So we've been super super busy with house stuff and I never take pics and I never blog but I do have a few things I wanted to never forget so there for I have to blog it. Pics of the house progress to follow... Someday! Lets just say its almost all framed it and looks so great! And Poor Cody has been working all day and all night trying to keep on top of his regular job and get our house wired. He's pretty awesome I do have to say!
Jo has been talking so much lately. She copies everything and when she repeats it back she usually says it backwards. Well she has started making the funniest facials and we call then her "stink eye." I told her, don't give me that stink eye, and she repeat, "Me eye stink!" Too funny.
A few Mondays ago, Cody was telling Jo about David and Goliath. He was acting out the whole story and he asked Jo to repeat it and started swinging her arm like she was flinging a rock and yells, "And it bonked his head and died. The End"
While making our every other day trip up to Altamont to check on the house, we had to take a big pipe up and the wind was blowing so hard that it kept swinging back and forth; we had to stop every half mile to readjust it. Well Cod was getting a little tick and the last time it started to move he said, (And excuse his french) "SOB!" Well Jo heard this and said, "SOB." Lets just say, Cod learned his lesson that day and doesn't cuss infront of her... as offend!
We are still trying the potty training (not really very successful since we've been so busy), tonight I asked her if she needed to use the potty and she said," no, just parted! (farted)"
This last weekend, Grandma Carrie and Cody's little brother Kjell came up to help with the house and go to a missionary farwell, while here Jo clung to Kjell like he was her own dad. She slept with him, ate, played, and I bet she would have gone home with him if she could have. One day after Cody and Kjell left to go work on the house, Jo saids, "Where's Nucle Kjell?" So Kjell's new name is Nucle! Once again, too funny!
She is seriously so smart. Alittle too smart! I've started buying a few stuff for Christmas and she keeps finding it and saying mom where's this and where's that.... Santa is going to have a hard time fooling this Jo Girl!
This week, we stayed up to my parents house in Altamont so Cod could work on the house after work. My mom has two bedrooms up stairs and we stayed in one and I asked Jo who's other room that was, she said with our hesitated, "That's Ry's." Then when we went up to the house I asked her who our spare room was for and she said, "That's Ry's!" She loves that Rys of hers!
And One more funny: My little sister has a young sister in law that is like 4. Well Jo loves to play with her and few weeks ago she brought Kaz and her sister in law to my mom's house. Jo saw them coming and opened the door for them and went running out. Quincee was so excited to see her that she opened her arms for a hug from Jo and she ran for a hug, but went right pass Quincee and gave the young sister inlaw a hug. It was too hilarious! Quincee was like, "Hey!?!"
That's about all for now. We were lucky enough to have lots of help this weekend while wiring the house and hopefully Cod will be able to finish this week/weekend. He is working himself to death and he has a pretty good cold to prove it. Once this house is done, we're hoping we get lots of snow and get snowed in so we will have some time to rest!... Do you think that will happen with wild Jo? Ummm, probably not!
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Thursday, October 18, 2012
25 Things I Want My Ranch Kids to Know
Cody found this and we wanted to share: http://thesagebrushsea.wordpress.com/
25 Things I Want My Ranch Kids to Know
1. You have chores, because we love you.
They seem tedious, but they are the building blocks for your future. Responsibility, accountability, and basic life skills begin with sweeping the floor, scrubbing the toilet, and feeding pets and livestock. We love you, we want you to find success in life. Success comes from preparation, so we give you chores.
2. Boredom is a choice.
Don’t let me hear you say you are bored. Boredom is a choice, when your backyard is the whole outdoors, there are chores to be done, and books to be read. If you can’t entertain yourself with a stick and a bucket full of calf nuts, we’re doing something wrong.
3. There is magic in watching the sunrise.
Early mornings are hard, we don’t rise as early and as easily as Dad. Do it anyway. The beauty you will witness with the awakening of the world is worth sleepy eyes and cold fingers.
4. A pet is more than a companion.
You’re cats, dogs, calves, and ponies are more than friends and playmates. They are lessons in empathy, responsibility, love, and letting go.
5. Grow your own food.
Our world is increasingly rife with poor food choices, the easiest response to unhealthy options is to grow your own food. I don’t care it’s a single tomato plant or a garden large enough to feed 10 families, cultivate an appreciation for fresh, whole food.
6. Be open to learning.
In horsemanship and life, you will never know it all, never assume that you do. A humble open, attitude towards learning will lead to new skills and experiences.
7. Dress appropriately for the occasion.
A cowboy’s uniform, hat, long-sleeved shirt, jeans, and boots, evolved out of necessity. Protect yourself from the sun, wind and weather with the proper clothing. I nag and question your clothing choices, because you are precious to me.
8. There is a time and a place for bad language.
Sometimes you just need to cuss; spew anger and frustration in one grand verbal barrage. Smash your thumb with your shoeing hammer/fencing pliers, massive runback at the gate, ringy heifer won’t take her calf? Yes. At the dinner table, the classroom, in front of your grandmother? No.
9. Feed your help.
Neighbors, friends, or hired men? It doesn’t matter, sometimes the best way to show your gratitude for a long day of hard work is a lovingly prepared hot meal and cold drink.
10. Don’t judge, but if you do, judge them by their abilities, attitudes, actions not appearances.
Buckaroo or cowboy, flat or taco, slick or rubber? In some circles these comparisons can lead to heated debates, more often than not based strongly in personal opinion, rather than rooted in truth. This is true outside of the ranching world, as well. Words have power to create divisiveness, do not use them to speak against yourself or gossip about others.
11. Stewardship.
Dad and I choose to be responsible for landscapes and livestock, this lifestyle defines who we are. Sometimes that means ballgames are trumped by pasture rotations and dinner time is delayed by cesarean sections, it does not mean we love you any less. I hope you approach the world with a sense of respect and connectedness.
12. Fake it till you make it.
You don’t have to be confident in everything you do, but taking a deep breath and acting like you are helps you get through it. This can be applied in the arena, the sorting alley, to horses or people, and life as a whole. Stand up straight and look the challenge in the eye, as you gain experience confidence will catch up with you.
13. That said, don’t mistake arrogance for confidence.
No one likes a swaggering braggart, even if he is a competent swaggering braggart. There is honor in being unheralded, if you enjoy your work.
14. Low-stress is best. . .
. . .for you and for livestock. Don’t let it defeat your spirit and energy. Don’t let it impact your livestock health.
15. The only dumb question is the unasked question.
Where is the gate? Which calf? Can you help me? Ask questions, no one will think less of you. Clear communication helps prevent misunderstandings.
16. Always do your best.
There are days when your best is better than others, recognize that. Avoid self-judgement, abuse, and regret and enjoy the process.
17. “There comes a time when you’re gonna get bucked and you’re gonna need to know what to do so you don’t get stepped on.“ -Betsy Swain, 1875
Do not let fear of pain or disappointment stand in the way of new experiences. What I regret most in my life are opportunities missed out of fear. Pain and disappointment are a part of living, learn to take them in stride and keep moving forward.
18. Be polite and kind.
Enough said.
19. But, don’t be a pushover.
Stand up for yourself.
20. Develop a sense of place.
Wherever you may live, learn the names of plants, rocks, and animals, visit old homesteads (or neighborhoods) and educate yourself about Indigenous cultures. In doing so, you gain roots, a sense of belonging that will lend you stability in all that you do.
21. Break a sweat everyday.
Pound a steel post or take a jog, whatever you do, break a sweat daily. Your mind and body will thank you for it.
22. Be present.
If you are mindful of the moment, it is easier to catch a mistake before it happens, redirect a broncy horse before wreck, and have better relationships. It might surprise you, what you observe and what you achieve when you are fully in the moment.
23. Unplug.
Go to cow camp. Leave the computer screen, TV, and cell phones behind. Watch the chipmunks and rock dogs, read a book, or share a conversation with your family.
24. Sometimes the hard decisions are the right ones.
We cannot rationalize suffering and pain to animals. Sometimes the best decision is the hardest one to make, know when to let them go.
25. You do not have to maintain this lifestyle, but please appreciate it.
I don’t expect you to grow up and follow in our footsteps, the long hours and low pay aren’t for everyone. Carry these early horseback mornings in your heart.
25 Things I Want My Ranch Kids to Know
1. You have chores, because we love you.
They seem tedious, but they are the building blocks for your future. Responsibility, accountability, and basic life skills begin with sweeping the floor, scrubbing the toilet, and feeding pets and livestock. We love you, we want you to find success in life. Success comes from preparation, so we give you chores.
2. Boredom is a choice.
Don’t let me hear you say you are bored. Boredom is a choice, when your backyard is the whole outdoors, there are chores to be done, and books to be read. If you can’t entertain yourself with a stick and a bucket full of calf nuts, we’re doing something wrong.
3. There is magic in watching the sunrise.
Early mornings are hard, we don’t rise as early and as easily as Dad. Do it anyway. The beauty you will witness with the awakening of the world is worth sleepy eyes and cold fingers.
4. A pet is more than a companion.
You’re cats, dogs, calves, and ponies are more than friends and playmates. They are lessons in empathy, responsibility, love, and letting go.
5. Grow your own food.
Our world is increasingly rife with poor food choices, the easiest response to unhealthy options is to grow your own food. I don’t care it’s a single tomato plant or a garden large enough to feed 10 families, cultivate an appreciation for fresh, whole food.
6. Be open to learning.
In horsemanship and life, you will never know it all, never assume that you do. A humble open, attitude towards learning will lead to new skills and experiences.
7. Dress appropriately for the occasion.
A cowboy’s uniform, hat, long-sleeved shirt, jeans, and boots, evolved out of necessity. Protect yourself from the sun, wind and weather with the proper clothing. I nag and question your clothing choices, because you are precious to me.
8. There is a time and a place for bad language.
Sometimes you just need to cuss; spew anger and frustration in one grand verbal barrage. Smash your thumb with your shoeing hammer/fencing pliers, massive runback at the gate, ringy heifer won’t take her calf? Yes. At the dinner table, the classroom, in front of your grandmother? No.
9. Feed your help.
Neighbors, friends, or hired men? It doesn’t matter, sometimes the best way to show your gratitude for a long day of hard work is a lovingly prepared hot meal and cold drink.
10. Don’t judge, but if you do, judge them by their abilities, attitudes, actions not appearances.
Buckaroo or cowboy, flat or taco, slick or rubber? In some circles these comparisons can lead to heated debates, more often than not based strongly in personal opinion, rather than rooted in truth. This is true outside of the ranching world, as well. Words have power to create divisiveness, do not use them to speak against yourself or gossip about others.
11. Stewardship.
Dad and I choose to be responsible for landscapes and livestock, this lifestyle defines who we are. Sometimes that means ballgames are trumped by pasture rotations and dinner time is delayed by cesarean sections, it does not mean we love you any less. I hope you approach the world with a sense of respect and connectedness.
12. Fake it till you make it.
You don’t have to be confident in everything you do, but taking a deep breath and acting like you are helps you get through it. This can be applied in the arena, the sorting alley, to horses or people, and life as a whole. Stand up straight and look the challenge in the eye, as you gain experience confidence will catch up with you.
13. That said, don’t mistake arrogance for confidence.
No one likes a swaggering braggart, even if he is a competent swaggering braggart. There is honor in being unheralded, if you enjoy your work.
14. Low-stress is best. . .
. . .for you and for livestock. Don’t let it defeat your spirit and energy. Don’t let it impact your livestock health.
15. The only dumb question is the unasked question.
Where is the gate? Which calf? Can you help me? Ask questions, no one will think less of you. Clear communication helps prevent misunderstandings.
16. Always do your best.
There are days when your best is better than others, recognize that. Avoid self-judgement, abuse, and regret and enjoy the process.
17. “There comes a time when you’re gonna get bucked and you’re gonna need to know what to do so you don’t get stepped on.“ -Betsy Swain, 1875
Do not let fear of pain or disappointment stand in the way of new experiences. What I regret most in my life are opportunities missed out of fear. Pain and disappointment are a part of living, learn to take them in stride and keep moving forward.
18. Be polite and kind.
Enough said.
19. But, don’t be a pushover.
Stand up for yourself.
20. Develop a sense of place.
Wherever you may live, learn the names of plants, rocks, and animals, visit old homesteads (or neighborhoods) and educate yourself about Indigenous cultures. In doing so, you gain roots, a sense of belonging that will lend you stability in all that you do.
21. Break a sweat everyday.
Pound a steel post or take a jog, whatever you do, break a sweat daily. Your mind and body will thank you for it.
22. Be present.
If you are mindful of the moment, it is easier to catch a mistake before it happens, redirect a broncy horse before wreck, and have better relationships. It might surprise you, what you observe and what you achieve when you are fully in the moment.
23. Unplug.
Go to cow camp. Leave the computer screen, TV, and cell phones behind. Watch the chipmunks and rock dogs, read a book, or share a conversation with your family.
24. Sometimes the hard decisions are the right ones.
We cannot rationalize suffering and pain to animals. Sometimes the best decision is the hardest one to make, know when to let them go.
25. You do not have to maintain this lifestyle, but please appreciate it.
I don’t expect you to grow up and follow in our footsteps, the long hours and low pay aren’t for everyone. Carry these early horseback mornings in your heart.
Friday, October 5, 2012
Apple
The other night Jo came to me and said,
"Mom,me hurt me apple." as she points to her elbow.
I say, "You hurt your elbow?"
Her reply was, "Yeah, Me Appblow!
I couldn't stop laughing. I kept asking her over and over what her elbow was called.
She has the funnest little personality! She comes up with the oddest things and copies everything we say. Just to show how much she has grown and just what kind of cute personality Miss J has, I had to add this pic in.
"Mom,me hurt me apple." as she points to her elbow.
I say, "You hurt your elbow?"
Her reply was, "Yeah, Me Appblow!
I couldn't stop laughing. I kept asking her over and over what her elbow was called.
She has the funnest little personality! She comes up with the oddest things and copies everything we say. Just to show how much she has grown and just what kind of cute personality Miss J has, I had to add this pic in.
Good Golly, Miss Molly.... I love You!
This picture sums up the way Miss Jo feels toward horses. She loves them and can't get enough!
Catch up!
The problem with me taking pics is I usually take them and forget to take them off the camera. Well once again this is the story of my life. I was looking through my camera and found these pics of Memorial day 2012 and our July 4th and 24th celebration activites. So... this is me playing catch up!
Over memorial day weekend we went camping up by Soldier Summit We had a good time but is was SUPER COLD! but Miss Jo really enjoyed her cousins and didnt really care that is was windy and SNOWING!
Over memorial day weekend we went camping up by Soldier Summit We had a good time but is was SUPER COLD! but Miss Jo really enjoyed her cousins and didnt really care that is was windy and SNOWING!
The whole time we were there, it was so cold and windy, this was the first day and by that night it was pretty chillly. But we did get a chance to go out and fish on the lake and we were lucky and caught a lot of little ones. The kids loved it! Keegan would have stayed out all day I'm sure!
Relaxing!
She was the cleanest girl in camp!
She loves Brandi!
We took our tent and well Jo and I spend one night and then we begged Trav and Ash to let us stay with them. Cody, being the big, bad, man he is stayed in the tent and he woke up to about 3 inches of snow. Yeah! FUN!
Lets just say, we packed up and went home. But we did enjoy all the treats, diner and company of the Pehrsons.
Then Memorial Monday, we took a ride to Moon Lake with my family and had a little camp fire, tinfoil diner and fished.
Great Grandma Kathy is such a trooper. The girls drug her all over the camp ground exploring and she was telling them exactly what everything was and singing to them and they loved every minute.
Grandma, Kaz, Jaxie and Dallie
Jaxie's new puppy, Thor or Tor is what Jo calls him.
I love going to Moon Lake. I swear every Sunday we would go for a drive up there and visit Ray and Linda Fisher and just enjoy how pretty it is.
This summer, Jo and I went swimming almost 2-3 times a week. We loved the pool and it got us out of the house. On this particular day I talked Rylan into going with us to help me watch Jaxie and Jo. They loved it!
Cute bums
I'm not sure what we'll do next summer when we're up in Altonah... I guess we'll have to get a pool or go swimming in the pond!
July 4th my Mom and Dad took us to the Oakley Rodeo right there in Oakley, UT! It was such a pretty drive and the rodeo was pretty good. Jo's favorite part was the snowcones!
Kaz and Cody= best buds!
Kaz didn't much care for the rodeo but he liked hangin out with Uncle Cody before it started.
I couldn't believe how packed the grand stands were. They packed everyone in and the announcer was pretty great. We had a great time and would recommend it to anyone... Except for the drive home, it was pretty long! ha ha
And lastly Jo and I went to the ever famous Longhorns Days celebration in Altamont. Usually at the begginning of the parade they have planes fly over, well this year they had the lifeflight from Vernal fly in, land and present the flag. FREAKING AWESOME!
Windy hair from the helicoper.
At the beginning of the parade they asked us not to set up our canopy so the helicoper wouldnt knock them over but they didn't express just how much wind there would be. Hats, chairs, umbrellas, cups, soda pops, etc... went flying! I got hit in the head by a loose cowboy hat and my Grandma Carma said a lady actually fell out of the back of her truck from the surprise of the helipoter wind.... I had to laugh at that!
This year, my Grandma and Grandpa Fisher were the GRAND MARSHALLS!
I think they were pretty proud and excited to be asked but they never came out and said it. The night before they were also in the rodeo and in the back of the truck they had the great grandkids ride with them and Miss Jo couldn't have been more excited for everyone to be clapping for her. She was cheesing it up and waving to everyone! I was one proud Mamma.
If you can't tell.... it was hot!
Cousins!
I just love Kaz's smile in this one.
Well that's about all the catch up I need to do. I'm sure I missed/forgot some of the details and stories but that is what I get for not pulling them off my camera sooner!
I can't believe how much she has changed since just July! Her hair has really started to grow and she is so much taller.
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