Out with the Old and In with the New...

You know it seems just like yesterday when Jake and Jared had a toy replica of a John Deere combine. OMG those two boys would combine the carpet in my house all day long. Jake could even imitate the sound of a combine pretty darn good. Well today is wheat harvest time and Jake is harvesting in the real thing. It might not be the combine of his dreams but I'm sure I can see a smile on his face with this machine. It is hard to believe that our forefathers used sickles and stacking grain in bundles all by hand. Today all we have to do is sit and listen to your favorite radio station in the air-conditioned cab and get about 40-60 acres harvested a day.

America The Beautiful...

I haven't done a lot of traveling, but I found out that you don't have to go very far to find the most beautiful wonders of the world. Right in our back yard is the Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, Jackson Hole, the wonderful farms in Idaho, Wyoming, Montana and Utah. Mike and I just took a few days and did a road trip to places that I have never seen. We got to see the Bar J Wranglers in Jackson Hole (great entertainment). Believe it or not, I have never seen Yellowstone. I have seen many buffalo, elk, & deer but nothing like the way you see them in Yellowstone. I have seen rivers, but nothing like the rivers in Yellowstone. For 4 days we just relaxed and took in the sights and gabbed with good friends.

MILESTONES...

Barbara, Grandma Barbara and Mom has turned 80 years old. As with tradition, we have to have a big party bash. Barbara wasn't to hip on the idea but then she does love a party. All the kids, grandkids, and good friends made it for the special occasion. What a great life Barbara has had and better than that a really wonderful posterity. As of this year, Barbara has 23 grandchildren with 13 grandchildren in-law, she has 21 great grandchildren with 4 more in the ovens... CONGRATULATIONS,
BARBARA!!! WE LOVE YOU!!!

JUST FOR ME...

Yep, this one is for me...of course you can read it too. I just don't want to ever forget this .
Three years ago my Dad decided that he was getting to old and tired to keep up the demanding work of farming. It has been hard for him to let others take care of his farms, but he has endured. Little by little my sisters and I have seen just how hard it has been for him to let go of farming. My Dad is such a proud man and he has been a good farmer...it just runs in his blood...it's just what he knows and knows well. This year, Mike and I decided that we needed to take over Dad's farm and get it back to the kind of farm that Dad has always had. It has been interesting because Mike farms a little different than dad. Mike has no patience for canvas dams and several outlets on every dike, so we tore up Dad's ditches and put in the trusty "red gates". We put pig slats on every gate so we had a way to get across the ditch without walking clear around the ditch. Really and truly, we did it to make it convenient and easier on Dad. I am sure Dad was thinking "What in the Hell are these guys doing to my Farm". But it was funny too, because for some reason my Dad started to pick up his feet and walk a little lighter and much faster. I am sure I see more sparkle in his eyes too.
This week, we started irrigating...something both Mike and I were worried about. We wanted the fields to water straight and the ditch to hold. The first day we sent the water down the field, we tried to figure just how long it would take to water. We spent hours waiting and waiting. Jake, Mike and I were sitting at the end of the dike, trying to guess if it would finish if we turned it, when we saw dad coming up the road behind us in his truck. He pulls up to the side of us and says, "I already changed the water". No sense waiting at the end of the dike! Lo and behold, the water finished to perfection and Dad was hired. We didn't do this to give Dad work, but I think he is really enjoying being back in to action. He and his little truck can be seen going round and round that farm all day long (starting at 7:30 am). I think he is loving it!!! I can't wait for him to see his farm all green and producing again. My dad is the greatest man and I am proud to be his daughter. I Love you Dad!!!

BRAGGING RIGHTS

We have someone very special in our family...she has had a year like no other. Truly, when I tell you all about her year, you will feel the same.
Today, Susan got her official Masters of Education Degree. It was only a year ago that she started her Masters Program. It was only a year ago that she also was going through IVF. She started off doing pretty good until late July, when she started to have complications with her pregnancy...little Haley wanted to jump the gate at 23 weeks. Susan was then put on bed rest in the hospital for 7 weeks. Then when the babies were 30 weeks, they decided (the twins) that it was time for their appearance in the world (09-09-09). They were born C-Section at only 2+ pounds each. Susan kept a constant visitation schedule at the hospital until the twins were 2 months old. On November 9th, the girls got to come home. Oh, and by the way did I mention it was a new home. Susan had to move in and decorate before the girls arrived home.
Then sometime in January, Susan was surprised with more news...she is pregnant. As most young mothers know...sleep is something you only dream about when you have a new baby let alone twin babies. I honestly don't know any one who can handle all that in a year but Susan has and she has never complained or suggested dropping her schooling. She has done everything a young lady could possibly do and then some. I have heard many who have gone back to school to get their Masters... they were so deep in writing papers and studying for that time in their lives they had little time for anything else. We are so proud of all that Susan has accomplished and want her to know how excited we are for her. Congratulations, Susan...We Love You!!!

GENERATIONS...

Today we traveled to Cedar City for Chloe's blessing. We love any excuse to get together and see each other. Chase and DeAnna have a nice home and offered a wonderful dinner to all. We were happy to see Grandma Barbara and Dale. They have been gone for 5 months with the exception of 4 days at Christmas time. Chloe is so blessed to have so many Grandparents. She has Great Grandparents on both sides. They all seem to be healthy too.

Easter 2010

I know, I am posting a little late; but the weather has finally turned nice and I am loving being outside and working in my yard. I sort of hate the first lawn mowing of the year...with all the dog poop and whatever, but it sure refreshes the soul to see that first touch of green. We had Easter in Mesquite this year, but the weather wasn't always too cooperative. The guys went golfing all day Saturday...the girls just lounged around the pool and waited for the guys to come to the 12th hole. When they finally got there, they were expecting us to make them a sandwich and pass over the cold drinks...WHAT DO THEY THINK WE ARE....Tara didn't like their thinking at all, she just told them to go buy something from the little gal that comes along selling food...we are busy tanning!!! Sunday, we had a great Easter Egg Hunt...for the adults...Before I could tell them the rules, they were scattered all over the place. When the dust settled, they had two eggs that weren't found...sad thing was that the Easter Bunny couldn't remember where she hid the eggs...IT HAD ONLY BEEN AN HOUR! The kids think it is time for the CC (Care Center).