Goodbye Kristy and welcome back goats

Quincy bought this hog as her 4-H project way back in May.  She worked with him, named him Kristy HAMit after her school principal, spent countless hours taking care of him and loving him.  Despite all her work and dedication, the hog did not grow.  I thought maybe after the other hogs left in August for the fair, he would have no competition for food and would take off.  

We have consulted the town vet, several pig farmers as well as worming him and giving him several shots.  Nothing seemed to help.  The pig was plateaued at about 90-100 pounds.  

With winter knocking on the door, and not having a good place to keep him inside, we made a choice to give him to some people who take unwanted farm animals.  They were thankful and Quincy was happy to know he would not freeze to death this winter.  

Also today we picked up these 3 girls from the breeder.  Early to mid March is going to be awesome around here!   I think they were happy to see me too!  I sure did miss them!   

Saige's birthday party

Saige had an amazing birthday party!  

She enjoyed a day with family and cake!  

Happy birthday Saige!

Today is Saige Grace's 4th birthday.  Can you say birthday high?  She has been counting down the days and telling everyone she sees how many days were left!  She also asked me if she could pick out her own gift!  

Saige is sweet, smart and funny.  She is mildly spoiled by a the older siblings and might have her daddy wrapped around her finger.  ;)

We hear a lot of comments about how 8 kids is a lot....but our lives would not be complete without this little sweet girl in it!  

Happy birthday to our baby girl!  May all your wishes come true!  

We are very blessed to have you in our family!  

Finale

And just like that....football season is over and Colin's high school career comes to a close.  What a fun ride it has been!  These boys have literally grown up playing together.   

They did not win last night, but they are still a bunch of winners in my book.  They fought until the very end.  They played with integrity and unity and I was very proud of them!  

Cameron's FBLA trip

Cameron spent last weekend at an FBLA conference in Omaha.  He seems like he learned a lot and said he enjoyed the sessions. I am proud of him for being an active FBLA member.  It is a great club.  

Catch up from this week.

Colin is rarely home, between school, football, and working weekends, seeing him for very long at a time is rare.  He did make time one evening to play tattoo parlor with Saige though.  His art skills could use work.  Saige thinks he is hilarious and she loves to torment him.  The feeling is mutual.  

Last Friday, the kids had the day off of school.  Cameron and his FBLA officers had a chance to meet with the governor....something to do with free enterprise day.  Cameron stopped by my office afterward to tell me that he and Mr. Brownnack are now great friends.  He said he even felt comfortable enough to ask since they are now buds if he saw him on the street could he call him "Sammy B?"   Cameron said the governor got a strange look and said that by far was not the worst thing he had ever been called.   

Colin and Cameron were in a dodge ball tournament at school this week.  Cameron's team was the Lumberjacks.  I had to tell him no chainsaws at school.  

Lexia is the reading program the school curriculum people adopted for this year.  We had a call that Preston had completed the program for 5th grade.  I think he will move on to 6th grade reading now and his teacher is having him tested for the gifted program.  I was not aware that he would be getting a shirt for his efforts.  

Mallory and Saige did a little vegetable painting.  

Quincy had to go to the principal this week.  This time it was a positive office referral for being extremely helpful though.  We don't mind those kinds of emails! 

The football moms had a taco feed for the boys this week.  I have to say that I enjoy these dinners and the boys are well behaved and appreciate the efforts.  I love their team unity and the long term friendships they have formed. 

They won again!!

Colin's football team won last night making them some sort of sectional champions.   It was an amazingly awesome game.  They earned the win!  

Colin has some amazing tackles.  

Nabbing people by the feet and stuff!  

It's hard to not be excited for them

Especially when I see a smile on my kid's face like this....he isn't really into smiling!  😄

We are so proud of this team!  They have a lot to celebrate! Now we are off to Columbus!  Keep it rolling!