The Dairy Goat Show

Golden Delicious brought 4 dairy goats to the fair.  Her two does, Maggie and Kyra, and her two baby kids, Jenny and Rosie.  Here she is with Jenny.

Let me just say (objectively of course...) that she DOMINATED!!  She was fantastic.  Everyone in the club raved about what a fantastic show person she is and there were tons of comments you only here at a 4-H show like, "You are SO DAIRY!!!"

Whatever that means, she won reserve champion for showmanship.

Here she is doing showmanship with her her doe, Kyra.  Keep your eyes on the judge!

Now, set your goat up.   

After showmanship, It was time for quality.  We were worried about Maggie's udder (another 4-H only kind of worry).  But all was well.  Here G. D. is answering some of the judges questions.  She asked her things like, "What is the purpose of the medial suspensory ligament?"  And, "Could you show me where the Chine is?"  

Golden Delicious answered all the questions flawlessly, Maggie performed beautifully, and they won Grand Champion in the Dairy goat division.  Nice Job!!

It's Fair Time Again!

It's that time of year again!  Yes, all the hard work of morning and nights in the barn is about to pay off (hopefully).  Fair week is PACKED with work; washing the animals, washing the animals again, washing the animals again, clipping, trimming, polishing, practicing, feeding, showing, it goes on and on.  But the end is right around the corner and victory is in sight!

Sweet Sixteen

Happy Birthday Braeburn!

Braeburn now has a spiffy new suit and life stretches out beautifully when you are finally 16.  

A few of Braeburn's friends came over to celebrate his birthday, and since they were so much older and wiser they were full of dating advice:

1.  Keep to the strength of youth.

2.  Be safe.

3.  Be sincere and honest.

4.  Be a gentleman

5.  Always be on time.

6.  Be constantly concerned about keeping the lady happy.

7.  Try to relax, be yourself, and have a good time.

8.  Think to yourself:  What would Westley do?

Then Westley's buddy, Ben, advised that the secret to getting a date was all about the opening line you use when you're about to ask the girl.  He recommended this:

"It has come to my attention that you are a girl."

I think Braeburn's tutorial should have ended then and there, but they insisted on writing an entire script for him to use.  I include it unedited:

-Hello?

-Hello, this is Braeburn.  Is Miss Carrie home?

-Uh, yah - Let me get her. 

-Hello?

-Hello - Carrie?

-Yes, this is her.

-Well hello Carrie, this is Braeburn.  How are you this fine evening?

-I'm good Braeburn, how are you?

-I'm doing just fine thank you.  Uh, Carrie, I heard you just turned the magical age of 16.  Is this true?

-(laughter) Yes.

-Well, Carrie, I just turned 16 myself.

-(more laughter) Oh yeah?

-Yes, and I was wondering if you might like to go on a group date with me this Saturday morning.

-Uh Well, let me check with my parents real quick.

-Ok.

-Braeburn?

-Yes?

-I'd LOVE  to go on a date with you Saturday.

- Really??! 

-Yes.

-Thanks.  Well, uh, let me give you the details.

-ok.

-...

Rainey Creek Hike

The second hike of Hiking Merit Badge is accomplished!!

The boys went went to Rainey Creek with Grandpa and went on a great hike.

Pass Creek Hike - Part Two

We ate our lunch of sandwiches in the shade by camp Loristica and then started up the trail. 

We had to rest a few times before we got to the pass.

It was worth it!  What a beautiful Sound of Music meadow at the top!  Golden Delicious ran across the meadow with her arms outstretched.  We were on top of the world.

After a rest, Grandma, Granny Smith and I returned the way we came to get the suburban and shuttle it around for the rest of the crew.  They headed down Bear Creek Canyon - off to explore new territory.

And they all lived happily ever after.

Pass Creek Hike

The Spy Twins are working on their hiking merit  badge.  Grandpa is their merit badge counselor and Grandma, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith and I decided to tag along on their first hike.

This area of Idaho is beautiful, BIG country.  The weather was perfect, too.

There is a cave we hiked up to first.  The trail was a little (VERY) steep.  But we all made it!

The cool air coming out of the cave was a real treat.  We rested and then drove up past camp Loristica to start the next part of the hike.

Intro to the Big City

We headed into San Francisco the next morning.  The golden gate bridge was shrouded in mist. 

We stopped for pictures at some old army bunkers by the edge of the bay.  

Granny Smith and B headed back up the trail and found a rattlesnake crossing the road!