Merry Christmas!

It was good to have AJ come up on Friday, so that we had Saturday, Christmas Eve, to deliver all the presents. We got a good start and headed first to Victoria and Brad's house.

We dropped off gifts there, picked up some, visited with Vicky and Brad, Hailey and Chloe. Then off to Glassville.

This was our first time to see the house that Tanya and TJ had moved to. A lot more room here, so the girls had quite a time showing us around. Little Jack is not yet a month old, but AJ was happy to hold him. Dropped off some more gifts, and picked up some more, and off we went again. A quick stop at Vicky's again and then home. The plan was to help Jesse with chores, but a few eggnogs before church worked better. After church, I gathered eggs, and everyone else finished the gift deliveries over at Stacy and Gilbert's.

By this time, they were a pretty tired crew over there. Carrie got a picture of AJ reading to Kara, but we had to get the other kids pictures when they came over to visit after Christmas.

It was good to have Cecily, Bradford, an Kara over for a visit. And Stacy, 7 months pregnant. She is due March 9th, but I have a sneaking suspicion that she might go early. Hey! This is a leap year... Wouldn't it be cool if she had a baby on February 29th!

So I got to read "The Night Before Christmas" to Carrie. I see she is not paying any attention to me, but at least she is not on her phone. I see it in her lap, but it looks like she is snooping under the tree.

Carrie did a good job decorating the tree, she did that Christmas Eve while AJ and I were playing Santa. Our Christmas dinner table was small this year, only the 5 of us. Jesse, Carrie, AJ, Sarah and I. But still nice. Glad to have AJ make the trip, faithfully, year after year. Thanks AJ.

Happy Birthday Carrie!

Today our little girl turns 17. Seventeen. Wow. All growed up. Mature. Ready to move on in life. Glad to see she put a brave face on. Happy Birthday to our little Care Bear!

Frankline Dec. 2, 2011 - Dec. 15, 2011

It is with a heavy heart that today we announce the passing of a great little piggy, Frankline.

Frankline was born on Dec. 2, and came into our house on Dec. 3, after a horrific tradgedy ended the lives of her 12 siblings. Carrie was quick and eager to accept the role of mother sow, and patiently fed her every hour, day and night.

Frankline stayed in Carrie's room, and felt quite at home there. Not saying her room is a pigpen...

It is hard to express how much joy Frankline brought to our lives this past 2 weeks. We are also very proud of Carrie for the care and dedication she showed looking after Frankline.

Frankline was on her way to providing this family with an endless supply of bacon and pork chops. We are sad to see her pass. Tonight she is resting in the kitchen. Burial is set for tomorrow.

Happy Birthday Madilyn!

Guess who turned 6 today? Madilyn! Enjoy your birthday supper tonight, we all hope you had the bestest birthday!

Happy Birthday Victoria!

Today our little Vickster turned 23. And she had the pleasure (we hope) of waking up with her mother in her house. Some of us met for lunch in Fredericton yesterday, at Jack and Andy's, a bit of a celebration of Sarah's recent birthday. And Sarah stayed up with Victoria and her family. Our newly licenced driver, Carrie, is heading up to get her tomorrow. It was good to see Vic yesterday.

It was also good to see Hailey and Chloe...

We all hope you had a good day, Vicky, and enjoyed your Mother's company.

Happy Birthday Sarah!

Happy Birthday Sarah. You are now a senior, and eligible for selected discounts. Congratulations! May I come shopping with you?

It was good to have Stacy over to help celebrate her birthday with us. Here is Nanny with Carrie, and grandchild #3, 4, and 7. Kara, Bradford, and Cecily.

Thanks for bringing the cake Stacy! We thought we had found the right combination for candles, but looking at this picture now, I think we might have been short one. Don't think Sarah noticed.

All Done for this Year

We should keep a diary of important events, but why, if we can just check the blog? And when your manure pit has not grown in pace with your herd size, some dates are important. So last year we had it empty on Nov. 20th. This year it was yesterday, Nov. 30th. Hopefully that will give us an extra 10 days next spring. But we had it empty on Nov. 23, and put 9 inches since then. So if I do the math, we have 112.5 days until the pit is full again. So check back here March 22 at  noon.  At least it will be spring! Here is a pic of our washed up spreader and pump. What a beautiful morning it was today.

Everything got greased, oiled, and put away today. Except for Billy and Bobby...

Jack, at 24 hours of age

Jack must be special because he already has two blog posts. And I had two drives to Florenceville. But I'm not that special that he would open his eyes while I was there. But he IS cute!

Tanya did well, looks well, and is happy. Looking at the before and after pictures, I guess it was no big deal for her.

Sarah is enjoying helping out, she can't wait to get the kids on the bus tomorrow morning.

And the proud parents. Does Tanya actually look like she needs to stay another night in the hospital?

And Then There Were Nine

Announcing Jack Thomas ( B. Bob. or J T ). Weighing in at 7lbs. 12 oz. No pic yet, but here is one of Tanya, just an hour before.

We just happened to be in the area at the right time. Sarah was going to stay with Tanya, and look after the kids when she went in. But plans change, and Carrie and Sarah found Madilyn and Sarah in Woodstock, I got to see Tanya in a hospital gown, and tomorrow I get to go back up and see our newest grandson. It was good to hug her before she gave birth, sorry my joking caused enough pain to be asked to leave, but happy T J got there in time to do what fathers do. Congratulations to you both!

And what exactly were you doing on this ball? They were everywhere...

 Just found this pic in my inbox, what a handsome young fellow, and a proud Mom.

 Emma went off to the States to play hockey,  but Madilyn and Sarah got to show me their new home.

On a sadder note, on my drive home, I got the news that our best friends, Jim & Mary Ann, had had a loss in their family. Mary Ann's mom had passed away earlier today. So very sorry for your loss Mary Ann.

Found an envelope with some pictures today.

And it's been 10 days since my last post. I was up in the apartment, just picked up an envelope. So here we go...This is a wild one of Carrie... Maybe she'll choose this hair style for the prom this year?

Tanya is a proud Brownie...Nice glasses...

Stacy is just cute...

Jesse is too, but we know better now...

Victoria is all lady...

Another one of Carrie....

One with her big brother, and one with Kitty... Anyone remember Kitty? Stacy will...

Victoria knows how to keep her bottle close...

Tanya, I wonder if she looks as slim today, 4 days before she is due to pop out her 4th child.

Tanya and Buster, and our first pool...This is an old picture, who had them up there?

Sarah, and I with Stacy, I know they all looked alike, but I can tell them apart.

I think that was Stacy, but I know this is Tanya and Stacy, and Sarah, and Betty... Jim and Archie Taylors sister.