Update!

I feel as if I have not blogged for weeks, sorry, just been a little busy here on the ranch!  Over the last few weeks we have...

been to "Pink Fusion" softball practice twice a week, (sliding is her favorite)

studied for and took an Art Praxis Test, (maybe a career opportunity, maybe not?)

participated in a spring rodeo, (successfully drove truck and trailer with Mom, 3 ponies, 2 girls)

visited a few greenhouses, (went to a greenhouse on the way home from the rodeo, my mom always pushes me the extra mile)

created the Rocky Mountains, IN LANDRY, (folding party at 2:00)

babysat my littlest nephew, (such a sweet little "Guy" that slept ALL evening)

planted corn, (all 16 acres)

moved the cows to more grass, (opened the gate to the back pasture, BL fixed fence)

planted the garden, (it looks great right now, with the rain will come weeds, sharpen your hoes)

completely charred 2 nights' suppers, (stop multi-tasking!)

taught Sunday School, (new record with 22 kiddos; whoop, whoop!)

And most of all we enjoy the spring weather, being outside, counting down 13 more days, and looking forward to summer and our first Ditch Diva camping trip!

Birthday Parties

We celebrated in style last weekend with double birthday parties.  First we had a party for Miss Brett and Cousin Clara.  We enjoyed homemade ice cream, thanks Grandma Suzy, hamburgers and hot dogs, and a cupcake bar.  Linds made cupcakes and the kiddos put their own toppings on them, what a fun, creative twist to the party.  Of course, there were lots of kids, running and playing, never mind that the above picture has many closed eyes.  Sorry, poor photography!  Next, we celebrated Grandma Chuck's 82nd birthday.  She is truly and incredible lady that we ALL love and admire.  We feasted on delectable smoked turkey, side salads, and runny deviled eggs (it was the LaPlata recipe).  It is also so wonderful to spend time with the family even though sometimes we do overreact when things happen, sorry grandpa!

10

Happy Birthday

Remembering the day of her birth and I can't believe it was 10 years ago. 

New days, new challenges, we love to watch her grow!

Winner, Winner Chicken Dinner

Round two of the chicks are due to hatch Friday.  We have 24 of the Utt Acre's chicken eggs in the incubator.  We numbered the first group of eggs with a black marker numbers 1-12, and the other dozen 1-12 with a pencil.  Now, we are having a friendly little competition to see which egg hatches first.  We have very competitive genes, therefore we will make a competition out of anything.  So I would like to open this up to any of you... pick a number 1-12, pencil or black.  All votes must be in by Thursday.   

5K



Over a month ago, I decided to join these lovely ladies and train to run a 5K... couch to 5K.

Last Saturday, I ran my first 5K.  Did I get up earlier then most Saturday mornings for this event... yes.  Am I the daughter of a DC Track Hall of Famer... yes.  Did I survive the run... yes.  Did my old, overweight body feel the pain... yes.  Do I love the ladies on this "Diva" team... yes.  Am I going to retire my running shoes... YES!

Great job, Team Shay! I am returning to the couch.

Happy St. Pats Day!

This is...

This is a picture of 2 brooms standing side by side in our kitchen.  This is when the Sun and the Earth are in perfect line.  This happens in the Spring and Fall, around the first of Spring and first of Fall.  This lasts for about 2 days.  This also means that the days and nights are close to the same length (think about it... the Sun comes up about 6:30 a.m., and it sets about 6:30 p.m.)  This is what caught the eyes of the students as a broom stood in the middle of the hallway at school for the last hour of the day.  This is why teaching science is so fun!  This is awesome to see.  This is the Spring Equinox.

Baby Calves

Our cows have started calving.  We currently have 5 babies.  Four at the Ranch and one from a heifer at another farm.  We are consumed with scanning the pasture from the kitchen window.  At the sign of any cow standing solo, we jump in the truck and head out to check for any problems or new life.  BL chased the calves around the pasture to tag them tonight, while Penelope snapped a few pictures with her Ipod.  I think she took 20 pictures, but this one she sent to me to post.  The first few born are a delight each year.