It was a beautiful day for checking the sheep today.  We only have 4 ewes left to lamb and it is so much fun to go out and see how they are doing.

This is Rebecca, she is one of the 4 left to lamb.  Poor thing, she looks uncomfortable.

She was acting a little suspicious with her ears back, I thought it might be time.  Not yet though, probably in the middle of the night tonight.

This is Argon, he is quite the cutey.

Mercury our bottle lamb is following me around while I check the sheep.

Our Bottle calf named Sprout is in with the sheep.  This makes it more convenient for feeding, but he does get a big annoying sometimes.  He just follows me around with his tongue out, begging for his bottle.

One of our newest lambs, born 2 days ago and just let out of the jug and over to the pasture today.  Her name is Helium.

Mercury ventured away from me to play with the other lambs.

Every time I turn around there he is.  At least he doesn’t try to slobber all over me looking for milk anymore, I let him know I’m not his mommy or bottle feeder.

This is Silver, she is one of the cutest lambs I think.  So tiny.

Mercury again, she’s cute too.

This is Gold.

Play time for Neon and Argon.

AGAIN.  He really isn’t that hungry.

Mercury leaping.

Copper is one of a kind!

I like how Magnesium’s ears hang down like a puppy.

This is Marion, she is an excellent mom. Silver and Gold enjoy a meal.

This is Arsenic.

This is Twizzler one of last years babies.

Now sprout is determined to get my attention.  Should I be scared?!

He is a little bit cute.

And now he is terrorizing the sheep.

An interesting trip out to check the sheep today!

Our first lamb of 2012 was born on Saturday.   I wasn’t quite ready for him to arrive yet.  I had not moved them over to the lambing barn yet.  His mommy (Whitney) had him in the new barn, but immediately left him to go fill her own tummy.  He was frantic when we found him.  The mom, not so much.  We moved them into their jug and started their bonding process.   Whitney has had triplets twice in the past, but now is having singles.  His name is “Zinc” and he is adorable.  I am impatiently waiting for more to arrive, I have checked them several times today.  No more babies yet.

The official Due dates begin on Monday, but I still walk through the sheep flock a couple times a day.  I have never had a ewe deliver early.  They usually start right on the day or after.  I still get a little excited every time I walk out there, hoping to spot or hear some new little lambs.  There are quite a few ewes that look like they are ready.  We have a barn and pens to clean and get ready yet, so they can hold off a couple more days.

Marley - Twins? I hope so.

Katy's first lambs

Today was the day for sheep shearing.  We hire someone to come and shear our sheep.

The sheep awaiting their turn.

When the entire fleece is sheared we skirt it.  (removing the outer edges where the less desirable wool is.)  Then we pick through it removing any vegetable matter and anything else. 

We started with the white sheep and then moved on to the grey/brown/black sheep.  This way the different color wools do not get mixed up.

A picture of the fleece on the skirting table.

The entire family joins in on the fun.  Sweeping off the shearing area and helping to pick through the wool.

Most of our sheep have been halter trained by the kids at one time or another.  The kids halter them and have them ready and in line for the shearer.

This one didn’t want to go next.

The chicken wants to be a part of sheep shearing day!

I was out and about today trying to get some better pictures of my felted Holstein.  53 beautiful degrees in January!  I was looking for some different backgrounds.  She looked pretty next to the tractor bucket.

She looked ok on the salt block in the barn.

Pretty cute in the dead grass.

While photographing the Holstein, I noticed one of our cows peeking at me through the fence.

I think cow lips are cute.

She was thirsty.

Had to text this to my husband at work.  Hi from H9. 

So then the sheep arrived on the scene.  They didn’t want the cows getting all the attention. 

Just finished up with our County Fair this last week.  5 days packed with activities and shows.   The kids worked hard getting ready for this years fair.  We took two stock trailers this year.  6 beef, 8 sheep and 19 chickens.  The kids and animals did well, we came home with many ribbons and awards.  Here are a few pictures from the fair:

The fair is over and it is time for pictures

The kids with their beef animals the last day of the fair.

Reserve Champion Registered yearling ewe

The Fair is over, no more pictures please!!

Grand Champion Overall Registered ewe, my daughter won sheep showmanship as well.

The kids with some of their show sheep.

Grand Champion overall Registered Ram

washing them up for the premium sale

Sheep show at the Fair

The third day of the Fair, just a little bit tired.

Beef Show

waiting for the sheep show to begin

Beef Show

Poultry show

Poultry show

Poultry show