rAnCh tOuR

Last week I had the opportunity to go with Bry's class on a field trip out to a Ranch
(its about 1 hour from town) It was such a great experience. We loaded the bus at 8:30 and rode out to the Ranch. When we got there the teacher broke us up into groups. Each group was assigned a leader and the leader took us around to all the different stations. Here is more about our tour!! Just before we left the school I took a picture of all the students in Bry's class. (the straw hats that they are wearing was donated by a little boy in the class. Him and his grandma made each child one just for the Ranch tour)

Bry and I hanging out on the bus. Waiting for everyone to get seated so we can go!

This was our first station that we went to. We learned some new things about chickens, roosters, and baby chicks!

They had some baby chicks there at the Ranch that we were able to look at.
So cute!

The next thing we did was go on a hay ride. That was lots of fun!

Bry excited to go on a ride!

At this station we had the opportunity to go through where they corral their cattle. (this is where they line the cattle up to load them on their semi or this is where they line them up to give them shots, and fix their hoofs, and tag in their ears. So if you were claustrophobic this definitely is not the place for you)

In this picture we were all standing on the scale.

(this is where they weigh their cattle and them sell them off)

There were about 15 of us standing on the scale where we were weighed and our total was 3,000lbs. Holy COW talk about tons of weight!!

One of the stations that we went to was one that had baby sheep. This little boy that is letting Bry pet one of his baby sheep is in charge of several sheep on the ranch. (there were 4 momma sheep and 6 or 7 baby sheep in this one pen that we were at) Anyway, this little boy showed us what he feeds the sheep and how he cuts their hair. It was very interesting. Being a rancher even at a young age is a lot of hard work.

This machine stretches out the wool. Bry got an opportunity to try this machine out.

We learned about how sheep herder men live in the mountains while they are watching over the sheep. This is the little tent and things that he takes with him for 5 months out of the year. (I know I definitely could not do this for a living. That would be a hard way to live, and I really enjoy my hot shower every night and being able to use a toilet)

Anyway, it was very interesting to learn about how they survive as a sheep herder.

In the old days this is how they spun their yarn to make cloths, and their goods. They let the children pretend to make their own. This was a neat experience and Bry really enjoyed doing it.

Bry roasting our lunch.

(we ate hot dogs, chips, apples, a cookie and lemonade to drink)

Bry engulfing his hot dog that he roasted!

This field trip was such a fun field trip. I am so glad I took the day off of work so that I could spend the day with Bry. Thanks Bry for inviting me to hang with you for the day.

(each teacher within the school can apply for this program and then once they are excepted then the teacher has to take a weekend agricultural class. After all that then the teacher and her class is eligible to go on the field trip to the Ranch. Koda's teacher did not make the cut this year, So they were not able to attend. Hopefully next year)

Holy Huge Box!!

We purchased a Knaack box from my mom a few weeks ago and when we saw her in SLC for the graduation we picked it up. (thanks Mom and Roger for helping us get this huge box and bringing it to SLC with you. We appreciate it!) We were so excited to get home to get it loaded with all of our camping stuff.

Koda and Shawn loading all of our gear!

And it is LOADED FULL!!

If you could only see Shawn's face. He has the biggest smile on it and he is so proud of himself on his organizational skills. He was able to put a lot of camping stuff in this huge box!

And this is where the box is going to be. We decided to get a large enough one to fit across the front of our flat bed trailer. That way we can still put our 4-wheelers on the trailer. By having this huge box we are not storing all the gear into the cab-over. (I just hate stepping over everything just to get into the cab-over, not to mention dinging things up) Anyway, we are just about ready for camping season. (its just this crazy weather we have to convince.)

Happy Cinco De Mayo

Happy Cinco De Mayo Today!!

and

Happy Anniversary Dad & Patti

Finally Gone!!

Its Finally Gone!!

Yes you could say I am a little bit bitter about this Nova Car but its about time. My uncle moved into our house last September due to an ugly divorce he was going through. To make the loooooong story short his car was moved to our house in October along with a bunch of other things (but that's for a different post). Now I really didn't mind it being here at first, but as time went on we really needed the room on the side of the house and I was afraid the kids would be outside playing baseball and the ball going through one of the windows. Anyway my uncle moved out last December and all of his stuff was left here including his car.

So when he said he was going to sell it we were so excited. He sold it to a buddy of his and when we found that out we were jumping with joy. (knowing that the car was leaving soon) Well the man needed to keep the car at our house for a few more weeks due to him moving and a few other things. So finally the other night he called and said he was coming to get it once and for all. Shawn and I were trying not to get to excited about it. But once we saw him drive it off of the property we were so glad. As a matter of fact the car was not gone 3 minutes and Shawn was moving our truck and trailer over in that spot. We are so glad to have our house somewhat back to normal. Now all the drama and insanity has settled down a lot!

goodbye!!

Goodbye, Goodbye to my very first car.

(It is a 1995 Mitsubishi Mirage Coupe) I remember the day that I got that car. My mom, step-dad (Jon) and I drove down to Utah to hang out for a few days. We needed to get a few things at Sam's Club so when we pulled in the parking lot there was a huge car sale going on. So my step-dad said lets just walk around and see what there is. (My mom was not too excited about it but we did) Of course I found a car that I liked so we took it for a test drive (well they took it for a test drive since I was 14 and all I could not legally drive it, well not in the State of Utah anyway). Next thing we were making an offer and doing a little negotiating and then we were off with a new car. That is a day that I will never forget!!

So a few months ago Rachel and her husband Bennett (Shawn's twin sister and husband) made a comment that they would really like to have another vehicle. They are just struggling with only having their van to get them around. They have 3 little kids and both of them work. Its just been difficult for them with only one vehicle. So Shawn offered to sell them the blue boomer!! (I don't remember where that name came from but we have called that car the blue boomer for quite a few years now) Anyway, Rachel and Bennett were thrilled to be getting a new car (well new to them anyway) Bennett was just excepted to University of Utah College to major in Occupational Therapy (congrats Bennett that's AWESOME) so they don't have a lot of money to be dishing out for a new car, and this worked out for us. We could spare a vehicle!

So last weekend we went to Utah and took the car with us to drop it off. I did shed a few tears when we backed the car down off of the trailer to their house. That little blue boomer has been the best car ever. In the 17 years I have had owned it we have only replaced the tires on it a few times, a timing belt and a distributor and that is it! Its been much more reliable than any other vehicle we have now or have ever owned. So in a lot of ways I hated to see it go but it is going for a good cause and we are happy to share.

So Rachel and Bennett we wish you many years of happiness and reliability in the little blue boomer!!