What a fun-filled Saturday!! Some of our dear friends from church (the Anderson's) had given us an open-ended invitation a while back to come out to their ranch, especially during calving season--which is now. They run a cow-calf operation and currently have about 230 mama's.
We got there just after 8am. I expected to be home before lunchtime, but that was not to be. The kids and I piled in the jeep with Mary Ellen and had the royal tour of their property, as we surveyed every field, keeping an eye out for mama's or babies who needed attention.
Meanwhile, Parker and Roy finished some necessary chores around the ranch. (Needless to say, Parker was in heaven.)
We met back up after we finished and the kids got to see a preemie calf, who is an absolute miracle. That little calf was so tiny and soft. Eventually, they found their way back to the creek. Despite my warnings, it didn't take long for the inevitable... Lucy walked in too far and was literally stuck as she wasn't strong enough to pull her boot out of the mud at the creek's edge. This is the reason for her stylin' polka dot jammies. She soaked her jeans, boots and socks. We had layered the kids since the Anderson's warned that the wind can pick up out there, which it did not while we visited... absolutely beautiful day! Anyway, I stripped her outer layer and the pj's are what we were left with. Eventually, her socks dried and we put them back on, as well as her boots. Silly girl!
Shortly afterward, Roy came back to report that some cows had broken a gate and some of the pairs and pregnant mama's were mixed in with those out in the bigger pasture (they have them separated according to progress so those who may still need more attention are positioned closer to the house and main stalls, etc). We all hurried back to get some lunch ready, while Parker and Roy went to repair the gate. We ate and then went back out to sort cows. Lucy was exhausted by this time and I thought I could get her to fall asleep in the car. So, Roy and Mary Ellen were on horseback and Parker took our big kids on the 4-wheeler to get the job done while Lucy and I played and played and played and played.
She eventually did fall asleep in the van, but not until we had played for more than an hour.
I just followed her around and took pictures. We looked at the cows and played with Zoey and Cooper (their border collies, whom the kids fell in love with).
It was kind of fun to focus just on Lucy, let her lead, and see where her curiosity led us.
She is such a happy kid!
silly face... can you tell we're in to that sort of thing at our house?
I took a million pictures, so I tried to narrow it down to a few, but it was tough.
Kate attached herself to Mary Ellen from the beginning. She was so sweet with all of the kids! You can tell she is an amazing Grandma! (Two of her grandsons are good friends with our kids.) Kate was DYING to get on Peanut. So when the sorting was complete, Mary Ellen pulled Kate up and they went for a ride. She was beaming!
Daddy and Jackson coming in on the 4-wheeler (with Jackson driving, of course).
The rest of the story... we got back home just after 4pm. With dinner guests coming at 5:30pm and our plan to make a Brasilian meal (which includes black beans), I was in a hurry to get things going. I learned that I really DO need a small pressure cooker (like 8-quart, not the huge one I have for canning). Luckily, the Baxters were kind and patient and eventually we did eat and I did get a shower. It was worth the wait. We eventually got through our bedtime routine and we noticed that one of the girls came in their room with dirty boots, so Kate ran to get the vacuum and took care of it. She's such a good little helper. Obviously, I caught her a little off guard in this picture. She was a monkey on a mission!
Jackson helping to put up our roosting boards
Katie taking a little snooze halfway through the day
Lunch... and the ribeyes tasted good too!
Tilling the garden
Everyone working... can't you tell?
Lucy lou having so much fun!
Daddy helping to prep our garden area... we are SO excited! We love tending our garden each year and watching the miracle of the whole process.
We have more than enough space for EVERYTHING!
Sweet boy!
Playing peek-a-boo with Mommy
We made some more honey wholewheat bread... it just doesn't last around here! (Thanks, Aunt Trina for the yummy recipe! We love it, our friends love it, our neighbors love it...3+ years strong and still our favorite!)
Jackson, Kate and Lucy playing with Dutchie, Hannah Banana & Thumper
Daddy and Lucy basking in the sun. What a beautiful day!!
