Ah yes, the Nelson Zoo. It’s what I lovingly (most of the time) refer to my home farm near Spring Green. Why the “Zoo?” Because there’s always something going on, people running in 18 different directions and a menagerie of animals.
This weekend wasn’t too much different, although they were down a few heads. My brother and sister-in-law were out of town, and although they don’t live there, they spend enough time at the farm to add to the chaos. It was a pretty short trip, but an important one. The key purpose was to celebrate my dad’s 51st birthday and Jacob’s 1st birthday. My original goal was to leave early Saturday morning, but a wrench got thrown into the gears when the guys had to sample milk that morning. So an hour or two later than we wanted, Nate, Jacob and I hit the road.
It was early afternoon when we arrived. Once again, Jacob was a little skittish of unfamiliar faces, but it didn’t take him too long to warm up and show off his newly acquired walking skills. My little sister, Kaitlyn, and I took a walking tour of the heifer barns to check out the young stock. My family has been pretty aggressive in infusing top quality genetics into our Holstein herd the last few years. It’s been expensive, but the results are really paying off. They’ve got one of the nicest group of heifers I can ever remember the farm having.
Back at the house, we decided it was time for a dip in the pool. Jacob’s been swimming there one other time, but I think he enjoyed it even more this go-around. He’s a squirmy kid to try and hold onto when wet, especially when he’s splashing water in your face. Later in the evening after chores, we had a family dinner and birthday celebration. Jacob did what every one-year-old is supposed to when presented with birthday cake. He grabbed a handful of frosting and smeared it into his mouth. After the child finally dozed off, us kids (plus one husband and one boyfriend) hit the pool once more for a pretty wild game of Keep Away.
The next morning after the cows were milked, seven of us headed for Milwaukee to take in a Brewers game. After grilling some brats in the parking lot, we headed inside to check out Miller Park. This was the first trip there for half the group. Nate, Mom and Dad had been there before. Kirsten, my aunt and I had been to the old County Stadium, but never to the new park.
The Brewers ended up winning, but not before they almost blew a four run lead in the ninth inning. It looks like the guys they got in exchange for Carlos Lee will do well. One batted in four RBIs, and the other got the save.
Jacob seemed to enjoy the whole experience. He clapped his hands for strikeouts, stared at the flashing scoreboard and almost jumped off my lap when the fireworks exploded for a home run. Then it was back home, but not before a stop at the home of family friends for ice cream cake. We do have priorities.
No comments:
Post a Comment