this year's calving season started out a little discouraging. one of the cows showed signs of being close to calving even though she was a month early. we managed to get her in the barn and watch her for a day before we went out to discover a dead calf.
last week dad called me at work to tell me that another cow had finally calved, both of them doing well.
we, with no help from the cow, had a hard time making sure that the calves stayed out of trouble. josh even had to fish one of them out of the cold, ditch water. but they now seem to be doing well, and are staying close to their mamma.
we tried some new breeds this year, one being a murray grey from australia. dad called me at work again on friday night to tell me that another calf had been born. vaughn could hardly wait to 'check cows' the next day and 'pet, bay calf.' it was a little tricky to get this picture since the mother was pretty protective.
number four was born tonight. josh called me and mom on the radio shortly after we had left to pick up the pizza, saying that one of the heifers was calving. dad, josh and bill (who was helping josh paint) managed to get the cow up into the barn by the time we got home. after a bit of a struggle pulling, the calf finally came out. for being a mini-hereford, he was rather large, but luckily alive.
josh and i stupidly decided to paint plaid on the wall. josh came up with the pattern and i helped him and mom chalk, tape, and paint. after about two weeks of having our house in a shambles, staring at all of the mistakes, and then deciding that sleep and sanity were more important that having the lines completely straight, we finally finished the walls and got the furniture moved in and all the pictures hung on the wall. josh, orrin, and dad even made a new door. 
