We are now done with football, sadly to say we lost in the Semi-final round. Kind of a shock but Tyler is dealing with it with much maturity. I am very proud of him. He is turning into quite a young man.

To answer you question Ashley, I think it is all the manure they play with all the time that makes them so big. Of course all the hearty meals they eat can't hurt either.

We are well into the second week of hunting season and no one has tagged out yet which is unusual. They are getting a bit frustrated but it is just starting to get cool so things may change. Kyle had a friend over yesterday to hunt and kyle calls me from the woods to have me check online to see what district his friends hunting license is in. They have to be put in a drawing for a doe permit here in Maine so not everyone gets one. When Den checked earlier in the season he said only Ryan got a doe permit so they boys have been letting some nice deer walk by. GUESS WHAT!!! They do all have doe permits!! When I called Kyle back with his friends info I was very excited to be able to tell them they all have doe permits. Needless to say no one saw anything yesterday.

We had to call the game warden the other night for someone decided to shoot after dark right next to our posted sign by the house. They couldn't find the deer he supposedly shot so all they can get him for is criminal trespassing. He was an out of stater- Go figure! An Army sniper no less. I guess he needs to practice up a bit before he does a job for the army! He thought we were blowing it all out of proportion, what is the big deal he said. Kyle was sitting down where he shot toward the night before. That is the big deal. Someone hunts that field almost every night but because it was Friday and we were going to the game no one was out hunting. Thank you LOrd!

Today it is over 60 degrees, a slight breeze is blowing and I have had the priviledge to vote for my next President. Not everyone can say that. Thank the Lord I live in a free country where I can choose who I want for my leader and not worry whether I am going to be punished for "choosing the wrong one"

I also have had the priviledge to cook for a young family today that has been blessed with a new little girl. It was a touch and go birthing. The Mom's placenta was 50% detached and there were many complication but little Jubilee Evelyn is safely coming home today. Mom lost alot of blood and there was a question as to whether they would have to tranfuse her but all is well and our God is the Great Physician. I had a special request from the Dad for Corn Chowder w/ bacon so that is what they are getting along with a freshly baked pumpkin pie.

We are well in to playoff football and the team is doing great. We have a rematch against Skowhegan this Friday and my daughter has a double or nothing bet with her Uncle Mark as to who is going to win. Uncle Mark is a glutton for punishment. Maybe this is where I get the $20 back I bet him when he set me up with my husband!! (That is a story for another day!!) Lynsey is supposed to make him molasses cookies if we lose. Which we won't !! Which ironically is on our 21st anniversary!! Mark you have no chance of winning this bet.

All the boys are right into hunting now and they are not liking this warm weather much. Ryan is the only one with a doe permit so of course everyone is seeing doe but him. Well that isn't exactly true. Ryan was out in his tree stand on opening day and fell asleep for about 30 min. and when he awoke there was one right under his stand licking his ladder!! I guess his scent was well covered. I know he stinks like dirty swamp water when he goes out. it must work.

After everyone went back out for more hunting in the afternoon on Sat. these two had to milk the "Ladies" so I took this before they went out the door. It is nice to see them in a loving hug. This happens more often now that it is just the two of them home. Tyler has always been my affectionate one anyway.

Lynsey played in church sunday and did a great job. I wish I could upload it so you all could hear her. I was so proud of her. She was ready to give up playing after the last time when she got so nervous her hands were shaking so bad she couldn't play. She played a duet with Suzanne (Allen) Quimby and now she is looking forward to doing it again at Christmas. Thank you Lord for answered prayer.

Well must go deliver the meal I made and take Lynsey to her friends for a surprise early birthday present. Her birthday is Friday and Lyns doesnt want to miss the big game so she chose not to go. The first b-day party she has missed since they were 4 yrs old.

Well today is forcasted to be warm so I guess I need to take advantage of that and mow our lawns for the last time this year. I hope!

Our chickens are starting to lay some eggs, slow but sure and boy are they tiny, I have one already laying double yolkers. Can't wait till they all are laying, fresh eggs are so good.

Another football game tonight, it is a home game so it should be pretty exciting. The boys play so much better at home vs. away. Tyler tells me I have no idea what it is like, and he is right. They do seem to get off to a better start at home but I don't know what I am complaining about they haven't lost a game yet this year. We are so used to them blowing everyone out these close games are nerve wracking.

School is well underway this morning, I so love it that they can do it on their own with little prompting from me. Tyler is doing a hunters saftey course which has him obessed right now but that is ok. He is doing a home study course where you only have to go to 2 lecture classes and the rest you do at home. Much like homeschooling so he is doing well. He needs to motivate his father who is taking it with him! It is hard to get the old fella into studying after all these years!

Farm news is kind of quiet right now, the boys are hauling "cow refuse" to the corn ground in attempts to empty our "refuse" pit again this year. Many trips up and down the road. Den and Ty are cleaning up the chopping equiptment to store it away for the winter. We just have a little bit of wood to put in and yes the cows are still calving in a bunch of heifer calves!!! I think I am over 20 calves now, and we just weaned a couple the other day.

Must go help my daughter with something in her school work. More later

Well we have been done chopping for 2 weeks, we got all our corn in and covered before the fall rains started. Thank you Lord. We have had almost 5 inches of rain this last week. There are some farmers sitting on their hands right now wondering if they are going to get their crops in. I am proud of my husband and his good management practices.

Football season is in full swing, Tyler is the only one playing right now. His team is 5-0, they definately are a second half team. It seems like they struggle for the first half then come out and dominate the second half. I hope that will hold up for the team as the season progresses.

Here is the big man himself waiting for the other team to be introduced so they can start this gameSorry this is blurry but it was raining last week. Tyler is at center (on the ball). He has been bounced around quite a bit this year in positions due to injuries. He is happy to play no matter where the coach puts him. Good attitude!!Tyler is blocking number 72, this was the game he hurt his leg and had to be carried off the field. Every mothers worst nightmare. Thankfully as the trainer put it " Its a good thing you drink so much milk Tyler because anyone else would have broken their leg and would be done." He had a deep bruise to the fibula(sp) head from a helmet to the knee. God is good and he never even missed a practice. He was a little tenitive for a few days but is fine.

Well Mom I guess that is all for now, I hope this update is ok. I know you know most of this.

We have been working on our corn crop trying to get it in. We are about half done. We had a very frustrating day the other day though, We had to pull every load the length of the field then we had to pull the trucks out after they were loaded. These are our 2 largest tractors. What would we have done with out theseRyan is stuck in a rut that was made by the chopper and he can't get out. Tyler spent the whole day towing people back and forth. It was a long day. Good for crops for we got off this 15 acre piece-30 ton of corn to the acre. That is impressive. As you can see the corn is as tall at all the equiptment. God continues to bless us. Thank you Lord.

Got to go to church so I will close

Wow what a chilly morning here. I dont think it is 40 degree's. I got up to feed calves and they wouldn't even come out of their hutches. BRRRRR

We had a somewhat trying day yesterday trying to keep out of the mud with the trucks and tractors. Finally we took out one of our big tractors to just pull people out of the mud. The guys hate to do it but they finally admitted they needed some extra help

I have a team supper tonight here for Tylers football team. Actually it is a Jr's supper, the Sr's have their own supper so we will have about 20 boys here not including my family. I am having Lasagna, Ceasar Salad, Homemade rolls and Oreo Icecream dessert. I will be busy all day for I am sure I have to milk tonight. I don't think Lynsey will milk again for me. We will see.

I guess that is all.

We are well into our corn chopping season! Yeah!!! That means a couple of weeks and it will be done.

Lynsey and I have been milking alot lately which is ok because we know it is only for a short time. The boys are right in their  element. Kyle got stuck this morning with the big truck so they had to pull him out. We go about 3 inches of rain Sat. night so things are  a little sticky. We have to pick and choose our fields right now. Head for the high ground till it dries out and hopefully the corn is starting to dent so it will be ready to chop.

Tyler had his 1st regular season game Friday night and they whooped them 41-0. Tyler has moved to a new position at offensive tackle. He is liking it but has caught himself a few times calling a huddle and the current center looks at him and laughs. Hard to break those habits.

School is so much more relaxing this year with just two who are willing students and you don't have to keep getting after them to get their work done. It is really worth the hard times when you reach this point.

Well I guess that is all for now.

Well we are in full swing of the fall crop season. We have been so blessed by the Lord with an abundant 3rd crop. It is such a neat thing to watch the Lord bless in so many ways. May I always be thankful.

Football has started up again, we have had one scrimmage and an exhibition game. Both being victorious but not real pretty. I suppose these boys have some big shoes to fill and are just trying to see where they all fit in. Tyler is doing well, he switches in and out with the center and he also plays alot of defense.

Tyler is the one over the ball, playing center!For those that don't know Tyler is # 70 in the center of the pic- Making the tackle! You go Ty.

Anyway we have all got a cold and are feeling nasty. We took yesterday to just rest and relax. We caught up on some sleep, we fixed some fence because you know there is no rest for the weary. It didn't take that long we just felt yucky by the time we got done.

Ryan has been camping all weekend with some church friends, I hope he has had a great time, he should be home some time today.

I guess that is all for now.

Happy Day!! WE finished our 2nd crop of grass today. We are scheduled to go camping on Sunday for a week with the kids. We of course will travel back and forth to milk but all other work will wait till we get back. I have already told the cows to wait and calve after we get back from camping

I am trying to get my head around what we need to bring and organize all that. I got together a menu and made a grocery list so now I will wait till Sat. to go pick that up so no one will eat anything I pick up special. That always happens. I pick up special things and I turn around and someone has eaten it before I can make what I want.

I have to admit I have been enjoying our garden this year, we have had a slew of broc. and cukes, zuch. and some greenbeans. I planted them a little late so I know I have more coming. My potates are doing good. The pumpkins we put in the old pig pen are doing great. There will be alot for the fall. The boys will be glad of that.  OUr squash plants have almost overtaken the garden, crawling all over the place. I should go check the sweet corn, maybe that will be ready to take with us. I checked on the blackberries and they are slowly getting ripe. I hope to take some of them with us as well. By the sounds of it I will need  a bigger fridge.

Well that is all for now I guess.

I know, it has been forever since I was on. Last week we had VBS at church and so I was busy with that in the morning. Milking in the afternoon. We averaged 45 kids all week which is low from what we usually have but God knows the kids that need to be there. 7 kids made decisions for the Lord last week. Thier offering that they brought in was going to an orphanage in AFrica, a girl that used to come to our church when she was younger is now a nurse on Mercy Ships and she works in Monrovia(sp) and there is where the orphanage is. Any way the kids brought in thier loose change and it was boys against girls and we would weigh the offering buckets each day to see who brought in the most in weight. Girls rule!!! They raised $600 during the week, then at the closeing program on Sunday night another 400 came in. $1000 dollars, how God blessed that week.

This week we have been dodgeing rain showers trying to finish up our chopping so we can go camping. Not much chopping got done but the ground that we have chopped is all covered with manure so that is good. Doesn't smell to good but that is part of farming. I now have a ton of flys all over my screens trying to get in. I hate flys

Last night we had Kyle's 18th B-day party. For his combination graduation and birthday present I redid his room up to the trailer where he is moving to. It is all John Deere. I will try to get pics today so I can post them. It  looks real nice. He was surprised, I wouldn't let him see it till we finished it. Den and I went and bought him a new bed for it yesterday. Now he just has to move in his clothes, which are all in the laundry because he wants them clean so he won't have to do laundry right off. He is in for a rude awakening!!

Today since it is raining Dennis decided to take the boys to Cabela's for a guys day. Lyns and I are having a ladies day and we get to drive Ryan's truck!!

Prayer request: Please pray for a friend of our family- he used to be my pastor when I was younger- his name is Vondel Allen- he has had some health issues this last year with his heart, he is diabetic, he is not strong enough for surgury but at this time he has been having issues with his left leg not getting any circulation and now they are going to amputate his leg. At first they told him just his toes, now it is his leg. He also has colon cancer and needs treatments for that but they were waiting for him to get stronger. I guess they have started that as well. There is alot going on so just pray for his family, for strength for what is to come. God is great and can choose to heal if that is His will. That is just a short summary of all that is going on but it gives you an idea of the urgencey that is felt by his family.

Well I guess that is all for now.

I finally figured out how to change the pic. on the top of my blog. My Dad called the other day and was belly aching that I needed to take that antique tractor off and put a modern tractor in its place so I have been working on that for 2 days. I tried to put one of our own on there but I couldn't figure it out so I resorted to doing a search for one. Needless to say it is done, I hope you enjoy it.

We don't have a tractor quite that big but he guy in the tractor looks like my hubby sitting there. Lyns said"Hey that looks like Dad" so I chose that one.

We went to an auction on Sat. in search of some heifers that are due to calve this fall. There was a big fancy sale down in Turner so we thought we would go check it out not knowing if anything would be in our price range. It was quite interesting, the top seller went for $123,000. We knew we were in for a long day. We got there early and scouted out the heifers and circled a few that we liked, Kyle picked a red one of course, they always seem to go a little higher than a regular holstein but we circled her anyway. Ryan picked out this big brute of a heifer, she looked really nice and had a good pedigree behind her. Needless to say they didn't go to the ring till near the end so we stayed all day. When these cows were coming in and quickly starting at 5 to 6 thousand dollars we were thinking that we would be out of luck. The first few that we circled we didn't bid on and Kyle was getting a little frustrated wondering if we were ever going to bid. Patience is not one of his strong points. He brought Alonia with him and she was warned not to raise her hand during bidding but she forgot and thought she needed to fix her hair while they were bidding. I was watching Dennis and his eyes were watching the guy in the ring and he kept looking back in our corner so he scanned over to see who was bidding, he hollered " Alonia, put your hands down!" the cow was up to $9000 at that point. She went on to sell for over $20,000. Kyle would have been in debt for quite a while. Needless to say Alonia sat very still the rest of the day.

We did end up buying 5 heifers and did quite well with them. God is good as always, there was a reason those that we chose were at the end of the sale, most of the bidders left so we got some nice heifers for very little. Yes we did get the 2 the boys chose and they were both very excited. It was a good lesson for Kyle to see that waiting is a good thing sometimes.

It is supposed to be close to 90 today and humid, we sqaure baled a small field yesterday for junk hay and now the boys have to put it away this morning. They are not looking forward to that. We should be chopping by Thursday if all goes well. They are supposed to come out and put the chopper back together today but they are not always prompt in getting here when they say they are coming.

I guess that is all for now

We had an impromtu get together today that we just threw together yesterday. It was a beautiful day, sunny and warm. Some of the McKeen's got together and here they are:This is a meeting of the minds or a mindless meeting.I'll let you decide. Those that don't know who these handsome guys are in the yellow hat is Kyle, next is Kevin, he just got home from living in Ecuador as a missionary with his parents, Dan and Diana. Lastly is Tyler. This little beauty is my great neice Emma, she was born on my birthday!! She has a cutie little sister that was born this past March, her name is Julianna(sp)Great Grammie Jean is holding Julianna, what a sweet baby. Aunt Aggie was there as well, she is Dennis' Aunt. This is one of the yummy desserts that Karen made. It tasted as good as it looked.Well Dan last but not least Dennis wanted you to see our "knee high" by the 4th of July corn. This is down by our house. He is pretty impressed with this brand of corn. Pioneer. I would have gone to stand in it but you probably would not have seen me. God has really blessed us this year. We are so thankful for the good crops that we seem to be getting.

Well I guess that is all for now.

We went camping last weekend with my brother and his wife up to Blue Hill Fairgrounds.

There was a Southern Gospel Jubilee that was being held and Jim and I love Southern Gospel harmony. The first night the big draw was Karen Peck and New River. If you have never heard them you need to, they are terrific. The song you are listening to is from them.

She and her sister have such sweet voices and they love the Lord and give him the glory for their singing. The young fella there has an amazing voice as well. He would do well on his own but who would leave this group, they are #1 in S.G. music. They have mulitple Dove awards and were also nominated for a Grammy this year.

The next night we heard another great group, Jim was in heaven. The Dixie Melody Boys

They sang the old favorites with barber shop quartet harmony. It was great. We definately had a wonderful time and look forward to hopefully doing it again next year. Besides it is always good to get away and fellowship with other christians.

Monday, Debbie and I took Mom and Dad over to see Mom's stepmother( who is 96 or 98) I know she looks good that is for sure. I remember going over to the farm when I was little where my grandfather, a very small man, had a woodworking shop in his barn which was huge!! Debbie and I went into the barn the other day and boy has that barn shrunk! I don't understand it. The huge bin with wood dowels in it still had some in it but I remember the pile much bigger. It is amazing how different things look when you go back after you have "grown-up"

Things on the farm have slowed down for a bit, they are going to mow for hay today. We don't put that much 1st crop hay up ourselves because we put most of the grass in the silo. We will probably buy 200 bales from a friend of ours when he cuts. We will pick it right up in the field.

The kids (Tyler and Lyns) are doing their testing today and tomorrow. We wait till summer so the teacher can do it in a relaxing atmosphere in her home. She makes a big deal about getting strawberry smoothies while they are there. All she said to Lyns Sunday was "Strawberry Smoothies at my house Wed. morning " and Lynsey has been looking forward to that all week.

Well that is all for now.

I was challenged by my friend-Dixiecajun- to pay tribute to my husband on my blog today. I will willingly take up that challenge. We have been married for almost 21 years and I thank the Lord every day for the man he chose for me.

Way back when I was in high school(many moons ago) my mother was consoling me after I was convinced I was never going to find a good husband. You know how dramtic teenage girls can be anyway she asked me if I had ever prayed specifically for the husband I wanted. I said No I guess not so I began to pray specifically. A man that loved the Lord, worked hard, dark hair and a beard and mustache, athletic, liked to do outdoor things. He gave me exactly what I asked for, a Christian man that played football, had his own dairy farm, works hard and loves to do things outside. Be careful what you ask for - you just might get it. Thanks Mom for the great advice.

My hubby is a loving and attentive husband, keeping me in my place with loving reminders when needed, I know Dad you thought that was impossible! He is a great Dad to our 4 children. He had taught my boys to be hard workers, consciencious(sp) about their work. I pray they are as good to their future wives as he is to me.

Don't get me wrong we do have our disagreement- which he promptly says "Don't you have dishes to do?"( My Dad says that to my Mom all the time!) But nothing has ever been so bad that it hasn't gotten straightened out in short order. Which from what I understand is unusual when a couple works together 24/7 like we do. I can't imagine him having a job where he would be away from the house or where we couldn't go be with him all day. I think I would be lost.

My husband lost his Dad when he was 14 to liver cancer so he had no man in the house to guide him during some very important years of his life but I know he had learned alot from my Dad since we have been married. He looks to my Dad as if he was his own and loves and respects him. I am very thankful for that because my Dad means alot to me as well. Of course being the baby of the family and the last one to leave may have something to do with that. Now if only he could remember my name!! I am Rebecca not Deborah!! Love you Dad. Whatever he calls me he is still my Dad and I love him very much.

I guess that is what I wanted to say about my husband. Love you honey!

Chopping is done for now till later in July when second crop will be ready. Now the last packing needs to be done. They usually pack it back and forth then side to side and back and forth again to make sure the pile is tight.Before any plastic can be rolled out we have to put piles of tires on the top of the pile to hold down the plastic.These are driven to the top of the pile and dumped to be spread out later. Next comes the plastic

Don't they look excited?? They would probably rather be anywhere but here. This is the nastiest job I know.

As you can see the process begins. About 3 hours later they will finish and the plastic will stay on till 3rd crop is ready. We put our second crop in a different silo. Once third crop is done we go right to corn. By that time the pile will be way over the edges of the cement walls. To high for me!! Everyone has their own job during this time. It makes it go faster

Kyle called me yesterday morning very anxious for me to come to the field where he was mowing. The bad party was I was out to town so it was about 20 min. before I got home. He wanted me to come see this:Actually when he called the mother was in the field nursing and she wouldn't leave so he could mow. When I got there she had gone and Kyle couldn't find this little one. so I just left the camera with him and when he finally found him he got this pic. He then moved him out to the part where he already mowed so he wouldn't hurt him.But this little fella had other ideas, his mommy taught him wellIt was bleating up a storm at Kyle and he was afraid the doe was going to come out and attack him. We were on the phone with Kyle and you could hear the fawn bleating and Kyle laughing. After a while the fawn got wise and headed for the woodsCan you see him running. A little while later Kyle saw the mother again. She was out eating in one of the rows of grassOr so he thought there actually 2 fawns and he hit one with the mower. Kyle said he watched this doe nudge the fawn trying to get it to get up. Kyle got"a little" emotional. He felt so bad. Well I told him that at least he saved one. There is a sensitive side to my big boy!!Finally she took off but she kept showing up all day trying to coax that one up. I guess that was the hardest thing to watch.

In the afternoon right before I left for the barn we got a call from the post office out in Waterville that they had recieved our chicks that we ordered and if we couldn't get them they would be shipped to Albion in the morning. Well with it being so hot and humid we were concerned with them being in the box all night so my m-i-l went out to pick them up for us. Lyns and I were milking so I couldn't go. I ordered 25 and they sent 26 and we lost 4. We still have one that is kind of shakey but we are watching her carefully. In 9 months or so we will be having fresh eggs!!!

Well we pulled another party off. There were about 50 people here last night and I would say everyone had a great timeThis is Kyles Diploma, I printed this up and decorated up the matted frame before putting it under glass. And of course no party is complete with out cake.Isn't that beautiful! It was a marble cake and it was delicious.There were alot of friends and church family that were here to celebrate with us.We had lots to eat, hamburgs, hotdogs, BBQ meatballs, Chili, chips, watermelon. There was nothing left at the end of the night. They were a hungry bunch. These are the ones that didn't want to play but just visit.The guy in the dark green shirt facing you is Tom Bucklin, many of you prayed for him when he was going through his heart transplant. As you can see it was a success, we are very happy to still have Tom around.

It has been raining off and on since yesterday afternoon so we did not chop today. That is ok because we had a "To do list" that needed some attention. I steam cleaned 12 calf stalls today so we would be ready for all our sexed semen heifers that are coming this summer. Ryan welded some stalls that had broken and Kyle and Dennis replaced a post that had been knocked out earlier.

Before lunch we had to run and get a load of feed because we ran out before we could load up this afternoons feed. Dennis and I went for it and I brought my camera along to take a pic of this tractor

Grampie this is just for you, Did you ever think you would see a RED John Deere. My Dad is always telling my boys that they need a red tractor on the farm to make it a real farm. He used to sell Massey Fergason many moons ago. Yeah I know.. a what? The last time I saw a Massey Fergason was when Kyle came home from Ecuador with pics of one on the back of a truck. They sent them all to a third world country because no one was using them here!!! Well Gramp this is as close as you would get to getting us to have a red tractor on our farm.

These next pics are Dennis getting feed at the Tozier Farm where we have been buying feed for a little over a month.