Craziness

Things have been busy around here since my last post.

Thursday of last week we brought home our cows and calves. I was thankful to make it in two loads because I was tired and Hannah hates riding around in the cruddy car seat I bought for the trailer pulling pickup ("The Ford"). The last load was a tight squeeze but we got every one in. It was a slow heavy trip home.

They were all glad to be home but Friday I weaned the calves in the corrals and Ben moved the cows to the pasture right by our bedroom window. I think he had some logic behind that but I couldn't quite remember what it was that night when I was trying to sleep. The cows were ready for their calves to nurse and the calves wanted their Moms. Who can blame them? Needless to say he got to sleep by himself and I went to a more quite room in the house. Light sleeping Mommies don't do well with constant loud noises 20 feet from their bedroom window!

Definition: We-generally refers to Hannah and her Mommy. Her Daddy has been very busy while local farmers work to get 3rd and 4th cuttings of alfalfa out of the field and into barns before the weather gets too bad.

We finished up with the wheel lines on the alfalfa field for the year and they are waiting to be tied down for the winter. We also flood irrigated the pasture for the last time. It was the most challenging irrigation yet with the pump plugging up almost constantly and the irrigation district not having enough time to help keep it cleaned out. Hannah and I spent quite a bit of time out there keeping it running. I guess that's why I get paid the big bucks! :)

Yesterday we sorted the calves. After decisions were made about who to sell, who to keep as replacement heifers, who to keep to eat, and should I really leave the bull calf a bull, I had a load ready. The brand inspector came by for a quick inspection and our paper work was in order to take the calves to the livestock auction.

So today was the "big" trip to the sale. After breakfast we staked the wheel lines back down because they came loose in the wind yesterday. Then we backed the trailer up the loading ramp. I'm pretty adept at backing up a trailer but to get it in this location is no small feat for me. Hannah played in the pickup while I sorted the "calf kept to eat" off from the others and loaded them in the trailer. Calves are young and dumb and for some reason tend to load up really well for me...thankfully. On our way to the sale we ran across the valley to "The Westside" and pulled a hay sample (another one of my jobs) and then ran it back to the post office.

Now it was finally time to head up the highway. Hannah was already acting like she needed a nap so I knew this could be a "fun" trip to town. We got to the livestock yard and got the calves unloaded and the trailer unhooked. Every time I pull the trailer I find one more driver on the road that really shouldn't have a license. Today was no exception. We ran into town to do a few things, got lunch to go, went back to get the trailer and headed home.

I'm almost done (for awhile)...I think. I have two registered calves to get weighed soon and cows to preg-check at some point. There's one other project we have been working on but I want to wait until I'm done and have pictures before I say much more.

Fall Chores

It seems like our days have been fairly uneventful yet very busy. We are irrigating our alfalfa field one last time just to make sure the plants go into winter nice and healthy. We also have cattle to feed in the corrals and more will be coming in this week. We have the last few cows and calves to bring home and then we will wean the calves. I never look forward to the sleepless nights of cows and calves bawling for each other. Other than that we have been cleaning up outside and trying to get things ready for fall/winter...which ever comes first around here!

Hannah ready to help Mommy irrigate this morning.

Hannah helping feed the heifers in the corrals.

Pregnancy Update

I'm not sure if you are wondering but since I had a doctor's appointment today I thought I would give a little update on how things are going. There actually isn't much to report. Things seem to be going well. I have gained a little weight...the only time in my life where this is a goal....and my pants are close to being too small. We heard the baby's heart beat today. It was moving around so quickly that we didn't get to check it's heart rate but it sounded good. I'm starting to feel some better and finding something to eat that sounds good is not quite the challenge it used to be. Otherwise, things are good. Hannah is keeping me busy and we are headed out to get the field ready for the third and final cutting.

The Fair

The fair was this weekend. I told myself I wasn't going to spend much time there but let's face it there isn't much to do around here so we ended up at the fair at least once a day.

Thursday: I had the brilliant idea to go at 10:00 when it "opened." I don't think I will be doing that again. Nothing was quite ready for the big "opening." The exhibit buildings were supposed to be open and the doors appeared to be. Hannah and I were enjoying our stroll through the building until a lady explained to me that the building was in fact not open and she was afraid that people might steal her items in the isle that she was still trying to get set up. Do we look like we need random hydraulic parts? We must! I decided at that point to head back home and come back another time. I would rather not cook during the fair so we headed back with Daddy that evening for some dinner.

Friday: Daddy would have rather not gone back to the fair but they were having the Farmer and Rancher Appreciation dinner. It's tough to turn down free BBQ from one of the best caterers around. After dinner we cruised around and looked at all of the exhibits and animals.

Saturday: Do we go to the fair? Do we stay home? Do we go to the fair? OK let's go I decided. Hannah was running around the house refusing to be dressed and I began to wonder if I really wanted to go. I asked her, "Do you want to go to the fair?" She immediately brought me her clothes and sat down to be dressed. I guess she wanted to go. We went in a little bit early and got some lunch and then watched the parade. I had been wanting to take Hannah into a farm play area for little kids so we waited around for it to open.

Here she is digging in the dirt for potatoes.

This was probably the highlight for Hannah. It was a very large box filled with whole corn and lots of sandbox toys. At one point I took her out and she jumped back in while I was trying to get the corn out of her britches.

"I'm so exhausted Mom but I don't want to get out."

I guess Daddy was tired of fair food and was looking forward to some home cooked dinner but he made me believe otherwise and we ended up back at the fair for dinner. We should of just had cereal or something because it was absolutely crazy trying to get something to eat.

Sunday: We attended the church service at the fair and then had lunch with some of the grandparents.

I'm kind of pooped from all of the activity but we still look forward to it every year.