west

Today I'm headed west.

After 3 days of being Mom and 3 fabulous nights in my own bed it's back on the road, up in the sky, and another week of wrestling suitcases.

I'm headed to CO, with my favorite Uncle Kevin, on a 5 day snow skiing adventure.

This is the way my world works, it's either smooth sailing or tornadic.

Tornadic activity:

Sun to snow. Repacking myself (we all know how good i am at that!) Food in the house. Laundry is ALL done. The kids are ready for another week without Mom.

Out the door, again.

The CO trip was planned in September, the Cancun trip was granted to us through Golden Furrow and came about the first part of November. Anyway, I'm making it. And feel VERY fortunate to be able to do both. What a great guy I got!

Check back in a week...and pray I don't run into Pedro:(

Or a tree!

yosemitie sam

Dan and I just returned from our sunny Cancun vacation.

When we boarded our plane in Mexico, yesterday, we were welcomed my a stout little mexican pilot sporting a really bad pink cowboy hat. It was one of those moments when you give a lil' lighthearted laugh as you exchange hellos on the way to your seat while, at the same time, the voice in your head is screaming....

You've GOT to be kidding me! HE's the pilot! Pedro with the pink hat that looks like Yosemite Sam drunk on tequila!

SeRiOuSlY MaN...

Please tell me THAT IS NOT THE PILOT!

Then, as we taxi toward the runway Pedro with the pink hat comes over the speaker with these not so comforting words....

Welcome aboard and hold on tight,

this metal bird's about to take flight.

Forget anything or have any woes,

TOO LATE, doors are closed!

Jeepers I'm glad to be home!

stay tuned...

I don't want you to think I've left the wonderful world of blogging.
I shall return.
So tune back in, January 28th.

BIG procrastinator

STILL NOT PACKED.....

WHAT is wrong with me?

I mean, I really am an Internet junkie....I didn't know it had name until today.

Gee whiz...I've got to get packin'!

Who knows what I'll forget.

For sure something with this unorganized session of cram packing.

Oh well...I'm gonna roll with it.

But, I wanted to PROVE to you that I really am a procrastinator!

A very, very, very BIG procrastinator!

Don't you agree :)

Seriously, it IS time to pack, Jess.

Get off the computer...walk away, Jess.

Get packed GIRL!!!

stuffed animals

I was reminded of my own childhood last night.....

When I slipped into Dawson's room, for my final round of bedtime kisses, I giggled when I saw a litter, possibly two litters, of puppies in bed with Dawson.

I was reminiscing of when I was Dawson's exact age. I slept with every stuffed animal/cabbage patch doll I had. It must have taken 30 minutes to put me to bed....sorry Mom. Stuffed animals were real to me. I loved them!!!

I believe they're real to Dawson, too:) Each one has a name, and although he may have a favorite he never leaves one laying behind.

procrastinate

Do any of you other Mom's stress about leaving home?

I'm not really worried about their care. Aunt Pam will be awesome! ...but I stress:(

Almost to the point of not wanting to even go. Note:almost.

I always feel like I'll never be ready.

Why?

I procrastinate, terrible!

Sooooooo I should be packing-NOT blogging.

short break

I get to share my day with a little buddy:)I love being a backup babysitter.
Tucker's taking a short break from the action filled day.
When he's here he loves to play with the farm toys, more specifically the bucking bulls.
He loads them into the big truck and unloads them in every little corner of the house numerous times. Tucker has also enjoys playing with Dawson's remote control 4-wheeler. It's super fun to stand up a 1/2 dozen toy dogs and run them over....hahaha.....I love the way boys play!
He's roped a variety of different creatures, giving them a nice little train ride through the kitchen. He also spent some time running those fast legs. That's what I tell him, "your legs are fast, Tucker" and he'd go another lap claiming "yeah, my legs fast".
He's also a big helper. He loves looking in the refrigerator what boy doesn't? and helped to make his own ham sandwich. And, the boy loves clementines! I let him eat 2 but feared anymore might turn him orange.
Right now, Tucker's REcharging with a short break.

Scrumptious glazed carrots

I have never been a huge fan of cooked carrots but this simple recipe has changed my thinking.

1 small pkg. baby carrots

1/4 c. butter or margarine

1/4 c. brown sugar

1 pkg. hidden valley ranch dressing mix

Place carrots in a sauce pan with 1" of water. Boil and cook 8-10 minutes until crisp tender. Drain and set aside. In the saucepan add remaining ingredients, mix until well blended. Add carrots, stir about 5 minutes over medium heat until glazed.

Scrumptious I say:)

And, the rest of the Herd likes them, too!

Easily doubled

foxes

We have a new pet on the farm.

In fact, we have a couple of new pets.

Actually, I'm thinking, we probably have or will have a new family settled on the farm.

Two fat, red, beautiful, fluffy furred foxes have taken up residence in our round bales of hay.

They've been here a good month and don't seemed to be too bothered by our constant commotion.

Needless to say, the boys will no longer go jump hay bales, something they love to do. Honestly, they won't even walk west down the dead end road toward the hay bales.

They fear the foxes may see them as their next tasty meal.

tight knit bunch

Yesterday afternoon, as Dan rested in the house momentarily from the cold day, he made the comment,

"we're a tight knit bunch".

This being....

after he attempted to disappear down to the basement for piece & quiet for a phone conversation that was briefly interrupted with a loud "wherrre's Daaad"?

after a million attempts of "wanna go to the shop and play basketball with me, Dad"

after 2 big boys still try to squeeze, into the little recliner, on top of their Dad's lap.

As I reflect on yesterday,

I sit here with a smile thankful we're "tight knit bunch"!

enough

enough blowing snow
enough below zero temps
enough time inside
enough over eating(what is it about this time of year?)
enough boys wrestling
enough "he started it"
enough tears
enough loud voices
enough laundry-lol :) I had to throw that in.

Enough school snow days....

SnowBUDDIES :o)

Ms. Baylee
Go-Go Grace! Jaxson Dude!

SnowBuddies-Chance & Brody:)

Daring I'm not cold! Dawson

Snoozing Dexter

autographed gifts

The boys were extremely pumped to receive gifts of NFR caps and Cody Ohl posters, both autographed by the world champion calf roper himself.

Cousin Ashley and her fiance, Nick, took the gift giving to the next level.

silly me

Silly me:S

Did you ALL motice by last background said 2009?

Whoops.....