Crazy Crazy Crazy!

We as you might have guessed for us summer has been crazy. Last year was my first attempt at making strawberry jam, and I'll just tell you that I still have a freezer full of it. The berries we picked were very bitter and I don't think any amount of sugar could have made them sweet. So this year I thought I would give it one more try and WOW we hit the JACKPOT! We ended up going back picking 2 more times. I canned several types of strawberry jam, Rhubarb jam, and then decided to go for peach jam. It was a crazy 2 weeks. Then while out at my Mom's house we decided to can some more peach jam and made a total of 63 pints! I love canning and can't wait until apple season. Oh and I forgot to mention the house we are buying has several fruit trees! I will be in heaven next year. So now for the rest.

This summer the kids have enjoyed going to a local zoo, not anything big but they love it. Their favorite part is the petting zoo. There they are able to hold bunnies and feed the calves and baby goats. We have also made it to the pool. Aubrey has always loved water and now Joseph is able to relax and play with everyone else. I mist say next summer will be real nice when all the kids can enjoy the water. Wyatt loves the water but wants to be on his own.

For the 4th of July weekend we went to a parade and rodeo later that evening with a couple of friends. For such a little parade the kids sure got a lot of candy. The Rodeo wasn't too bad either.

Quality Family Time

We so often find it hard to spend time together as a family, so we came to a conclusion. We are going to go camping. Kinda silly but we really enjoy the outdoors and all that comes with it, well okay there are a couple of things that we could live without. :) So Bryant decided we needed to get a camper, at first I was against it and still question the decision but we have really enjoyed the time together. We cook outside, roast marshmallows over a fire and just enjoy each other's company. So here was our favorite weekend so far.

Quality Family Time

Many first times

Dustie

Well, as I knew she would, Ivy had her foal while we were gone. I must say I was very disappointed. After studying and preparing for her to foal I was so excited to put my knowledge to use. Seriously you have no idea how many times I woke up in the middle of the night and went down to the barn, just because I had a feeling that she might be having her foal. And that is just the beginning. Anyway... Dustie was a little crazy yesterday when I tried to handle her but after just a short time she has improved so much. It's neat to see her progress in such a short time. I have always enjoyed animals and have loved riding horse's since I was a little girl, but this is amazing. I am able to share something that was very special to my brother Dustin, while doing something that I love. I was told once you start with horses you can never get away. Alcoholics can stop drinking but horses you can never break yourself of. So anyways, here is our sweet Dustie Rose. Hope you enjoy the pics!

Dustie Rose

What's happening on the Ranch

Jasper, Shiek, Princess, Duke, and Ivy

(left to right)

Recently we have made some changes here on the property, Clyde and Max

have found new homes and we now have two other horses.

Princess is a 8yr old sorrel pony that is 12hh. She has a little bit of an attitude but is a smooth ride. I bought her for the kids to gain confidence while riding but I enjoy riding her as well.

This is Duke, Bryant traded Clyde for Duke in addition with cash to get him trained. He is a 5yr old Quarter horse. Great personality and first one to greet you at the gate. He is 15hh and will grow a little more.

Within the next month we will have another arrival. Ivy is due to have a foal any time, we are so excited. Or I should say I am so excited! Wish us luck during the delivery!

The Pie of My Life

Not too long ago I post about the new love of my life and well here it is.

Not only is it great HOT but is is amazing cold.

Peaches N Cream Pie!

You complete me, but don't do much for my diet.

Like Mother Like Daughter

When I was 3 my Grandma and Grandpa Veres took my cousin Nicole and I down to California on a road trip from Oregon. What possessed them to do this is beyond me but Nicole and I had a blast. We had a lot of fun at Disney land, swimming in our Aunts pool, oh and your can't forget shopping. We brought home with us lots of memories, souvenirs, and tons of really cute dresses! What more could we ask for?

How about the chance to share it with my daughter!

Joey is "Smiling" if you couldn't tell.

And Aubrey's nose has something to do with the goats but we're not quite sure

how that played out. :)

No more singing!

As you have heard Joey in now 4 and he had a blast with his 3 day Birthday. Starting on Thursday with a package from Grandma Eyler, followed by a package on Friday from his Great Grandma Veres and cards from Gma&Gpa White, and then ending with a party filled with friends and family on Saturday. It was the best birthday ever, well he did have one complaint... After I sang Happy Birthday to him on Friday morning, any time someone called to sing to him after that he wasn't very happy. "My Mom Already sang that to me!" And he meant it... he did not want to hear it any more.

So the question, "Can a Birthday last too long" Well according to Joey it can.

He loved all of his presents. He really like his new boots!

Blowing out the candles.

Let the party begin!

After the cake and ice cream the kids played while the parents talked and the there was pony rides!

The waiting is over!

Both of them were very excited!

So for the past week and a half Joey has been checking the mail to see if his package has come, and everyday it's the same old story. Until today. We checked the mail and nothing was there but when we pulled into the drive way he saw his package sitting on the porch.

Okay so he doesn't look that excited...

That's cuz he saw there's more.

Lightning McQueen his favorite!

His Grandma likes to get stuff that makes noise.

No, it's not the first day of school... it's his 4th BIRTHDAY!!!

Easter Festivities

This year we had Nicole and Travis out for Easter. It was so nice being able to have them around growing up I can remember spending most of our holidays together. As we got older things changed and we grew apart but it is so nice to be able to renew and develop our friendship. We didn't do anything too special but enjoyed the time that was spent, and the conversations.

Nicole and I were in charge of Easter dinner. She taught me a new way to shell hard boiled eggs

and introduced me to one of my new favorite desserts whose I will introduce you to a little later.

Easter night Grandma and Grandpa Hess came over to help color eggs and fill the plastic ones

with candy for the BIG Easter Egg Hunt. Why don't my kids have clothes on? Well

They are still getting the hang of coloring eggs and I didn't want to sacrifice any clothing while they learned. If you would have seen their hands after you would understand.

They next day the kids had a blast finding the eggs Travis and Nicole hid outside.

Wyatt even got one! Okay with Nicole's help.

So that was our Easter small but fun and did I mention CRAZY? That's just to be

expected.

Service?

So recently I have been very irritated... It seems when ever someone does something nice

it is only to get something in return. I don't mind doing something to help someone if they have done something for me. I ove helping poeople it makes me feel good, but that's not the point... You do things for other because you want to not for what you can get back from them. Or at least that was how I was raised, so maybe my parents were at fault there. NOPE! I don't think they were. Poeple should do things cuz they care or because they are wanting to better themselves (still kinda selfish but in a good way). If you're not doing things for the right reasons than you shouldn't do anything at all. So next time you do something for someone please don't think about what they are going to do for you in return. Do it for the RIGHT reasons.

In small things...

For me it's not always easy to find the good in things. I get overwhelmed and just feel like it's the end of the world, when really it's NOT. I enjoy being home with the kids and wouldn't have it any other way. Well, except for the home part. I am so sick of being inside with this cold weather it's depressing. We try to enjoy those semi warm days but there just isn't enough of them.

Recently Bryant and I have been working on setting up an area for Ivy for when she foals. It is so exciting reading, learning, and preparing for delivery in May. I am in my element all the way!

Bryant has also been working with her on walking through water. It's a good thing our property is flooded cuz we can do it right here. The other day we were going through water up to the horse's belly. I feel like we should be in the movie Man from Snowy River! Bryant really puts alot of time working with the horses and the training and he is constantly surprising me. I knew my husband was hot but a hot Cowboy... I got that too! Just today he bought a rope and a book on Roping. Next he will be taking lessons. I get so excited watching him!

So anyways it's the little things... Watching Bryant ENJOY working with the horses, seeing Joey and Aubrey ride the four wheeler with the goats and sheep chasing them, being able to give Wyatt something no one else can. Listening to how excited Aubrey gets when hearing she should ride her horse to Grandma's house. I love my kids and my family. It's hard but it's so worth it.

It's the little things that my kids do that truly make me happy.

Ride Um Cowgirl!

Well, for some time now we have had several horses but no saddles of our own to ride them. Pretty pointless... Until now, we finally have saddles that will fit all of our horses. Earlier this week I went up north to drop off Reggie, Randy's dog to meet his "Girlfriend" and in the process found and amazing deal on a saddle that will fit my horse. This weekend we went to an auction and found an actual miniature saddle and a saddle for Bryant that will fit his HUGE horses! Now this isn't a big deal for you but it is so exciting for us! So we got home Saturday and saddled up the horses the kids had a lot of fun riding in a saddle that actually fit them. Joey in the past hasn't cared too much for riding Jasper but this new saddle hold them much better. Bryant and I also had a blast, you should really see him up on Clyde! We are so excited for warmer weather and the riding that comes with it!

A Birthday to Remember...

Before I really knew what I was getting into

This year for my birthday Bryant decided he was going to make it special. Since we first got married we have wanted to go snowboarding as a couple. It took us 5 years but we finally did it and probably wont ever do it again.The morning started out very hopeful, I was excited and ready to hit the slopes. Now I had only been snowboarding one other time for a youth activity and couldn't get out of bed the next day. But I was now older and wiser and thought I had a better idea of what I was doing... Boy was I wrong. We hit the bunny slope and well that was just awful! I couldn't even make it down that without falling and severely hurting myself.

Then Bryant decided to met me a lesson. Lets just say the retarded instructor but me on a ski lift and expected me to go down a huge hill! Now keep in mind I had become one with the bunny slope over and over again. I gave him the benefit of the doubt and thought maybe just maybe I could do this. Wrong again! I tried but there was no way I was making it down in one piece. So I decided to walk down the hill. It was kinda humiliating but I would have hurt a lot worse had I tried to go down any further.

I will never forget this birthday and trust me I now know that I have no clue what I am doing when it comes to snowboarding.

My view most of the time

Bryant showing me that he can make it down the whole way... Without falling!

Yummy!

Wyatt's first experience with real food. (roll)

After about a half hour of trying to dodge his hands while we were eating we decided to give him something to munch in. Our dinner went a lot smoother after that.