More Christmas Pictures!

So for those of you that would like more pictures here are a few of Hubby's side Christmas Family pictures!  On Hubby's side we say "Hug Up!"

 Check out the 6 of us! Why does Boy 1 look like I am threatening him to smile? Look at Boy 3, hand on hip!

 Here are 14 of the 17 Great Grandchildren!

8 of the 10 Grandchildren. 
Now for the grand total of family at Christmas was 37...I think...there was a lot and really I just kept eating noodles, because if you have ever had Kate Smithers noodles...you understand!

Now, for the business of the day, watch for heat and play in the show barn.  We did get a dusting of snow over night and we are having a few flurries now, bundle up!

Have A Great Day:)

Christmas

Christmas 2012 has come and gone. The tree and all Christmas decorations will be done by this afternoon. I thought I would share with you a few photos. Remember some days I think clothing is optional, this is very evident in some of these pics!

 

 

 

 

 Angry Birds StarWars was the big Christmas winner!

More pics to come with family!

Have A Great Day:)

BLizzard like conditions-Dec.20, 2012

About 2 years ago I was so excitied we were going to have a Blizzard.  I remember Hubby went to work Boy 1 and I had a new born in the barn we kept having to take care of and check on.  Later in the afternoon Hubby came home, via tractor, and I was standing in the middle of a pen and looked at him and said "This is NOT what I thought, a blizzard was, not exciting at all".  Well this morning we awoke to rain and wind and 40*, by 11am we were in "Blizzard Like Conditions".  Kids went to school as normal, heifers were tied as normal, Hubby went and got get from school, because school was called early and I don't drive in that crap!  I made 3 different kinds of Christmas goodies, Boy 1 and Boy 2 went to barn, Princess read and Boy 3, who had already made the track to the barn with me a few times this morning, got the Nerf gun and everytime someone opened the back door, he shot at the snow!  I think he may be the smartess of us all:) 

So, all was going well until I checked email and at some point this morning FedEx had left my movies by the front door, no knock, nothing,  I ran to the front door so excitied, remember we have had 40-50 mph winds today, no movies-GONE! I called they were going to ask the driver, but really no hope, so my Found It, the other day has gone to Blown Away.  The kids and I bundled up and we searched the fence lines, but nothing...this is one of those moments I just have to say, I guess it was not meant to be, but really today would have been a great day to watch "Old and Cold Jess, Old and Cold." 

Do you want to see a sneak peek of a Christmas present?  Okay-but- no one tell! 

 This is a pic I took of Hubby's grandpa and Boy 2.  I love this pic and it is a SURPRISE!

 This was yesterday! WOW-24 hours in the midwest can really change.  Look Boy 1 is using a pink showstick-haha! Got to tease him on that:)

This is our Princess dancing this past Saturday.  She hurt her knee last week- a severe sprain- she toughed it out, but it is wrapped and taped until tomorrow. 

Hubby is gone tonight to a Down Country meeting, it is the big end of year meeting, once I figure out how to load the new commercial on here I will, Hubby is on it-in a suit-I know how many of you have seen that????

Be Safe and Stay Warm!

Have A Wonderful Day:)

Found it!

Have you ever had that one thing you have looked high and low, near and far for?  I have. And for about 10 years I have been looking for it.  What could I possibly be looking for, that long?  Two movies. Yes I said movies, not just any movies, but these are special movies.  I have them on VHS, I got them as a gift about 20 years ago, because I loved them so much and I would bug the hell out of Dinker to let me watch them, that was also the same winter I bugged the hell out of him to let me have one of Flint's puppies ( And I did not even like dogs!) I can still remember the snowy Sunday afternoon, when Dinker showed up at our house and told us to go look in the truck.  Yep.. A puppy, we named Clint, low and behold 5 years later, I would meet my Hubby with the same name....ok, off track..back to the movie. Well, like I said these movies mean a lot, I know a baby that has been named after one of the characters, my favorite saying is "Old and Cold Jess, Old and Cold" and they are just good wholesome movies.  Just by an off chance when I order some things from Walmart.com I decided to put in the search and what did I find? Yep- on DVD I found them. The Man from Snowy River and Return to Snowy River.  I still have my VHS tapes, they are very slow and worn.  I can not wait until Friday when FEDEX delivers my new DVD's, I can't wait to share them with my kids. 

So with everything going on in the world if you have never seen I highly suggest these movies.

 

Merry Christmas to you and happy watching!

Butter Cookies

I have used and tried MANY MANY recipes for cutout cookies and I have fell in love with one.  I have made these 3 times in 3 weeks...in LOVE!  So, this week before Christmas and you are trying to bake try these.

Cut -Out Cookie Indgredients:

1 Cup softened Butter
1 Cup Sugar
1 egg
Blend  until creamy
2 TBLSP Orange Juice
1 TBLSP Vanilla
Mix well
2 1/2 Cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
Beat well. cover and put in fridge over night.

Heat oven 400*F . Roll out on lighlty floured surface, one third at a time.   roll out 1/8 to 1/4 inch thickness.  Cut with 3 inch cookie cutters.  Place 1 inch apart onto ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake for 6-10 minutes or until edges are golden.  Remove and place on wire rack and cool completely.
This is Land O Lakes recipe!

Frosting:
1/3 Cup softened butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 TBLSP Milk
beat together
Gradully start adding powdered sugar until you get the right consistency
Food Coloring, if you want

Frost decorate. After dry you can put in freezer, so when you walk past the freezer you can snag a couple. Or if you have will power, you can give them or take them to your Christmas gatherings....I do not have will power.


Have A Great Day:)





Divide dough into thirds. 

Body snatcher!

Today someone took over my body...I think this is true as I am getting Boy 3 to sleep and I am thinking about today.
Kids to school, Jimmy to shop,  normal show heifer morning stuff, make 3 beds, Boy 2 made his and Boy 3's before school...Santa he needs a extra present...., 3 loads of laundry, normal Clorox the bathrooms, roast, carrots potatoes in crockpot, sugar cookie dough made and chilling, folded 2 loads of said laundry, played fresby, back to barn, played on swing set, lunch..pbj, addressed Christmas Cards, pick up car...ouch....picked up kiddos, rolled out and baked cookies, decided I needed homemade dinner rolls, iced cookies, led heifer out, Boy 1 led other, fed Princess and sent her to dance, fed boys, washed dishes, Boy 2 spelling, Boy 1 science, and all bathed!! So please whoever took over my body, please don't come back tomorrow...I am not the Proverbs 31 wife! I am just a mom, wife and farm girl.
St. Nicholas comes tonight, the shoes are ON the table, really ON the table?!?

Merry Christmas:)

December 1st

As I woke this morning to the coffee pot gurgling, it hit me that it was December 1st.  That means only 24 more days until Christmas, 24 MORE DAYS PEOPLE!  Ok, I do have most of the shopping done, but I have NO baking done.  When I mean baking I mean get the 25lb bag and almost that amount of sugar and butter.  There are a lot of people who expect cinnamon rolls, tea rings..not just cookies..no way!  Then I remembered it was only December 1st!

So, since it is December 1st you would think it would be cold, we are in the middle of the Midwest, but nope it is a nice 58* and cloudy, but 58*!  FineWine (Feb. Hereford) and Elba (Feb. Angus) are tied in the barn, being pampered and getting hugs and kisses. Okay, Elba is not that loving, but FineWine is.  I would really like to be a show heifer for these 4 kids:)  While kids have been in the barn I did order our Christmas cards,  the picture I used everyone in the house approved (a first time..ever!)  The odd thing about this picture is we had it taken at Ethan's Rodeo just because, we did not spend more than $10 on it and it looks WONDERFUL. 

Other things that have been going on around here is gathering Silent Auction items for Rhinestones and Rodeo.  Somethings that we have are a Wooden Rocking Horse made by one of our local veterinarians, box seats to Ethan's Rodeo in 2013 and we are looking into concert tickets.  There are much more, but this is what came this week.  If you would want to view all the items they will be posted soon to www.upatdowncountry.com . 

Until later here is a sneak peek at our Christmas card!

Have A Great Day:)

Thankful

It is the night before Thanksgiving and as I am folding laundry and replaying some events from this past week in my head, I am Very Thankful!

 I am Thankful for being an older cousin to a prego cousin, which I have not sugar coated anything about this pregnancy and I think she and her husband are grateful.  I am Thankful for my wonderful Hubby, as I had the flu bug that Boy 1 had a few days earlier I got it and Hubby took Boy 3 to work with him and bought groceries.  I am Thankful for all the chatter and noise and even the dancing in the kitchen and cleaning smudgy cow poop from the mudroom and kitchen floors.  I know I am sounding kind of mushy tonight. 
We did get a few hours with Cousin A and Friend R this afternoon and even with our Granddog Newt, yes we call him Granddog-which after the year Newt has had I am even thankful for him, even though he loves my behind a little much- okay way off track.
 I read Jill Salvage blog today where she said she was thankful for the mundane, the laundry she does for her family, the beds she makes that keeps them warm etc.  It made me think, she is very right.  So tonight as the boys and I lead heifers out (Hubby took Princess to dance) this is what it is all about, not the big meal, not all the desserts, not even having all your family or friends, just these small everyday moments everyday!

Feeding the cow/calf pairs is just one more of my Thankful moments!

Have A Great Day:)

Stranded

I love being at home, LOVE it!  BUT, when someone tells me I can't leave then I am restless.  Today the road crew is replacing three culverts, so that means our road is closed.  Hubby took kids to school and picked up.  I have called and bugged Hubby all day.  I have also worked on a new cookie recipe, I will give you ratings after kids get home, I have also stalked Pinterst and made a window seat in Boy 1's room,  I have cleaned and reorganized the mud room, also put a bench in there to make it easier to put on cold weather boots.  So I have been productive, just don't like someone telling me:)

Have A Great Day!

We have pictures!

So I have not had enough time to sit and blog for awhile.  I have good reason, last week we were in Kansas City at the American Royal and had no connection.  This was not all bad, we had a BLAST!  The heifers did wonderful and so did the kids.  So instead of my blabbering on her are some pictures from StarLake sale in Oklahoma, remember the Great Grandparents went with us. 

 Boy 1 and Boy 2 going over their picks!

 Great Grandpa got to get a golf cart, because of his knee, oh and the kids took advantage!

Yep- they are silly!

Now on to pictures from KC!
Great Grandparents did not go with us, if you are keeping track this was the only show they were not at this year.  Cousin A and Girlfriend R were there!

 Homework still has to be done!

 

Boy 3 and daddy!

 

Princess and RA FINE WINE 0212

 

RA Daquahri 0311 on her way to her last show! Notice this is Boy 1's heifer, but Boy 3 says she is his and yes he will lead her by himself!

We will be starting indoor soccer tomorrow.  So I am sure there will be pictures of Boy 1 playing.

With everyone in full swing at school and projects coming in the door left and right here are a few websites that have helped us.
www.prezi.com  a great format, kinda like powerpoint, but they have templates!
www.kizoa.com  a great website for pictures and the best part....FREE!

Have a Great Day:)

Thoughts as we drive home!

I wrote this as we were driving home from Oklahoma.

Driving through some two lane road in Oklahoma, it saddens me to see where there had been working ranches and now there is massive subdivisions with the the past ranch name on it.  I have been thinking lately how is it possible that the average American is two generations removed from either family farm or agriculture.  Of course while at Star Lake there were rumors of what was going to happen to the land, whether some one bought it for ranch or development, I don't know.  But, Monte Soules did say something that caught my attention, these kids are better off being raised on a ranch with the opportunity to be Hereford breeders.  This is not word for word, but close.  So will Hubby and I keep taking our kids out of school for cattle events? You bet your ass!  As one Illinois Hereford Grandma told me on Saturday, this is a family, not a genetic family, but still a family.
Ok, enough of my ramblings.

I am trying to upload pictures, but not working.

Herefords and more Herefords!

We are in Oklahoma at Star Lake Ranch in Skitook, which is about ten minutes from Owasso, which is another 15 minutes from Tulsa.  How did we get here, well Hubby made the decision in July that if it was going to be the end of Star Lake, then we were going, plus Boy 1 had been here 3 times!  We loaded up and were rolling by 6:30am n Thursday and got here at 2:30pm.  Yes, that was with only one stop for fuel. I packed lunch for us and snacks, trying to make this as cheap as possible.  As we got into Oklahoma there was this haze, since neither Hubby or I have spent very long here we thought it was smoke from some kind of wild fire, it was NOT, it was a dust storm, we looked at cattle anyway with howling winds and dust hitting us like little pellets, we looked at cattle.  Boy 1 has drooled all over Shock and Awe, for those of you who don't know Herefords this is a bull that Boy 1 has loved and would love for him to be in our pasture, but we said NO! Matt, he even got his picture taken with him!! My grandparents did not leave as early so they got here about 5pm, yep here we are the 8 of us we range in age from 74 to 3!  We are having a blast today, Boy 1 and Princess partnered up and bought a set of embryos, their very own.  Guess who was the thinker behind that endeavor?  The sale started today at 10:45 and finished at 6;40pm, there was no half time or seventh inning stretch, but I just keep thinking, this is Hereford History.  It is like when my grandfather talks about when John Wayne had Hereford Cattle that it was one of the greatest, we just want to share great Herefords with our kids and right now this is it.

To take a line from one of our NJHA members, I know this is not word for word, what if there is not a tomorrow!  Just goes with our life: Kids, Calves and Krazyness.

Good Night From Oklahoma:)

Pans and Pot Roast!

Look at this Pot Roast...what's different about it?  Everything in it is from the farm, right here from the farm!  Look at that beef, raised here,  and those potatoes and the carrots and there is a glorious onion under neath all of that.  How did I make it?  Quarter one onion, peel the potatoes, wash and peel carrots, put roast in put all veggies in add about 1/2 cup water. Put crock pot on low let that baby cook for 7-8 hours! OOOHHLAALAA!!

Now that is not the only pans I was in a day!

Can you guess which feed pan belongs to her?

And one last picture, last night at 7:30pm after homework was done, food was gone and heifers were out, on the way to his room to read I said "Starlake Videos are online"!  This is where he was until 8:30p.  notice the sale catalog, the pen, the computer...that's my baby!

He's not going to be happy with his momma on this picture:)

Have A Great Day:)

Boring Weekend!!

Just another weekend of soccer, soccer, soccer, Down Country, church, reconciliation meeting, burning and normal cow stuff!

Nothing really exciting like last weekend, kinda boring in comparison, but boring is so much better than  vets before breakfast!

I did have the opprotunity to listen and speak with Sean J. Smith, a professor at KU, I was apart of an iPad training with reading and comprehension, it was great.  If you ever be e chance I highly recommend!

Today is Monday, laundry day, catch up day for me.  Hubby is in the field round baling corn stalks.  Why corn stalks, with the drought tis summer there was not enough hay an he would rather have corn stalks than nothing.  He can also grind the bales in the grinder/mixer with corn, oats as another irk of feed stuffs to hav a little extra energy during long cold spells this winter.  Or I really think Hubby just likes to bale!!

Update on twins!

This is a short and sweet update on the twins.

They are still very cute and run all over the lot.  Fancy (Momma Cow) is doing remarkable and is such a great mom, she did come into good milk and bottle feeding has stopped.  Pokey  (the first twin)  looks like Fancy and is a little smaller than Pokey (2nd twin) who is the one with the really cool face and is a little thicker.  Other than that, they are all doing great and Boy 3 pets them everyday!

Today is a busy busy day.  It is even probably going to be fastfood for lunch or midday meal-YUCK!
2 soccer games, Down Country ipad workshop, Mass and dinner with Down Country. 

Have A Great Day:)

Twins before breakfast!

Living on a working cattle farm you have to learn the word FLEXIBLE or you would probably go crazy!

Yesterday morning, Sunday, I had this big breakfast planned, bacon, french toast and scrambled eggs.  Bacon was frying, french toast was on the griddle eggs were scrambling.  Then Boy 2 comes in and says dad needs help now!  I turned off eggs and went running along with Boy1.  Princess put the bacon and french toast in microwave.  Had to get a Shorthorn Plus Cow in to be checked and she was not wanting to go.  After a brief run in with a Hereford recip., Me and her eye to eye...I ran one way she went wrong way...Hubby not happy, but we did get the Shorthorn Plus in.  Hubby gets her in and puts halter on her, lead her in the working chute and guess what...1 leg and body, yep it is backwards, but with one leg behind her and another leg curled up under her.  Hubby decides, there possibly are two and he needs the vets help.

 Call vet, take cow out of chute, go inside to cold bacon, lukewarm french toast and warm mushy eggs.  We ate and pile everything in the sink, should have ran water in pan that cooked the eggs. 

We love our vets! Vets are doctors to animals, Boy 1 wants to be one, this momma is so happy about that, now if only one can be a plumber, a mechanic and an electrician we would be well rounded, off subject...., After about 45 minutes late we have twin girls, they were nose to nose inside the cow.  More unwanted news, cow has no milk, have to bottle the cuties for at least 24 hours every 4 hours.

Here is Hubby and the backwards sister!

 Hubby and the second sister!

 This is what the kids look like when dad yells, come now!

Thank You Lord for a beatiful day and 4 healthy kids and two healthy new calves and a momma cow that came into her milk sometime in the middle of the night!

So how was your Sunday?

Have A Great Day:)

Where have I been?

Between crazyness with school, home and heifers I have not had time lately to post anything.    I am sorry.  Yesterday was so crazy that I made supper at 9:53am, yes A.M.!  Thanks to the whole new USDA school lunch programs I can no longer on really busy nights, say oh you had a good filling lunch at school, we will have sandwiches for supper.  Nope- they have had sandwiches for lunch, I know as I make them, so I have to step up my supper game.  I love to cook and bake, but on practice nights we eat at 4:30pm and a snack when we get home.
 So here is a cookie recipe I made yesterday, if you like chocolate you will love this!

2 sticks butter- softened
3/4 Cup Brown Sugar
3/4 Cup White sugar
Beat together
add 2 eggs
Mix again
3/4 Cup Cocoa
1 tsp Baking Soda
Mix together
2 Cups Flour
Mix all
Add in a bag of Chocolate Chunks
Mix
I refrigerated for a few hours, went and got the kids and then drop by loaded spoon fulls onto baking sheet bake 350*  for 7-9 Minutes remove and cool on rack.
 They are gooey and oooey!!!

I totally have to brag on Hubby!  He is on the board of Down Country and his tooshy was all over the 10pm news on Monday night:)  Down Country raised enough money to give away 160 iPads to area special ed, therapists and teachers.  So proud of everyone. 

Off to Soccer Practice!

Have A Great Day:)

Cheese Soup!

I have an amazing cheese soup recipe.....somewhere!   By 10am this morning the wind was blowing out of the north, it was cloudy and yucky, I needed comfort food, what is better than cheese soup?  Well my recipe is m.i.a.  So I created my own, I would have taken a picture of it, but they ate ALL of it and told me it was the best ever!  So, if you need a cheese soup recipe, try this;

Melt 1/4 stick butter in sauce pan
Add a small chopped onion and cook until clear and tender.
To the butter mix, add 1/4 cup flour, stir until smooth.
Add 1 cup milk and 2 cups water ( next time, I am going to try chicken broth)
Stir until smooth

In a crockpot dump in a large bag of California Medly Veggies (which is broccoli, cauliflower and carrots)
Pour mixture from saucepan onto veggies.

Chunk up velveeta type cheese, about 1/2 of it in small cubes.

About an hour before serving I added leftover homemade macaroni and cheese, about 2 cups full.

Place on low and let cook for 5 hours.

Stir occasionally.

I served it with homemade dinner rolls.


I was really looking forward to leftovers, but I am thrilled it was not a big flop!

It is now 50* degrees out and I have on the big fluffy socks and sweats, I did not complain about the 120* temps we had!

Have A Great Day:)

It is going to be a sad one!

 
The vet just left from pregnancy checking 4 cows.  Yes, we preg. checked on May 30, but with this long very hot summer we have been having some cows slip, or naturally abort unborn calves due to heat.  2 of the 4 were open.  Okay, fine! Here we have a three strikes your out rule and these two were recips. and it  was their 3rd strike.  The sad part is one is the first Angus calf that Hubby, Boy1 and I raised together.  To some of you it is Moon that will be going to the sale barn on Monday,  Moon is 9 years old.  I know this is a business, but it will be a little sad not to see Moon in the pasture anymore.

  So now off to get kiddos from school and then to the barn to rinse show heifers, it is kinda hot today, plus Boy 1 has been coming home rinsing, blowing and then does homework.  It has worked out great, as Boy 2 and Princess get their homework done then they go out. 

Taco Night tonight as Princess has dance class.


Have A Great Day:)

Worlds Apart!

Alrighty all my cow moms! I found another blog and guess what, she has 4 kids and cattle and a husband and lives all the way on the other side of the world, Australia!

A place Hubby and I would love to visit and I am reading about a couple who worked on cattle stations for a year in Australia, Bulldust in My Bra by a Hereford mom, Rebecca Long Chaney.  I can't figure out how to follow her blog, but here is the name cattle, kids & chaos.

I highly suggest you check it out!

Have A Great Day:)

9/11 Where were we?

Boy 1 sat next to this morning as the Today Show came on and asked was I still a baby when 9/11 happened?  I looked at him and said don't  you remember?  He stared at me, then I did the math and yes, he was only 18 months old and Princess was only 3 weeks old.  Of course he did not remember, I told him that he and I and Princess sat in front of the TV and watch the whole madness.  Boy 1 then shared that the 7th/8th grade Social Studies/History teacher was only going to talk and show about 9/11 in her class today.  Thank You Mrs. S, for reminding the kids at our school what happened on this day 11 years ago! 

It is really hard for me to believe it has been 11 years ago.  It is hard for be to believe that anyone, except for a few, from 5th grade down was not born before 9/11/01. 

So today as we are in the hussel and bussel of life with kids and hubby's, take the time and think, take the time and kiss those babies and tell them you love them.  If my memory is right 9/11/01 started out as a beautiful September morning, just like today and it all changed in a heart beat.

God Bless America!

Have A Great Day:)

Meaty Monday!

Our Meaty Monday favorite are amazing cheeseburgers.

This is them right before grilling!

Here is the beginning:

2lbs ground beef

Large handful of Shredded Mild Cheddar Cheese

Large handful of Shredded Colby Jack Cheese

A dash of salt and pepper

Then quickly and carefully mix with hands until just blended then grab a handful of mixture and shape into patties, do not over think or over touch or they will fall apart on the grill. 

Put a thumb print in the middle of each one, it helps cook better.

Place in the fridge for 2-4 hours.

Start grill and let grill get warm.

Place burgers on grill cook about 4 minutes on each side.

DO NOT push down on burgers or you will lose all the wonderful and gooey juices!

Serve immediately.  I was going to take a picture of the final product, but they were gone, sorry!

Sometimes I also through in a small handful of bacon bits or chopped onion if I have them:)

Have A Great Day:)

Road Ass weekend!

What a title huh! We took the kids out of school early Friday to drive 4 hours to Albin Farms 2nd production sale and we had a blast!  We all got to hug on Cousin A.  Princess said Cousin A is her long lost sibling, which they way they all were acting, even Cousin A thinks they are long lost siblings.  The evening ended with a nice rain shower and awesome lighting show.  Since it was only 7pm and there just happened to be a Dairy Queen right across from our hotel, guess what we splurged on Blizzards!

Saturday was the sale and Cousin A had a great surprise as his girlfriend surprised him by flying in from Oklahoma.  It was great seeing her and boy 3 loves her so much.  He gives her hugs and kisses!  Princess is the happiest of all as we picked up her Optima from Mr. Albin, remember Optima went home with them from State Fair to be bred.  Princess missed Optima so much and rubbed all over her when we got home Saturday evening.

Sunday brought about another road trip, to Hubby's family's annual fish fry.  We left early enough to go to Hubby's grandparents where his grandmother had just finished making her homemade donuts.  If you have never had them they are wonderful, amazing, every great adjective I can think of.  And if you have had them, well after 16 years, this was my first time to have them warm and oh my gosh!!!  Still had one at room temperature a few hours later and still out of this world wonderful! We then went and looked at Shorthorns. 

So what did we do from Friday- Sunday, rode over 500 miles, ate a lot of food and looked at two different breeds of cattle. This was a wonderful weekend for us:)

Here is a picture of Cousin A and Girlfriend R from this summer.  We love them so much and had a great, but short, time with them this weekend!

Have A Great Day:)

Pictures of the last few weeks...see proof we really have been busy!

I know you have all seen Il. State Fair pictures, but today I was uploading pics and found this one of Boy1. Fitting his own heifer for the first time.  I love this picture!

Boy 2 and Boy 3 saying goodbye to the pigs.  It was a fun time with them and we can not wait for two more next spring!

Boy 3 riding on a mule at Ethan's Rodeo.  Boy 2 picked out which horse/mule they would ride, notice he gave his brother the bigger one!

Boy 2 riding his pick of the horse/mule, I guess he likes being closer to the ground!

The first day of school! Did I mention school starts 15 minutes earlier, notice Boy 2's face, I think he is still sleeping:)

Another Cousin got married!  I love my little buddy's face, he is so sweet and he winks at me, I give him chocolate for winking at me:)

Princess has turned 11! She is so sweet and mouthy, she gets that from her dad:)

And Boy 3 has been getting a LOT of naps in the van!

  Today, after almost 6 inches of rain the last 36 hours we tied heifers, needed a canoe to get to the showbarn, but it was all needed rain!  Washed the muddy heifers, blowed, fed, fed children and husband, Cinnamon rolls, scrambled eggs and bacon.  Took naps, went back out worked with heifers, ate supper: Roast Beef, mashed potatoes, gravy and green beans.  Now if that is not a Labor Day meal, I don't know what is!

Tomorrow: Cheeseburger recipe with pictures!

Enjoy your Labor Day weekend.

Have A Great Day:)

 

Where have I been?

I have been everywhere and nowhere!  We are finally in a "school routine".  Boy 3 and I take kids to school, come home change shoes, go to the barn, come in make beds, start laundry,go to the barn, change laundry, do breakfast dishes, get mail, go to the barn, put Boy 3 down for nap, start supper, go to the barn, fold laundry, water and hay heifers, change shoes, go get kids, go to the barn, through in dance and/or soccer practice.....
Do we see a pattern?  Kids go to school and Boy 3 and I are in the barn, would not change it for the world :). Now the last two days Boy 3 has been very interested in potty training, which every 20 minutes, I set the kitchen timer, we go potty, or at least try.

The USDA, in my view is digging itself a large hole!  More and more kids are taking cold lunch, how do I know this, have you seen the adds for WalMart?  More options for your kids cold lunch, lunchables, cold cut meats.  Instead of giving money to our failing schools we are giving our money to WalMart and others.  If this is the plan, then well played USDA, big business wins and schools lose.

Off to the barn!

Have A Great Day:)

Heifers tied, fed and blowed...beds still not made!

Boy 3 and I have been getting home about 8:15am from taking kids to school, Hubby has been tieing heifers and feed them before he leaves for work.  When boy 3 and I get home we go straight to the barn, pull feed pans, blow, brush pick up poop, broom and then feed them some hay.  This sounds like it is a fast process as I am typing, but it really has taken us a little over an hour.  We just came in and now I am starting on the house.  On school days I do not make the kids make their beds, really why put that on them too?  So now Boy 3 and I need to start laundry, make 5 beds and figure out what is for supper.  And then head back to the barn as soon as beds are made... it is a lot more fun in the barn!


Check out CrystalCattle blog, we all need to do this!

Have A Great Day:)

I am stirring the pot!

I told you I was going to see how the kids did with school lunch yesterday.  Boy 1 and Princess said it was okay.  Boy 2 said it was good, but he was still hungry after he finished everything.  He said he was so happy to eat his granola bar at 2pm.   Still hungry after eating everything on the tray.  This morning I asked who wants cold lunch the two olders said they would try the soft shell taco and banana.  Boy 2 said no way, I want "Peanut Butter and Jelly, chips and cookies"  I sent 1 peanut butter and jelly sandwich (327 calories) 1 small bag of sunchips(140 calories) and 3 two inch cookies (160 calories) along with $0.35 for milk.  Without the milk I sent a total of 627 calories that is 127 more than the recommended amount of calories.

So, boy 3 and I have been in the barn and I do my best thinking there.  Boy 2 is 7 and weighs 42lbs that is 13 lbs less than the national average.  The suggested number of calories burned in P.E. class for 30 minutes for a 7 year old is 112 calories, this does not include recess and he has two of those.  So do I think his 127 calories are better for him, heck ya! Do I think that our school will take this away from him, hope not!  Is this another reason there are more parents choosing to homeschool, oh I think so!  Will I serve popcorn as a snack after school today-YES!

Now, lets discuss this no meat two days a week.  I know that my family is very lucky to have farm grown beef, pork and chicken in the freezer.  I do understand that quite a few people can not afford this, so why in the world would we take this out of school lunch?  I understand there are a lot of kids that eat free or reduce lunch (30.5 million at the end of 2007) and this is their only time to eat MEAT!
Isn't the USDA suppose to be for the farmer, ALL farmers whether they grow veggies, fruits or animals?  Why is the USDA doing this, they are not just hurting the kids who need to eat, they are also hurting the farmer.

Sorry I am on my soap box about this, but it has really gotten to me!

Have A Great Day:)

PS: Tomorrow is all about heifers!

Back to School!

At 6:30am today the summer came to an end and the new school year started!

You all know that I have been dreading this day, but the kids came out of school happy and chattering about friends and teachers.  This made me happy to know they are happy even though I would love to be selfish and keep them all to myself.  I know we are going to have ups and downs this school year as we do with every school year, but we only have 9 months in this grade, so we are going to smile and go on!

Have A Great Day:)

PS: Tomorrow I will be on a rant about the school lunch program for the United States and maybe even a little challenge!

3AM!

We have not been waken at 3AM by Boy 1 in years, last night he came in all panicked .  He was getting up to go to the bathroom, put his glasses on and they broke.  Boy 1 cannot see with out his glasses!  So, I put my glasses on as he says he thinks he lost the screw, nope not it, screw still there.  The breakaway part of his glasses broke.  He loves these frames, they are durable and you are suppose to be able to fold them in a ball, suppose is key word!  Hubby wanted to know why we are worrying about this at 3AM, with Boy 1 something's you just do or he will worry and fret.  Plus, Hubby and Boy 1 have a field or feed day today near Ursa and Boy 1 REALLY wanted to go with his dad.  So, how did I fix it at 3AM? DuckTape!  I knew that someday all of Princess a d Boy 2's DuckTape would come in handy.  Boy1 was good with it and let's hope it holds until Monday!

Off to make MORE coffee!

Have A Great Day!

Ethan's Rodeo-Cowboys are my favorites!

County Fair lyricsSongwriters: Chris Lee Le Doux

Been workin' like a dawg, slavin' on the fence line
Stretchin' those wires tight
Diggin' and tappin' and sweatin' in the sunshine
But I get off tonight

I got a date with a girl, a perdy ranchers daughter
Green eyes and golden hair
Gonna pick her up at 8 after some soap and water
And we're headin' to the county fair

Well, there's a full moon in the western sky
And there's magic in the air
Ain't nothin' I know of, can make you fall in love
Like a night at the county fair

Well, we walked through the midway, the lights and the laughter
She puts her little hand in mine
Well, she don't act like she knows what I'm after
But tonight I'm gonna make her mine

You know the tunnel of love, well it ain't my style
So I'm take her on the ferris wheel
Way up in the sky, with the stars in her eyes
I'm gonna tell her just how I feel

Well, there's a full moon in the western sky
And there's magic in the air
Ain't nothin' I know of, can make you fall in love
Like a night at the county fair

Well, I know Monday mornin', I'll be back on the fence line
But it'll be alright
'Cause that perdy little girl says, she's gonna be all mine
I'm gonna see her next Friday night

Well, there's a full moon in the western sky
And there's magic in the air
Ain't nothin' I know of, can make you fall in love
Like a night at the county fair
Ain't nothin' I know of, can make you fall in love
Like a night at the county fair

Yes, this is one of my favorite songs, yes Hubby and I fell in love 16 years ago at the county fair, but tonight I want to share with you about a little guy who lost his battle to Neuroblastoma.  He was a true cowboy and this is one of his favorite songs.   His  parents are two of the most amazing people that I know.  They, along with all their family and friends have put on a rodeo called Ethan's Rodeo and this is the third year in a row for it.  It is a family event and all money raised is for Neuroblastoma research. 

So, if you are anywhere near, lets say 100 miles, come and support this amazing family and amazing cause!

Friday August 17th
Gates Open at 5:30 pm
Rodeo Starts at 7:30 pm
Live Music after the rodeo by
Highway99

Saturday August 18th
Gates Open at 3:00 pm
Rodeo Starts at 7:30 pm
Live Music after the rodeo by
Highway99

All proceeds benefit research of
neuroblastoma, a childhood cancer
responsible for approximately 15% of
all childhood cancer deaths.

Contact Ethan’s Rodeo

Momma's let your babies grow up to be cowboys! They are the best I have ever known!

Have A Great Evening:)

PS: Kiss your babies and your preteens and your highschoolers with drivers license and your college kids who know more than you, because you still can.

Moo! Moo! Moo!

As I left last evening to register the kids for school Hubby and kids weaned 5 calves.  This means they moved 5 calves from their momma's to another pen  next to them, the calves and cows can still see and hear each other, they just can't be together.  It is like when a mom decides it is time to stop nursing her baby.  Well ALL night long we have been serenade by the MOO's of 5 momma cows and 5 calves.  One little rascal decided to get out and get in with Daqurhi, Boy 1's big heifer, so Boy1, 2 and 3 are all out moving her back with the weaned calves.  I guess she really wants in the show heifer pen, little does she know that her time is coming next week!

I love the thinking of Boy 1, I can see him and Boy 2 and 3 choring and he is feeding the big cows, they usually do not get feed in the morning as they are out on pasture and have two bales of hay out there too.  I think he is thinking if he feeds them they will be quite for awhile.

So with a MooMoo here and a MooMoo there, here a Moo, there a Moo EVERYWHERE a MooMoo!

Have A Great Day:)

PS- After a rough start to yesterday Boy 2 is much better today, he is counting down when he can go pick out new barrows! 

5 Months with Barrows!

Where has 5 months gone?  We knew 5 months ago when we as a farm family made the decision to get barrows this day would come.  Wow- 5 months went really fast.  Today is the day that the barrows leave our farm.  Barrows, remember are castrated male pigs.  They  have one major purpose to be put in the US food supply.  Barrows, Wethers and Steers are not met to be yard ornaments and are not meant to be pets.  We have had wethers for 3 years now, the wethers leave later in the week,  we had steers last year, this is our first round of barrows.  We have done our part with them.  We picked them up the middle of April and we have learned a lot about barrows, we learned that to get them to walk with their heads hold a marshmallow on a stick in front of them-thank you Trent Loos.  We have learned to get them to like you and follow you give them a cookie.  We have learned to wash them, brush them and even how to clip their hair.  We now will load them for the last time today.  Boy 2 knew this is what happens, but we still had big tears last night, then I was asked if we could do it again next year.  That was the easiest "Yes" I have ever said. 

 "Ditty" and Princess

Boy 2 and "Biggs"


Now I need to go finish the laundry as Boy 1 brought more home-ugh!

Have A Great Day:)

State Fair Recap!

Another Illinois State Fair is behind us.  When we left here last Tuesday morning early we had on 4 heifers, by Tuesday afternoon we had 5 heifers and by Wednesday noon we had 5 heifers and both wethers. 

Wednesday- Princess and Boy 1 showed in showmanship.  If you have ever been to showmanship at the Illinois State Fair Junior Dept. you know it is a goat rope.  If not let me explain, there are 16-18 kids shoved in a ring and it is a free for all, cattle get loose, kids get upset and really with the little ones, I have no idea how they pick the top 5.  In the first round I was very proud of our Illinois kids they all hung tough!  In the next heat, were the little older ones, Boy 1 was in along with a few more of our Illinois Hereford kids and I am very proud to say that Boy 1 was in the top 5.  Way to go Clay, he was Reserve Champion in this heat!

Thursday- 4am wakeup as Shorthorn Plus was first to show and Princess Leia 0111 was in the third class to show.  Got 2nd with her- woohoo! Then bust butt to go weigh wethers.  Franky weighed 121lbs and Fred weighed 131.  When we weighed them the first of May they both weighed 86 lbs.

Friday- 4am wakeup Horned Herefords were first to show in the Junior Show and Princess showed TA Miss Ponca Whiskey 0611.  Boy 1 did not see her show as he was washing lambs to show.  Put 0611 (aka June away) went to sheep barn.  At the wether show they use a classifier when you check in your wethers, this means if any of your wethers have the same resemblance to a certain breed then they will be able to show in that breed. Franky showed as a Shropshire and Fred showed as a Crossbred.  Boy 1 did great showing the wethers Franky was the middle of the pack and Fred (which we know he is done) was last.  Put lamb blankets back on and back to cattle barn we go to show in the last breed Polled Herefords RA Daqurhi 0311(Daqurhi) and TA Optima Time 0411 ET (Optima).  Both kids hung tough in the middle of the pack:)  Hurry back with Daqurhi to wash all show hairspray out, blow dryer her feed her and let her rest for a little over an hour as our Adams County ADM Showmanship winner needed to borrow her to show.  Good thing Daqurhi loves the show ring!

Saturday- 4am wakeup ( are you starting to notice that we are getting cranky and crabby because of 4am?)  Polled Show was at 8am Princess showed the number 5 heifer for a dear friend of ours, then went on and showed Optima and Boy 1 had a BIG decision to make to show Franky one last time or to show Daqurhi, he chose Daqurhi, but as soon as he came out of the show ring he handed her to his dad, gave me his showstick, scotch comb and show harness and ran to the sheep barn.  Where cousin M was in the show ring with Franky and did GREAT! He was so proud:)  He did get to show Fred for the last time. Boy 1 loaded up with gpa and headed to Iowa State Fair to work for, eat at K7 Herefords.

Sunday- 7am wakeup (now this was MUCH better!) Actually got to enjoy the breakfast at the hotel.  Easy morning, the Princess showed in the IBA Junior Show. June was 2nd and Optima was 1st. 

Monday- 7am wakeup. ( no hotel breakfast, Mini Doughnuts at fair!) Hubby showed Leia in the Open Shorthorn Plus show-2nd place! Also watched the cousins show in the Horned and Polled Shorthorn Show and the did great as well.

Loading the truck with tack and loading the trailer was easy as the heifer we babysat for went home on another trailer.  Optima went with another breeder to be bred naturally by a bull as she has 1 smaller ovary than the other and the vet and Hubby think she will breed naturally. June got dropped off to winter at gpa's pasture as we are running out and the wethers are still with Cousin C.  When our truck/trailer pulled in last night there were two heifers on it and they were happy to be home!

Now this morning I had the first load of laundry in at 7:20am. Wonder how long it will take me?  The windows are wide open and we are going to start going to bed at 8:30pm as school is starting next Monday:(  What a summer we have had.

I promise I will post pictures later this week.

Have A Great Day:)

Olympic Fever!

Olympic fever has hit our house!   Water Polo is on the top list of sports the kids now like.  Who knew?  Boy 1 likes it because it is like soccer in the water, using hands.  Princess  has been cheering on Michael Phelps.  Boy 2 does not care what is on, just as long as it is on!

 The other night after the womens allaround was on and the scores were being calculated the announcer said it comes down to "Hard Work and Determination" the kids said hey that is kind of like what the bobsled dude said at JNHE.  I said doesn't it all come back to Respect, Leadership and Responsibility?  If you want to win or achieve anything you need these three.  Of course I got the eye rolls and the sighs, but at least I know they were listening during opening ceremonies at JNHE and that they kind of understood it too.

Our kids at JNHE opening ceremonies.

More Olympics!

Have A Great DAY:)

Slump?

Do you ever get in a food slump? You know where you have spaghetti every other day or tacos every third day.  We are in a MAJOR food slump here.  We are in between fairs, throw in a birthday party and a sprinkle of hot and humid.  No one has food suggestions, NO ONE!   So last night Princess and I went to the grocery store for state fair food and for Birthday party food, school supplies,  we also picked up Boy 1 as he showed wethers yesterday at Brown County, he also showed Angus cattle for some friends-sorry off track!  When we finally got home, a lot less money in the bank,  Hubby made supper for Boy 2, Boy 3 and himself, they had egg sandwiches and sweet corn.  Now if that does not scream "FOOD SLUMP" I don't know what does.  So this morning I have decided we will have Italian Pork Chops, Baked Potatoes and Sweet Corn for supper.  Good thing Boy1 will be headed to Iowa State Fair as soon as he is done at Illinois State Fair, he will be with K7 and bring home new recipes!

Off to back bookbags-ugh- this must be done before we leave for Illinois State Fair as when we come home it is off and running with school. 

Have A Great Day:)

Time?

Where does time go? Why do somethings feel like they drag on forever while other time flies by?  This summer has flown by.  This week has flown by.  The last three years have speeded by.  To day is our sweet boy 3's birthday.  He is three today and I heard him count to 10 byhimself, of course he was counting cows, we have been working on this with him and today he did it by himself!  3years at the speed of lightining!  Boy 3 was not a plan for Hubby and I, but we have been blessed by his smile, love and his energy.  We could not imagine our lives with out him.

Our Cowboy through & through!

Think about how your spending your time, don't waste one minute!

Have A Great Day:)

4H Group!

As I said earlier that yesterday was the 4H Beef show.  After the 4H Beef show for the kids and after showmanship was a new thing, "Adult Showmanship-Anything Goes".  The kids 4H leader dressed up as a lady and showed his steer like he/she tells them not to show!  Stretched out, head down, show stick up side down and in the air. 

Notice the behind of a goat butt, yep someone showed a goat in the showmanship!

What a great leader our kids have he and his daughter do a wonderful job with the kids.

Have A Great Day:)

County Fair-7days-OVER!!!

We have been meeting ourselves coming and going!  AS you know we had barrows, wethers and 6 heifers for our county fair.  I won't bore you with all the day by day details, but no more than 3 species will we take to our county fair!  I will share with you a little of the schedule:
Friday-4H Sheep
Saturday- Open Sheep, 4H Hogs, Open Jr. Beef Show ( yes, folks it was mass chaos!)
Sunday-Begin Open beef show (showed Angus heifer only)
Monday- Remaining Open Beef, Open Hogs
Tuesday-4H Beef

As I was cleaning the mudroom where in the past 7 days, the kids gathered many Champions and Reserve Champions with all! WOW! Lots of Purple in the mudroom:)

The kids all did great and Boy 2 was all about washing anything and everything and showing in ALL PeeWee Showmanships, because they gave free milkshakes away!

Somethings happen at 4H show and as most of you are parents of kids with animals, you  know which one is to win and which one you take as a partner or a showmanship calf.  And at a 4H show it is hard to get judges.  And at a 4H show, you just never know what will happen.  Princess won the Hereford 4H show, BUT with her little June showmanship heifer.  No this was not right, No this is not the heifer that has stood above second all year, BUT this is what this judge wanted.  Was it great that Princess won, yes, was it right that Princess was shocked and Boy 1 was shocked and that others in the stands laughed? Was it right that during showmanship the judge asked Princess what has been the best part about this fair and her answer was winning Reserve Champion Overall in the Junior Show on Saturday.  Well, you can be the judge on that.  Did this teach the kids anything, well if you would have asked them yesterday, the answers were not pretty! Today, I am using it as a teachable moment, everyone has their own opinions, and they might not be what you like, but it is their opinions.  And opinions make the world go round! 

I will post pictures later as it is already 9am and I have two loads of laundry done and about 8 more to go!  Also, need to be thinking about Boy 3's birthday party and state fair.  Where has this summer gone?

Have A Great Day:)

Who Needs A Water Park?

Who needs to spend lots of money going to a water park?  Other than the lazy river, rinsing heifers just the kids and I, we look like we were at a water park or a bad wet t-shirt contest!

It actually works really well, except for Boy 2, he went out for about 10 minutes and just could not handle it and came back inside to play.  He is getting to the age were he is starting to tell when he cannot handle it.

Princess rinsed, Boy 1 brushed a blowed and Boy 3 and I were in charge of poop.  Yep, that's always my job, "Pooper Scooper!"  Oh well, Princess sprayed enough water all around that we all stayed well misted.  Boy 3 would get wet and then go stand in front of the fans and laugh.

Hubby came home an hour ago to get Boy 1, at one of the pastures at work they have ran out of water.  Hubby and Boy 1 are building hotwire fencing around a winter time pasture that has water.  They are building the fence and then will move the cattle.   We really need a good rain, like a four or five day steady rain.  The county fair is later in the week, hopefully it will rain then!  Anything at this point.

Supper is consisting of BLT sandwiches, cold slaw, baby carrots, cherry tomatoes.  When it is hot out and Hubby has worked since sun up, he does not like to eat anything real heavy or anything at all.  So I have to think outside the box, healthy and replenishing. 

Stay Cool!
Have A Great Day:)

Fans!

It is so hot this morning that the sheep fan will not start and the back up sheep fan shook for a little bit and did a cough and then quit!
Me: I'll go get the stand up white fan from the attic, for today.
Hubby: we have Cousin A's fan we will use it, big turbo.
Me: Isn't that a lot of air for the lambs?
Hubby: we need another small fan anyway.
Me: Okay.

Now that I am replaying this in my head, I think we might be saving for another fan!
Back story on the fan that finally quit, for those of you that knew Dinker Sweatman, it was one of his, it is older than sin, he gave it to me when he bought new fans. As Hubby said, they don't make fans like they used to!

Have A Great Day:)

K7 Herefords Pizza Recipe

K7 Herefords Pizza Recipe

2/3 Cup Warm water
2T Yeast
2T Sugar
stir gently let rise a little then add rest of ingredients.
3T Oil
1/2t Oregano
2Cup Cold Water
2T Sugar
1 1/2 t. Garlic Salt
About 7 Cups of flour
Let rise until double.
  Grease sheets with oil and sprinkle with yellow cornmeal.
 Spread dough and let rise in pan, about 1/2 hour.
 Then bake 5-8 minutes.
 Take out and add your toppings.  Bake again until done, about 15 minutes at 400*.  
One batch makes two big pans.


Option: This is what I usually do when it is the 6 of us:
Place 3/4 of dough in pizza pan and use for pizza. Remaining dough make into breadsticks, I use a small circle pizza pan, lightly oil, sprinkle with yellow cornmeal, push out dough with your fingers, you could roll it, but I go for messy, Brush with melted butter, sprinkle with garlic salt and parmesan cheese. Cut with pizza roller, let rise, then bake until golden brown 10-12 minutes at 400*.

I use for toppings:
1 lb Cooked Ground Hamburger
1 lb Cooked Ground Sausage
1 tomato or two-depending on size
1 large Onion
1 Can tomato Sauce
3-4 Cups cheese, whatever I have graded

K7 uses Dill Pickles diced up and in the words of Boy 1- it is AWESOME!!

Have A Great Day:)

PS- It is 8pm and still to HOT to go work with pigs, sheep or heifers.

Travel Mugs!!!

Who do you think invented the travel mug? Why did they invent the travel mug?  A few years ago a friend of mine gave me a green travel mug.  She gave me it so I could travel the 20 minutes to school with warm coffee and not spilling any on me or the kids or the car.  So you are thinking-duh-you just answered your own question, a mom invented the travel mug for warm beverage while taking her children somewhere.  Not so fast! This morning Boy 1 needed help walking lambs and with the forecast we needed to walk at 7am.  Boy 3 and I were nominated, because we were awake.  My coffee had just got done brewing and I had a moment of longing to have that warm wonderful coffee, and it hit me, the green travel mug.  Of course I thought I was the smartest person ever and Boy 1 gave me an eye roll and a "Really Mom!".  It worked, lamb halter in the right hand and coffee in the left.  All was happy 2 laps to the mailbox and I loved it!  God did give us a beautiful morning, the sunrise was amazing and everything was still quite.  Hard to believe it is going to be 103* today.

Tomato update:
4 hours of tomato yesterday and we ended up with
7 Quarts of tomato juice
4 gallons of tomato juice
17 quarts of chopped tomato and onions (to use in spaghetti sauce etc.)
10 quarts of stewed tomato
I think that is a pretty good start, I would like to do tomorrow.

Have A Great Day:)

Tomatoes!

I have now moved on to making tomato juice! Blanch them, peel them, cut the bottoms off, quarter them, throw them in the "milkshake machine", add a little brown sugar, salt, pepper. Hit purée for a little bit. Pur into freezer bags! Oh la la- so this winter we shall eat and drink and have tomatoes!

Hubby is at work then is going to go get boy 1. Then it is all animals be washed! The attire for today, swimsuits!

Princess had a blast last night helping neighbor boy with his 4H steer and heifer, Hubby said he was real proud of her, she really did try to help. Princess also had to admit that her parents really do a lot of helping, washing and clipping, but this is not just the kids project, it is our way of life!

Now lets go get wet, I mean let's go wash!

Have A Great Day:)

Lazy Saturday-HA!!!

Hubby has gone to work.
Boy 1 is showing sheep with Cousin C.
Boy 2 is outside, for now, about an hour longer and he will be in.
Princess sleeping.
Boy 3 is playing.

So it seems pretty lazy right?  WRONG! I have more tomatoes to put up, when Hubby gets home we will ALL have to help wash and clip barrows (pictures & maybe video will be posted), wethers need washed and clipped and Hubby has to go over to neighbors to clip their 4H cattle.  At least there is a hose involved, so we will be wet and not just burning hot:)

Sunday is going to be dedicated to washing and clipping anything that says "mooo". 

Have A Great Day:)

Snap Shots from JNHE!

Snap shots from JNHE!



Check out Great Gpa's feet! They loved the HYFA room.

Boy 1 and Daqurhi!

 A set  of Illinois parents!

 Winners of Livestock Judging.

 Princess looking like she might fit!

Princess and Hubby!