Goats, goats, and more goats.  That's how I'd like to sum up this week.  It started out with the purchase of two more milking does on Monday.  To increase our milk production here at the ranch we've decided to expand our goat herd.  We bought one Saanan doe who freshened in February and one Toggenburg doe due to kid soon.  Before we could arrive back at the ranch with our new goats, however, we get a phone call that Nellie, one of the goats at the ranch, was kidding.  We arrived home to witness the birth of not one, not two, but three new baby goats!  What a joy!  But the fun doesn't stop there...  The next day Marshmellow, also a ranch goat, decided to have her babies.  This time we saw the birth of twin girls.  Each has a white body and brown head.  And they are playful!  The first was up and ready to drink it's first milk in the first 5 minutes of being born.  Then on Thursday the excitement was still reeling as we woke up to find yet more babies!  Cocoa, the Toggenburg purchased on Monday, had a boy and a girl.  We didn't think she would kid for another couple of weeks and then Surprise!  Babies! 

This all leads up to the another important event of the week.  Because of our overflow of goats (2 to 11 in one week!) we needed more pen space.  Thursday was a staff work day at the ranch and we spent our time on the small animal barn.  Built by volunteers in January and February, the small animal barn is still in need of completing.  After the work day, however, it now has running water and is able to hold all the goats, donkeys, and 1 pony.  Much is still needed to be done on it though.  Gates need to be welded, the pig pen and cow pen need to be completed, but most of all it needs a good coat of paint.  Volunteers are always welcome here at the ranch and we are always very thankful for those who do come.  Thank you everyone!