Field Trip: Homeland Creamery

This past week, we had a little field trip to Homeland Creamery with the Koontz's. It was a perfect day since the weather was unseasonably cool. Here is a very pic-heavy post, but as you can see, we had a blast!

The Koontz Cows

The Hanes Cows & Anna

In the "barnyard", there were turkeys...

and chickens...

and even a baby calf come out!

Jeremiah was really excited to help bottle feed the calf.

Dylan practicing milking the pretend cow.

Anna got in on the milking action too.

Jeremiah wanted to just watch...not quite the same milking experience as the State Fair.

A big group of us hopped on the wagon for a hayride around the farm.

This sweet (muddy) dog herded us along the tour and waited in the middle of the road while we had our tour stops.

Here's the milking herd. These cows give about 8 gallons of milk a day!

Jeremiah was pretty excited to see the miniature donkeys in this field....reminded him of Leroy!

At the end of our tour, we were given a sample cup of their ice cream. DELICIOUS!!! Seriously, the best ice cream I've ever had. I might start searching out their products at the Whole Foods & Fresh Market in Winston.

This boy had a GREAT day on the farm!

Donkey

We've all quickly fallen in love with Leroy, the Donkey. He's sweet and loves to be fed treats. Here's a video of Jeremiah feeding Leroy. Enjoy!

Three Cows & a Donkey

Here's the full story (in pictures) of the Hanes family's newest additions.

Popa, Perry, Dale, & Tristan came back in the truck pulling a trailer that had something in it...

A DONKEY! Named Leeroy

Uncle Perry had to take Jeremiah in the trailer to meet Leeroy up close & personal.

Perry & Popa really wanted Jeremiah to sit on Leeroy. Jeremiah wasn't so sure and had a death grip on Uncle Perry.

Then he thought it wasn't so bad sitting on a donkey...

He thought it was pretty darn cool!

I think Leeroy is pretty cute. As cute as a donkey can be, at least.

But he can definitely be stubborn!

The day after Leeroy arrived, Popa, Nana, Perry, Jeremiah, and myself ventured to a cattle auction!

There were LOTS of cows.

Some bulls too, but they weren't packed quite as tight. Good thinking!

Jeremiah was really interested in all the "moos"

I thought this light colored one in the middle was really cute and asked that we not buy her. I definitely couldn't bring myself to eat her as a steak later on.

Unlike this one...pure ugliness.

These are the three ladies STEERS (Nana originally told me they were heifers & I trusted her because who really wants to get up in their business to verify?!?!) Popa & Perry brought home. These cows are all around 1000lbs! I have no sentimental attachment to them and won't have a hard time enjoy them later on.

But we'll be keeping Leeroy around for a long time...evidently he's good for scarring off coyotes.

Adventures with Livestock

There have been several "new additions" at Popa & Nana's house this week. They are now the proud owners of three Black Angus Cows (which I think should be named Prime Rib, London Broil, and Cheeseburger since we plan to eat them) and a donkey named Leeroy (although I'm not exactly sure if that's how you spell it).  Jeremiah really likes the new additions and even went to his first cattle auction Monday. 

I have lots of pictures but it's been a busy week and I'm too tired to decide which ones to post (not to mention the million others I have for posts about J's first Easter Egg Hunt, Easter weekend with both sides of the family, and our homeowner adventures), so until later this one will have to suffice.