Short legs....

I know exactly how my boy feels....but I still couldn't help laughing...He was pretty mad at me by the time he finally got on.  In all fairness to me, I offered to help him on and he insisted on doing it himself and he did!

A Day (or two) in Our Life!

PART 1

The hubs called me yesterday and asked if we could come down and help him move some cows after the boys got out of school.  Dally had gone with him all day and they'd already been riding all day.   Oh, and by the way, could I grab the brands, meds, generator, and gas and maybe we'd get the heifer's calves branded and them turned out as well.  The boys were not thrilled with the after  school surprise I cracked over them when I picked them up!

So, we met Earl, saddled an extra horse, put Hayes and Chansy in the feed truck, and me on the four wheeler to go where no horse or man wants to go.  Okay, let me just put in here that the gates on the place where we were moving them from are not very strategically placed....at all!  We surprisingly didn't have too much trouble getting them all rounded up and pushed to the alfalfa bale on the back of the feed truck.  Then we came to the gate.  The first of the herd went through pretty good.  The middle of the herd went okay, even the last of the cows.  But then, there we were stuck with 15 head of calves, no mammas, two little kids on horses, a big cowboy on a young worn out horse that had both worked cows all day, and me and my palomino "stallion".  WHAT A MESS!!!  The calves broke and went every which way EXCEPT through the 14 foot gate right in front of them.  The cows were heading the wrong way down the road towards the highway and we were all chasing calves.   After getting all but the last 2 out a different gate on the other side of the field, Earl ended up halving to rope and drag the final 2 out the gate.  SUCCESS... for a minute. 

 We got the herd headed up the road in the right direction and ended up with 2 of the heifer calves with us.  Earl got one cut back and we trailed the other one to the different pasture where he was roped and trailered back to his momma.  In the meantime,  heading up the road, a big calf decided that he just down-right did NOT want to go and jumped 2 fences and with his tail straight up in the air headed cross country.  At this point, my sweet "patient" (heeeheeee) man told me to go back and get the truck and trailer.

 

We got the cows moved and had to go back for "Jumper".  Earl's horse was spent so he and I took the four wheeler and left the kids to watch the gate.  We loaded a couple of panels in the trailer and then went after the calf.  Earl sat behind me with his rope swinging and caught that calf with his first loop as I was gunning 25 mph alongside it.  I was so impressed (and relieved) and that calf got thrown in the trailer with the panels and got a first class ticket to his new digs for his amazing jumping abilities!

PART 2

This was the next project.  The cow hasn't been a really healthy cow anyway through her short life but she got bogged down in the marsh and we discovered her yesterday.  Earl had doctored her on Saturday but she had definitely been in there a few days.  We grabbed the feed truck, a cable and chain and headed out on the rescue mission. 

Yep, you probably guessed it.  The cable was too short and we got the truck stuck.  Luckily, we had the 4-wheeler and buzzed back to the yards and got the tractor and some more cable. 

The mission was a success and everyone just got a little muddy.  The cow surprised us by jumping right up just as I was taking off the chain.  She's in pretty bad shape so guess who has a new bummer calf to feed AGAIN.

Anyway, we rolled into the homestead at dark and after chores and a supper of cold cereal, CRASHED!

(We didn't get the heifer's calves branded, the Moroni, or Seely herds moved like he'd planned)

Part 3

RAIN....Today, I after I dropped the boys off at the school for their field trip to Salt Lake to the zoo, I headed to Chester again.  I then proceeded to spend the next 5 hours straight brush-dragging in the tractor.  I had the best little help though!  Chansy never made a complaint.  We even missed lunch.  She had Woody, Jessi, and Bullseye to help entertain her.  She was amazing! 

 After I finished, I had to hit the store and the bank before we headed home. 

 I did have to cancel my piano lesson (sorry, Amber) but it was a great day and I didn't have to stay home!!!

Disclaimer:  There is a really fine line that I cross when I take pictures when we're working cows.  Usually, I just have to sneak out the camera and snap on the run because I can't stop what I'm doing.  So, don't be too critical of my chaos...  Love Ya All!

Also, I would like to add that not one swear word crossed my lips in the entire two days.  Heck, I had a great time!!!  Oh, I did tell Chansy that it was okay to call cows dumb even though we can't say that about people.  LOL.

Mother's Day

This Mother's Day was really a special one!  All of my family was together for the first time in a really, really long time!  It was even better that we were all at my house.  I am so grateful to them for giving me such a special, memorable weekend.   We worked hard but we had a lot of fun while we did it.  They are all so good about where to crash when they come here too.  Thanks everyone....I love you!!!

All the cousins...it was a struggle to get everyone to look at the camera so, yes,  this was the best picture.

Spring

Okay, okay, it's definately time for an update.  Or two.  Or...well...you get my drift.  Winter vacation is definately over for me!   This has been a different winter for me as I have stayed home a lot.  With the gas prices climbing so steadily this last little bit, it hasn't been as convienent for me to run down to the cows or go help feed as much as I have done in the past.  I've made it my rule to be home when the boys get out of school and it was too far for Earl to run me back home at 3pm everyday and then go back to Chester for the rest of the day.  We run our cows 9,13, and 17 miles away so the gas really adds up fast!   Earl also had a big change this winter.  On top of feeding 400 head of cows and all other responsibilities he took a side job working in a  diesel mechanic shop and learned a lot.

So, I guess that is why I say I had a vacation but it sure doesn't seem like I accomplished much!  Spring is trying to get here. We have had a couple of bummer calves, a couple of Uncle Joe's bummer lambs, a surprise of baby rabbits and three unexpected puppies. I was able to give one pup to the neighbors (BLESS THEM!!!!) We have now added Hayes' show lamb to the backyard as well.

On to branding...We branded last weekend with the help of my family and some great friends! It is literally the highlight of my year!! Everyone is so willing to travel and spend time and work hard! The food is pretty good too!

Dally, me, and Hayes at the table.  Earl and Dad are behind us doing the work...

The "Nut" girl.... usually we don't save the nuts because it is so much work for ME to clean them but this year we did and had a fun nut fry with some friends.  Well worth the effort.  Thanks, Lar, for all that time spent on the front porch with me with dull knives!

Dad and Twix- I absolutely LOVE this picture!!

 Jared catching a calf.

 Kalon dragging a calf in.  Bless his heart, he tried and tried all morning to heel a calf but just couldn't get it done.  So, his wonderful dad took his rope and caught some small calves for him to dally and drag to the forks.  Earl was all grins and so was the Bear!!!

Dad bringing a calf in.

The Seely crew

          Jared, Taytum, and Cash

My wonderful sisters!!!!

Kalon and Hayes also gave shots this year and it was such a big help!

They still seem so young to me but they are definately growing up.

Love....The Bailey's

His Sacred Name - An Easter Declaration

Skiing With Friends

Me, Lisa, and Amy

Top of the World!

I finally got to go skiing for the first time in 12 years. Last Thursday, my friend Lisa called me and asked me if I wanted to go skiing the next day with her and another friend, Amy. I actually turned her down, and then later decided to go. We drove up to Sundance on Friday morning. I had never been there before. (All of those times that I've driven through Provo canyon and I had no idea what was up there). Anyway, I guess that I haven't lost too much on my skill level (not that there is a lot to loose anyway) because I survived!!! It was sooo much fun. The only problem is that now I want to go more! Thanks Lisa and Amy!!! You girls are wicked FUN!