Photos, farm and pumpkins

Now that we've moved in our new house and nearly everything is unpacked, we really feel settled and everyone has adjusted really well. We feel very blessed and are thankful for the many things that have happened so far: the welcoming from the ARC and friends, lots of advice, Cornerstone Christian school, a job, a house, family (and friends) in Canada and more! God has certainly blessed us and we continue to thank Him and put our trust in Him. Of course, there is still the part of our daughter  in Australia as well as (aging) parents and grandmother. And the rest of our friends and family there too! However, we know that God is everywhere and He cares for us all, wherever we may be. And technology makes things easier too! Facetime, skyping, email and whatapp! So feel free to drop a line, we love to hear from you too!

I have taken photos of most of the rooms now; so here goes!

My HUGE laundry

Kitchen

Dining

Master bedroom

One set of stairs to Jaclyn's room and games room

Games/study/teen retreat

Jaclyn's room: her double bed is on the right in the corner with lots of room to spare (including a bed)!

Set of stairs to Stefan's room

Stefan's room: queen size bed!

On Saturdays, Jaclyn and Stefan help with the farm chores and so we walked over and watched them.

Jaclyn helps Elissa and Brent milk the cows. There are about 500 cows and so milking takes about 3 and a half hours. The cows come in the left side and the right side of the milking parlour and while one side gets milked, the other side will come in and get ready for milking. Then the other side will be finished; they get let out and the next lot comes in. 

It can be a bit gross when a cow might do 'something' but it's all part of the job and they apparently even have fun: milk squirt fights etc!!

Stefan feeds the calves and washes their water buckets (pails). The calves are housed in individual pens and require milk in bottles twice a day. The milk is made up similar to baby formula, and poured into bottles. The bottles are placed in slots in each pen and when finished, placed back on the cart and washed. Taleesha knows what to do and even helps Craig and Stefan.

A calf was born just 20 minutes earlier, and so once the mother licks off the sac, it gets separated and fed milk along with colostrum for 3 days. Here Stefan is helping feed the newborn calf.

Stefan introducing the bottle to the calf

Pumpkins are out in full force and for the most part are related to halloween. They have been for sale at farms and the supermarkets for quite a few weeks now. However, pumpkin soup is not really done here so I was quite excited to find a kent pumpkin and make a big pot of pumpkin soup. It's the kids' favourite soup and turned out beautifully!

Pumpkin Patch in Australia would normally be associated with a kids clothes store but here (this one's in Canada) is exactly what it is: a patch of pumpkins; and heaps of them!

Funky sign on the main road: makes you look twice to read it; and then buy some!

That's it for today! Thanks for visiting!