It is a new year and we have been blessed with heifer calves. So many in fact we need to create a new place for them to stay.

If I had a dime for every time I hear “the new normal” every day I think I would be able to take a nice long amazing vacation. I hear it every day and say it every day too. We are 2 months into the “stay home stay healthy” order in my state. I think it time to stop staying the “new normal”. My son has been doing online tutoring for 2 months. My daughter has been practicing soccer at home for 2 months and tonight we have a parent/player meeting via ZOOM. I can not tell you how many meetings I have via webex, zoom, skype. I follow the arrows in the store and we are trying to support local restaurants/coffee shops. I know life will never be the same, even with the introduction of a vaccine. At the end of the day I will continue to adjust to the “new normal” and help my family figure out how we come out better on the other side of this shut down. Until then I will keep washing my hands, wearing a face mask when required, following arrows in stores, and be grateful for my family and farm.

These kids have qualified for an international trip of a lifetime.

We are just finishing the Thanksgiving holiday and I want to share how much I love my mom and dad. I am so blessed to have both my mom and dad spend the Thanksgiving holiday with me and the family the last few years. I am blessed they make the long drive from California to Washington and spend at least a week with us. We have family along the way so my parents are able to spend time with them as well. Thanksgiving is the one holiday on the dairy that we never have to arrive late and then leave early in order to get chores done. This year, after an amazing turkey dinner, we were able to also make lefse. Lefse is a family tradition that I am so excited she is helping me to pass on to my kids. We even managed to catch a movie, Frozen 2, another tradition during the Thanksgiving break. Of course Mother Nature had to bless us with 19 degrees and snow, we always joke my mom likes to bring the snow from California. I am so blessed to have such an amazing mom and dad. Thank you for another wonderful and memorable Thanksgiving ❤️❤️❤️❤️

I’m a dairy farmer. I’m a mom of 3. I am very busy and always on the go. Meals are usually while I am on the road. From snack size cheese, protein bars, or dairy based coffee beverages, it’s what gets me through the day. My biggest challenge is finding dairy based products that are higher in protein and lower in sugar. Anyone who has been paying attention to consumer trends knows this is the trend. So I ask dairy processors, please innovate. Please look at the trend of higher protein and lower sugar. I am blessed I have a few options available for me to purchase in my small town. But, more options are always appreciated.

My daughter is a serious soccer player. Most serious athletes have a favorite recovery drink. I’m happy to say my daughter has never liked the traditional “go to” recovery drinks. Thankfully science has provided great proof that chocolate milk is an excellent choice. Many colleges and schools are using chocolate milk as the preferred sports recovery drink. As we enter the championship season of high school soccer, I wanted to take this opportunity to encourage other serious athletes and parents to use chocolate milk as their beverage of choice.