The Return of the Kids

So, after branding last weekend we left the girls in Texas with their Nana and Papa. Mike and I always enjoy the time we have alone, even after almost 15 years of marriage. Mike's dad brought the girls home yesterday since basketball camps and our busy 4-H season begins this week. Today we spent branding for a really good friend and enjoyed visiting with several other friends. Monday begins Courtney's first camp of the summer, plus its also weigh day for our fair animals. We also have a 4-H meeting and then project specific meetings throughout the week. So, with the return of the kids is the return of the busy schedules. I love having them home too, though. There is never a dull moment and someone is always doing something.

Oh, one more thing. Bonnie and Dwight brought us many strawberry plants last night and while Mike and Courtney went to gather cattle; Reagen, Morgyn and I prepared the flowerbed and planted them. As we worked the girls got to talking about Grandad Ames who passed away in April. They talked about the times they helped him and Grandma in thier massive garden. The girls reminded me to "break the roots up, just like Grandad." We asked him to help us so maybe his green thumb would offset mom's black thumb since I can't seem to grow anything. I'm having a hard time figuring out how to post pictures. If I got them on there, they are of the girls by the stawberry beds and a picutre of one of the plants.

BRANDING 2009

We all have congregated in Hartley, Texas this weekend for one of the most fun (thanks Corinthia, I'm a math teacher, not english) weekends!!! My father in law has an annual branding and everyone gets together from Colorado, Kansas and Dallas. My crew (from Colorado) got here Thursday and they helped dad get everything set up and ready. They did some small things Thursday night and moved cattle Friday morning. Friday afternoon we spent in Amarillo (HELLO HOOTERS!!). When we got back to Hartley Corinthia FINALLY arrived and we spent the night, all night catching up and laughing. So we finally got to bed at 2 am and had to be up at 4:45 (Corinthia's alarm started going off at 4:30 and didn't shut up until 5:00). We then gathered, sorted and branded all of the calves. We were done by 11 and spent the afternoon eating lunch, riding horses and making beer runs. There were a couple of little spats here and there ( teen girl drama) but everyone lived and we are up now drinking more beer and having more laughs.

This really is one of the best weekends of the year and everyone is already looking forward to branding 2010!!!

Count Down!!

So, we are down to 3 days of school!! The last couple of weeks have been hetic, anyone who has kids, works with kids or every was a kid (ok, that's EVERYONE) knows how crazy the last few weeks of school are. Track meets, field trips, reward trips, banquets and award ceremonies keep everyone running and wishing for Sunday, May 17!! It is Tuesday and we still have piano lessons today, Courtney's AR trip tomorrow, Honor's Night Thursday, Kindergarten and 8th Grade Gradutation on Friday and Senior Commencment on Saturday. Something everyday day. I am really looking forward to the lazy days of summer!!! Oh that's right, basketball, volleyball, 4-H, fairs, brandings, sortings..... What lazy days????

Colorado Spring

So, it is again a typical Colorado spring; cold and dreary. Today was suppose to be the elementary track meet and I was told it was going to happen today. So I took off work, had sub plans, put off my shower since I was going to be sitting outside in the wind and rain (taking it tonight) and had on my comfy clothes ready to watch a track meet. The bus gets to the house at 7:30 (I normally leave way before then, 6:45) with the message NO TRACK MEET!! I am no where ready for school so I hurridly get things ready to go, call my sub to cancel and rush to town. Starting the day off like that always throws the rest off for me. I hate starting rushed and frazzled!!!

So, I now will take Wednesday off for the rescheduled date (the weather is suppose to cooperate).