Tea time for Tucker

What kid doesn't get special treatment when they go to Nana's? My boys are no exception to that rule. My mom, Nana, and Travis' mom, Granny, always make the boys feel super extra special. One weekend they stayed with Nana and when I came to pick them up they were having "tea time". Their tea was white, better known as milk but they were having a blast. Watching Tucker dip his tiny little hand into that little white cup was the cutest thing. Carter's hand was borderline too big.






This little kiddo is always doing things that are so darn cute. He is the sneakiest of sneaky snakes though! He's like the saying, "here one minute, gone the next!" All kids move at lightning speed but Tucker could have them all beat. Once again, I found him on the front porch playing guitar for the cows. Precious, just absolutely precious.





God love him!

9/365

Day 9...

It's been a noisy past couple of days here.  Travis has been pulling yearlings from their mothers and today was the day to finish that up. Our little cowboy in training was not going to be left behind. He made sure he was up by sunrise, ate his pancakes and bacon, and was out the door when Travis and Thomas started to work.  He thinks he's every bit of 16 or 17 years old but if I try to remind him he's only 5 I get quite the stare down and he tells me, "I can do this momma!" I watched from the outside of the corral as he walked down the lane with his arms held high yelling, "hey cow, hey cow!" Oddly  enough that's all those little babies needed to go in the opposite direction. He wasn't alone, Thomas was near by him. Thomas told me, "he worries me a little bit!" My response was the exact same words.  It frightens me a little to watch him with these creatures that are anywhere from 300-1200 pounds but he loves it. It's something he'll probably do his entire life. If he learns the proper way to do it now, prayerfully we'll avoid any accidents! ;)  I said, prayerfully!

Something to crow about!!

Something to crow about was our theme for our local fair this year. Of course we spent many days there so I have lots and lots of pictures to share.  Sit back, and grab some coffee 'cause you're going to be here for a while!

Travis was helping with the Dairy show during the ten day run of the fair. This was right up his alley and although he might not say it, he was loving every minute of it. It's neat to see him in his own little element doing what he loves.






The boys and I enjoyed watching each one of the 4-H kids show their cows. At the end of the week is when they auctioned off the steers and hogs. As expected, we were on the sidelines watching each animal. During the hog sale Tucker decided that he was over his pacifier and tossed it over the fence to a hog!  The hog picked it up and was off. The girl showing the hog grabbed it and threw it back to me. Kind of gross, huh?!



Carter was anxious to make his way to the midway. We ventured out and I offered to be the one to ride with him since Travis is hands down, no way Jose going to ride a ride at the fair. It's not going to happen so don't ask. Riding with Carter taught me a few things. 1) I'm not a spring chicken anymore, 2) Umm, you might be getting to old, or just to chunky to ride the ferris wheel if you have to turn sideways to get off the ride (yes... this happened to me, I have the bruise to prove it!), 3) Your stomach doesn't handle spinning round and round and round like it did 15 years ago (geeze, that seems ancient), 4) the double ferris wheel did me in. It was after about that third loop that my stomach said, 'get a grip woman! You're going to hurl if you don't stop now!'   Luckily after that loop it was our turn to get off and I graciously walked away from riding anymore rides with my sweet baby boy!  Queasy and clammy led to me finding Travis leaving Carter with him and me heading home to take a shower to regain my senses!





I'm a sucker for the fair. I love it! I love the excitement, I love the memories it brings back and the memories we make each year. I love seeing Carter get all excited about riding the ferris wheel. I love seeing Tucker just watch in amazement. I love seeing Travis doing something that he enjoys so much. Last but certainly not least I love the corn dogs, funnel cakes, and popcorn!!  Hence the reason my jeans were a little tighter by the end of the week.




Always a fun time at the fair, but after about seven days I was glad to see it go. Until next year, we'll just reminisce on the memories we made this year!!!

Saturday Morning Farm Work

Saturday mornings are lazy for most folks, but not my group. Travis and the boys are all up before the sun even graces the sky. Unfortunate for me who prefers to sleep until it's high noon. HA!  Who am I kidding, that hasn't happened in over five years.



This Saturday morning was a typical morning for us. Rise with the sun, breakfast made by Chef T-rav, and then he and Carter were going to go work some cows. Not this morning, Tucker and I were going along for the ride.



The boys love watching Travis. Carter would prefer to be in the middle of things 'helping' but he's just too little still. Tucker, he is content just climbing gates, fences, four wheelers, or digging in the dirt. Travis was not even finished with the first cow before I noticed that Tucker was covered with black dirt all over his face. That's my boy!!



I love our Saturdays together. I'm still learning the ropes, and I'm pretty sure you'll always find me behind the camera!!!  There's too much to remember, you have to have eyes in the front and back of your head and I have trouble not tripping over my own two feet. So, all in all, it's best I stay on the outside of the fence and watch from afar!


T-rav giving me his Grrr! face!!  Hilarious.

Party til the cows come home!

We may not be partying but we can pretend, right?  We have a new friend that is slowly but surely moving her way to the top of the momma cow totem pole. Her name, I'm sad to say, is Number 8!  I don't know why we, I, have never named this sweet, precious momma but for now she's Number 8. Dare I even say she's a bit sweeter than our beloved Lulla Belle?!  SHHHHHH!!!!  Don't breathe a word that I just said that. Lulla would probably pack up and leave town. Ah, who am I kidding that large, waddle walking momma ain't going anywhere!

Anywho, back to Number 8.  She's one of those cows you can just stand right beside and love on. She's mindful of you being to close to her baby but bring her some bread and you can do whatever you please. A few nights back we went out to check on all the gals in the pasture and I grabbed an old pack of hotdog buns to feed to 8.  She saw us coming and came in a hard trot!

Tucker was holding a bun in his hand and before we could get it to her mouth she had her head turned and was gobbling up that bread. She not only gobbled up the bread but had his arm in her mouth, up to his elbow!!!  His face was hilarious. As I was laughing she decided to lick me up the side of my face. Have you ever been licked by a cow?  Probably not. So let me just tell you it's like having a piece of sandpaper pulled up your cheek.  It definitely caught me off guard that's for sure!!!


8 more than got herself a belly full of bread that night. Her little bull calf was so cute running around trying to figure out why his momma was being so friendly with these outsiders, us. He wasn't quite brave enough to taste the bread just yet. Give him time.

There are some other old faithful gals that we know will take a handout if you find them. Little Red is one of them. She's just the cutest thing. Her baby is a pig. I know, she's really a cow, but indeed she looks like a fat, pudgy pig. Her rump looks more round than I can explain to you!



I'm sure your typical farm living, country girl doesn't get as wrapped up in her cows as I do. I know they have a "purpose" but can't we all just be friends and get along?!  Before I let you go you have to see this adorable little cutie that was hiding all alone in the grass as we headed back to the house. How stinkin' cute????

It's steer time

There comes a certain time around here when the young bulls have to reach their destiny of becoming steers. For some of these little fellows, that time came this past weekend. I hate it for them, but I love watching Carter get in the middle of what's going on. I can't dare tell you what he calls this event. It's just too funny.  I'll have to keep that one a secret for a bit longer!!!  A few of the shots from the day.