Preparing for the Big Day (Sale Day)

As most of you know, my parents sold their cows the beginning of October.  While this was a sad thing, it was also a wonderful "thing"!  We will all miss the cows, but not the work of them!  I've been overjoyed by the happiness and relief I've seen from both of my parents since the sale, but especially my dad.  It makes it all worth it; the day we saw the cows leave the farm.

The kids and I spent October 5th out at the farm helping getting ready for sale day.  I helped mom with meals and cleanup, ran some errands for my dad, and the kids were able to get in on all the action and spend some good quality time on the farm with the cows (heifers, calves, etc.).  The next day Evan came along with us and my sister and her boys joined us at the farm later in the day.  It was wonderful to all be able to help with the end of this chapter of our lives.

Denver was really sad about Papa selling the cows and had several sad moments, but he pulled himself together (we had lots of people praying for him (and us), the power of prayer is amazing!) for the sale and didn't cry once about the cows driving out of the driveway at the end of the day.

Here are some pictures of our time on the farm preparing for the big day. A sale blog to come!

One of the final times seeing Dad milk the cows.

A fitting crew came out to help get the cows all "fancy" for the sale.

The tent all set up for the sale.

I think driving in the yard on Tuesday seeing this set up was the hardest part for me.

View of the farm and cows.

More of the fitting crew.

And more precious memories of the cows and farm that I had to capture.

The "special" tractor and feeder wagon.

This is about all Denver talks about!!

Views of the "babies".

Helping Grama!

No fear!

 Feeding a brand new baby with Grama!

Now Kenna's turn to help Grama!

Tagging the calves one last time.

(So they know who is who!)

The sale ring coming together.

 Jacob...definitely more fear than Kenna!

Letting the calf suck on her hand.

(Dad found her in the barn doing this a day after the sale by herself!)

Kim and Caleb

 Encouraging Jacob to let the calf suck on his hand.

Hugs for Papa and Jacob!

Happy Caleb!

Now the fear is slowly disappearing!

Pretty view!

Denver and his Papa!

One of Denver's other favorite things...playing in the dirt!

 Time to get cleaned up from all the dirt and cow germs!