Roofing, Leota, & camper upgrades - 9/1

The kids got an early start again today and after chores, I found Jonas helping put a new roof on the barn and the younger kids chasing wild kittens to make them tame.

On our afternoon visit to Leota, Ky was excited to be gifted this horse pillow. Aunt Evy will not soon be forgotten. (:

For lunch we had hotdogs, but not just any hotdogs, the ones voted best in Minnesota. Uncle Ed was farming the field so he missed out, but we drove by to say hello. 

On our way home, all the boys got haircuts. I noticed the barber's last name and had my first chance to play Dutch bingo. Turns out Uncle Pete was his cousin. I win!

In the evening, I tested out Sy's safe driving practices on the quad while the men installed some new parts on the car and camper that arrived from Amazon today.

Another fun day and the final one of our stop here in Edgerton, Minnesota. Tomorrow we will head out for Lincoln, Nebraska.

Pipestone National Monument - 8/30

After a morning of schoolwork again, we visited a nearby monument. Pipestone is the local big city - that has all the services and more than one gas station. (:

The National Monument protects the only quarries where many Native American tribes find the stone to make their peace pipes.

A quarry and a carver. 

Trail and Winnewissa Falls

Fort Pipestone 

Back at the farm, Jo was thankful they didn't complete all the work without him -  especially the lawn mowing. 

Finding a balance of work and play - 8/29

Schoolwork at the kitchen table by morning. 

Combine tour, 

thunderstorm, and 

edamame crop check by noon. 

 

Visiting Aunt Fanny by evening.

Aunt Lois' farm - 8/28

After church on Sunday, we had a big dinner with more family. (I failed to take photos.)

Then we explored the farm (where we're staying) a bit. 

This is where the boys come to "do chores" every morning. Jo & Kik have been waking at 4:45 every morning to help out. They create a mixture of corn, silage, and earlage. They load it into the tractor and distribute it to the cattle. Then they load it for a second pass that will be done before supper. (And all this is really Uncle Tim allowing the boys to help - although they've become quite helpful.) (:

Ky & Sy do not do 5am chores, so they're checking out the tractor for the first time. 

Last night's bonfire with s'mores and popcorn. Lots of yummy desserts - these are definitely my people!

Post Dairy Farm - 8/27

My grandma was a Post. 

She was born and raised here on this farm. 

Her brother Frank and his son still run it. 

And they've updated it! 

The feed is pushed toward the cows by this machine. 

The robotic dairy. 

Where cows enter at their leisure to be cleaned, milked, and fed when they feel like it (by the red machines at the back of the photo).

Even the calf barn has robotic feeding. 

The kids all loved the calves. 

Jo is petting a calf that is less than 24 hrs old!

"A snack" Aunt Arlene made for us

So glad we got to spend time seeing another bit of where we came from!