tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9802998958776727012024-03-13T13:06:47.726-05:00All Things InspirationalMy kids. My husband. Giving back to the community. Agriculture. Teaching others. Helping friends. Following dreams. Cattle and Horses. Running. Photography. Small town coffee shops. These are a just a few of my inspirations. What are yours??Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09981606123610345980noreply@blogger.comBlogger103125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980299895877672701.post-20428575371200008702012-10-21T08:40:00.000-05:002012-10-21T08:40:43.260-05:00Riding for a Cause...<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K9ZapkrUfws/UIP3KtRGh9I/AAAAAAAAA-U/dvfJ7K_QhW8/s1600/xDSCN0842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K9ZapkrUfws/UIP3KtRGh9I/AAAAAAAAA-U/dvfJ7K_QhW8/s320/xDSCN0842.jpg" width="320" /></a>St. Judes Children's hospital and AQHA trail riding.... what a great combination!! Yesterday we had the opportunity to participate in a local trail benefit ride for a great cause. The scenery wasn't near as pretty as it usually is due to the extreme drought we are in but it was still beautiful and lots of fun. We caught up with old friends and made some new ones along the way!! <br />
<br />
Sonny, Dobie, and Moon were gracious enough to take us along so we had a great afternoon of fun with them. In return, they got a bath and a bucket of grain so everybody was happy!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WR2Vg8KeHtY/UIP3H90Ok0I/AAAAAAAAA-M/XKPnP4qqvHw/s1600/xDSCN0840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WR2Vg8KeHtY/UIP3H90Ok0I/AAAAAAAAA-M/XKPnP4qqvHw/s320/xDSCN0840.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nathan and Dobie are ready to go!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QWNFDzvXALk/UIP3NvLb9CI/AAAAAAAAA-c/kK6gOZ5PASQ/s1600/xDSCN0847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QWNFDzvXALk/UIP3NvLb9CI/AAAAAAAAA-c/kK6gOZ5PASQ/s320/xDSCN0847.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first steep hill and creek bottom crossing! Thanks to the drought there was no water to cross!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GvoWbNl8jp8/UIP3RuH3j5I/AAAAAAAAA-k/L9RPSsdwSno/s1600/xIMG_3989.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="148" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GvoWbNl8jp8/UIP3RuH3j5I/AAAAAAAAA-k/L9RPSsdwSno/s320/xIMG_3989.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our leader, Terry, bringing us to the end of the ride!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6xuxm2bvuXk/UIP3UCy0GOI/AAAAAAAAA-s/PM1bd0A6q4M/s1600/xIMG_3993.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6xuxm2bvuXk/UIP3UCy0GOI/AAAAAAAAA-s/PM1bd0A6q4M/s320/xIMG_3993.jpg" width="273" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading to the finish!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4LW0CSpy3yA/UIP3WFURZLI/AAAAAAAAA-0/67JA9wO3yFY/s1600/xIMG_4005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="171" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4LW0CSpy3yA/UIP3WFURZLI/AAAAAAAAA-0/67JA9wO3yFY/s320/xIMG_4005.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quality family time with NO electronic devices!! Mom is happy!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r8K9LxhJCpc/UIP3gEVl63I/AAAAAAAAA-8/C_XZOvoB6aY/s1600/zIMG_3999.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r8K9LxhJCpc/UIP3gEVl63I/AAAAAAAAA-8/C_XZOvoB6aY/s320/zIMG_3999.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Horses of every size, shape and color but they were all beautiful!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After 2 1/2 hours, horses and riders were all pretty tired but everybody made it to the finish safely. It was a great way to raise money for a great cause and we will definitely do it again next year! Maybe you can join us!! We can always round up an extra horse or two!!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980299895877672701.post-45369165609840556252012-08-16T06:00:00.000-05:002012-08-16T06:00:11.069-05:00One last summer fling...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z0hMMZ6R1x8/UCeuz4TWvJI/AAAAAAAAA8c/G7i_Sa6KlJ4/s1600/xIMG_3356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z0hMMZ6R1x8/UCeuz4TWvJI/AAAAAAAAA8c/G7i_Sa6KlJ4/s320/xIMG_3356.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z0hMMZ6R1x8/UCeuz4TWvJI/AAAAAAAAA8c/G7i_Sa6KlJ4/s1600/xIMG_3356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z0hMMZ6R1x8/UCeuz4TWvJI/AAAAAAAAA8c/G7i_Sa6KlJ4/s1600/xIMG_3356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a>With school just around the corner, we figured we'd better cram as much fun as we could into the last few days of summer vacation. Luck would have it that a random conversation led us to discover a fun little water park in Colby, KS. It was about 1 1/2 hours from home which is way better than the 3 hr drive we had considered to get to the next closest one! Since we are nearing the end of the season, I think the locals have had just about enough and there was hardly anyone there most of the day!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XJTSt1G3WRk/UCeuwxCQ8OI/AAAAAAAAA8M/kzgFYfCRxME/s1600/xIMG_3350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XJTSt1G3WRk/UCeuwxCQ8OI/AAAAAAAAA8M/kzgFYfCRxME/s320/xIMG_3350.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We pretty much had the run of the slides and there were never more than 3-4 people in front of us each time!! And climbing 2 flights of stairs every 5 minutes makes for great exercise too!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pIxIl5ApuY8/UCeuyfZgyKI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/onpeV9H6Qak/s1600/xIMG_3352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pIxIl5ApuY8/UCeuyfZgyKI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/onpeV9H6Qak/s320/xIMG_3352.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oTCOz_7wtb8/UCeu049KJUI/AAAAAAAAA8g/wKexsgKccUs/s1600/xIMG_3357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oTCOz_7wtb8/UCeu049KJUI/AAAAAAAAA8g/wKexsgKccUs/s320/xIMG_3357.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Nate had a blast!!! And even Gail got into the fun... except he made WAY bigger splashes on the slides...</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9kQrmuQMugg/UCeu2pD3ddI/AAAAAAAAA8s/FiXugw5A-Hc/s1600/xIMG_3372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9kQrmuQMugg/UCeu2pD3ddI/AAAAAAAAA8s/FiXugw5A-Hc/s320/xIMG_3372.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZwbdxBoZtk/UCeu4XueTqI/AAAAAAAAA80/EbvjmT4RFfU/s1600/xIMG_3373.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZwbdxBoZtk/UCeu4XueTqI/AAAAAAAAA80/EbvjmT4RFfU/s320/xIMG_3373.jpg" width="220" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qktrw5gn0u0/UCeu50h8T6I/AAAAAAAAA88/W9gLPTMaYyY/s1600/xIMG_3378.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qktrw5gn0u0/UCeu50h8T6I/AAAAAAAAA88/W9gLPTMaYyY/s320/xIMG_3378.jpg" width="243" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ally is ready for the Olympic diving team! Between slide rides, she went off the high dive a few times and loved it!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uAG6SWqdreg/UCeu7npDyWI/AAAAAAAAA9E/O4bYELiC2L4/s1600/xIMG_3386.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uAG6SWqdreg/UCeu7npDyWI/AAAAAAAAA9E/O4bYELiC2L4/s320/xIMG_3386.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wpmRWyjZXFc/UCeu82hHk1I/AAAAAAAAA9M/_f1nXZRDUAc/s1600/xIMG_3392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wpmRWyjZXFc/UCeu82hHk1I/AAAAAAAAA9M/_f1nXZRDUAc/s320/xIMG_3392.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Both kids loved the lilly pad jumps. It was harder than it looks!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s_f87-qlq9U/UCeu-jHBjBI/AAAAAAAAA9U/kqM0G92K47E/s1600/xIMG_3401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s_f87-qlq9U/UCeu-jHBjBI/AAAAAAAAA9U/kqM0G92K47E/s320/xIMG_3401.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jo8koIL-PNc/UCevAHLj8-I/AAAAAAAAA9c/0ngZVKWbIMk/s1600/xIMG_3407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jo8koIL-PNc/UCevAHLj8-I/AAAAAAAAA9c/0ngZVKWbIMk/s320/xIMG_3407.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And who doesn't love the LAZY RIVER!??!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5l7MS5iuRtI/UCevBHWflVI/AAAAAAAAA9k/RkE1TXEuiho/s1600/xIMG_3420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="167" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5l7MS5iuRtI/UCevBHWflVI/AAAAAAAAA9k/RkE1TXEuiho/s320/xIMG_3420.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--s_rDX-pCKs/UCevCx4FCXI/AAAAAAAAA9s/2x4xpJM1x34/s1600/xIMG_3422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--s_rDX-pCKs/UCevCx4FCXI/AAAAAAAAA9s/2x4xpJM1x34/s320/xIMG_3422.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xxn9NSNLviA/UCevEYokvHI/AAAAAAAAA90/Ek6VdXS3JC0/s1600/xIMG_3423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xxn9NSNLviA/UCevEYokvHI/AAAAAAAAA90/Ek6VdXS3JC0/s320/xIMG_3423.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I was there too but somebody had to take pictures!!! :) Hope you are enjoying the end of your summer vacation too!!! ~J</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980299895877672701.post-90126965689439457002012-08-14T06:00:00.000-05:002012-08-14T06:00:12.535-05:00A birthday fishing party...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gMlJqmdlze0/UCeogU3MtvI/AAAAAAAAA7s/Z5THnhEhrTc/s1600/xIMG_3222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gMlJqmdlze0/UCeogU3MtvI/AAAAAAAAA7s/Z5THnhEhrTc/s320/xIMG_3222.jpg" width="213" /></a> My baby is 7. Can you believe it? I don't know where the time has gone. Seems like just yesterday he was waking up in the night always needing something. Wait..... That WAS yesterday! So he may not be the best sleeper in the world, but he's still my baby and he still turned 7. When you have a b-day during fair week, things get a little hectic so we had an on-going b-day week to try to make it special. First and foremost was a fishing party for him and a few of his friends....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pk31GwSmL9s/UCenL3SMBqI/AAAAAAAAA6c/YroSDPfCRbk/s1600/xIMG_3221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pk31GwSmL9s/UCenL3SMBqI/AAAAAAAAA6c/YroSDPfCRbk/s320/xIMG_3221.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catch of the day!!! (Can you see it?!?!?)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Thank goodness the fish were biting that day. It hadn't occurred to me that 6 little kids might get bored and restless in about 5.6 minutes if the fish weren't biting right away. I neglected to think of a plan B ahead of time if this was the case so luck was on my side that day.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SfipbtoHB9M/UCeobXyp_fI/AAAAAAAAA7U/UqF-g6OFxZs/s1600/xIMG_3201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SfipbtoHB9M/UCeobXyp_fI/AAAAAAAAA7U/UqF-g6OFxZs/s320/xIMG_3201.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fisherman Brett</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W3ovhMDWBAk/UCeodHqi4EI/AAAAAAAAA7c/FK09ifN-JaQ/s1600/xIMG_3208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W3ovhMDWBAk/UCeodHqi4EI/AAAAAAAAA7c/FK09ifN-JaQ/s320/xIMG_3208.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Things were a little slow at first so they had to chill out in chairs...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c-uch1i6whY/UCeoe8wH9DI/AAAAAAAAA7k/gy1krmmKMh4/s1600/xIMG_3220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c-uch1i6whY/UCeoe8wH9DI/AAAAAAAAA7k/gy1krmmKMh4/s320/xIMG_3220.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The fish were teeny tiny itty bitty little things but it didn't dampen their enthusiasm each time they hauled one out! They were lined up to get the fish off the lines and new bait put back on!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-12tbpQhJSTo/UCeoh26y_SI/AAAAAAAAA70/kooQNkbicCQ/s1600/xIMG_3228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-12tbpQhJSTo/UCeoh26y_SI/AAAAAAAAA70/kooQNkbicCQ/s320/xIMG_3228.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UrRF5LQOsWM/UCenQRl_lKI/AAAAAAAAA60/D23lPySdZKc/s1600/xIMG_3229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UrRF5LQOsWM/UCenQRl_lKI/AAAAAAAAA60/D23lPySdZKc/s320/xIMG_3229.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The b-day boy and one of his many catches!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SzsaQiPvtNU/UCenR0nPv2I/AAAAAAAAA68/R_VCNNoBQBA/s1600/xIMG_3236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SzsaQiPvtNU/UCenR0nPv2I/AAAAAAAAA68/R_VCNNoBQBA/s320/xIMG_3236.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Most of the fish made it back to the water in time to grow for another day. At least we hope anyway!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uquasu_gA10/UCenT1G-FKI/AAAAAAAAA7E/kBZyg0jvp5A/s1600/xIMG_3237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uquasu_gA10/UCenT1G-FKI/AAAAAAAAA7E/kBZyg0jvp5A/s320/xIMG_3237.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Friendships built over a fishing pole.... nothing can compare!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IOgwCSWkARc/UCenIa84bII/AAAAAAAAA6M/nPKrtg2RHhY/s1600/xIMG_3209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IOgwCSWkARc/UCenIa84bII/AAAAAAAAA6M/nPKrtg2RHhY/s320/xIMG_3209.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cousins!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1pkveo8Wkas/UCenVjmq5iI/AAAAAAAAA7M/Qx5y4D1Wccg/s1600/xIMG_3252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1pkveo8Wkas/UCenVjmq5iI/AAAAAAAAA7M/Qx5y4D1Wccg/s320/xIMG_3252.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
And of course we had to have snack time because fishing is VERY hard work ya know! Despite the 106 degree day, I think a good time was had by all. And special thanks to neighbor Mike for helping bait hooks for 2 hours straight!! You're a trooper!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980299895877672701.post-21996931795808869832012-08-11T06:00:00.000-05:002012-08-11T06:00:00.938-05:00Weekend Entertainment... ranching style<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NTUZIw8cZwA/UBtBG93lBmI/AAAAAAAAA5k/07k3jgZ8qJo/s1600/zIMG_2713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NTUZIw8cZwA/UBtBG93lBmI/AAAAAAAAA5k/07k3jgZ8qJo/s320/zIMG_2713.jpg" width="320" /></a>Some people might go to the movies or the mall on a Saturday afternoon, but we had much BIGGER plans... we headed out to the middle of nowhere to check cows. I have to admit I was a little impressed with all the different activities we came up with in our little road trip. Here's just a sampling of our afternoon</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r2RFaqm7n3g/UBtATtYGS8I/AAAAAAAAA4c/rH_1vMq9804/s1600/zIMG_2629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r2RFaqm7n3g/UBtATtYGS8I/AAAAAAAAA4c/rH_1vMq9804/s320/zIMG_2629.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the calves thought a dip in the pool (aka stock tank) might feel good but the kids coaxed her back out.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yQvjT-vv4HE/UBtAWWxiezI/AAAAAAAAA4k/uQkhyadsL18/s1600/zIMG_2646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yQvjT-vv4HE/UBtAWWxiezI/AAAAAAAAA4k/uQkhyadsL18/s320/zIMG_2646.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We searched high and low to make sure all the cows and calves were accounted for. (Think scavenger hunt in a few hundred acres).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2XdZ7xcQ-Ks/UBtAY-UoxhI/AAAAAAAAA4s/uGN9Ilx1LKY/s1600/zIMG_2661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2XdZ7xcQ-Ks/UBtAY-UoxhI/AAAAAAAAA4s/uGN9Ilx1LKY/s320/zIMG_2661.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ally got to practice her photography skills and try to capture some shots for her 4-H project.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-siahW0D5Ulw/UBtAbJvsARI/AAAAAAAAA40/3foW3Zi7SWw/s1600/zIMG_2677.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-siahW0D5Ulw/UBtAbJvsARI/AAAAAAAAA40/3foW3Zi7SWw/s320/zIMG_2677.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We actually checked cows while we were there...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3RTZGDmfUiM/UBtAeJL5ZZI/AAAAAAAAA48/I7ZASDtjK0g/s1600/zIMG_2679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3RTZGDmfUiM/UBtAeJL5ZZI/AAAAAAAAA48/I7ZASDtjK0g/s320/zIMG_2679.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little father - son time. Wonder what they are talking about?!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EuR_yUN85Vc/UBtAg_W7hlI/AAAAAAAAA5E/uB03lVsOrH0/s1600/zIMG_2685.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EuR_yUN85Vc/UBtAg_W7hlI/AAAAAAAAA5E/uB03lVsOrH0/s320/zIMG_2685.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bath time for one of the babies!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B9wIF-5lLKs/UBtA79DGWwI/AAAAAAAAA5M/RXZIaUM1jaI/s1600/zIMG_2703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="316" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B9wIF-5lLKs/UBtA79DGWwI/AAAAAAAAA5M/RXZIaUM1jaI/s320/zIMG_2703.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canyon jumping... it should be a new olympic sport.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KV4JVhN0TkA/UBtA_hVw3oI/AAAAAAAAA5U/d7fKOFphxJI/s1600/zIMG_2706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KV4JVhN0TkA/UBtA_hVw3oI/AAAAAAAAA5U/d7fKOFphxJI/s320/zIMG_2706.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watch out below...................</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-432aux_XNAI/UBtBDUA42LI/AAAAAAAAA5c/6GrSGuIBGNI/s1600/zIMG_2709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-432aux_XNAI/UBtBDUA42LI/AAAAAAAAA5c/6GrSGuIBGNI/s320/zIMG_2709.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not to be out-done by her brother.... Ally takes the plunge!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hmmC72RAb4o/UBtARIHNGxI/AAAAAAAAA4U/SgkUk-SpkrY/s1600/zDSCN0573.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hmmC72RAb4o/UBtARIHNGxI/AAAAAAAAA4U/SgkUk-SpkrY/s320/zDSCN0573.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We found a wild blackberry tree on our way out and picked a few for the long ride home!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So if you ever find yourself bored some weekend, give us a call and we'll see if we can't entertain you for a little while!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980299895877672701.post-6589597415859107442012-08-08T06:00:00.000-05:002012-08-08T06:00:12.181-05:00A girl and a horse<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QLePGuEJBj8/UBs2_gJ31PI/AAAAAAAAA3g/Jb3aitrNqYY/s1600/zIMG_3114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QLePGuEJBj8/UBs2_gJ31PI/AAAAAAAAA3g/Jb3aitrNqYY/s320/zIMG_3114.jpg" width="320" /></a>There are few things in life that can match the bond between a little girl and her horse. They can share secrets, a good cry, a hug, or a long talk. I've seen Ally and Paige do just about all of this since the horse has come to live with us and I sometimes wish I'd have had that same opportunity as a kid. I have no regrets though because it makes me appreciate these moments all the more. I can see the life lessons we're all learning and wouldn't trade it for the world. <br />
<br />
Here are just a few things we've learned lately...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tCcz6bWk9DM/UBs27chuOQI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/Ch6bo_zrCWc/s1600/zIMG_3104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tCcz6bWk9DM/UBs27chuOQI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/Ch6bo_zrCWc/s320/zIMG_3104.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you stray from the path, it's ok to let go of the reins. Your best friends will always lead you back home!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EpPFinFhXvY/UBs294jk6cI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/D7YflbO_FTc/s1600/zIMG_3107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EpPFinFhXvY/UBs294jk6cI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/D7YflbO_FTc/s320/zIMG_3107.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Your attitude flows directly to those around you. If you want others to cooperate, you'd better show them your're a team player! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o5-fg9tcUrs/UBs3CON2q_I/AAAAAAAAA3o/BcCS84Luu4g/s1600/zIMG_3117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o5-fg9tcUrs/UBs3CON2q_I/AAAAAAAAA3o/BcCS84Luu4g/s320/zIMG_3117.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's ok to spend $70 for a new pair of shoes every 6 weeks...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BiDLvvVo0ws/UBs3EOLt_1I/AAAAAAAAA3w/JieS4Mg1A6E/s1600/zIMG_3127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BiDLvvVo0ws/UBs3EOLt_1I/AAAAAAAAA3w/JieS4Mg1A6E/s320/zIMG_3127.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Never run when you can jog. Never jog when you can walk. And never walk when you
can stand still. <br sb_id="ms__id588" /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BHGv_H3cdfY/UBs3GVXSgJI/AAAAAAAAA34/SZW3l0rOFWg/s1600/zIMG_3133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BHGv_H3cdfY/UBs3GVXSgJI/AAAAAAAAA34/SZW3l0rOFWg/s320/zIMG_3133.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span sb_id="ms__id564" style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, Verdana, Arial; font-size: x-small;">
<div sb_id="ms__id565">
<div class="MsoNormal" sb_id="ms__id566" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span sb_id="ms__id567" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span sb_id="ms__id568" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span sb_id="ms__id569" style="font-size: x-small;">Love those who love you back, especially if they give wet, slobbery kisses!<o:p sb_id="ms__id615"></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
</span>
<div sb_id="ms__id616">
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iLxRjg_sXXY/UBs3HkjjBDI/AAAAAAAAA4A/nQUE7arCaiw/s1600/zIMG_3150cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="157" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iLxRjg_sXXY/UBs3HkjjBDI/AAAAAAAAA4A/nQUE7arCaiw/s400/zIMG_3150cropped.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No matter what... always have fun. The friends you make along the way are worth more than any ribbons or trophies you'll ever receive.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
What have you learned from your horse lately?!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980299895877672701.post-30896690215258050712012-08-05T06:00:00.000-05:002012-08-05T06:00:01.961-05:00Nine year olds and jigsaws...<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2Tyqb87Kew0/UBsrEA88hSI/AAAAAAAAA2w/01SkinaYtT8/s1600/zDSCN0721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2Tyqb87Kew0/UBsrEA88hSI/AAAAAAAAA2w/01SkinaYtT8/s320/zDSCN0721.jpg" width="320" /></a>I know it sounds like a dangerous combination, but with proper supervision, it actually turns out to be really cool. Ally really wanted to do some woodworking in 4H this year so I started searching for beginner wood plans on the internet several weeks ago. I found some boring basic plans that would work but then I came across the perfect plan... a vintage step stool! It didn't look too hard so we decided to give it a shot. The plans came from Ana White. You can find the step by step plans <a href="http://ana-white.com/2011/02/plans/vintage-step-stool" target="_blank">here.</a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6q_qwwZpkTw/UBsq3wpPDAI/AAAAAAAAA2A/Z0p-K3bD00M/s1600/zDSCN0639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6q_qwwZpkTw/UBsq3wpPDAI/AAAAAAAAA2A/Z0p-K3bD00M/s320/zDSCN0639.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here she is with all her wood supplies before she made the cuts.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oTUAkh6mVlk/UBsq6MSz4qI/AAAAAAAAA2I/5E0aFOYo_ac/s1600/zDSCN0640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oTUAkh6mVlk/UBsq6MSz4qI/AAAAAAAAA2I/5E0aFOYo_ac/s320/zDSCN0640.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Measure twice... cut once. At least that's what my dad taught me.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PuIBS4-yVYg/UBsq8O5ShPI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/V0mtShqd1NM/s1600/zDSCN0641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PuIBS4-yVYg/UBsq8O5ShPI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/V0mtShqd1NM/s320/zDSCN0641.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She had a little help but did a great job with the power tools!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r6R3FJSwidk/UBsq-HJH5dI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/pLOvf6TrQy0/s1600/zDSCN0647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r6R3FJSwidk/UBsq-HJH5dI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/pLOvf6TrQy0/s320/zDSCN0647.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sand Sand Sand... then sand some more!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zIhoMVtPtiM/UBsq_6FuYkI/AAAAAAAAA2g/8R9ODo9PhOw/s1600/zDSCN0648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zIhoMVtPtiM/UBsq_6FuYkI/AAAAAAAAA2g/8R9ODo9PhOw/s320/zDSCN0648.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And when you get tired you grab the electric sander!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oNLDYzRQg9I/UBsrCCJPcMI/AAAAAAAAA2o/_uGO9v4OCVg/s1600/zDSCN0651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oNLDYzRQg9I/UBsrCCJPcMI/AAAAAAAAA2o/_uGO9v4OCVg/s320/zDSCN0651.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She needed a little muscle from her dad to help put all the wood screws in!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KKFde2HJEUw/UBsrGVqsCGI/AAAAAAAAA24/Tr3xDLGng5w/s1600/zDSCN0723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KKFde2HJEUw/UBsrGVqsCGI/AAAAAAAAA24/Tr3xDLGng5w/s320/zDSCN0723.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The FINAL product!! She did two coats of paint and distressed the edges to get the "vintage" look she was going for!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I know we haven't practiced math facts like we should have this summer, but looking back on this project I realized we did fractions, math, measurements, and problem solving without even realizing it. And I got a new jigsaw out of the deal so everyone is happy!!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980299895877672701.post-24871556307562897972012-08-02T20:04:00.000-05:002012-08-02T20:04:35.504-05:00Ally's Angles... 2012<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bQ2aXeuDN9U/UBshDsLIxsI/AAAAAAAAA0M/noYrPHeEDzg/s1600/zIMG_2920+tilt,+warm,+saturation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bQ2aXeuDN9U/UBshDsLIxsI/AAAAAAAAA0M/noYrPHeEDzg/s320/zIMG_2920+tilt,+warm,+saturation.jpg" width="320" /></a>If you were around here about a year ago, you might recall a little post called Ally's Angles. It's all about the unique viewpoint my 9 almost 10 going on 16 year old daughter has thru a camera lens. When I was that age it was all about taking pictures of cats. Cats sitting... cats standing... cats playing... cats sleeping... you get the idea. Nothing too exciting. But this little girl seems to have an eye for the old, the abandoned, the unique, and the antique. I spend a lot of time telling her to straighten up the camera and just when I think she's lost her mind, she comes up with some pretty cool stuff. The hardest thing is deciding which one to exhibit when it comes time for the fair. Below are some of the favorites from this summer...<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SRb7J23BYGY/UBshNccTEwI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/lPdQzqJ77uY/s1600/zIMG_2922+crop,+saturation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SRb7J23BYGY/UBshNccTEwI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/lPdQzqJ77uY/s320/zIMG_2922+crop,+saturation.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LGPeJOcaWo0/UBshPnmL5xI/AAAAAAAAA0c/uJDfQTi4uq8/s1600/zIMG_3020+crop+b&w,+ifl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LGPeJOcaWo0/UBshPnmL5xI/AAAAAAAAA0c/uJDfQTi4uq8/s320/zIMG_3020+crop+b&w,+ifl.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aTHsmuyQla8/UBshSCfo_0I/AAAAAAAAA0k/Q8rXO4hbOrE/s1600/zIMG_3067+crop+b&w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aTHsmuyQla8/UBshSCfo_0I/AAAAAAAAA0k/Q8rXO4hbOrE/s320/zIMG_3067+crop+b&w.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nhTULl8Yi_4/UBshUnZxlEI/AAAAAAAAA0s/B8UJrQQU4Jw/s1600/zIMG_3068crop,+ifl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nhTULl8Yi_4/UBshUnZxlEI/AAAAAAAAA0s/B8UJrQQU4Jw/s320/zIMG_3068crop,+ifl.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xR7dS0CyVfY/UBshW68LVRI/AAAAAAAAA00/GFYnTa953KE/s1600/zxIMG_2673+tilt+ifl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xR7dS0CyVfY/UBshW68LVRI/AAAAAAAAA00/GFYnTa953KE/s320/zxIMG_2673+tilt+ifl.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HS73kOgWMi8/UBshZH41LDI/AAAAAAAAA08/DVD_aBjiDEs/s1600/zxIMG_2880+b&w+ifl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HS73kOgWMi8/UBshZH41LDI/AAAAAAAAA08/DVD_aBjiDEs/s320/zxIMG_2880+b&w+ifl.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you can't read the print, this is an old antique seeding machine made in Richmond, IN. Considering we found it in the middle of Nebraska, it makes me smile and think of my Hoosier roots!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bO-_PSR35h0/UBshbkDya_I/AAAAAAAAA1E/PFYEUjMbN_4/s1600/zxIMG_2906+b&w,+tilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bO-_PSR35h0/UBshbkDya_I/AAAAAAAAA1E/PFYEUjMbN_4/s320/zxIMG_2906+b&w,+tilt.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L6wTgSihMvY/UBshdNx07iI/AAAAAAAAA1M/1dL6dN0zNyQ/s1600/zxIMG_3074+crop+straighten+ifl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L6wTgSihMvY/UBshdNx07iI/AAAAAAAAA1M/1dL6dN0zNyQ/s320/zxIMG_3074+crop+straighten+ifl.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-68X_Bk37BK0/UBshfzxHcBI/AAAAAAAAA1U/8wx_QujM0i4/s1600/zxIMG_3075+crop+b&w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-68X_Bk37BK0/UBshfzxHcBI/AAAAAAAAA1U/8wx_QujM0i4/s320/zxIMG_3075+crop+b&w.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gG_JilAkc_A/UBshifqqhCI/AAAAAAAAA1c/7Zi98SM7OUo/s1600/zxIMG_3077+b&w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gG_JilAkc_A/UBshifqqhCI/AAAAAAAAA1c/7Zi98SM7OUo/s320/zxIMG_3077+b&w.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9jqmkGR2LjE/UBshkf0yzBI/AAAAAAAAA1k/Q9O5t6WAPNI/s1600/zxIMG_3083+b&w,+crop+ifl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9jqmkGR2LjE/UBshkf0yzBI/AAAAAAAAA1k/Q9O5t6WAPNI/s320/zxIMG_3083+b&w,+crop+ifl.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kurg7IZ-iLs/UBshnRgfKzI/AAAAAAAAA1s/AJHrmvBt2VA/s1600/zxIMG_3095+crop+b&w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kurg7IZ-iLs/UBshnRgfKzI/AAAAAAAAA1s/AJHrmvBt2VA/s320/zxIMG_3095+crop+b&w.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Leave a comment and let us know your favorite!! She ended up picking the shot of the railroad tracks for her 4-H exhibit and won Grand Champion in her division!! We were sooooo excited about it! I have to admit my favorite part is just taking an afternoon to road trip with my daughter and seeing where the dirt roads take us. We can't wait to do it all again next year! </div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980299895877672701.post-31097460822246503022012-06-16T06:30:00.000-05:002012-06-16T06:30:03.302-05:00Time for a hair cut...<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xeAOJzMU340/T9ioezXOxyI/AAAAAAAAAzE/4g0j3VgqGt0/s1600/xIMG_2592.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xeAOJzMU340/T9ioezXOxyI/AAAAAAAAAzE/4g0j3VgqGt0/s320/xIMG_2592.jpg" width="320" /></a>4-H fair time is fast approaching and it will soon be time to give the show calves a hair cut! We recently had the chance to attend a Kirk Stierwalt clipping and fitting clinic. It was a pretty intense 3-day educational seminar covering everything from hair care, clipping, equipment, feeds and nutrition, showmanship, daily training and routines, and much more. </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It was a great hands-on clinic for the kids and their families. Ally got to try her hand at clipping one of her heifers. Luckily, Nila stood real still and didn't seem to mind the 6 hour hair cut! Pretty sure I couldn't get any of the kids to sit still for that long!</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7MZKv8SaKkE/T9iokv_4cII/AAAAAAAAAzU/hHDMbqlO90M/s1600/xIMG_2594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7MZKv8SaKkE/T9iokv_4cII/AAAAAAAAAzU/hHDMbqlO90M/s320/xIMG_2594.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e_0sIrbT1AU/T9ionlBfx7I/AAAAAAAAAzk/Y49sj3WXPu4/s1600/xIMG_2597.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e_0sIrbT1AU/T9ionlBfx7I/AAAAAAAAAzk/Y49sj3WXPu4/s320/xIMG_2597.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7kxtok2W394/T9iopAs4gAI/AAAAAAAAAzs/rZYXNomGKw4/s1600/xIMG_2598.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7kxtok2W394/T9iopAs4gAI/AAAAAAAAAzs/rZYXNomGKw4/s320/xIMG_2598.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e-6sKEioDcs/T9ioqVHK-BI/AAAAAAAAAz0/UghP65Znrjc/s1600/xIMG_2600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e-6sKEioDcs/T9ioqVHK-BI/AAAAAAAAAz0/UghP65Znrjc/s320/xIMG_2600.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
There were about 18 families that came from 3 states to learn from the Stierwalt family. It was yet another opportunity to make friends all over the country! The best part was watching the kids learn about livestock and how to market their project. It's not so much about the clipping and fitting, but about teaching them about what goes into raising beef. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x8QkiDtFtvs/T9iohj-Fi-I/AAAAAAAAAzM/IdUdaoX6Z5g/s1600/xIMG_2593.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x8QkiDtFtvs/T9iohj-Fi-I/AAAAAAAAAzM/IdUdaoX6Z5g/s320/xIMG_2593.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0CNuO673FZ8/T9iomCti2NI/AAAAAAAAAzc/yjkBocv_GQs/s1600/xIMG_2595.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0CNuO673FZ8/T9iomCti2NI/AAAAAAAAAzc/yjkBocv_GQs/s320/xIMG_2595.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
These kids know how to have fun and how to get the job done!
</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980299895877672701.post-28957483490350891662012-06-13T09:25:00.000-05:002012-06-13T09:25:37.521-05:00Ranching 101<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tBY1orvdjcc/T9iV-6UMSWI/AAAAAAAAAyc/qaRmXOEyAYw/s1600/xIMG_2585.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tBY1orvdjcc/T9iV-6UMSWI/AAAAAAAAAyc/qaRmXOEyAYw/s320/xIMG_2585.jpg" width="320" /></a>A few weeks ago, I had an incredible opportunity to participate in an educational seminar. Certified Angus Beef has developed a program called <a href="http://www.angusjournal.com/ArticlePDF/CAB%20MBA%2010_11%20AJ.pdf" target="_blank">'Masters of Brand Advocacy'</a> which gathers food service distributors from all across the United States. Their goal is to expose these individuals to beef production systems from ranch to rail so they are informed about the products they sell. They met with a seedstock producer to learn about genetic selection and they also shadow ranchers in small groups to learn all about the day to day activities it takes to produce the beef they are eventually selling to the retailers. One of these small groups came to a local rancher who happens to be a customer where I work. My boss and I were invited to share lunch with them and visit about how heifer development and artificial insemination fits into their ranch management plan. </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-brSRTSLXWag/T9iWAFWFWAI/AAAAAAAAAyk/v4LgG8bPSz8/s1600/xIMG_2586.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-brSRTSLXWag/T9iWAFWFWAI/AAAAAAAAAyk/v4LgG8bPSz8/s320/xIMG_2586.jpg" width="320" /></a>With all of the negative press about our industry, it is more important than ever to be able to effectively communicate about our business and how our ultimate goal is to produce the most safe, nutritious, cost effective product possible for the consumer. That being said, it is intimidating to step in front of a group of executive chefs and wonder what they are going to ask you to explain. I was amazed at how appreciative and open they all were to our industry. Our group represented chefs and food service execs from places like Las Vegas, St. Louis, New York, New Orleans, Denver, Chicago, and San Diego just to name a few. As one of the CAB folks said, "These guys are the last link in our beef production chain before the product hits the retail level. It is critical that they can effectively tell our story and sell our product."</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lYH9UVu90G0/T9iWElMqXpI/AAAAAAAAAy0/69raoJpdBDA/s1600/xIMG_2694.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lYH9UVu90G0/T9iWElMqXpI/AAAAAAAAAy0/69raoJpdBDA/s320/xIMG_2694.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Program participants went out with local ranchers to check cattle on grass and learn about daily chores on the farm.</span><br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Some of the topics we discussed included the use of antibiotics in livestock, products used for synchronization in breeding cattle, how EPD's can be used to improve herd genetics and product quality, and how farms and ranches are managed with conservation practices for future generations of the family. You can read more about the day's program <a href="http://www.blackinkwithcab.com/2012/05/18/order_takers_salesmen/" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://www.blackinkwithcab.com/2012/05/25/leaving_the_ranch/" target="_blank">here</a>. All in all, it was a great day and a great opportunity. I walked away knowing most people just want to know our side of the story and we have to be willing to step up and tell it when they ask!</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980299895877672701.post-30931980890767634502012-05-28T07:49:00.001-05:002012-05-28T07:49:03.984-05:00Cattle... a family affair<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EJ3iNet83_M/T8NvRI8XKHI/AAAAAAAAAxY/hC6wAWmI0P0/s1600/x100_6040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EJ3iNet83_M/T8NvRI8XKHI/AAAAAAAAAxY/hC6wAWmI0P0/s320/x100_6040.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Things have been a little hectic around the Rippe Ranch but I couldn't resist posting some of the pictures I took a few months ago. Every year before the cows and new calves go to grass for the summer, they have to be worked. They all get vaccinations to prevent diseases and keep them healthy, just like kids do. We also give them a pour on product to help with fly control during the summer.<br />
<br />
There has been a lot of discussion in the news and social media the last few months due to the legislation that would eliminate kids being able to work or help out on the farm. I'm the first one to promote safety and, believe me, we are watching them like a hawk when they are out with us. However, I couldn't help but think about all the things I had read by supporters of the bill as we worked our cow herd.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iZlPrK9BsNA/T8NvSRv-9cI/AAAAAAAAAxg/PesBXAGnVAY/s1600/x100_6041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iZlPrK9BsNA/T8NvSRv-9cI/AAAAAAAAAxg/PesBXAGnVAY/s320/x100_6041.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
It's not so much the "labor" they provide at this age, but more about the quality family time we are having together and the work ethic that we are instilling. The kids LOVE to be involved and feel like they are helping contribute to the task at hand. Besides that, we are teaching our kids where food comes from, all about beef production, and how to appreciate what farmers and ranchers all across America do for us on a daily basis.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cK8cEjsIwUU/T8NvToJ0UdI/AAAAAAAAAxo/HXu1IHxjSd8/s1600/x100_6042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cK8cEjsIwUU/T8NvToJ0UdI/AAAAAAAAAxo/HXu1IHxjSd8/s320/x100_6042.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even the family dogs get involved in action!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--KMvTm2RAZo/T8NvVEqNtGI/AAAAAAAAAxw/9RBxOkHBik4/s1600/x100_6043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--KMvTm2RAZo/T8NvVEqNtGI/AAAAAAAAAxw/9RBxOkHBik4/s320/x100_6043.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
We always find age-appropriate tasks for the kids. For example, Nate was in charge of handing syringes and equipment to his dad, and Ally recorded all of the tag information for every critter that came thru the chute. After Gail and I sorted all the calves off the cows, Ally and Nate were in charge of getting them up to the barn. Pushing calves is a great way for them to learn cattle handling skills in a safe manner and they are a big help to us!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qb0DmionZnQ/T8NvWezU8eI/AAAAAAAAAx4/F-7aAGYwHXk/s1600/x100_6044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qb0DmionZnQ/T8NvWezU8eI/AAAAAAAAAx4/F-7aAGYwHXk/s320/x100_6044.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U9SvVWA_asM/T8NvXnXRlKI/AAAAAAAAAyA/FE9zDno5e5c/s1600/x100_6045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U9SvVWA_asM/T8NvXnXRlKI/AAAAAAAAAyA/FE9zDno5e5c/s320/x100_6045.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
This also gives them a chance to check out all the calves and decide which ones would make the best 4-H calves to take to the fair too!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_4Smhpk7UOI/T8NvZJPQkPI/AAAAAAAAAyI/k61cZjE5ZCs/s1600/x100_6046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_4Smhpk7UOI/T8NvZJPQkPI/AAAAAAAAAyI/k61cZjE5ZCs/s320/x100_6046.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pjxgye56C_o/T8NvajKP1bI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/e74zoRofseo/s1600/x100_6047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pjxgye56C_o/T8NvajKP1bI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/e74zoRofseo/s320/x100_6047.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It was a big day but we had a great time working together and the kids were a HUGE help. Sure, we could have done it without them, but it wouldn't have been near as much fun! </div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980299895877672701.post-16628116679624080542012-03-31T07:39:00.000-05:002012-03-31T07:39:56.848-05:00When you get the call...<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">When my kids get off the bus in the afternoon, I either meet them at the house or they are supposed to call me to tell me they are home and I head that way. Since we are only 5 minutes away, it works pretty well. The other day, however, Gail got the call instead of me. I happened to be standing near by and I could hear one of the kids yelling "THE 4-H CALVES ARE OUT!! COME HOME QUICK!!!". So like any good dad would do, he replied, "Your mom is on her way!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-phbFXK-UF1k/T3b2-ScUHqI/AAAAAAAAAxI/BMXA53c-siM/s1600/x100_6052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="185px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-phbFXK-UF1k/T3b2-ScUHqI/AAAAAAAAAxI/BMXA53c-siM/s320/x100_6052.jpg" width="320px" /></a>I was laughing the whole way home thinking about the conversation and when I got there, this is what I found: 1) Ally took charge and sent Nate to get the calves out of the garage while she notified <strike>the police</strike> a parent. 2) They sent the 4-H calves back in the general direction they came from, only to find that about 30 cows had also gotten out in the process. 3) Knowing the police and/or parents were on their way home, they did what any good farm kid would do... they got their afterschool snacks and stood guard while the cows had free range of our winter hay supply. 4) When I arrived, Nate was eating a sack of popcorn, Ally was shelling and eating peanuts, and the cows were eating hay and taunting us. 5) When I finished laughing, my helpers and I chased the whole bunch back into the pen and texted the boss to tell him the damage. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BJXozWaeHt0/T3b2_kDnP9I/AAAAAAAAAxQ/S6Kwey-aP1A/s1600/x100_6051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="209px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BJXozWaeHt0/T3b2_kDnP9I/AAAAAAAAAxQ/S6Kwey-aP1A/s320/x100_6051.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div>Life on the farm... you just never know what to expect!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980299895877672701.post-11608553562570523302012-02-18T07:00:00.000-06:002012-02-17T14:59:20.453-06:00Good Morning Nebraska<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yELwygt1lkU/Tz6_Y4SkQpI/AAAAAAAAAxA/1-tDkByXcDc/s1600/IMG_2179.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yELwygt1lkU/Tz6_Y4SkQpI/AAAAAAAAAxA/1-tDkByXcDc/s400/IMG_2179.JPG" style="clear: both; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a><br />
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img align="middle" alt="Posted by Picasa" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" style="-moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; background: 0% 50%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980299895877672701.post-23575231829103409242012-02-08T08:55:00.000-06:002012-02-08T08:56:08.746-06:00The many faces of...<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5TpeaQHlEbc/TzKNByg1lJI/AAAAAAAAAw0/J_CKRGq4XnA/s1600/2012-02%2Bcalves%252Cbaking%252Csunsets.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5TpeaQHlEbc/TzKNByg1lJI/AAAAAAAAAw0/J_CKRGq4XnA/s400/2012-02%2Bcalves%252Cbaking%252Csunsets.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980299895877672701.post-71567254428462402212012-02-07T22:51:00.000-06:002012-02-07T22:51:26.213-06:00Angels making cake - Part I<div style="text-align: center;">When you have a few of these....</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DWY211Q1uRM/TzH6IC9u09I/AAAAAAAAAwY/fLYMe647gVQ/s1600/xIMG_2096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213px" sda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DWY211Q1uRM/TzH6IC9u09I/AAAAAAAAAwY/fLYMe647gVQ/s320/xIMG_2096.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">You are sure to have too many of these....</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PxF9D5-kb4Y/TzH6FTpw2sI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/kucci5dHXb8/s1600/xIMG_2055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213px" sda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PxF9D5-kb4Y/TzH6FTpw2sI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/kucci5dHXb8/s320/xIMG_2055.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">So you need one of these to do this.....</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jdnTwMN3EA4/TzH5OATmj_I/AAAAAAAAAvw/p8_WN6XVLts/s1600/xIMG_2036.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jdnTwMN3EA4/TzH5OATmj_I/AAAAAAAAAvw/p8_WN6XVLts/s320/xIMG_2036.jpg" style="clear: both; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">And one of these to do this.... </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qTFXoFNtP3U/TzH7pLOpwjI/AAAAAAAAAwg/IZufVP3vNzg/s1600/xIMG_2043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" sda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qTFXoFNtP3U/TzH7pLOpwjI/AAAAAAAAAwg/IZufVP3vNzg/s320/xIMG_2043.jpg" width="213px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">And a few people to do A LOT of this.... </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4GY50EdAaFE/TzH6DUoNu5I/AAAAAAAAAwI/_-Y5VQN2m-k/s1600/xIMG_2049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213px" sda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4GY50EdAaFE/TzH6DUoNu5I/AAAAAAAAAwI/_-Y5VQN2m-k/s320/xIMG_2049.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"> To come up with this....</div><br />
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img align="middle" alt="Posted by Picasa" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" style="-moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; background: 0% 50%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--DGQ-_4lBC8/TzH5-ygD6EI/AAAAAAAAAwA/X5qQpqaKKOY/s1600/xIMG_2044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213px" sda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--DGQ-_4lBC8/TzH5-ygD6EI/AAAAAAAAAwA/X5qQpqaKKOY/s320/xIMG_2044.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Which turns into this...</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2sE2RIgjb3o/TzH-wbnVe4I/AAAAAAAAAwo/eJiuwSK_drw/s1600/angelfoodcake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250px" sda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2sE2RIgjb3o/TzH-wbnVe4I/AAAAAAAAAwo/eJiuwSK_drw/s320/angelfoodcake.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">And that is how you use your angels to make angel cake!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980299895877672701.post-58261966541842162012012-02-07T10:24:00.001-06:002012-02-07T10:25:14.806-06:00Angel Cake - Part II<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BWGRjOlMckw/TzFQWPPweKI/AAAAAAAAAvk/DAHhgjW78yY/s1600/full-AngelFoodCakeProd.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BWGRjOlMckw/TzFQWPPweKI/AAAAAAAAAvk/DAHhgjW78yY/s400/full-AngelFoodCakeProd.jpg" style="clear: both; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a> The kids and I made this amazing Angel Food Cake on our snowday Friday. Actually, this isn't my cake.... I found this on the internet. But mine looked just like it. I just didn't get any pictures of the final product because some small female child in my house (who shall remain nameless) ate ALL the strawberries before I could take any pictures. This post is named Part II because PART I is still coming. We had lots of fun making it so you'll have to come back to see the before and after shots... Thanks to my chickens, it looks like we'll be making a lot of these in the future!<br />
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img align="middle" alt="Posted by Picasa" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" style="-moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; background: 0% 50%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980299895877672701.post-57857722915872959282012-02-03T09:51:00.000-06:002012-02-03T09:51:47.202-06:00Farm Fashion...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fIwUGYX6A_4/TywAXNdA3zI/AAAAAAAAAvY/1g94T-V_vMo/s1600/xIMG_2027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" sda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fIwUGYX6A_4/TywAXNdA3zI/AAAAAAAAAvY/1g94T-V_vMo/s320/xIMG_2027.jpg" width="213px" /></a></div>Nate is all about fashion these days. Actually he is more about being "just like dad". This means he HAD to have a pair of coveralls. He also HAS to wear his "John Jury" hat... EVERYWHERE! He talks about it like it's Calvin Klein or Ralph Lauren.... like everybody should know about and/or own a piece of John Jury clothing. So if you need some John Jury fashion in your life, visit his daughter's blog <a href="http://www.tilthecowscome.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">here</a> and maybe she can hook you up!! In the meantime, we should all take such joy in our farm aparell!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980299895877672701.post-35556780488202771462012-02-02T21:56:00.000-06:002012-02-02T21:56:36.336-06:00The calm before the storm...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kcwaYpH9--A/TytXLS3t0kI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/RweZ6HGp9w4/s1600/weather4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" sda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kcwaYpH9--A/TytXLS3t0kI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/RweZ6HGp9w4/s320/weather4.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div>Things aren't looking good for southwest Nebraska in the next 48 hrs... I keep hoping they are wrong but in return, they just keep adding inches to the forecast. On top of the sheer volume of snow, they are calling for 25-35 mph winds with gusts up to 45. Blizzard is the term they are calling it. I can think of a few other names.<br />
<br />
I've been lacking in blog material lately but I'm guessing after this weekend, I might have a thing or two to mention. I'll let ya know how it works out!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980299895877672701.post-83058592847320352052011-12-17T07:32:00.000-06:002011-12-17T07:32:44.402-06:00Farm Fresh Eggs!<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F_zlGl7sbMA/TuyUEx32SvI/AAAAAAAAAug/udsG-a-ztOo/s1600/x100_5600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" oda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F_zlGl7sbMA/TuyUEx32SvI/AAAAAAAAAug/udsG-a-ztOo/s320/x100_5600.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"> Remember these guys I told you about a few months ago?? Well, they are all grown up into big girls now! We are happy to announce that the dogs are being remarkably good with their new free range friends and nearly all are still accounted for!! You might also recall that we carefully studied the requirements and worked really hard to get a nesting box all ready for them so they had a nice quiet place to lay eggs... <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PDiIx0sJi3A/TuyUjW9QtxI/AAAAAAAAAuo/zuFhX9r9yHQ/s1600/x100_5799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" oda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PDiIx0sJi3A/TuyUjW9QtxI/AAAAAAAAAuo/zuFhX9r9yHQ/s320/x100_5799.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Who wouldn't want to start laying eggs in this beauty?!?!?! But chickens are apparently independent thinkers... who knew?? Here's where this guy comes into the picture... </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-20hj9ByLgpw/TuyT3p2qp3I/AAAAAAAAAuQ/949o_yXov9Q/s1600/xbucket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296px" oda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-20hj9ByLgpw/TuyT3p2qp3I/AAAAAAAAAuQ/949o_yXov9Q/s320/xbucket.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">They found one of these to make their own nest and lay their eggs! If you aren't familiar with these, they are protein tubs that you put out for cattle. The empty ones can be used for all sorts of jobs around the farm. We happen to be using a couple out by the chicken pen to hold some extra grass hay to bed the rabbits. You guessed it... that is where Miss Hen decided she would start laying her eggs. Once she did, the others followed suit and now that seems to be the nest of choice. So when the book said they need a nice, quiet, private, dark place to lay their eggs... it was lying. When the book said it didn't have to be anything fancy... it was right on!</div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">For the record, this isn't my picture. We only get one or two eggs a day so far but we have great expectations for more!!</div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DgAjU0TShlY/TuyUCFdtjII/AAAAAAAAAuY/bolF3YxmDGc/s1600/xFarm_Fresh_Eggs_172112602_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213px" oda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DgAjU0TShlY/TuyUCFdtjII/AAAAAAAAAuY/bolF3YxmDGc/s320/xFarm_Fresh_Eggs_172112602_std.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">And my friend Lyndi was right about the math lessons... so far we have gathered 6 eggs. Nate has broken 2 of them. How many have we gotten to eat? Ally says 4. Isn't she smart?? </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980299895877672701.post-91199637767654246012011-12-07T08:21:00.000-06:002011-12-07T08:21:29.482-06:00Christmas Tree Countdown Project...<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">There are so many fun projects out there for the holidays <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OLEKF37NYyY/Tt9vGG9kx4I/AAAAAAAAAtw/SanE3DnAR_E/s1600/x100_5870.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" mda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OLEKF37NYyY/Tt9vGG9kx4I/AAAAAAAAAtw/SanE3DnAR_E/s320/x100_5870.jpg" width="240px" /></a>that I wanted to try a few with the kids this year. First up was this fun Christmas Tree Countdown project. I found the templates on another blog and cut 24 trees from some Christmas themed scrapbook paper I already had. Sometimes we get so busy in December that we forget how much fun there is in the sheer anticipation of the holidays for kids. This project makes us stop and appreciate each day and gives the kids something to look forward to!! </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I spent a couple of evenings tracing and cutting out the trees. Nate was home sick this week so he helped me hot glue the trees together. He also picked out all the numbers and labeled the trees 1 thru 25.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R6wHOix1E1k/Tt9u_mFRyYI/AAAAAAAAAto/8Tkg9dfIbyo/s1600/x100_5869.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" mda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R6wHOix1E1k/Tt9u_mFRyYI/AAAAAAAAAto/8Tkg9dfIbyo/s320/x100_5869.jpg" width="240px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">When we had them all numbered, we I secretly added a couple of small candy treats inside each tree along with a note of a fun activity or project for us to do that day. Some are as simple as having a special treat with supper, calling a friend, reading about the birth of Jesus, or watching a fun movie. Others are projects like doing a Christmas craft, baking something yummy for our friends & neighbors, or playing a board game with the whole family. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zkogN7513fg/Tt9vhSHeR4I/AAAAAAAAAuA/yXLW9k2yG14/s1600/100_5872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" mda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zkogN7513fg/Tt9vhSHeR4I/AAAAAAAAAuA/yXLW9k2yG14/s320/100_5872.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div> Stay posted for pictures of all the fun activities. The most important part of the project is that it sets aside a little fun family time each day to enjoy the true meaning of Christmas.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u_cXIJCHXLA/Tt9vM0ODHsI/AAAAAAAAAt4/wQkaZJfiwR8/s1600/x100_5871.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" mda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u_cXIJCHXLA/Tt9vM0ODHsI/AAAAAAAAAt4/wQkaZJfiwR8/s320/x100_5871.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-my-p8WXH2ng/Tt9wAaM2XKI/AAAAAAAAAuI/A003UuppKjY/s1600/100_5873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" mda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-my-p8WXH2ng/Tt9wAaM2XKI/AAAAAAAAAuI/A003UuppKjY/s320/100_5873.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980299895877672701.post-40472922994274572902011-12-05T06:00:00.001-06:002011-12-05T06:00:12.226-06:00A time for work, a time for play...<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_BlgdyocEpY/TtuKAECVBrI/AAAAAAAAAso/9oCO1zBs6yg/s1600/y100_5833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_BlgdyocEpY/TtuKAECVBrI/AAAAAAAAAso/9oCO1zBs6yg/s320/y100_5833.jpg" width="320px" /></a>When you wake up to a view like this, you know it's gonna be a good day! After we got the cattle taken care, it was time to play. We went sledding, made a snow man, jumped in the piles of snow, and just had a lot of fun! I think the pictures pretty much speak for themselves!!! <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FJO-ZYRVSe8/TtuKDp8fyFI/AAAAAAAAAsw/IxM18c14j9o/s1600/y100_5850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="205px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FJO-ZYRVSe8/TtuKDp8fyFI/AAAAAAAAAsw/IxM18c14j9o/s320/y100_5850.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lexi and Trapper had a ball sledding and playing with the kids!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k25rokhpcSo/TtuKGrbSTPI/AAAAAAAAAs4/J3-VOpYh78k/s1600/y100_5852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k25rokhpcSo/TtuKGrbSTPI/AAAAAAAAAs4/J3-VOpYh78k/s320/y100_5852.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My snow angels...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-huqqw7Sb1qM/TtuKKu1wpmI/AAAAAAAAAtA/63auanfdWwc/s1600/y100_5856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-huqqw7Sb1qM/TtuKKu1wpmI/AAAAAAAAAtA/63auanfdWwc/s320/y100_5856.jpg" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bad photography or blizzard conditions??</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oDYbmep9pXE/TtuKNhoB5tI/AAAAAAAAAtI/gD3QwvUfGB4/s1600/y100_5857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oDYbmep9pXE/TtuKNhoB5tI/AAAAAAAAAtI/gD3QwvUfGB4/s320/y100_5857.jpg" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c8WbXaapAlo/TtuKS7c2bjI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/oh83CixYsEY/s1600/y100_5861.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c8WbXaapAlo/TtuKS7c2bjI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/oh83CixYsEY/s320/y100_5861.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jmo_fyMfPhU/TtuKVJkb3MI/AAAAAAAAAtY/eCqrTSWPp8E/s1600/y100_5862.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jmo_fyMfPhU/TtuKVJkb3MI/AAAAAAAAAtY/eCqrTSWPp8E/s320/y100_5862.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WL7tIUl_R2k/TtuKYAltztI/AAAAAAAAAtg/4MyWhbjo6QQ/s1600/y100_5865.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WL7tIUl_R2k/TtuKYAltztI/AAAAAAAAAtg/4MyWhbjo6QQ/s320/y100_5865.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Of course you have to end a day of snow play with a nice mug of hot chocolate and extra marshmallows!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>And just think... we get to do it all again tomorrow!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980299895877672701.post-5605640918573990742011-12-04T08:32:00.000-06:002011-12-04T08:32:05.416-06:00When it snows on a farm...<div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UNjb1g_tR2Q/Ttt9eCN7JfI/AAAAAAAAAsg/e2BODufaw7A/s1600/x100_5831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UNjb1g_tR2Q/Ttt9eCN7JfI/AAAAAAAAAsg/e2BODufaw7A/s320/x100_5831.jpg" width="320px" /></a>When I woke up yesterday morning, this was the view out my window. You can imagine the excitement of the kids when they woke up. I don't recall ever having this much snow at once since I've lived in Nebraska. Unfortunately, when you live on a farm, snow means as much work as it does play. Luckily we did a little of both but our first priority is always the livestock. Hubby was at work taking care of the cattle there so I was on my own to check our cows and make sure they had water. </div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G64tuAbnOIc/Ttt83jW5TmI/AAAAAAAAAro/TABtBh6qqCk/s1600/x100_5837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G64tuAbnOIc/Ttt83jW5TmI/AAAAAAAAAro/TABtBh6qqCk/s320/x100_5837.jpg" width="240px" /></a></div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"> I chose to sport the always fashionable Carhart line of apparel accessorized with my favorite Muck boots. I thought of my dad when I was getting ready... he always used to tell me "This isn't a fashion show so just get out there!" I eventually came back to the house for my ski goggles because it was snowing so hard that I couldn't see anything!</div><div align="justify" class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The cows were actually pretty content when I found them. We are blessed with amazing wind breaks all throughout the property so they found a nice tree line to hide behind out of the wind. The temperatures were comfortable if you stayed out of the wind.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SDxSOk7PSRY/Ttt88zDI9sI/AAAAAAAAArw/lfDFS4bXeSU/s1600/x100_5838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SDxSOk7PSRY/Ttt88zDI9sI/AAAAAAAAArw/lfDFS4bXeSU/s320/x100_5838.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Luckily the 4-wheeler has 4 wheel drive so we were able to get back and forth to the water tank to get it filled. The kids came with me on my 2nd trip to shut off the hyrdrant. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nVcqh35DzKo/Ttt9EsKh-qI/AAAAAAAAAsA/Wll0u_TTDZ0/s1600/x100_5860.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nVcqh35DzKo/Ttt9EsKh-qI/AAAAAAAAAsA/Wll0u_TTDZ0/s320/x100_5860.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VrXJs70yZwU/Ttt9HGnvtNI/AAAAAAAAAsI/YmckcbIlU0s/s1600/x100_5843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VrXJs70yZwU/Ttt9HGnvtNI/AAAAAAAAAsI/YmckcbIlU0s/s320/x100_5843.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GpBDZr0_7sk/Ttt9KNLI2vI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/it0UJ6zpsfI/s1600/x100_5844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GpBDZr0_7sk/Ttt9KNLI2vI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/it0UJ6zpsfI/s320/x100_5844.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Did you know beef cows drink up to 20 gallons of water a day? A dairy cow can drink 30 to 50 gallons of water each day due to higher milk production. That's a lot of water!!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B6FaZT5LdIM/Ttt9MXJYhbI/AAAAAAAAAsY/8xVslz9rFqU/s1600/x100_5858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B6FaZT5LdIM/Ttt9MXJYhbI/AAAAAAAAAsY/8xVslz9rFqU/s320/x100_5858.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Even though it was pretty frigid outside, Lexi couldn't resis taking a quick swim in the tank. I think she knows her swimming days are pretty much over til next spring!</div><br />
<img height="72px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-miRAhYoc6mU/Ttt9CL8KmtI/AAAAAAAAAr4/IX8VEBh-20I/s320/x100_5840.jpg" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 345px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 1262px; visibility: hidden;" width="96px" /><img height="96px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G64tuAbnOIc/Ttt83jW5TmI/AAAAAAAAAro/TABtBh6qqCk/s320/x100_5837.jpg" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 85px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 325px; visibility: hidden;" width="72px" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980299895877672701.post-83334352138663028172011-11-24T08:35:00.000-06:002011-11-24T08:35:44.343-06:00Happy Thanksgiving from our house to yours!!I'm thankful every single day of the year for all the blessings we have in our life, but today is a special day to stop and really appreciate it. We are blessed with the most amazing kids anyone could ever ask for, good health, incredible friends and family, great jobs, and a loving God that has given it all to us. I am thankful for the wide open spaces that we call home and that we can raise our kids with the joys and life lessons that come from living a rural life. With all the sadness and tragedy we see in our daily news, it is easy to appreciate the little things in life. May we never become so busy or distracted that we fail to take a moment to enjoy the sunrise or sunset, the wildlife along the road, the laughter of our kids, and the love of our family and friends. So today... I am thankful for YOU! Have a great Thanksgiving!!<br />
~JanetUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980299895877672701.post-14127456286713235342011-11-20T10:00:00.000-06:002011-11-20T10:00:21.566-06:00The importance of good communication<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YLBn4q6-8L8/TskiMDdvJUI/AAAAAAAAArg/iz2ro6Pfdc8/s1600/x100_5739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="240px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YLBn4q6-8L8/TskiMDdvJUI/AAAAAAAAArg/iz2ro6Pfdc8/s320/x100_5739.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div>Last Monday, our secretary at work took a strange message from our neighbor. The note I got said “Jim called. He said your cattle got on the trucks fine.” I thought about it for quite a while and finally decided he either called the wrong number or he had officially lost his mind. To our knowledge, we weren’t shipping, receiving, or otherwise doing anything with our own cattle. I dismissed it as nothing more than odd but went over and mentioned it to the hubby prior to leaving work. He had the same initial reaction as I did but we agreed to check the cows later just in case. <br />
<br />
<br />
After doing chores at a leisurely pace, I went back to the house to start supper. About that time the phone rings… the 6 yr old answers and says “It’s dad. He says it’s an EMERGENCY”. When I pick up the phone all he says is “STALKS! The cows are out on Jim’s STALKS!” By this time it’s nearly 5:00 and daylight is burning fast. As per my instructions, I was to leave the kids at the house and head to the cows as fast as my 4-wheeler would take me. By the time hubby met me at said location, I had determined that about 30 head were in fact missing. It was already getting dark and the cattle were black so things were not looking good for the home team. I headed west on the 4-wheeler and I have no idea where he headed. <br />
<br />
I should probably mention a few details to catch you up to speed with the scene… 1) cell phone service is rather hit and miss in our part of the world so our means of communication was pretty much non-existent unless you happen to hit a lucky spot on a hill. 2) Hubby didn’t take time to get the other 4-wheeler so his two options were his pickup and walking. 3) Hubby was supposed to be unloading cattle at work so there was a slight sense of urgency beyond our own issues at home. 4) I have not quite adjusted to the time change and didn’t quite understand that it would in fact be pitch black in a matter of minutes.<br />
<br />
So with that, we are both out searching for said cows. I finally came across some tracks after what seemed like forever. Feeling rather Indian-like in my ability to track prey, I starting following them and checked to see if I had signal to alert hubby of my great skill. When I did reach him, all I got amongst the static was “HEAD WEST. THE COWS ARE WEST. GET OVER HERE <u>NOW</u>!!!” By the time I got there, he was 2 miles west of our house and was on foot attempting to herd 30 uncooperative cows back home. Keep in mind that gathering cows who’ve been out joyriding for the day is much like herding cats thru a rainstorm. We headed in the general direction of our pasture and by the time we got there it was nearly dark. We had just finished getting the gate shut when we heard a crash and a lot of rustling. Somebody had the bright idea to jump the fence and take about 10 of their best friends with them. Now we had cows in three different sections all separated by trees and fence. We finally got them all back together and were about to shut the gate when I heard more rustling. At this point it was pretty well dark but we figured out there was one lone cow left in the trees. She was less than cooperative coming out and in the meantime the others were circling back and coming back in. After some colorful language, a foot race, a broken gate, and something about the salebarn, they were finally all together in a new pasture. We still had to go fetch hubby’s pick up which was about 3 miles from the house and then he was off to work again. <br />
<br />
The next morning I realized I had missed a call during the ordeal. It was a colorful, urgent message of his discovery of the cows and his request for my assistance at his location. I laughed out loud when I finally heard the message. So after our big adventure, it seems instead of “He said your cattle got on the trucks fine” it was actually “Your cattle are out on STALKS that are MINE!”<br />
<br />
Communication people…. It’s important!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980299895877672701.post-45157600657719824442011-11-17T20:00:00.001-06:002011-11-17T20:00:02.839-06:00The chickin coop...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Q5FIRwhpIw/Tr0wysUA4HI/AAAAAAAAAqE/og3l_4ZTRLo/s1600/x100_5595.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" nda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Q5FIRwhpIw/Tr0wysUA4HI/AAAAAAAAAqE/og3l_4ZTRLo/s320/x100_5595.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Remember these guys from the big chicken sale? Well, the experts tell me they should start laying eggs soon so we needed a chicken coop. We found some for $150 - 300 but much to the hubby's dismay, I was convinced we could build one for next to nothing. So I took a handy dandy piece of scrap paper and engineered a very ROUGH plan. We already had some leftover plywood from the house remodel so I went to the hardware store and bought $13.33 worth of wood screws, L brackets, and a couple of 1x2's. </div><br />
It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon and the hubby was home from work a little early so we set out to build our nesting box. Since I love power tools, I was in charge of all the cutting. Go Me! Ally was in charge of photography but all I got was 14 pictures of the power saw (all very up close and personal) so she got demoted. Actually... she got mad and went inside to read a book.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFjv8Tz2XxQ/Tr0wBiwvamI/AAAAAAAAApE/pi6vif6hMog/s1600/x100_5782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" nda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFjv8Tz2XxQ/Tr0wBiwvamI/AAAAAAAAApE/pi6vif6hMog/s320/x100_5782.jpg" width="240px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Gail was in charge of all the measuring. He had trouble reading my blue prints so I had to translate the little scribbly lines for him. "... Of course that is the top piece... isn't that obvious??"</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LkuQ_BPqQsw/Tr0wH8ZK8gI/AAAAAAAAApM/d7BZEO0Nq_Q/s1600/x100_5789.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" nda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LkuQ_BPqQsw/Tr0wH8ZK8gI/AAAAAAAAApM/d7BZEO0Nq_Q/s320/x100_5789.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Nate was a big help. He even got to use his own drill. Doesn't every 6 year old have their own power drill?? I see he is using a screw driver here... battery must have been dead.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c8xT9P67Sik/Tr0wRWNU6pI/AAAAAAAAApU/b1EfVILXPpc/s1600/x100_5793.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" nda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c8xT9P67Sik/Tr0wRWNU6pI/AAAAAAAAApU/b1EfVILXPpc/s320/x100_5793.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9qXm3Qr-NlY/Tr0wXJ1hgXI/AAAAAAAAApc/ZM0_ieWIb2k/s1600/x100_5794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" nda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9qXm3Qr-NlY/Tr0wXJ1hgXI/AAAAAAAAApc/ZM0_ieWIb2k/s320/x100_5794.jpg" width="240px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Ally finished her book and returned to help us finish up the project. I think she really came out to see how much longer I would be so I could come in and make supper. Anyway, while she was there we put her to work. She measured and cut some of the dividers.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ErK1782a4yY/Tr0weLSwEyI/AAAAAAAAApk/zFvAwwz8jz8/s1600/x100_5795.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230px" nda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ErK1782a4yY/Tr0weLSwEyI/AAAAAAAAApk/zFvAwwz8jz8/s320/x100_5795.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here we are putting the dividers in. Apparently chickens like privacy to lay their eggs. So privacy we gave them. They better get to work.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LBrwVZE13lg/Tr0wlUFvXeI/AAAAAAAAAps/2La_xPEqLK4/s1600/x100_5797.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" nda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LBrwVZE13lg/Tr0wlUFvXeI/AAAAAAAAAps/2La_xPEqLK4/s320/x100_5797.jpg" width="240px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's the finished box. We stole the hinges off the old rabbit cage and I still have my 1x2's left so we made the whole thing for less than 5 bucks! YESSSSS. I think we should go into mass production. You can send me your orders via the comments below.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--peowDPXlP4/Tr0wqG-UujI/AAAAAAAAAp0/QnHyotWrq_g/s1600/x100_5799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" nda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--peowDPXlP4/Tr0wqG-UujI/AAAAAAAAAp0/QnHyotWrq_g/s320/x100_5799.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ufVT7zT9eqg/Tr0wvNl6hSI/AAAAAAAAAp8/NyRNfusj-0U/s1600/x100_5800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" nda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ufVT7zT9eqg/Tr0wvNl6hSI/AAAAAAAAAp8/NyRNfusj-0U/s320/x100_5800.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">By the way... I am selling them for $150. Labor is expensive you know.....</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Now go buy some chickens!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980299895877672701.post-33433985207056718822011-11-14T20:00:00.001-06:002011-11-14T20:00:03.504-06:00Halloween Horse Show 2011<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tOzbIo2KOn8/Tr0q24dQZzI/AAAAAAAAAok/YN8tayKfBa0/s1600/x100_5762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" nda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tOzbIo2KOn8/Tr0q24dQZzI/AAAAAAAAAok/YN8tayKfBa0/s320/x100_5762.jpg" width="274px" /></a></div><br />
A few weeks ago, the kids got to participate in the annual Halloween fundraising horse show. Their horse club puts it on every year as a fun day for the kids and their horses. All the class entry fees go towards a purchase for the arena. This year it was for an electronic score clock. <br />
<br />
Ally chose to be a jockey. Sonny was not so thrilled about it but he seemed to tolerate it for the day! At least he didn't play the part of a race horse and take off with her and for that we are thankful!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uREN20augC0/Tr0qyL9O0zI/AAAAAAAAAoc/MKNjhZwqOSQ/s1600/x100_5761.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" nda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uREN20augC0/Tr0qyL9O0zI/AAAAAAAAAoc/MKNjhZwqOSQ/s320/x100_5761.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The kids do a costume class and then all sorts of fun contests like the pumpkin race, the keyhole race, and the ribbon race. They have a great time and don't even realize they are improving their riding skills at the same time! </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0CgqH57Vlz0/Tr0q8Ywsp2I/AAAAAAAAAos/8D77MExK8to/s1600/x100_5763.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" nda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0CgqH57Vlz0/Tr0q8Ywsp2I/AAAAAAAAAos/8D77MExK8to/s320/x100_5763.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Nate was a mounted policeman. He was in charge of security at the fairgrounds. He took his job very seriously.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6i2Jawq_mjU/Tr0q_sEEjnI/AAAAAAAAAo0/vrzVmg3_hSM/s1600/x100_5772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="169px" nda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6i2Jawq_mjU/Tr0q_sEEjnI/AAAAAAAAAo0/vrzVmg3_hSM/s320/x100_5772.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here are just a few of the creative costumes... a World War II fighter pilot, an angel, my cop, a 90's hip hop dancer, and Jessie off of Toy Story. Hats off to the many creative kids and their parents who make this such a fun day!!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s3fVEovi4gg/Tr0rGpcP_eI/AAAAAAAAAo8/zWnhpVRnkZA/s1600/x100_5775.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" nda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s3fVEovi4gg/Tr0rGpcP_eI/AAAAAAAAAo8/zWnhpVRnkZA/s320/x100_5775.jpg" width="247px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Apparently the jockey got into some trouble with the law. Luckily the cop was there to keep the situation under control for public safety. Thanks Mr.Cop.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0