Co - Birthday Party

Scout and Trail recently had a co-birthday party. I'd like to say it was tons of fun, but that entirely depends on your personality and what you're accustomed to.

I'm almost certain that the reason the Brahma Breeder and his Senorita cousin aren't looking is because the sand/dirt/feedyard dust is blowing at approximately 40 mph.

Feedyard dust?.....Yes, we had the party in the round pen at the feedyard. It's been known to happen before. We had an industrial size slip-n-slide, I mean slip-n-bump. The guys forgot to smooth the sand underneath, so there wasn't a whole lot of sliding involved.

Reno wasn't a super happy camper. He's kind of a "fair weather friend" since he doesn't like to be out in the heat, cold water, or in this case blowing sand.

Here is a prime example of cold water. Wonder what Scout and Emma are discussing here? Funny thing....Scout was walking across the tank and slipped. She was a big girl about it, but that is also about the only way she goes under.....by accident.

Scout's best pals Haley and Bethany put some time and thought into their sand castle. Actually I think they said it was Egypt.

Good times, but I'm not sure I've gotten every grain of sand cleaned up yet!!

This is the kind of thing that always happens....

when I look away for just a moment.

At least she was taking care

of her baby brother.

Swimming

So these pics are from when we went swimming for Scout's birthday, but as you will see I only got pics of Reno. Course it was his "first time" and I already posted the one picture of Scout and Trail, but still I feel bad.

I don't feel bad for my nieces! Do I need to explain what I mean?

Reno with his "girls"!

The pool at Muleshoe is perfect for both of us, especially since I don't even have to get in!!

Swimming wears a fellar out!!

Branding Cont'd...

I had a few more pics from last week. I love to capture all the steps. Super fun. I just realized that every single one is "cock-eyed" but that's just me!

Layin' a trap!

Pullin' slack!

Please excuse Mr. Ocate, he is straight ranch horse right now.

Head to the fire!

Flankers take-over!

T-H-R-E-E

My little beauty is 3!! I sort of can't believe it. It feels like yesterday that I was as big as a barn, anxious to meet my little lady, trying to imagine what she would look like and what her personality would be. Boy was I clueless!!

Scout you are so much fun!! There is never a dull moment with you. You do require a good bit of attention, but that's just how some of us are. Patience is not one of your biggest assets, but then again your parents don't have any either. You get pretty worked up if something doesn't suit you and we have to remind you to ask for help instead of throwing a screaming fit.

Right now we are having some clothing issues. The only thing you want to wear is "affwetic" shorts and a t-shirt. We've had hour long crying fits a few times because you didn't want to wear something and I wanted you to. Recently I've been giving you a few options and that seems to work pretty good.

You still eat good, always have. You eat sweets and meat especially well. The big, red birthday donut from Aunt Hope made your day. You are getting really bad about sucking on bread type foods and needing to "soff" my arm. I keep telling you that you won't be able to do that at school.

We just think you are the smartest thing. (Duh, we are the parents.) You can say your alphabet and recognize some of the letters in the Dr. Suess alphabet book. I can't take credit, Tad taught you all this; that is Tad the little leap frog frog. You are always saying "leapfrog.com". You can for sure count to 10 and you know most of the numbers on to 20, just not in order.

Scout you are a "matching game" girl. We had gotten you one and you received one as a birthday present. Not saying much, but you are better than me at it. You love to run and kick a ball. You've never really played basketball, but we are starting you early. You play in the sand in the backyard all the time and love swimming.

Scout, you are big pals with Autumn. I think it's because she minds you so well. You adore Trail and are always wanting him to hold your hand (in public) and he's such a good sport about it. Summer makes you mind, but you love her too. Pake and Tate are pretty cool cousins too.

You also have an imaginary friend Bitsy. You are always having me hold her. Her birthday was also on June 8th, but she turned 5. You are always talking about when you are a "wittle boy" or an "ol wady" and everything happens last night. I'm so relieved to know you have an imagination.

At one time you were such a pack rat, but now you are more into writing checks to everyone. You also write on yourself all the time and are always thieving my pens or markers. You can draw a heart and triangle.

Scout, you are Daddy's girl but also very attached to Mama. You live for that milk and cookie with Dad before bed. It is so much fun to go with him to rodeos or on the feed truck. I got a pretty big kick out of what you did to him at the $50,000 Rodeo. Right during the double mugging you announced that you needed to go potty and he missed getting to watch Brent Lewis rope.

At bed time I go in and check on you and you always say, "I was needing you". I just love it!! I hope you always feel that way.

You are Reno's girl too. He loves you and you are such a big helper to us with him. I'm not looking forward to the fighting that has pretty much already started. The other day when I asked you not to touch him in the carseat you replied, "he's touching me". Wow!!

Scout, you are a beautiful, fun girl. We love and adore you!!

For your birthday this year we are having a party with Trail. You got to watch the guys brand, hang out with the cousins most of the day, swim, and watch Trail play ball. What more could a girl ask for?

Today the crew branded our cows on Cain Ranch. Hope and I took lunch out. For the past couple of years I've had bad timing, as in I pull up when the last calf is getting up. Therefore I have no actual branding pics, but did get a few.

Nice loop RS!

Things got a little western here for a minute, but that is to be expected when Tyler Rice is around.

Can you figure out whose rope is on the bull and whose rope is on the cow? It was a little confusing there for a minute.

Waterin' horses.

The looks on their faces, describe the wind and blowing dust perfectly. Yuck!!

Face (and ear) washin' time!!

This was Reno's first branding and he mostly spent it sleeping in the pickup. This wasn't such a bad idea considering how nasty it was.New cow-boy hat!!
Sister enjoying a little "lunchie"!

Hopefully we'll get lots of pics tomorrow. It's going to be a big day....you'll see;)!!

May Wrap-Up

So we are just going to settle this deal once and for all. I'm so tired of being behind. Unfortunately I'm not just behind on the blog, I'm behind on the house, the work, the sleep, you name it. Oh well, I always say that someday I'll be old and will wish for something to do.

First, I do have some news, but no pics to go with it. Sandhill won Wild Horse Prairie Days Ranch Rodeo in Haskell, TX this past weekend. Thank goodness we have qualified for Amarillo already. It will make the few rodeos that we go to this summer so much more fun. I asked Riley how many we went to last year and he said 13. That makes 2 for this year sound much better.

My kids with Pat & her kids!! lol

Those kids kept trying to get Scout's toes.....

and Reno's and he didn't like it one bit!

The kids and I went with Mimi & Papa to Abilene to watch Tripp & Autumn show in the RHAA finals. Sadly this is the only picture I have from the whole weekend. Riley stayed home this year and worked since he didn't qualify a horse.

We did some swinging during the month of May, but no yard work as you can see here!! ha

Scout being a big girl with her big girl cousins. They were headed to watch Trail play baseball. This was the beginning of Scout's "Potty-Trained" Sleepover at the Townsend's.

Right where she wants to be.......

doing whatever she wants to do!!! No wonder she loves to go over there.

Even though we've already done an Easter post, I wanted to throw in Trail with the chicks we got him for Easter. It was mostly paybacks for Summer buying Scout a cat for her birthday last year. Good thing Scout wasn't interested in bringing any of the chicks home with us. She was perfectly content leaving them at Trail's house. Funny thing was that Summer and Autumn claimed one for themselves. Long story short these sweet pullets now live at Pat's with her hens. They seem to be doing well.

Reno has been eyeing the bouncy horse for quite awhile now. Sister was super excited to give him a ride.

Semi-recovered, semi-infected!!! Reno got it first....spots, followed by throw-ups, etc. He didn't have it too long or too bad, but he did give it to sister. It was a little harder on her. They look pretty happy here though.

"Little-bitty" also likes to pull up if he can find something short enough.

Reno, Riley, & Summer

We almost missed graduation. Riley was at the roping demonstration for the horse sale and I was just getting in from taking Reno to the doctor. We couldn't stand to miss it and made it work.

She is a very special niece to us. Congrats Girl!!

Not sure what this face is about....lol!! She must be excited to be graduating, or she sees cupcakes, or boots!! jk

My beautiful SIL, Kaitlyn at Baby Shower #3

We even drove to San Antonio sometime during the hectic month of May. We had a super fun time despite the heat and humidity. Not sure how people do it down there, must be a lot tougher than me. Kait too pics of my kiddos, check them out here. She did a great job as usual.

later!!