my knees and stop the calf before I was dragged to the driveway. I crawl my way to the calf and grabbed her halter. Putting my phone in my pocket, I turn to the sound of laughing. In the stock tank with the bunnies, was Becca. She witnessed the whole thing and was laughing really hard. I sat there glaring at her for a minute and stood up dragging the calf with me. I walked to her. She shrieked and laughed harder. Now you have to understand that when my sister laughs you can't help but laugh with her. So, I will get my revenge soon! She can try walking Molly sometime! :)

 

Last but not Least...........

Dopey and Snow white!

This is Snow White, soon to be something else. We are probably going to change her name.
What do you think? Comment if you like her name or if you have a better one! :)

She is the daughter of Hope. Strange angle of Hope, but this is the only picture I have of them together!

And Dopey!!!!!!!!!

There's a story behind his name. So, when we found him he was just born! He was still wet and his ears where drooping! He looked too funny and cute that I started to call him Dopey! Also, his half sister is Snow White, so, might as well give him a dwarf name! :) He's also the only boy to three girls! Poor thing!

TUG OF WAR

Every one likes a good game of Tug of War and it's even better when your dog gets into it!

 Go Missy!!!!! Go Ali!! Go Luke!!! Yippie!!!!!!

"Welcome to the Tug of War games! Today it's Luke and Ali, with our guest star Lassie! Ummm, cross that folks, the dog's real name in Missy. Any who, the game has started and it looks like Luke might win, no wait, Ali, No, Luke has it in the bag! Hold it, hold it!! We have a cheater on the court today! That wonderful dog is cheating!! She isn't pulling straight back! She's pulling them around like rag dolls! Back and forth, back and forth! Well, I guess we'll never know who the winner is this time. Stop back next week to find out about the water racing! This is your top reporter GJ signing off."

    Down by the River side, Down by the River side

 We have been doing a ton of water things now that it's warm out and kayaking is one of them!!

Ali having fun pretending to be in the water!

Thanks for reading! Come back next week or whenever I post again!

Catch yeah later!

Grace.

It's Raining Kits and Piggies

I walked over to the pig's pen hearing squealing of newborn piglets. Walking a little faster, I wanted to get a look at the new members of the family. After dodging a few cows, tripping over chickens, and scrambling over some fences, I made it. A smile lit my face as I saw the bunch, snuggled together in the hay by their momma. Dropping to my knees, I stroked the nearest one, as I talked to Ginger. "They are so cute Ginger! You did good! Awww! You had 12!! They all seem really healthy too!"  Ginger replied with a grunt and turned back to her piglets. I watched the piglets get up to be with their mother and my heart swelled with wonder and love for the God who made these cute little babies. As I reach for the smallest one, I whisper a prayer of thanks to God.

That's right we had piglets!!!!!!!!! :) Both Ginger and Cappuccino are proud mothers!

This is the runt, she was held a lot! :)

I LOVE baby animals, but piglets have to by my favorite to show little kids!

 

Farmer or Vet??

"Dad , Dad!!! " Yelled Becca as she ran from the pigs pen to the shop. "One of the piglets cut themselves on the wire! It's really bad!"  Dad turned to Becca, "Ok, lets go look at it."   As they walked to the pig's pen, Becca was explaining how the poor piglet got cut and how bad it was.  They reached the pig's pen and dad grabbed the piglet that Becca pointed out as the injured one and right on it's hip was a bad cut, the skin was hanging all the way down to its hoof. "What are we going to do Dad!? " Becca asked with concern in her voice. Dad put the piglet back with its mother, "Well, we'll give it a few days and see if it heals."

 

A few days later.

 

"Grace, I need you to find me some thread, cotton preferably." Dad said as he walked down into the basement with fish hooks in his hands. Grace dashed to her sewing box and looked for the thread, "All I have is polyester!"  She said as she handed him some green thread. "That's ok I juts want something strong." Dad sat down and started to tie string to the hooks. Grace grabbed on of the hooks and noticed that the barb was shaved off. Dad got up, "I need you to finish tying these, I need to go do some stuff before I sew up that piglet." He headed out the door. Grace sat down feeling sick to her stomach as she tied the string to the hooks.  After she finished, she raced upstairs, hiding until it was over.

 

A few minutes later...

 

Grace looked around her room, sitting on her bed she could hear the piglet squealing. Jumping out of bed, she walked slowly downstairs. Mom was holding the pig down, while Dad was doing the stitching.  "Oh, good! Come Grace, we need your help." Mom said as she looked up from the pig. She walked to the table and watched, dad was almost done sewing it up!   "Grace, I  need you to put your finger on this string so I can tie it tight. Don't let go , I don't want the skin too far apart." He said without looking up. Grace  put her figure on the string, her stomach doing weird things and was totally grossed out.  Finally ,it was over. Dad returned the piglet to its momma and it's still living today.

 

 

The piglet is running around as happy as can be! You can see the piglet in this story when you come to visit our farm! We have one piglet with stitches and one tailless. How? I have no idea, but you have to have at least one oddball and injury lover in every family! :)

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Kits

A word for a baby bunny that is hairless, tiny, and ugly.

 

Yup, that's a baby bunny. Cute huh?  Kaity and Becca's bunnies had babies!!

(Shudder.) There's a wayyyyyy cuter picture below.

 

Ahhhhhhhh, that's better! It's kinda cute now!

 

We have 17 of these cute little things!

 Aren't they adorable!!!

Kaity is selling them for $10 each! They will be ready to leave their mother in a month so, kids beg your parents and wives beg your husbands because what's cuter then a little bunny! :) They are a lot of fun to hold unless they pee on you. Trust me it's not fun.

 

The most interesting picture of all........

Is it epic, mysterious, creepy, cool, or just plain strange?

 

It's Becca!!!! So, what do you think? What category would this picture be in??

My dad said it reminded him of the movie "Sound Of Music." Don't ask me why, but then I thought of remaking the song "The Hills are Alive" to fit this pic. Just for you dad! Enjoy!!

 

 

The Hills are alive with the sounds of cows! With the sounds they have made for a thousand years, the cows fill my heart with the sound of moosic! My heart wants to sing every moo it hears!!!  My life revolves around milking them every day. My heart skips a beat when I see them in the field.  I go to the cows, when my heart is lonely. I know they are better company. My heart will be blessed with the sight of my cows and I'll milk once more.

 

There you have it! The Sound of Moosic! This took a little while to do! I even tried to pluck it out on the piano. Some parts flow better than others, but hey, you get the point! :)

 

Maybe I'll do this to other songs! Who knows, it might be fun! :)

 

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The Crawdad Challenge!

(Game host voice. Take your pick.)

Holding a crawdad, challenge excepted! Unless your name is Grace Johnston then you are eligible for the challenge! The contestants were Luke, Becca, Kaity, Tamera, Lydia, and Ali. Did they fulfill the challenge?

 Luke!

Ali!

Tamera!

 

Also there was Kaity, Becca and Lydia ,but unfortunately I didn't get any pictures.

 

So, to win the prize of satisfaction you have to hold it longer then anyone else.

 

Winner! Tamera! She held it for a long time! I got like 5 pictures of her holding it! :)

 

Second! Luke! He didn't hold it longer , but for the bravery of trying to get it to pinch his sweater!

 

Luke pulls the arm of his sweater down past his hand. "Becca, I want to see if I can get it to pinch it!" He said as he bravely step toward the crawdad that Becca was holding. "You sure Luke? " Becca questioned with doubt written on her face. "Yes! Now put it by the edge of the cuff."  Becca put the crawdad as close as she dared to Luke's sweater. "Look! It pinched it!" Luke said as he lifted his arm to show everyone. Luke grabbed it behind the pinchers and tried to pull it off. "Hey! It won't come off!"  Luke's face was panicky as he turned to his audience of girls. Grace turned to their mom, laughing at her little brother. Luke looked around the little group and started to swing his arm around screaming, trying to get the crawdad loose. Becca, Lydia ,and Ali tried to help him while the rest of them where laughing. Luke tumbled to the ground laying there stunned. Ali cried out, "It's  right here!!!!"  Lydia grabbed the scared, little, creature and dropped him back into the bucket with his friend. Mom turned to Grace, " Poor crawdad." "Poor crawdad! Look at Luke!", Grace exclaimed pointing to her brother who was still on the ground.

 

 

 

With that closing, Thanks for reading and come back next time!

God bless ya'll!!!

 

Grace

Peace and quiet have I none.

" What a beautiful day" I , Grace said to myself as I sat myself down at the table by the window. Looking out, I see the dirt road ,the green/brown grass and leafless trees. "Ahh peace and quite." Opening up my laptop, I  go to my blog. Sipping on my tea, I try to figure out what the title should be for this weeks news. I lift my fingers to the keyboard and boom! "Grace!! You want a dreamcicle? Said Kaity as she flopped on the couch. Luke makes a beeline for the piano and plays his not-so- famous, annoying Indian song. My head shot up and I sent him a pleading look, he plays on. Ali pulls a chair up to my table and eats her ice cream bar, dripping all over. I look around for an escape some quiet, some peace, something! I shake my head with a smile on my face "Lord, thank you for my siblings because if I didn't have all this noise and chaos I would never know what to write about."

Welcome to this weeks

Johnston's Riverview Farm News!!!

Does this draw your attention??

Good! :) Then let's get started!

 

 

I Love Maple Syrup!

So, My dad has been thinking about tapping our maple trees forever

and then one day we just did it!

 

That is the baggy thingy that holds the sap.

No, this is not a feeding tube. This is the hose that we put on our homemade sap spigots.

 

I was watching Luke, dad, and Morgan (My four year old cousin.) with my phone up ready for any picture I could get, moving  to the left, right, and front trying to get a good shot. Dad put the hose on the spigot, eyeballed where to cut. Luke grabbed the rest of the hose so it wouldn't get dirty. I glanced at the remaining hose in Luke's hands. "Morgan, do you want to try some sap?" Luke asked as he held out the hose. "Sap?" Morgan asked with confusion written on her face. "Yeah! It's really good! It tastes like sugar water!" Morgan walks to Luke and tries to take the hose. "No, no, Morgan open your mouth. I'll dump it in." Luke raised the hose and Morgan opened her mouth. I snapped a few pictures, smiling she goes to the next tree. "Uncle Jewwy, (Jerry.) can I have some more tree juice?"

Boiling down the sap! Which takes forEVER!

Both times mom and dad where up till 3am.

Pretty cool outdoor, stone, grill, smoker, thing ah?

 

 

We were finally able to try our own maple syrup!! We boiled some that night before and made pancakes the next morning! It was so cool to eat my breakfast and know that we made the syrup!

 

 

 

Fun on the Farm!

Here's a short slide show!

 

Yes, The boys were playing with a walker. You have no idea how much fun they are! :)

 

 

 

 

Dogs bark, cats meow...

 

Meet Missy, our new dog!

 

She is a Border Collie/Blue Heeler.

You NEVER see her laying down like this. NEVER! She is

normally running around with the kids or casing squirrels.

She has a great personality! Smart, calm (at times) , sweet ,and fun!

 

 

P.S. If you come to our house be careful. She, umm, is a little excited when people come. (Cough.) A little.

 

 



Mr. Fuzz has decided lately to jump on the trampoline with us! :)

He'll come join us and then walk to a end and lay down.

It really weird.

 

I wanted to get a video but, Luke kicked him off before I could.

 

What it took me to get through this post.

1. Drinking a cup of tea

2. Listening to music

3. Singing to music

4. Cleaning while listening to music.

5. Eating a dreamcicle

6. Eating another dreamcicle

7. Check my email.

8. Calling a friend

9. Make a video

10. Drinking a smoothie.

 

Yup, even I am speechless to this.

 

 

 

As I finish up my blog post , I look out the window at my siblings. Crazy and loud they may be but, I wouldn't trade them for anything in the world. I watch them for a minute. Oh, to have the energy that they have, carefree life as a kid. I thank God for every one of them and this farm. Though every day is crazy , I don't ever have to worry about being bored here! I thank God for that!

 

Grace

 

 

 I know this was a little different then most but, hey, why not switch it up some?

Thanks for reading!

 

May God Bless You!

 

Grace. :)