Time to Celebrate!

June is finally over!!! That is a cause for a HUGE celebration at our house. We have been sooooooo busy. Bryant was in charge of getting enough cows ready to place 600 embryos. That is a process that takes three weeks, and he had four different groups going at the same time. In the meantime, I picked up a part time job cooking for the ranch. I would cook for big events like branding or when the tech was here placing embryos. I cooked for about 6 weeks, 1 to 4 days a week, and anywhere from 5 to 21 people. I had to come up with the menu, do the shopping, cook it, deliver it, and then come home and clean it all up. The cowboys branded close to 4,000 head of cattle also. Bryant only missed one day due to his embryo project. So mix that all together with trying to get the final water of the season spread out and attempting to potty train left us spread pretty thin. We survived though and I am glad June doesn't come for another year! So as you can guess I didn't take the time to take too many pictures.  But this is what I could dig up.

Bryant works with a guy who rodeos quite a bit, so he went down and bucked out one night. He gave it a shot at the Stock Saddle Bronc Riding. I being a horrible photographer didn't see the ride or get any pictures of the actual ride, because I was trying to hard to get a picture. 

We even had enough time one evening to let MaKatie ride. She grows faster than a weed these days, so she doesn't have any boots. I told Bryant she looks like a hippie riding in her water shoes.

Learning to care for her horse.

Occasionally we'd have a few minutes all together. They were treasured moments in the month of June.

Helping mom clean up after making peanut butter bars for the cowboys.

We managed to take a drive with some of the service missionaries one Sunday afternoon up the mountain. It was gorgeous, fun, and we saw lots of wildlife. It was also nice to have someone else there to take a picture with us all in it.

June was crazy, but I guess its good that I took a few pictures. I had forgotten some of the fun things we did already. Maybe I didn't get everything done that I wanted too like potty training. I gave up on it about 10 days ago, cause I was too busy to have the patience I needed. So next week we'll start again. I think she's about got it down really. July seems to have slowed down already and we are enjoying the time together. I am also grateful to be unemployed again. Well as unemployed as a full time stay at home mom can be. 

May... a 3 in 1 month...

Ok- so this video clip is supposed to be later, but I can't get it to go where I want it to. MaKatie's version of jumping on the bed. My favorite part is that I started it, and made dad finish it. hee hee

So Easter was a long time ago, and I still didn't get you Easter pics. Today I am going to play a quick catch up on our little life. 

We had an Easter Egg hunt with the other kids on the ranch,

and the Easter bunny visited on Sunday with an Easter outfit and candy.

We've helped both Grandpas brand this spring. Here is a quick preview of the events and some of the other projects that have kept us busy.

Grandpa Brown let us rope...

...and so I got to ride the horse.

Grandpa McMullin ran his through the shoot...

so I got to ride a calf.

Dad and Grandpa didn't communicate very well so this is where I stayed, while the calf ran off.

What else can I climb on to ride?

In the three weeks between the two brandings, we did a lot more... worked with dad, filled in lots of mouse holes in our house, fed the DL&L branding crew, yard work, painting, had grandma visit, let mom have the weekend off sick, etc.

See our brier patch...

it has to go...

looking better, but still a lot more work to go.
Thanks to the service missionaries on the ranch for their help!
With the three of us it took all day to get this far.
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Playing with Grandma when she came for a visit.

I learned how to jump on the bed and climb up on it all in the same day.

First we flagged in the truck for dad...

then I got to do the fun stuff too.
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She saw her first real butterfly. Its been a favorite word for months.

Having a snack picnic with Grandma.

Recovering from the long week of yard work, fixing mouse holes, and playing with grandparents.

And every once in awhile I got to help feed the dogs too.

Spring has Sprung & Easter has Come

So a few signs of spring are finally here! We started calving, the temperature occasionally hits the 60s (once without the wind), the cleaning/painting bug has bitten me, and we celebrated Easter.This blog was really two or three separate blogs in my head but I didn't get them done, so now I am rolling it all into one. Maybe I will really get it finished that way.

Several weeks ago, they calved out all the heifers. I want to say 2,500 of them, but don't quote me because Bryant isn't here to verify that number. The heifers are at another location so the cowboys from here each took a turn for a couple days of each week to go help. Bryant was on the Friday/Saturday shift. What that really means is he left Thursday afternoon to make the 2-3 hour drive and returned Saturday pretty close to midnight. That meant it was a girl's weekend for us. We went to the great big town of Evanston on Friday and Saturday we worked on projects around listening to conference. 

We planted flowers inside, since its still too cold outside.

We dug out the bike for a couple of days, but mom decided that was way too much effort. Do you know how far down there it is? I think we will wait until we can get the tricycle for Grandma's house.

Our version of sidewalk chalk since, mom keeps forgetting to look for some at the store.

We even painted our toenails for the good weather. She even has "butterfly" stickers on. (Really they are flowers, but good luck convincing her of that.)

Occasionally we brave the summer clothes. We have to wear them before it gets too warm and the mosquitoes come out. I remember them being very big and in large quantities around here.

We started this... mess. Getting ready to paint the master bedroom.

Another genius move on mom's part. Let's show her how to slide on mom and dad's bed while it's in the living room. She loved it, but it was a lot of work to keep putting her up there. 

The almost finished project. Still need to do some touch ups, the trim, and did I mention the rest of the house? 

The other day she wanted to go outside, but we were watching conference. I opened the door so she could ride her bike on the porch. The next thing I know, she's in the cupboard. I thought it was a brilliant hiding spot cause we just store blankets out there.

Nope she found it!

She will also want to go on a "walk". She'll grab my finger and beg for a walk. Refuses to tell me what she wants, so we go for a walk. Right below this cupboard and points. I ask her if she wants crackers and go through the whole list. Nope, not a  thing, she wants up. As you can see, she's had me remove a lot of the items. She's looking for candy and wont believe me that it's all gone. Which it is, really it is...gone to another hiding spot.

We found a sandbox for now. (Until those flowers we planted inside are ready for it).

She picked these dandelions played with them outside all day. The next day we went back outside and she found them- dehydrated and all. Played with them again all day. I helped them disappear that night.

Grandma (Robin)- this one is for you. She must be related to you cause she wants her shoes off after we get outside. Silly girl.

Okay, so this post is getting really long and MaKatie just woke up,so Easter is coming in part 2.

A Romantic Side of the Cowboy Lifestyle

   When I announced I was getting married 5 years ago, I had some who let me know that marrying "a cowboy" was a big mistake. I argued then and I still argue that. Besides the fact that I think he is the cutest man alive, I won the lottery with him. No he doesn't make the big bucks. Its not about the money. Its the lifestyle. That is worth more than any money can buy. Think about it... how much money do people from town spend on a vacation to try and get a glimpse of my life. We live the romantic life of it all. I wont lie, while the life is great it can be hard. Opposition is in everything. Some evenings are long as he rushes to beat the sun taking care of God's creatures. But then there are evenings like tonight...

   MaKatie and I went out to the barn to be with our cowboy. We watched as the horses got shod. Listened to all the cowboys talk. And the romance of it all began. His little cowgirl (You know the one that doesn't play with dolls, but can tell you what any animal is and what sound it makes. She will make sure you know every time the dog barks outside or tells her mom that the horses are out and almost in the yard.) comes to life. You can see the excitement and happiness in her eyes as she tells you the names of all her horses; Shasta, Britches, Pal, and Jay. She watches the shoer's boys roping the dummy and  shouts "rope." Oh and how exciting is it to go put the horses back with dad. To wear his hat. To help feed the dogs. She is so in love with him.

   As her mom and his wife, it all makes my heart shout for joy. I can't describe the joy it brings me. I love to watch his eyes light up when she smiles at him. They are best friends. It's evenings like this that make me thank my Heavenly Father for all the wonderful creations he has made for me. 

From mommy to human again...

Lately, I've felt a little over consumed with the "MOM" world. If we are all honest and sincere, no matter how much you love your kids it can get old when you stay home. This job is 24/7. There are no days off or I just want to ____ all day without any interruptions. Kids become your identity. You become the mom of the cute little girl. Everyone knows you by your child. I was starting to resent it a little, but felt very guilty about that. So I kept trying to come up with something I could do from home that doesn't interfere with my family, but could give me an identity besides mom.

As it usually happens my answer to prayer came through someone else. A dear friend from my teenage years, came to me with a proposition. She wanted to do a baby boutique with western items, but wanted a partner. I said sure, I could make a few things. Well bless her heart she signed us up for a craft show. I thought holy cow, do I want in that much? Will it interfere with my family? She knew me, like she always has, and pushed me. It has been great! I have a reason to clean my house and play with MaKatie, so that during nap time I can work on a boutique project. Do you get this? I am motivated to get up and clean and do all the mundane mommy tasks again, because I have something else to do after. My house is cleaner, laundry kept up better, dinners with more enthusiasm, etc. (Confession- I still do most of it in my pajamas though. They are just comfortable. When you start to stop by unannounced then I might get dressed more often.) We had our first craft show for the Lazy K Boutique. We sold a few things and got our business card out to quite a few. For a closer up sampling of some of our projects look for us on Facebook. We are still creating our product line and working the kinks out. But I have sure enjoyed it.

 Mix a motivator with a new hair do. And now its starting to add up.

Add that with a celebration of our 5 year anniversary. And we're really talking. MaKatie went to visit a set of her favorite grandparents for the weekend, so Bryant and I could spend some time together by ourselves. It was so nice to get out and not worry about not being too late because we have a sitter or how is she doing with the new sitter, etc. I didn't have to feel guilty playing without her cause I knew she would be having fun with Grandma and Grandpa. I forgot that when you both aren't carrying baby or baby related items, you can hold hands and he can open your door for you again. It was good to feel like a "girl" again. To be reminded that to my dear husband at least I am more than just a mommy and maid. (Not that he treats me that way at home, but a little extra is nice occasionally.)

So being a mom does have its perks too. We go to a local playgroup. MaKatie plays with kids while we moms eat fabulous food and visit. It was here that they introduced me to Pinterest. This has been fun! Lots of fun ideas for dinner and cute do it yourself decorating ideas. I have been inspired. We currently don't have a headboard for our bed, so with some help from Pinterest... I've been planning. Bryant's found me some barn wood... So now I have to get my house painted so I can put it all together. My goal is to get it done before its warm enough to play in the flower beds. So maybe I'll post on a newly decorated house before summer is over. If only I can decide on what colors again. I think I just did this less than a year ago for a different house. Guess I didn't learn how much work it takes last time.

All and Totally About MaKatie

It's been awhile since I've posted on MaKatie. She will be 17 months in a week. That means I only have 5 more weeks before she can go to nursery. YAY! She really is great in church, but I would love to focus on a lesson instead of a toy or snacks. She is still at the top of the growth charts weighing in at 26 pounds on the home scales. She wears 18 month - 3T clothes. Everyone is always shocked to hear she is so young. Smart she is. Talks our ears off non-stop. Especially if its about animals. If you aren't talking to her she will just randomly say "horse" to start a conversation. Animals are often called by the sounds they make instead of their names. For example she can say, "cow" but instead says "mmm" (moo) when she sees them. She started out saying car and truck with the appropriate vehicle but now everything with wheels is a truck. Her dad is so proud cause "trucks are better." She has finally figured out she can say "no!" That's trying my patience as she tests it out. And that opinion of hers isn't so easy to persuade differently anymore. 

Any hair accessory she can find, she wants it on. I thought we had a few more years before the girly stuff kicked in.

So MaKatie took her first steps clear back in November, was cruising around furniture before she crawled,  but is just now deciding she really can walk. She has won the lazy baby award in our book. It took ten months to crawl, could roll over before that but wouldn't do it (it was like she'd figure out how and then decide that was enough), and is just barely starting to walk around at 16 1/2 months. This video is at Grandma's house last weekend. Grandma and Grandpa could get her to walk between them, but she wouldn't for dad or mom. Just today she was walking to get somewhere besides between two people. It's been lots of fun. I am super excited to have her walk. Have you carried  25 plus pounds around for very long. These arms are welcoming a break and maybe we'll get some cardio in chasing her while we are at it.

She's definitely getting independent. We had the stomach flu one day and even then mom wasn't good enough. She had to watch cartoons by herself. When I looked up she was sleeping folded over in half. Like her head was resting on her knees. Ouch! I am not that flexible. Mom was too slow getting the camera and she had sat back up.

She loves playing with money. She'll go into our room and ask "uck" (up) at the bottom of my dresser. She is looking for spare change and chap stick. If she can find a wallet, the first thing she grabs are debit cards. Here she even talked grandma into her own lunch money at the mall.

Eating has to be done without help. She needs her own plate, drink, and silverware. However, if your plate looks better she isn't afraid to take what she wants right off your plate.

MaKatie loves being outside. The other day I was trying to get dinner on when she brings me her coat. She wants out bad. I bundled her and set her out in the yard to play by herself. (The one time its handy having a door between your stove and fridge). I left the door cracked so I could keep an eye on her and she played away.

More girly coming out. She loves wearing mom's shoes. She probably walks better in those high heels than I do.

Playing Just Dance on the Wii after the Super Bowl party. She wanted a turn so we finally let her have a try. It amazes me how quickly she figured it out. She's such a smart girl.

So I introduced coloring. I thought it would be a good quite time activity she could do by herself. WRONG! She needs lots of supervision with those coloring devices. It may be in innocence, but its so easy to accidently get the floor or her clothes or mine. The other day she was making Valentines and got marker on the floor. Bryant came home and got it on his socks. To make a long story short, I had pink dots and streaks everywhere to scrub. We only color now when mom feels like she has lots of patience. Oh and crayons have to go back in the box right side up and she has to color with the pointy end. Might have a bit of her mom's detail thing going on. Poor kid- it seems like a nice trait to have until you have it.