Christmas Tree Country Style

Every year we get a real Christmas tree from the local nursery. This year we decided to cut a tree down from the pasture. After all, there are so many beautiful pine trees...

After two days of searching the pasture, we found this one.

The tree is down, now we need to get it to the house.

The tree is bigger than we anticipated.

The tree is on the back of the cart.

How on earth is this tree going to fit in our house?

A little trim should help...

After all of that, it turned out beautiful!

WHAT A FUN WEEK!

DECORATING THE GINGERBREAD 'FARM'

Every year we decorate a gingerbread house or train. This year we did a house (this is a small town and it was all we could find!). The kids did it all by themselves. They took turns and each had two sides to decorate. The house quickly became a 'farm' when Chandler decided to add livestock!

"When will it be my turn?"

Showing off their 'farm'

We call it the 'red neck farm' since it is complete with a stack of tires in the yard.

BRANDING CATTLE

Last night we received an awesome invitation. Friends from church were going to brand their calves today and invited Chandler to come help out. He really enjoyed it and learned alot about being a rancher.

Chandler and Cydney are checking out the shoot and how it all works.

Chandler shearing the calf before branding.

Choosing the right irons for the id number and the ranch brand.

He's a natural!

Cyd even got a turn at branding!

It's November and Finally Fall at the Ranch!

November has been a month of school trips, cooler weather and fall foliage. We enjoyed a fun Thanksgiving at Papa and Grans and now we are getting ready for Christmas. I hope to have more pictures to follow.

Cyd and I enjoyed the Rose Garden.

Chandler with his buddy on a school field trip.

The fall foliage is beautiful! This is the view from the deck looking toward the front pond.

The view from my kitchen window.

The view toward the barn and front yard.

October 2010

October has been just as full of activities as the previous months here on the ranch. Two weeks ago a chocolate brown beefmaster calf was born while we were at church. The kids got to name her, they chose 'Chocolate Sunday.' The calf is just now getting around really well. She is very cute to watch running around the pasture.

The calf is guarded by her mom 'Freckles' and 'Chloe' the donkey

The kids enjoyed Halloween this year. Chandler was 'George Strait' and Cyd was a Cheerleader.

Enjoying the church Fall Festival at my Aunt and Uncle's house. Afterward we enjoyed some old fashioned trick-or-treating. It is very different in a small town. Everyone comes out! The evening was beautiful since we could see so many stars while trick-or-treating.

Chandler after TOO MUCH Trick-or-treating!

Chandler giving a high-five to the Mayor.

Game Five of the World Series.

We were very overwhelmed by the crowd and the excitement! How exciting to go to our first World Series game! Mike and I had to wait alot longer than Chandler did.

Every seat was filled to the top.

How lucky to be 9 and going to your first World Series game.

I am wearing my 'double hat.' Chandler put it on my head so he could ride on Mike's shoulders.

They didn't win the World Series but they are still Champions!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO CYDNEY!

Last weekend we celebrated Cydney's 5th birthday. We cannot believe she is already 5! We had a very small party with family and friends at home. We all had a great time!

This was actually a couple of weeks ago. Mike showed up one weekend with our new green cart. It is so handy to take trash to the dumpster or to go out to explore the pasture. But most of all, it is very fun to just drive around the circular drive. Chandler likes to pretend he is driving a NASCAR. Martina loves to ride along with us.

Cydney celebrating her birthday at school. We had a small birthday party for her and her class.

Cyd in front of her princess cake. Daddy surprised her with the roses.

The Cydney Princess cake.

Chandler enjoying the party with his buddy Jarrett.

Ella and Anna Beth enjoying the party.

Pulling strings on the Princess Pinata. Cydney actually pulled the string that released the candy.

Cydney on her new scooter she got from my Aunt and Uncle.

Today, we came to enjoy the Ranger pep rally at the Ballpark. We got there early so we got a really good spot. We saw Nolan Ryan, Mitch Mooreland, John Daniels, and Ron Washington. On one of our numerous trips to the bathroom, Cydney and I saw Nolan Ryan up close and personal. He smiled and waved at us. Cydney was not nearly as impressed as I was.

Chandler getting a high five from the Ranger's Captain. The kids actually made it on the pregame show tonight.

Chandler enjoying the speeches.

Cyd is a big fan of the dots.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MIKE!

September is proving to be a very busy month. The kids are enjoying school, making friends and enjoying the ranch. Mike celebrated his birthday this year by tractor shopping.

Opening birthday cards.

The new zero-turn mower fit for a ranch!

Mike and Chandler spent the birthday evening mowing the paddocks near the barn.

Chandler enjoyed lunch with Papa and Gran for Grandparents Lunch at school.

It is still hard for me to get used to sitting at my kitchen table and seeing a bull outside my window.

Mike mowed a trail along the parameter of the acreage. Today Cyd and I went hiking along the trail. We saw the creek for the first time today.

Martina couldn't resist a little swim.

The upper part of the creek.

View from the back of the back pasture. It is a really beautiful place to walk.

A New School Year

A new school year has begun and the kids are enjoying their new schools. Chandler is in the 3rd grade and started at an Intermediate school with 3-5 graders. Cydney is attending a preschool at a church in town 3 days a week.

All of the kids in Chandler's school start the day in the gym then they go their classrooms.

Chandler saying goodbye to Martina before heading to the first day of school.

We are always admiring the views of the ranch. This one is from our porch looking toward the driveway.

Cydney outside her new school.

Walking into Mrs. Angela's class. I am dressed for a much needed run now that the kids are in school!