A Family Treehouse: April 2012

Monday, April 30, 2012

Lost in somewhere-Land?

Okey Dokey... Just in to say - I am STILL here, we have not blown away in an Oklahoma Tornado or other big wind (and let me TELL you... these big winds can be BIG! I had forgotten, living in an Oregon town with an average wind speed of 2.1667 mph!!); we have not been washed away by the 6+ inches of rain that we received over the coarse of 2 days (our little run-off pond is looking quite a bit better thanks to that rain, though)! We are still here plugging away.

You wanna know why I was absent all last week?

The whole answer and nothing but the truth answer?

OK - that's what I'll give you, just know that you can skip the whole story and be satisfied by "I am a mom with a busy set of 4 children, a funny farm, home learning, etc... and all of that got in the way of my blogging." OR, you can continue to read, but I leave that up to you and hold you responsible for the information that fogs up your brain. Amen, alleluia, where's the tylenol.

OK - all the way back to the "beginning of the end." I posted on Friday April 20th a "Focus Pocus Magic Moment" on our iMac - a big ol' imac computer that has easy access to old photos. As I finished the post, I saved it and went to use my macbook on the coffee table where I have cookies enabled that help a whole lot with things like finding that site that had the linky tool to allow link ups with my post. I was busy working away and nearly ready to head out with the family to the library book sale - so the treekids could gorge themselves on $0.25 books! I was hurrying and UPS arrived with my Amazon.com order for a couple computer games that work with a mac. Pops hollers that he wishes he would have known I was ordering from them since he needed a book ordered so that he could read it before a meeting that he was having to attend (ironically, he's on a plane for that destination today). I finished up my post and began the hunt for his book.

The book would not ship from amazon for 2-3 weeks. If you do the math, he would be flying away before the book would even ship. So, that wouldn't work. BN.com has the book in a nook book and paper available to be here within 3 business days. While the nook book would be instant, it wasn't charged AND Pops likes to use his red pen and mark up a book to his liking. SO, I began to hunt for an online coupon. I should have just ordered it, but I didn't. I felt that I needed to save a WHOLE dollar on my purchase. (That was a lot of wasted time for a dollar and I had to end up buying another item to get that discount - I was planning on purchasing it, but just not quite yet.) As I was trying to finish up my order, Bump came running into the room and I put up my arm to hold his enthusiastic and loving self back a bit but he swung his arm a little wide and with that... WHOOOOOSH... He knocked over my little bottle of diet coke. (That I did not have the lid screwed onto, that Pops had suggested and chastised me for not doing. I do not like the extra fizziness that seems to be in bottled soda. So, I usually pour it into a cup with ice - I think I would likely have had the same situation occur.) There was a towel laying there that I used to mop it up. I got everything mostly dried. I shooed everyone outside and I took off the back of the laptop and mopped up the teeny amount of coke and then took to it with a hair dryer (as suggested online on my iMac, now sitting alongside.) They recommended allowing the computer to sit and dry out for a week or so. I have not had the time to put it back together and turn it on. Because once I do turn that computer back on, I will be transferring all pictures immediately to my external hard drive. I don't know if things will short out after I turn it on, I don't know if there was much if any damage done. BUT, I know that it has been a stress this past week. I could have gotten on here and just told all about it like I am now...

BUT, we also had an additional stress added to our life! Our landlord decided to go ahead and put the property up for sale. SO, we have had about 8 showings in the first week. I hope that things either slooooooooooow down or they sell it so that we know what we are up against and can just move on. We have considered buying the property, but there are still many things to consider as far as if it will work out for us or not. My "computer time" this past week has not been used for blogging. I have been hunting for A.) a new rental acreage and B.) the Perfect home to purchase. I haven't found either, yet. I think that we will either need to change our search criteria or redefine "perfect"!!!

I am usually a photo blogger and rarely just post my novels. But, I haven't many current photos on this picture to make a nice picture story... So, I will just share this photo from May of 2008. I thought that my old dog looked old then... when I see her now - sheesh, she looks almost like a pup in this picture!!

I hope to get my laptop back together with photos all saved onto a external hard drive tonight - but it might have to wait until tomorrow night! Cross your fingers that I can retrieve my photos!!

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Mabel the Heifer's Reply

After Bump gave Mabel the cattle whispers... she thought about what he had to say for a minute and then...

Toddler Rides a "bull" - 119, Feeding the bottle calf is a great and fun activity most times! Bump is a great helper carrying bottles to the little heifer calf. He likes to go out to the pen in hopes of getting a chance to ride the calf and to get bucked off... Of course, Pops is right there to grab him so in getting "bucked off" he is actually being whisked away to the safety of his arms! Fun stuff - and such a fun kiddo! Oh, what this toddler won't do to ride on the back of a bull... even if the "bull" is really a 3 or 4 week old heifer calf!!! Pops ran and ran and ran trying to get Bump a good ride!

She responded in this manner:

Toddler Rides a "bull" - 125, Feeding the bottle calf is a great and fun activity most times! Bump is a great helper carrying bottles to the little heifer calf. He likes to go out to the pen in hopes of getting a chance to ride the calf and to get bucked off... Of course, Pops is right there to grab him so in getting "bucked off" he is actually being whisked away to the safety of his arms! Fun stuff - and such a fun kiddo! Oh, what this toddler won't do to ride on the back of a bull... even if the "bull" is really a 3 or 4 week old heifer calf!!! Pops ran and ran and ran trying to get Bump a good ride!

She really busted a move to show her stuff and let him know that she was the main event, eh?!

Toddler Rides a "bull" - 126, Feeding the bottle calf is a great and fun activity most times! Bump is a great helper carrying bottles to the little heifer calf. He likes to go out to the pen in hopes of getting a chance to ride the calf and to get bucked off... Of course, Pops is right there to grab him so in getting "bucked off" he is actually being whisked away to the safety of his arms! Fun stuff - and such a fun kiddo! Oh, what this toddler won't do to ride on the back of a bull... even if the "bull" is really a 3 or 4 week old heifer calf!!! Pops ran and ran and ran trying to get Bump a good ride!

She was running - coming and going - but NOT stopping and being still!

Toddler Rides a "bull" - 146, Feeding the bottle calf is a great and fun activity most times! Bump is a great helper carrying bottles to the little heifer calf. He likes to go out to the pen in hopes of getting a chance to ride the calf and to get bucked off... Of course, Pops is right there to grab him so in getting "bucked off" he is actually being whisked away to the safety of his arms! Fun stuff - and such a fun kiddo! Oh, what this toddler won't do to ride on the back of a bull... even if the "bull" is really a 3 or 4 week old heifer calf!!! Pops ran and ran and ran trying to get Bump a good ride!

And when she ran out of steam,

Toddler Rides a "bull" - 165, Feeding the bottle calf is a great and fun activity most times! Bump is a great helper carrying bottles to the little heifer calf. He likes to go out to the pen in hopes of getting a chance to ride the calf and to get bucked off... Of course, Pops is right there to grab him so in getting "bucked off" he is actually being whisked away to the safety of his arms! Fun stuff - and such a fun kiddo! Oh, what this toddler won't do to ride on the back of a bull... even if the "bull" is really a 3 or 4 week old heifer calf!!! Pops ran and ran and ran trying to get Bump a good ride!

She licked her nose. (In all fairness, she learned it from Levi picking his nose. And I share only because this blog is an accurate historic record of the lives of our family. I must say that picking his nose is something that he is good at right now. Well, Bump is good at sticking his finger in his nose and digging around - not too good at retrieval of things!)

Toddler Rides a "bull" - 171, Feeding the bottle calf is a great and fun activity most times! Bump is a great helper carrying bottles to the little heifer calf. He likes to go out to the pen in hopes of getting a chance to ride the calf and to get bucked off... Of course, Pops is right there to grab him so in getting "bucked off" he is actually being whisked away to the safety of his arms! Fun stuff - and such a fun kiddo! Oh, what this toddler won't do to ride on the back of a bull... even if the "bull" is really a 3 or 4 week old heifer calf!!! Pops ran and ran and ran trying to get Bump a good ride!

She stops fussin' in her nose when told, just like Bump. But, goes right back at it after stopping for a moment!

Toddler Rides a "bull" - 183, Feeding the bottle calf is a great and fun activity most times! Bump is a great helper carrying bottles to the little heifer calf. He likes to go out to the pen in hopes of getting a chance to ride the calf and to get bucked off... Of course, Pops is right there to grab him so in getting "bucked off" he is actually being whisked away to the safety of his arms! Fun stuff - and such a fun kiddo! Oh, what this toddler won't do to ride on the back of a bull... even if the "bull" is really a 3 or 4 week old heifer calf!!! Pops ran and ran and ran trying to get Bump a good ride!

and... I've Had the Time of My Li -i-i- ife

I decided I would ask Bump's help with telling about this set of pictures. He stood next to me and I asked questions...
ELM: So, what is in these pictures?

Toddler Rides a "bull" - 087, Feeding the bottle calf is a great and fun activity most times! Bump is a great helper carrying bottles to the little heifer calf. He likes to go out to the pen in hopes of getting a chance to ride the calf and to get bucked off... Of course, Pops is right there to grab him so in getting "bucked off" he is actually being whisked away to the safety of his arms! Fun stuff - and such a fun kiddo! Oh, what this toddler won't do to ride on the back of a bull... even if the "bull" is really a 3 or 4 week old heifer calf!!! Pops ran and ran and ran trying to get Bump a good ride!

Bump: Yah, me!

Toddler Rides a "bull" - 194, Feeding the bottle calf is a great and fun activity most times! Bump is a great helper carrying bottles to the little heifer calf. He likes to go out to the pen in hopes of getting a chance to ride the calf and to get bucked off... Of course, Pops is right there to grab him so in getting "bucked off" he is actually being whisked away to the safety of his arms! Fun stuff - and such a fun kiddo! Oh, what this toddler won't do to ride on the back of a bull... even if the "bull" is really a 3 or 4 week old heifer calf!!! Pops ran and ran and ran trying to get Bump a good ride!

ELM: What else is there?

Toddler Rides a "bull" - 195, Feeding the bottle calf is a great and fun activity most times! Bump is a great helper carrying bottles to the little heifer calf. He likes to go out to the pen in hopes of getting a chance to ride the calf and to get bucked off... Of course, Pops is right there to grab him so in getting "bucked off" he is actually being whisked away to the safety of his arms! Fun stuff - and such a fun kiddo! Oh, what this toddler won't do to ride on the back of a bull... even if the "bull" is really a 3 or 4 week old heifer calf!!! Pops ran and ran and ran trying to get Bump a good ride!

Bump: That's me and that's a cow. I wanna see ME!

Toddler Rides a "bull" - 196, Feeding the bottle calf is a great and fun activity most times! Bump is a great helper carrying bottles to the little heifer calf. He likes to go out to the pen in hopes of getting a chance to ride the calf and to get bucked off... Of course, Pops is right there to grab him so in getting "bucked off" he is actually being whisked away to the safety of his arms! Fun stuff - and such a fun kiddo! Oh, what this toddler won't do to ride on the back of a bull... even if the "bull" is really a 3 or 4 week old heifer calf!!! Pops ran and ran and ran trying to get Bump a good ride!

ELM: What are you doing with the calf in these pictures?

Toddler Rides a "bull" - 197, Feeding the bottle calf is a great and fun activity most times! Bump is a great helper carrying bottles to the little heifer calf. He likes to go out to the pen in hopes of getting a chance to ride the calf and to get bucked off... Of course, Pops is right there to grab him so in getting "bucked off" he is actually being whisked away to the safety of his arms! Fun stuff - and such a fun kiddo! Oh, what this toddler won't do to ride on the back of a bull... even if the "bull" is really a 3 or 4 week old heifer calf!!! Pops ran and ran and ran trying to get Bump a good ride!

Bump: I wanted to go see.

ELM: What did you want to go see?

Toddler Rides a "bull" - 199, Feeding the bottle calf is a great and fun activity most times! Bump is a great helper carrying bottles to the little heifer calf. He likes to go out to the pen in hopes of getting a chance to ride the calf and to get bucked off... Of course, Pops is right there to grab him so in getting "bucked off" he is actually being whisked away to the safety of his arms! Fun stuff - and such a fun kiddo! Oh, what this toddler won't do to ride on the back of a bull... even if the "bull" is really a 3 or 4 week old heifer calf!!! Pops ran and ran and ran trying to get Bump a good ride!

Pops pulls into the drive and Bump has no interest in talking anymore!!

Toddler Rides a "bull" - 200, Feeding the bottle calf is a great and fun activity most times! Bump is a great helper carrying bottles to the little heifer calf. He likes to go out to the pen in hopes of getting a chance to ride the calf and to get bucked off... Of course, Pops is right there to grab him so in getting "bucked off" he is actually being whisked away to the safety of his arms! Fun stuff - and such a fun kiddo! Oh, what this toddler won't do to ride on the back of a bull... even if the "bull" is really a 3 or 4 week old heifer calf!!! Pops ran and ran and ran trying to get Bump a good ride!

So, I guess I will just explain that this was all after Bump was trying to ride his "bull" and Pops was trying to help make it happen!

Toddler Rides a "bull" - 201, Feeding the bottle calf is a great and fun activity most times! Bump is a great helper carrying bottles to the little heifer calf. He likes to go out to the pen in hopes of getting a chance to ride the calf and to get bucked off... Of course, Pops is right there to grab him so in getting "bucked off" he is actually being whisked away to the safety of his arms! Fun stuff - and such a fun kiddo! Oh, what this toddler won't do to ride on the back of a bull... even if the "bull" is really a 3 or 4 week old heifer calf!!! Pops ran and ran and ran trying to get Bump a good ride!

He came to make friends and see if he couldn't use a little cattle whispering to convince this little heifer to let him practice being a big tough cowboy on her back.

Toddler Rides a "bull" - 204, Feeding the bottle calf is a great and fun activity most times! Bump is a great helper carrying bottles to the little heifer calf. He likes to go out to the pen in hopes of getting a chance to ride the calf and to get bucked off... Of course, Pops is right there to grab him so in getting "bucked off" he is actually being whisked away to the safety of his arms! Fun stuff - and such a fun kiddo! Oh, what this toddler won't do to ride on the back of a bull... even if the "bull" is really a 3 or 4 week old heifer calf!!! Pops ran and ran and ran trying to get Bump a good ride!

She does just a little bit of bucking - not too much and not too hard. Plenty to give a little thrill if he can get on!!

Toddler Rides a "bull" - 206, Feeding the bottle calf is a great and fun activity most times! Bump is a great helper carrying bottles to the little heifer calf. He likes to go out to the pen in hopes of getting a chance to ride the calf and to get bucked off... Of course, Pops is right there to grab him so in getting "bucked off" he is actually being whisked away to the safety of his arms! Fun stuff - and such a fun kiddo! Oh, what this toddler won't do to ride on the back of a bull... even if the "bull" is really a 3 or 4 week old heifer calf!!! Pops ran and ran and ran trying to get Bump a good ride!

He just loves going out and being with the calves. He wants to be out there often and I have had to put a child proof door knob cover on the door knob to keep in inside. He figured out the dead bolt the other day and I searched the house looking for him - he had been playing with his little football guys and had now disappeared. Eventually, I found him on the front porch putting his "boo-ks" (sounds like boot without the "t"!!) on to go out and see the calves. (No worries, all the big treekids know how and are able to open the door in case of a fire or something.)

Toddler Rides a "bull" - 208, Feeding the bottle calf is a great and fun activity most times! Bump is a great helper carrying bottles to the little heifer calf. He likes to go out to the pen in hopes of getting a chance to ride the calf and to get bucked off... Of course, Pops is right there to grab him so in getting "bucked off" he is actually being whisked away to the safety of his arms! Fun stuff - and such a fun kiddo! Oh, what this toddler won't do to ride on the back of a bull... even if the "bull" is really a 3 or 4 week old heifer calf!!! Pops ran and ran and ran trying to get Bump a good ride!

So, this boy is havin' the TIME OF HIS LIFE living with his own bottle calves on the yard, angus mama cows and calves to the west, and shorthorn mama cows and calves to the south. All he needs is a pen of bucking stock to try out. I think he might like to have a horse and a good rope to give that a go, too. We'll have to see how well he can work his daddy to get what he wants!

Toddler Rides a "bull" - 209, Feeding the bottle calf is a great and fun activity most times! Bump is a great helper carrying bottles to the little heifer calf. He likes to go out to the pen in hopes of getting a chance to ride the calf and to get bucked off... Of course, Pops is right there to grab him so in getting "bucked off" he is actually being whisked away to the safety of his arms! Fun stuff - and such a fun kiddo! Oh, what this toddler won't do to ride on the back of a bull... even if the "bull" is really a 3 or 4 week old heifer calf!!! Pops ran and ran and ran trying to get Bump a good ride!

And for now... he'll just hang out and do his cattle whispering.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

(Mostly) Wordless Wednesday

BEFORE

DURING

AFTER

Projected Date: 8-9 months from now

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Ride 'em Cowboy!!

I am so behind on photos... I took this grouping of photos several weeks ago and have been meaning to crop and such to load and share. Bump loves to say, "Go see calves. Ride 'em?"

Toddler Rides a "bull" - 068, Feeding the bottle calf is a great and fun activity most times! Bump is a great helper carrying bottles to the little heifer calf. He likes to go out to the pen in hopes of getting a chance to ride the calf and to get bucked off... Of course, Pops is right there to grab him so in getting "bucked off" he is actually being whisked away to the safety of his arms! Fun stuff - and such a fun kiddo! Oh, what this toddler won't do to ride on the back of a bull... even if the "bull" is really a 3 or 4 week old heifer calf!!! Pops ran and ran and ran trying to get Bump a good ride!

So, out they went to feed the bottles. Pops tried to keep "Mabel" still by feeding her and trying to get Bump up there at the same time!

Toddler Rides a "bull" - 070, Feeding the bottle calf is a great and fun activity most times! Bump is a great helper carrying bottles to the little heifer calf. He likes to go out to the pen in hopes of getting a chance to ride the calf and to get bucked off... Of course, Pops is right there to grab him so in getting "bucked off" he is actually being whisked away to the safety of his arms! Fun stuff - and such a fun kiddo! Oh, what this toddler won't do to ride on the back of a bull... even if the "bull" is really a 3 or 4 week old heifer calf!!! Pops ran and ran and ran trying to get Bump a good ride!

I think it is so funny that as soon as he is on the calf, he throws one arm up in the air... This day, he rode with his left being the free arm!

Toddler Rides a "bull" - 075, Feeding the bottle calf is a great and fun activity most times! Bump is a great helper carrying bottles to the little heifer calf. He likes to go out to the pen in hopes of getting a chance to ride the calf and to get bucked off... Of course, Pops is right there to grab him so in getting "bucked off" he is actually being whisked away to the safety of his arms! Fun stuff - and such a fun kiddo! Oh, what this toddler won't do to ride on the back of a bull... even if the "bull" is really a 3 or 4 week old heifer calf!!! Pops ran and ran and ran trying to get Bump a good ride!

This boy needs a bull rope to hold onto!!

Toddler Rides a "bull" - 076, Feeding the bottle calf is a great and fun activity most times! Bump is a great helper carrying bottles to the little heifer calf. He likes to go out to the pen in hopes of getting a chance to ride the calf and to get bucked off... Of course, Pops is right there to grab him so in getting "bucked off" he is actually being whisked away to the safety of his arms! Fun stuff - and such a fun kiddo! Oh, what this toddler won't do to ride on the back of a bull... even if the "bull" is really a 3 or 4 week old heifer calf!!! Pops ran and ran and ran trying to get Bump a good ride!

I think he might have been happier with something to hold onto, anyway!

Oh, never mind! He rides with two free arms just fine!

Pops didn't really want him to fall off and onto his head, so he was right there to grab him when he started dippin' to the side a bit!

Toddler Rides a "bull" - 079, Feeding the bottle calf is a great and fun activity most times! Bump is a great helper carrying bottles to the little heifer calf. He likes to go out to the pen in hopes of getting a chance to ride the calf and to get bucked off... Of course, Pops is right there to grab him so in getting "bucked off" he is actually being whisked away to the safety of his arms! Fun stuff - and such a fun kiddo! Oh, what this toddler won't do to ride on the back of a bull... even if the "bull" is really a 3 or 4 week old heifer calf!!! Pops ran and ran and ran trying to get Bump a good ride!

I think that Bump thought it was a fun time whether he had the bull rope or not!

Toddler Rides a "bull" - 081, Feeding the bottle calf is a great and fun activity most times! Bump is a great helper carrying bottles to the little heifer calf. He likes to go out to the pen in hopes of getting a chance to ride the calf and to get bucked off... Of course, Pops is right there to grab him so in getting "bucked off" he is actually being whisked away to the safety of his arms! Fun stuff - and such a fun kiddo! Oh, what this toddler won't do to ride on the back of a bull... even if the "bull" is really a 3 or 4 week old heifer calf!!! Pops ran and ran and ran trying to get Bump a good ride!

Yes, sir! That boy begged to ride again, and again, and again!! Poor ol' Pops chased that calf around and around the pen to give Bump a good ride or two... or ten!! Now, I'll just be quiet and let you enjoy the sillyness and fun and the smiles!

Toddler Rides a "bull" - 094, Feeding the bottle calf is a great and fun activity most times! Bump is a great helper carrying bottles to the little heifer calf. He likes to go out to the pen in hopes of getting a chance to ride the calf and to get bucked off... Of course, Pops is right there to grab him so in getting "bucked off" he is actually being whisked away to the safety of his arms! Fun stuff - and such a fun kiddo! Oh, what this toddler won't do to ride on the back of a bull... even if the "bull" is really a 3 or 4 week old heifer calf!!! Pops ran and ran and ran trying to get Bump a good ride!

Toddler Rides a "bull" - 096, Feeding the bottle calf is a great and fun activity most times! Bump is a great helper carrying bottles to the little heifer calf. He likes to go out to the pen in hopes of getting a chance to ride the calf and to get bucked off... Of course, Pops is right there to grab him so in getting "bucked off" he is actually being whisked away to the safety of his arms! Fun stuff - and such a fun kiddo! Oh, what this toddler won't do to ride on the back of a bull... even if the "bull" is really a 3 or 4 week old heifer calf!!! Pops ran and ran and ran trying to get Bump a good ride!

Toddler Rides a "bull" - 098, Feeding the bottle calf is a great and fun activity most times! Bump is a great helper carrying bottles to the little heifer calf. He likes to go out to the pen in hopes of getting a chance to ride the calf and to get bucked off... Of course, Pops is right there to grab him so in getting "bucked off" he is actually being whisked away to the safety of his arms! Fun stuff - and such a fun kiddo! Oh, what this toddler won't do to ride on the back of a bull... even if the "bull" is really a 3 or 4 week old heifer calf!!! Pops ran and ran and ran trying to get Bump a good ride!

Toddler Rides a "bull" - 100, Feeding the bottle calf is a great and fun activity most times! Bump is a great helper carrying bottles to the little heifer calf. He likes to go out to the pen in hopes of getting a chance to ride the calf and to get bucked off... Of course, Pops is right there to grab him so in getting "bucked off" he is actually being whisked away to the safety of his arms! Fun stuff - and such a fun kiddo! Oh, what this toddler won't do to ride on the back of a bull... even if the "bull" is really a 3 or 4 week old heifer calf!!! Pops ran and ran and ran trying to get Bump a good ride!

Toddler Rides a "bull" - 102, Feeding the bottle calf is a great and fun activity most times! Bump is a great helper carrying bottles to the little heifer calf. He likes to go out to the pen in hopes of getting a chance to ride the calf and to get bucked off... Of course, Pops is right there to grab him so in getting "bucked off" he is actually being whisked away to the safety of his arms! Fun stuff - and such a fun kiddo! Oh, what this toddler won't do to ride on the back of a bull... even if the "bull" is really a 3 or 4 week old heifer calf!!! Pops ran and ran and ran trying to get Bump a good ride!

Toddler Rides a "bull" - 105, Feeding the bottle calf is a great and fun activity most times! Bump is a great helper carrying bottles to the little heifer calf. He likes to go out to the pen in hopes of getting a chance to ride the calf and to get bucked off... Of course, Pops is right there to grab him so in getting "bucked off" he is actually being whisked away to the safety of his arms! Fun stuff - and such a fun kiddo! Oh, what this toddler won't do to ride on the back of a bull... even if the "bull" is really a 3 or 4 week old heifer calf!!! Pops ran and ran and ran trying to get Bump a good ride!

Toddler Rides a "bull" - 109, Feeding the bottle calf is a great and fun activity most times! Bump is a great helper carrying bottles to the little heifer calf. He likes to go out to the pen in hopes of getting a chance to ride the calf and to get bucked off... Of course, Pops is right there to grab him so in getting "bucked off" he is actually being whisked away to the safety of his arms! Fun stuff - and such a fun kiddo! Oh, what this toddler won't do to ride on the back of a bull... even if the "bull" is really a 3 or 4 week old heifer calf!!! Pops ran and ran and ran trying to get Bump a good ride!

Toddler Rides a "bull" - 111, Feeding the bottle calf is a great and fun activity most times! Bump is a great helper carrying bottles to the little heifer calf. He likes to go out to the pen in hopes of getting a chance to ride the calf and to get bucked off... Of course, Pops is right there to grab him so in getting "bucked off" he is actually being whisked away to the safety of his arms! Fun stuff - and such a fun kiddo! Oh, what this toddler won't do to ride on the back of a bull... even if the "bull" is really a 3 or 4 week old heifer calf!!! Pops ran and ran and ran trying to get Bump a good ride!

Toddler Rides a "bull" - 123, Feeding the bottle calf is a great and fun activity most times! Bump is a great helper carrying bottles to the little heifer calf. He likes to go out to the pen in hopes of getting a chance to ride the calf and to get bucked off... Of course, Pops is right there to grab him so in getting "bucked off" he is actually being whisked away to the safety of his arms! Fun stuff - and such a fun kiddo! Oh, what this toddler won't do to ride on the back of a bull... even if the "bull" is really a 3 or 4 week old heifer calf!!! Pops ran and ran and ran trying to get Bump a good ride!

Toddler Rides a "bull" - 256, Feeding the bottle calf is a great and fun activity most times! Bump is a great helper carrying bottles to the little heifer calf. He likes to go out to the pen in hopes of getting a chance to ride the calf and to get bucked off... Of course, Pops is right there to grab him so in getting "bucked off" he is actually being whisked away to the safety of his arms! Fun stuff - and such a fun kiddo! Oh, what this toddler won't do to ride on the back of a bull... even if the "bull" is really a 3 or 4 week old heifer calf!!! Pops ran and ran and ran trying to get Bump a good ride!

Toddler Rides a "bull" - 257, Feeding the bottle calf is a great and fun activity most times! Bump is a great helper carrying bottles to the little heifer calf. He likes to go out to the pen in hopes of getting a chance to ride the calf and to get bucked off... Of course, Pops is right there to grab him so in getting "bucked off" he is actually being whisked away to the safety of his arms! Fun stuff - and such a fun kiddo! Oh, what this toddler won't do to ride on the back of a bull... even if the "bull" is really a 3 or 4 week old heifer calf!!! Pops ran and ran and ran trying to get Bump a good ride!

They had a good time and have tried many more times to get that calf rode!

Pops' outfit brought to you by: Treekids slipper purchase 2 Christmas' ago, standard Hane's socks, Cabella's t-shirt for Father's Day 3 years ago, Adidas shorts for the hot day. Yes, he DOES have the appropriate jeans, boot socks, boots, shirts, etc... apparently heat goes with shorts and slippers!! I make no claims on his fashion statements!! (In all fairness, there are mornings that I run out to help feed calves in pajama pants, a sweatshirt and cowboy boots[or maybe flip-flops!] before running back inside to shower!)

Monday, April 16, 2012

Unplanned Holiday Break!!

Well, THAT was a fun week and we are all just a little tuckered out!!

I did not plan to take a week off from blogging, but... these things happen every now and then! Here's a quick run down of what all has been going on since the Wednesday before Easter.

Maundy Thursday we had a lenten tea and read from the Bible and had lovely foods to represent what we were reading... it was fun. I took pictures. They are still on my camera. BUT, you can see an example of all the fun over at my friend Jessica's Blog. We gained another dog for a few days while our friends went out of town. Such a nice well behaved yellow lab to run around and bark at rabbits, squirrels and birds on the yard!

Good Friday we also had a lenten tea and did something very similar to Thursday, but we were remembering the story of Good Friday... yes, my friend Jessica (even with her little baby) was able to get her pictures taken and posted of their day's tea. You can see her tea by clicking here to see what we sort of did. Maybe I will still load all of our pictures... but, possibly not!

Saturday we went to the Easter Vigil Mass on request of our children. It was very exciting for them to be in the dark in the church and then watch the priest light the fire in the vestibule. And it was VERY exciting to get to each hold a small candle and light theirs from their neighbor and turn and light the next one! We were at Mass for over 2 hours and Bump did surprisingly VERY well! Blossom had a few moments when I thought she would fall over and sleep! But, she made it through, too. All of the adults around us commented on the treekids good behavior and I have to say maybe going to church when they would normally be sleeping just might be an AOK kind of idea!!!

Easter Sunday the treekids hunted eggs, ate chocolates, enjoyed the excitement while I prepared a FEAST! Our Easter Feast included a ham, sweet potatoes, corn casserole, pickled beets, deviled eggs, pineapple upside down cake and fresh homemade croissants! We had a nice relaxing day and enjoyed being together.

Monday morning was spent doing a little schoolwork before racing around and preparing our home for our company!! My mom and dad arrived that afternoon and we enjoyed a lovely salmon dinner. The treekids were so excited to have Geemah and PopPop arrive.

Tuesday we went to Guthrie to see what we could see... PopPop took the kids to find a park and have ice cream and Geemah and I wandered in the shops and discovered that maybe we should have chosen a different location to explore sans children!! It was fun none the less. We stopped and picked up a lawn tractor battery and PopPop taught Bud how to drive the mower and mow the lawn! Geemah and I ran to Stillwater (well, we actually drove - but it was a quick trip) to get a few things for birthday surprises the next day!

Wednesday was Branch's 9th (where has the time gone) birthday! We woke her up with the standard Happy Birthday song and a tray filled with breakfast in bed delights! Pops had to work in the afternoon/evening, so we had a little birthday party over lunch with some new friends that we met at our church. She had a horsey cake, western decor and a horse pinata! The kids had fun and had a kick with other children! Our friends came by to pick up their dog in the evening after we enjoyed eating out at a local Mexican Restaurant.

Thursday we went to town, had lunch at the Rib Crib and hunted for a bike replacement for Branch's birthday. We had purchased her a new tire - but it didn't work quite right and actually cost 2/5 of the price of a brand new bicycle! So, hers had been around the block a few times over and we just returned the tire and got a new bike. Running around with Geemah and PopPop and just in general hanging out was the fun for the day.

Friday, Geemah and PopPop were headed to Meramec Caverns in Missouri on their way home to Illinois. So, we let Bud go along for the ride and visit the caves. He had a great time and loved every minute of it - or so it seems when he tells me about every second of the tour! Pops joined them in central MO that night after he finished working in Kansas City and they went out to eat. While all that fun was going on, we went to the HomeSchool park day, errands, a little craft/antique fair down the road and got our house back into shape post-company!! THe girls wanted to do something special, so we had their version of a slumber party... stay up late watching movies, sleep on the floor - in my room since it isn't carpeted in the living room and there were some bad storms predicted and I thought being together would be best! In the middle of the night, my wonderful landlord called from a town west of here and told me their sirens were going off for a tornado warning and that I needed to watch the radar and be getting ready to enter the storm shelter. I struggled and struggled with that blasted storm shelter and could not in my middle of the night stupor get it open, so I made a new plan if the hook echo continued on the radar and would come near our location. (I do NOT do well in a sleepy chaos!) Turns out the hook diminished and the whole storm sort of calmed a bit around our home. We did get a massive amount of wind and rain, but no hail or tornado! After I saw that the whole storm had crossed our area, I went back to bed knowing that I would be dragging on Saturday!

Saturday gave Pops and Bud a day of driving in thunderstorms. Then they were one mile into Oklahoma and they hit a pothole that was very deep and just wide enough that they blew out their tire. They pulled over to the side of the road as the 7th vehicle to hit the pothole and pop a tire! The Lexus in front of them blew out 2 tires. Good times waiting for roadside assistance and then making it slowly and surely to the big city for a new set of tires! They eventually made it home for meatloaf before any storms showed up in our area. He checked the opening to the storm shelter and had no trouble opening it up. (Made me feel a little foolish!) Before we went to bed, we saw that a line of storms was developing on the western border of Oklahoma. Pops set the alarm clock to wake him up to check the radar around 4 am. He got me up to watch with him and to make sure that I was awake enough for when the storms would cross the interstate to our county or I would be of no help! Turns out it calmed a lot and we again only had a lot of wind and rain. Too much sleeplessness for storms this weekend! But, we are safe and fine and our pond is filling up!

Sunday we went to church in the morning and enjoyed eating the Knights of Columbus' breakfast. We had a calm afternoon and I even managed to snag a nap!

SO, it has been busy around here and it surely doesn't feel like I took any kind of vacation! But, I just didn't make or find any extra time to do much on the computer! Now, I am back and hoping to get some of those 600 photos loaded that I have taken in the past 2 weeks!! Wish me luck!

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Wordless Wednesday: Cheeseball Grins

Kids Feeding Baby Bottle Calves - 10, Silly kids bottle feeding calves, "holstein heifer" and "black bull calf"

Kids Feeding Baby Bottle Calves - 12, Silly kids bottle feeding calves, "holstein heifer" and "black bull calf"

Kids Feeding Baby Bottle Calves - 19, Silly kids bottle feeding calves, "holstein heifer" and "black bull calf"

Kids Feeding Baby Bottle Calves - 20, Silly kids bottle feeding calves, "holstein heifer" and "black bull calf"

Kids Feeding Baby Bottle Calves - 21, Silly kids bottle feeding calves, "holstein heifer" and "black bull calf"

Kids Feeding Baby Bottle Calves - 32, Silly kids bottle feeding calves, "holstein heifer" and "black bull calf"

Kids Feeding Baby Bottle Calves - 34, Silly kids bottle feeding calves, "holstein heifer" and "black bull calf"