Babies, Babies, Babies (The Barker Bovine Breeding Center and Puppy Central)

So much for a quiet little Christmas.

Our lives have been INSANE the past few days.

I don't even know where to begin-- 

so I'll begin with the cliff notes on Christmas.

All the girls wanted was a puppy.

That tricky ol' guy with the white beard and red suit

left them a stuffed puppy and a note-- saying he couldn't find

them "a puppy" and that we'd have to go as a family to pick

out one that would be a perfect fit.

But he did say he left a couple of small presents up in the barn.

 We all (and I mean all-- the Bodily's, the Moomey's, my parents

and Byron's mom) traipsed up to the barn-- where the girls

found these two little fur balls.

 Drum roll please-- meet Lola...

 and Monroe (as in Marilyn).  They call her Ro for short.

The sisters are Aussie/Border Collie and Blue Heeler mixed.

Trust me, they are even cuter in person.

 The funniest thing is they think Kean is one of their chew toys.

It is so funny to watch them interact.

 As if two puppies away from their mama for the first time

isn't enough... we came home Christmas night to find one of our

cows had literally just given birth.

It was about ten degrees outside and the new mama cow

didn't go over and clean off her baby.

So as hypothermia set in, we rushed the baby to the barn

(Byron's extended garage) and with the help of Ron Moomey,

dried the baby off and cleaned him up.

 We all took turns blow drying the fur on the little guy.

Crazy... not something I ever thought I'd do in this life!

 Between the puppies, the baby calf and Kean who got a new bed

for Christmas (have I mentioned he does not like changes in his routine?),

we were up ALL night.

The baby calf-- I think the girls have decided on the name Elfis (like Elvis

but the Christmas version), was really struggling by Saturday morning--

a runny nose, weak and wouldn't get milk from his mom.

We weren't sure whether it was the mom or the baby-- but he wasn't 

getting any milk and was really worrying us.

So even though Byron had put him back out once he was dry,

he got cold again and we brought him back into the barn.

 The most we could get the mom to do was nuzzle him and moo--

but no milk.

 So Byron went out and found a supplier open and bought some

colostrum and got that down the baby, plus some vitamin shots.

By Saturday night, he still wasn't latching on- so we got the mama

into the trailer, Byron tied her up and forced the baby onto her.

It has been a long two days (and nights) but the Cow Whisperer, aka,

Byron thinks we have rounded the corner and the little calf is now strong

enough to drink and will survive.

That's the good news.

The scary news is we have 7 more (yup, 7)

pregnant cows.

Arrggghhhhhh.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone!

* this is from our Make A Wish trip last month to Orlando.

Hope everyone feels loved during this holiday season.

We have certainly felt blessed to be able to call so many of you

friends.

Merry Christmas!

A New Baby for the Barkers!!!

Hold onto your shorts.

It's not what you think.

But we do have a new addition to the family--

and for all of you who know me as a city girl-- boy, are you

ever gonna be shocked.

But first,

we had a great, great Christmas.

 This year, we had a full house, or shall I say, a full

audience to watch the kids in all their giddiness.

My folks, Byron's mom and our beloved neighbors,

the Bodily's joined us Christmas morn.

The girls got all kinds of new bedding and decorations

for their rooms...

 Reese gave Byron some of her framed artwork

for his office...

 but hands down, my favorite gift was the one Grandpa Bodily opened.

We made him a book chronicling all the months he spent

riding his lawn mower to help Kean build up those legs and learn

to walk.  It was titled "Lawn Mower Therapy" (and it even

made him cry a tiny bit).

So worth it! 

It was a great day.

 Now onto our baby news.

Our cow Sadie finally decided to give birth today--

the day after Christmas.

I won't go into all of the gory details-- but I will say I came

pretty darn close to throwing up.

(It made me, for the first time, thankful it was me giving birth

and not my husband having to watch it when we had our children).

Sadie's birthing was well, to put it delicately, rather icky.

So if you have a wimpy stomach (much  like mine,

skip the picture below).

If you don't, look closely.  That is a little hoof

sticking out.

Thankfully, all went well, and this little guy-- yes, it is a boy

joined us. 

 We all watched in utter amazement as Sadie

instinctively turned into a mother before our eyes.

She softly mooed and washed her baby down with her tongue.

 And then little Rudy (Rudolph) got up and tried his darndest

to walk in front of us.

It took him several tries before he got the hang of it

but tonight, he's a walkin' drinkin' machine.

Ah, what experiences we are having!

The Night Before the Big One

Ahhh, hyperness reigns at our house.

Luckily, we had plenty to keep the girls busy and hopefully 

wear them all out.

Tonight was our traditional family Christmas Eve party--

where we feast on all hors d'oeuvres and desserts.

Yum.

 We also attempt to re-enact the Christmas story from the Bible.

Attempt being the important word here.

My mom always tells the story...

 and this year, my niece Morgan was Joseph,

while Holland got to be Mary.

Byron (as always) serves as the donkey.

Notice I used the word donkey instead of that

other, more colorful one that is also found in the Bible!

 I think this will likely be our last year using Kean as

Baby Jesus. He's not the most cooperative.

That's his foot sticking up in the air.

 We were a bit short when it comes to covering all the cast, so Reese

wanted to be a sheep.  She got one of her dolls to fill in

as a shepherd.

 Katie was the perfect angel...

 while Lindsey, Greer and a teddy bear filled in for the 

Three Wise men.

 It's not ever a very spiritual re-enactment.

Hopefully, the Lord has a good sense of humor.

We always follow up the pageant with some music.

Greer played The First Noel,

and then the three girls sang for us.

 Finally, we capped off the evening with the opening of

the Christmas pajamas from Grammy.

The picture seems funny without my nephew Derek who

just left to serve a mission for our church.

So we've cleaned up, watched Tangled with Kean, played the games Uncle Marc and Aunt

Rachel sent us for Christmas from Texas and have tucked

all the children in bed.

Hoping they run out of gas before mom and dad!

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

The Spoiling Machines

I took Kean by the "Motorcycle Men's" office to give them 

their Christmas presents (and to get and give a few hugs).  Kean was totally into it--

showing off his newly acquired smooth walking skills.

Motorcycle Jeff (aka - the Spoiling Machine) had a present

of his own for the boy--

 one that was quite the hit-- and bound to be a favorite

for the next few years--

 a bonafide biker jacket just like the big boys wear!

 Fur lined to keep him toasty warm.

And can I tell you it fits perfectly and he has worn it a ton,

except when I get out my phone to take a picture of him in it--

then it is off in a flash.  Go figure.

Motorcycle Jeff's spoiling didn't stop there.

Look what he gave each of the girls.

Can't get any cooler, eh?

As if Kean isn't getting enough love,

look who came over tonight?

 Kean's buddy, Axe (Alex), also bearing a gift.

He got him a Matchbox racing track.

And, dang, I didn't capture his initial reaction the first time

the cars raced down the track-- Kean was tickled.

So you'll have to settle for this one-- let's just agree

that he will LOVE this toy!

Aglow

Those cute neighbors of ours, the Bodily's gave us our Christmas

gift tonight-- they took Kean for the evening and sent us

to the Winter Gardens Aglow-- the Botanical Gardens

decked out in their finest.

 And while it was a bit nippy,

the girls kept us oohing and awing.

 Really, the place is amazing...

stunning.

 It seemed everywhere we turned the girls were like

"Dad-- take a picture of us here".

 We are now officially caught up in the spirit of the holidays

and ready for the big day.

Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy

The gift - fest continues over here.

Some of our closest friends, the Moomey's came over for

dinner tonight.

And they came laden with gifts-- for everyone-- including

Byron's mom who is staying with us.

Greer and Reese were thrilled with the bow and arrows

and the target they got.

 And Kean, who by the way, turned the corner and is feeling

a lot better today (yippee) was super into tearing off the 

wrapping paper.

 Elly and Ron bought him a T-Ball set...

and I just know his therapists are gonna love this gift!

 Holland got a blouse I'm thinking I might just be able to

borrow.  All of a sudden, she is big enough to raid my closet.

So I will be giving her a taste of her own medicine.

(Insert evil laughter here).

Byron and I were spoiled with all kind of yummy treats

from Elly's kitchen.  

 Elly is one fabulous cook- in case you didn't know.

And they both are wonderful friends.

It was Elly who came over and watched the Keanut-man

this morning while I spoke in the Christmas program at church.

I've sure been blessed in the friend department.

Love This Season

Don't  you just love surprise visitors...

especially those who come bearing a plate of homemade

goodies and stay to serenade you with Christmas Carols?

 The girls turned the tables and sang a song back to our guests.

 Kean, of course, basked in the music

and clapped wildly when they were all done.