What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace. Agnes M. Pharo
What is Christmas? It's the birthday of the King who can change the thoughts of our hearts to reflect the quote above. Happy Birthday, Jesus :-)
What is Christmas? Family! Of my "blood family," only Anna & Marshall are near enough that we can actually get together. I celebrate with the rest of my family via cards, e-mails, calls, and gifts. Fortunately, Weldon's sweet family is right here and they've taken me in with open hearts so I am not lonely during these wonderful days.
What is Christmas? Check out the pictures!
At Anna's on December 14 ....
Every year I give Marshall an ornament as a reminder of something that he was doing or learning or enjoying that year.
This is Anna's sweetie, Jason
And now, Christmas Day at Edith's ....
Four generations (times 2):
Edith, Weldon, Jennifer, and Aniston
Edith, Weldon, Kathryn, Ashley & Haylee
Jennifer's hubby Scott
Kathryn's hubby David
Pat holding a marzipan pig :-)
Steve & Beth and their daughter Maria
Their son Wesley & his wife Ashley (holding Aniston)
These pictures may lead you to believe that we had a quiet gathering with sweet smiles and humble fellowship. But, no! This is the Keiger farm, and even Christmas cannot escape farm humor. Beth had asked me if there was anything that Weldon wanted/needed for Christmas. All I could think of was a poop pusher. That's the snow-plow-like shovel he uses to clean the barn floors after we're done milking. So, that's what she got for him, complete with 4 rolls of toilet paper on the long handle. As a side note, I had got Steve a bottle of hot sauce called, Professor Phardtpounders Colon Cleaner ("an elixer of capsaicin extremus"). So ... Weldon starts to unwrap his present and when he gets down to the blade, the craziness begins. What the heck is taped to the blade of the shovel? It looks like ... no! No way! Beth, what is this??!! She insists that a candy cane bun she was baking fell to the oven floor without her knowledge and when she found it later, it was burned to a crisp. Looking remarkably like a pile of crap (sorry), she taped it to the shovel. Natural farmboy that he is, Weldon just had to get started. First he had to try eating the crap (eeeuuuu), then he had to set up various scenarios to be photographed, all the while the rest of us laughing hysterically. We got a few pictures of the Colon Cleaner and the "candy cane" together; then Weldon added a note: "It works!" This went on and on, till finally Edith decided it was time to clean things up. It certainly was a lot funnier than it sounds here in writing :-)
To close on a kinder, gentler note ... Here we are in front of our tree the day after Christmas, surrounded by a few of our gifts. Thank you, one and all, for the cards, gifts, calls, and displays of love. We love you right back and wish you a

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Where is Ayden??

Haylee is on the left, Aniston on the right:
Great grandma Edith is on the left, Weldon on the right :)
Aniston & Haylee are in Grandpa's arms!
But where is Ayden?
He's in New York ... sitting on Santa's lap!

ANISTON PARKER KEIGER DOWD

Yes, the newest "star" has arrived! Aniston was born shortly before midnight on November 19, weighing about 6 pounds 4 ounces. Her parents are Weldon's middle daughter Jennifer and her husband Scott. We visited the happy family this past Sunday and were able to hold and hug and squeeze the little darling.

Although her eyes are closed in these pictures, Aniston was very alert, her little eyes darting every which way, taking in all the sights of her new world. Talk about an early Christmas present :-)

Congratulations to all and to all a Good Night!

... All Boy ...
Marshall loves to participate in sports: soccer, wrestling, tennis, golf, bowling; and this year was his first try at football. I got to see him "play" during their pre-season jamboree in September.

On Saturday, November 8, I was able to attend his team's Football Awards Banquet. I was surprised by how many people were there, but parents love to see their kids and grandkids do well and achieve their goals. We enjoyed a good lunch and cake, and then came the awards.
Each of the players got a trophy and a few, including Marshall, got perfect attendance/good sportsmanship certificates.
The team's only win for the year was in a pre-season game. This was a young team (most never having played before), so the coach has big hopes for next year.
Although he's "all boy," Marshall has a sweet and tender heart, which I hope he'll continue to develop. (As a grandmother, I'm entitled to such sentiments.) Anyway, girls go gaga over a sweet guy - just ask Weldon :-)

WOOHOO!!! :-)
Weldon had always hoped to brick the outside of the house and we have been discussing it for quite some time. Last spring and summer we spent many Sunday afternoons driving around looking at brick houses and deciding what we like and don't like, and we made many trips to Pine Hall Brick. Who knew there was so much to learn about brick, mortar, and the ways they could be put together! The bricks we chose are called Old Irvington - an over-sized, tumbled brick. That means they're bigger than "normal" bricks and they look old and beat up :-)
After a lot of work and preparation on Weldon's part, our plans have begun to be realized and the results are more beautiful than I could have imagined.
Siding off, porch torn up:
Brick & mortar delivered:
Weldon made the tools to "rake" the mortar joints:
Ready to start:
The first brick is laid:
The local yokels pretend to work:
These guys know what they're doing and they do it well!
After just 2 1/2 days of work, the brick work is almost finished.
Back: and front:
There's still lots of work to be done. Next up, the masons will return and work on the pillars for the porch and carport.
The first evening after the house was finished this far, I took Jasmine out to do her evening duties and when I turned around, my heart did a little skip 'cuz I didn't recognize the house :-)
Stay tuned ....

HAYLEE MARIE WEIDL

Weldon's oldest daughter, Kathryn, and her husband David and daughter Ashley welcomed little Haylee into the world on Thursday night, October 23. She weighed 7 pounds 4 ounces and was just long enough. (Sorry, I didn't write down all the details.) Great grandma Edith and I went to see the newest addition to the family on Tuesday afternoon. Weldon couldn't go because he still had a cough from his dragging-on-forever cold :-(

We all agree: Haylee Marie is a keeper!!!

AYDEN JOSEPH QUELIZ

Ayden made his entrance into the world on August 22, 2008, weighing in at 6 pounds 4 ounces. Congratulations to Mom Melinda and Dad Joseph and everyone who is glad to have a handsome little boy in the family. Since they live in New York, we haven't been able to hug and squeeze Weldon's first grandson yet, but we have seen lots of adorable pictures. Here are a few for you to enjoy.
Just a few hours old...
Are you sure about this???
It's all good.
Four weeks already?
Six weeks old and ready to take on the world!

Come see us soon, little guy! Bring your mom and dad, too!!

MOOS and MEWS
This is "calving season" and, as of this writing, 11 babies have been born: 7 heifers and 4 bulls. The first little heifer was born when Hurricane Hanna blew through here,
so Weldon named her Hanna.
We don't usually name the calves, but he got us started!
The next was Tuesday ,
then Tina, then Nellie Bell, and Maaaae.
We haven't named the 2 newest ones yet, and another is due to be born any minute.

This year I am helping Edith with the feeding of the baby calves morning and evening and washing the bottles and buckets when we're done. She still does all of the work with the older heifers,
but maybe I'm helping to lighten her load in some small measure.

If you've read my blog from the beginning, you know that when I first came to the farm, very few of the cats had names. I started naming the new kittens as they were born: Kit Carson and Big Boy, Spitz, Kitten Kaboodle ... ; and then I started naming the cats that had been here for years: Hatfield & McCoy, Big Mama, Tripod, Pretty Boy. Someday I'd like to make a list of all the cats I have named.
The funny thing is, now everyone helps to name the kittens!
This year, even Edith got into the act by naming this little cutie:
Uno :-)

This spring the coyotes got more than their fair share of our cats and kittens.
In spite of that (and a number of other catastrophes), we are not experiencing a kitty shortage.
A couple of cats have had litters of 5 kittens this year!
Spitz set a new farm record by giving birth to 7 babies.
Unfortunately, only 3 survived, all girls.
Pictured, left to right: Sparky, Spice, Spots, and momma Spitz.

I didn't know that some cats like corn on the cob. Every time I sat outside to husk corn,
here came Oreo, looking for a handout.

I don't think a day goes by without some sort of cat or kitten shenanigans.
They certainly bring a lot of joy (and sorrow!) to our days.