"Goodbye Cows" (Sale Day)

The big sale day went without any hiccups.  The morning began as we all busily finished getting the yard, the cows, etc, ready for the sale.  Evan, the kids, and I got up early to drive to the farm to be there to help get the last minute things done and for Evan to help with parking.  Its amazing how so much work got done and how all the different people came and pitched in to help us get it done!  We are truly blessed to have such wonderful family and friends to help during this time.

This is going to be a long blog entry as I took way too many pictures (not really too many, because you can NEVER have too many!) that I couldn't narrow it down any more, but what better way to capture this memorable day than with photos that we can go back and look through!

The 4 cousins in their cow shirts that I made (my sister finished them for my by adding the RODROG Holsteins on the back...you'll see in a later picture).

A funny fact: Denver is the happiest in this picture, but when we

originally started to take these he was those most upset and uncooperative.

Some of the finishing touches before people show up...moving silage out of the middle of the yard.

Denver and Makenna watching from Great Uncle Steve's Gator

There were so many people that volunteered to help my dad get ready!  Thank you every one!

Denver and Daddy on the 4 wheeler

The pickups and trailers starting to park and come to the sale. (Forgot to go back out and get one when it was full!)

A view of the cows from the road.

A view of the farm from the road.



The people gathering before the sale.

The sale ring all ready for the sale to begin.

The cows all ready to go in the barn.

Dad talking with people about different cows before the sale.

This particular man was from Canada.

Others checking out the cows before the sale.

Several of the guys on the fitting crew.  They did a wonderful job!

The tent beginning to fill up for the sale to start.

Some of the younger calves were in the barn right next to the sale ring and the kids enjoyed checking them out often, before and throughout the sale.

Makenna checking out the calves.

Jacob checking them out too and enjoying his donut!

The 3 big cousins!

Denver's turn.

The big boys.

They enjoyed just watching and looking at them.

Our family in the sale ring before the sale started.

The first cow to enter the sale ring, Mikayla, a family favorite.

Grandma (Mabel) Waltner was able to be at the sale.

A special day for the entire family as it was her and Grandpa who started this herd.

Mikayla in the ring, being sold.

Denver and Daddy watching.

Grandma Waltner

The sales manager, he did a great job!

Kim and Jacob watching the sale.

I think this picture of Denver is one of my favorites as his expression seems to say it all; tough day, but a good day!

Makenna wanted to be right by the ring the entire time she was close to the sale.  She would get really upset if I'd try to move her back or keep her from hanging on the gates.

One of the cows being sold.

I can't wait until I get the entire sale on video from my sister, until then Denver insists on us watching this over, and over, and over.  "I want to watch my cow" says Denver.

Caleb

Rebecca, one of our "old" milkers came back to milk the cows one last time for us, as they exited the sale ring.  Thanks Rebecca!

Dad, Mom, and Denver watching the sale.

Dad and Kim chatting during the sale with her boys.

Kind of hard to tell, but 1 boy on the gator, and 1 on the 4 wheeler!

The boys and the wagon.

Jacob pulling as hard as he can, but can't go any farther.

So Jacob hopped in and Denver pushed! :)

Denver: "Okay Jacob, we got through the tough part now I can pull you."

The ladies in the lunch stand.  Thanks Deb and Teresa!

Makenna finally gave in and took a nap!

Grandpa Melvin and a good family friend, Cal having a snack.

Uncle Steve grilled...thanks Steve!

It was a family affair and lots of people came out to support us that day!

Playing in the dirt, again.

Even the newest babies were sold.

Moving gates so people can start loading up the cattle they bought.

Paying the bill and getting the things done with the vet so they can load up.

See, here's proof...I was there!

Kenna and Keith watching as they load cattle.
She had to be part of EVERY THING!

The trailers lined up to load up and haul out.

Finally Caleb, asleep.

He fought sleep too!

Finally deciding she had time to eat.

Watching them load up the trailer.

Getting into the extra candy!  What a surprise!

Feeding the babies that were left.

Water, water, water

Little Haneys!!!

Almost forgot about some calves that didn't get to go to there new homes...moving them back to their old home.

Playing with Papa!

Now time for fun; making a fire.

BATH TIME FOR DIRTY BOYS!
Caleb's first bath in the big tub and the big boys!

MILKING TIME

What?  I thought we sold the cows so we didn't have to do this anymore?  Well, we did, but some didn't have the trailer to take them, or they didn't fit, or their new owner bought them by the phone so we milked about 40 head yet that night.

Evan has been a trooper and has helped my dad milk several times when he was in a pinch.

And yes, I had 1 last hurrah of milking too.

Thanks Dad (and Mom!) for all the memories you created for me and all the things you've taught me through owning a dairy farm.

 

I can't wait to see what God has in store for our family next!  Hoping for lots of fun as a family!