Cows and Horses Feb-April 2016

We didn't have the opportunity to do cows on a larger scale through the feedlot this year (long story), but we didn't want to miss out on going through that experience with our boys. We decided to buy some mother cows instead and it turned out to be lots of fun. We had a really good experience overall and would definitely do it again. I knew I'd be sad when we sold them, but I was dang near tears when I watched my babies drive away! I had kept telling myself I wasn't going to get attached, but apparently I didn't do a very good job at that. We've done cows for a lot of years, but never had them from when their born, that's just a whole different experience. You get a little more invested in their well being. So for the entire month of March and April we watched for babies and got to witness a few of the births which was really cool! Our first Mama to calf was actually Tytyn's cow. I was so sad because it was a school day so Tytyn missed out on it, but we drove him right to it when he got home and surprised him with the baby. Tytyn and Halter just couldn't get enough of the baby calves (neither could I.) Our first calf was the only one we had any issues with as far as it not being able to even stand or eat for a couple days. So we had to do some bottle and tube feeding, but thankfully after many prayers the sweet little boy was able to eat from his Mama on day 3! The rest of them were pretty smooth sailing and we just enjoyed being a part of it and doing it together as a family.

This was the first baby. The boys just couldn't get enough of it!

Baby #2

We fed and watered the horses all winter so the boys always wanted to get inside with them and play before we went home. 

This is Ted's horse (the white one) and for some reason she has this special little bond with Halter. Everyday when he'd crawl inside the pen to see the horses she followed him around EVERYWHERE and if any of the other horses even came near him she'd nip them away. It was kind of comical to watch him walk and run around the pen like a toddler does and see this big horse just following behind him. He loved every second of it!

He liked to play this game where he'd "paint" her with water.

Horsey Loves :)

Christmas and Winter Time

It's pretty pathetic that I'm posting about Christmas and winter in August! We're closer to this coming Christmas than last Christmas! Ha ha oh well, I'm doing what I can! Hopefully I can get caught up. We were fortunate to have Kindra and Dawson in our home for Christmas. Someone special was very much missed and it makes Christmas time a little bittersweet, but it helps us understand and appreciate the true meaning of Christmas even more. My favorite part about Christmas is watching my boys. The excitement on their faces and just how giddy they get about everything just makes it all worth it! It was a little bit more of a meager Christmas this year, but we all enjoyed being together and feeling the spirit of Christmas. My favorite part of the day was when Tytyn woke up. He was given strict instructions to not come out of his room, that we would come and get him so that he didn't sneak out to see the tree. I'm always just as excited as the kids that morning and have a hard time sleeping so I was awake and waiting for him to wake up. Once he did we let Tyrel and Halter sleep a little longer, plus were waiting for Kindra and Dawson to come (they were coming at 7.) So I pulled out the laptop and we watched the church's video they put out for Christmas plus a few more from previous years and talked about what Christmas is really about. The spirit was so strong! I didn't know if he was going to have the patience to watch the videos and have a good talk about things because I knew he was excited about opening presents, who can blame him, but he was so patient and never asked once when we could leave his room to open gifts. He just sat and listened and asked questions. It was so nice to just sit and visit with him and share my testimony with him. I'll always cherish that about this Christmas.

Matching Christmas Jammies:)

You know you have a toddler in the house when only the top half of your tree is decorated and half the lights aren't working ha ha ha!

He was thrilled with all the homemade play dough!

Tytyn patiently waiting for Dad to figure out the remote control helicopter. I didn't get very many pictures on Christmas. That usually ends up happening because I'm mostly getting things on video.

Someone figured out how to get the lid off the popcorn.

New Christmas outfit, little cutie!

This kid has been an extreme climber since before he could walk! He climbs EVERYTHING! Tables, counters, dressers, shelves, pianos, you name it, he can climb it!

Beautiful winter sunset.

Tytyn loves to shovel snow! Hopefully this will last as he gets older:)

Dad taking the boys for a little ride. Tytyn does own snow pants, don't worry! He just had happened to take them off then decide he wanted to go for a little ride without getting them back on.

Preg checking our cows.

Tyrel doing a little branding.

My little snow baby.

My big boy!

Tytyn really wanted to try wrestling this winter. I'm not sure if he will do it again, but he had fun most of the time. 

This is literally a daily occurance at our house! Wrestle time!!!

Halter doing the wrestling stance ha ha ha!

The boys enjoying their nightly cuddles:)

We finally had some good snow to build some huge snowmen! I helped, but somehow never make it into the pics.