Sweet Mexico...

Whenever we plan a trip we plan. We plan a lot, for weeks upon weeks, researching websites after websites for information about our journey to a place where we decided to go after more research. Not this year as we decided 6 days before departure to head to the Riveria Maya, Mexico for spring break. Although some scrambling was involved in getting clothes gathered and making sure the kids had stuff that fit them it was a lot less stressful going on vacation this way than planning for months in advance. We chose the Iberostar Lindo, a resort Ted and I stayed at for our 15th anniversary. When we visited several years ago we talked about how much fun the kids would have. We flew out of St. Louis direct on an Aero Mexico chartered flight at 7am and were at the resort by noon! The flight was smooth and getting through customs was a breeze. The trip to the resort was about 30 minutes and although we arrived early in the day our rooms were ready. We immediately changed into our suits and after a quick bite to eat the buffet we were poolside soaking up the glorious sun! The weather was absolutely fabulous, not a raindrop all week long. The sun was hot and intense and we often sought shade in the afternoon. Emily and Logan got a pretty good sunburn at the start so they were much more eager to wear their swim shirt and have sunblock reapplied. I finally have learned that a sunburn isn't worth the pain so I too loaded up! The resort was an all inclusive which was awesome with a family. It probably was more expensive but in the long run much less stressful than having to pay each time someone wanted a drink. Emily was a frequent guest at the pool bar getting herself a cocoloco or pina coloda -non alcoholic of course:-). And when she wasn't at the bar she was at the buffet getting she and her dad a soft serve ice cream cone! Logan's goal was to gain a lot of weight while gone so he definitely loaded his plated at meal time. We had fun playing in the ocean and riding the waves. The boys tested out scuba diving in the pool and really enjoyed that. Mason and Logan also spent a fair amount of time playing billiards, of course with a fruity drink in hand as it was located right near the lobby bar. The kids had white wrist bands which meant they were not allowed alcoholic beverages. The week was really relaxing and by the time Saturday rolled around we were ready to come back home. That is a good vacation when it is good to be home!

Air Traffic Control Tower

The kids have arrived

The goats have delivered their kids. Our neighbor had a male boar goat which we bred the does to in the fall. The gestation for goats is around 5 months. Of course the arrival of the babies was a huge deal in our house...well just to me mostly! I checked on them every few hours during the day and occasionally would head out in my jammies at night. Mason was thrilled that they didn't deliver on his birthday! The first goat delivered right after church one Sunday. Emily had checked on them when we first got home and she was fine. Shortly after Logan comes running into the house and yelled that a leg was sticking out of one of the goats. Let me say the whole birthing process is just absolutely amazing. It just reassures me what an awesome Creator we have. The fact that when the baby is born and covered in the amniotic sack the mama instantly starts to lick it and clean the babe up and immediately the baby starts to look for a teat. Needless to say I loved every second of witnessing this miracle! The first doe had a boy and then a girl. Twins are very common, singles are rare and triplets actually happen frequently too. The second doe delivered on Tuesday. She too gave birth to a boy first and the cutest little girl ever! Every one is doing fabulous. The goats run all over and hop and jump. When I go in to the pen sometimes they will jump on me like a dog.

So here are the photos of the babies. Be aware that there are some graphic photos at the very end.



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BIRTHING PHOTOS BELOW









Pregnant doe

The babies come front feet and head first. The hooves are very soft so not to hurt the mama.

The head coming through. I helped her with her kids as she was really struggling and the front legs were twisted around a bit.