Merry Christmas!

Oh Christmas Tree...

The weekend after Thanksgiving we put up our tree...and a nice little tree it is! Even though we're leaving for Christmas (MI here we come!), it just wouldn't be the holidays without a fresh cut tree.

Obviously we needed to Wyatt proof it, so all the decorations are about waist height, but it's still really pretty. The first night Wyatt decided to pose in front of it in his elf hat.

He's crazy about his rocking horse. Unfortunately he's starting to rock it almost all the way over as he's very enthusiastic about his riding. The other night he tipped it all the way back and he hopped off the back and landed on his feet. Perhaps he will be a trick rider?

I'm finally searching for a new camera. I love my tough little camera, but it's been five years since I got a new one and there's been a lot of quality advancements. I still want a large professional camera, but I do like my little point and shoot. The one I have now is a hit and miss with the quality - basically it depends on if I have enough time and effort to 'tweak' the settig to get something good. And since I'm always trying to get quick shots of my little man on the go, as well as when I'm out riding, it's time to upgrade.

SNOW!!!

We got the biggest early snowfall on December 3rd and 4th than I've seen since I moved here 8 years ago. It reminded me of Michigan, and we had a snow day. Gotta love it!

Wyatt had a blast playing in it. He got to drive the work truck to break up the driveway! Whoohoo!
That little car is my new Toyota Yaris. Let's put it this way: I've been driving my F-250 everywhere, and it cost me nothing to purchase and drive the Toyota. That's how much money I saved by getting it. It was an impulse buy, but I couldn't pass up the deal - and now we have a family oriented, trustworthy vehicle with kick @ss milage!!! Plus it's fun to drive and my truck will not wear out due to wear and tear.

Another Bison Move

Last weekend, in freezing weather, we moved Bison again on the Zapata. The managers decided to sell the managed herd because of the drought here has made it almost inhabitable for something to overwinter on the Zapata Ranch side. Just not enough feed for those buggers.

So the fact that we have snow on the ground now is a good thing! Perhaps we'll have some more water for growing grass this year!

Despite the cold, it was a beautiful weekend!

Door Contest!

Every year I participate in my school's door decorating contest. So here it is:

It's stained glass - separate pieces of tissue paper glued down and then I used thick yarn for the 'soldering'.

I tied for 1st place. 3 for 3 baby!

Thanksgiving...A Little Late

We went up to the Zapata Ranch with some co-workers for a yummy meal! Country ham, smoked turkey, fresh bread, potatoes....yum!

What did everyone else do?
We also took pictures for our Christmas cards. Saddled up Tootsie the mini-pony and started snapping away. It was so funny to watch Wyatt interact with the pony!

Feeding the Dogs

Feeding the dogs, according to Wyatt: "Once you've pushed Dixie out of the way with your butt, you can toss the feeder scoop because it has a hole in it anyway. See? I can even show you that. Make sure the cats are doing alright and then you just might as well use your hands to move food from Wrigley's bowl because he eats slow anyway."

Lemur Love

Hay Envy

Awhile back I was jealous of my blogging friends and their loads of hay. Despite having pasture I have been stockpiling hay anyway.

I love the smell of fresh cut alfalfa!

Halloween

Before heading into town we carved pumpkins. Wyatt thought the seeds were great raw...and so did MAC, although he did heed the many times I yelled 'no-no!'
Wrigley got to go trick-or treating with us. Wyatt was the lion, so Wrigley had to go as the lamb. We let him be a boy lamb though, with horns.

We met up with Wyatt's gal pal Lily! I work with her parent's and we decided to let the kids have a night out together.

Wyatt got the whole run to the door and grab the candy game going. He occasionally would turn and wave bye-bye to the homeowners.

Afterwards we imbibed in a few adult beverages while the kids made out.

Squeakers...I Mean Sneakers...

Now we know where he is at all times. He wore these on Halloween. They were perfect. Look for that post this weekend!

Sorry I've Been a Bum...Blogging

I have been so busy! Homecoming and Midterm week coincided this year. Wonder who set that up? It was a zoo. Then the start of the new quarter, combined with never being home...it's just been busy.

The last few weekends have been spent on 'round-up'. First I went to Creede to help with cattle.

Up Near Lime Creek in Creede:

Then this weekend was spent with the Bison herd on The Medano Ranch where I work in the summers. It was wild, and not too safe really. When the bison get running it's an all out dead run for miles on horseback through rivers, over ditches, chico brush, etc. On Saturday I was riding Maggie and she actually slipped and fell over on top of me. We were fine and back up running in no time. Sunday I was riding a Ranch horse and trying her out on this - she was great, but wasn't used to the Bullwhip that is used. When it was cracked right next to her head by another rider she moved away from it and I was left with no saddle under me. She moved back under me, but I was already commited to pulling myself back into the saddle and just kept going! I hit the ground probably at 20 MPH (and we weren't even going full out at this point!). I bruised a rib and my hand, but other than needing to catch my breath it was all good! I wouldn't have traded that experience for anything; it was so awesome. I may take a day this week and go help them once more.

Early Morning Around the Fire:

On the Run:

There was a professional camera and film crew there and I cannot wait to get their footage.

We took a few breaks to let the horses rest and give ourselves a chance to catch our breaths. I had some fun taking pictures. These two cowboys work and live on the ranch full time. One is married to the manager's daughter, the other a former wrangler from Germany. Just good people all around.

Race For A Cure

I went ahead and ran the Race for A Cure 5K this weekend despite waking up to this:

We bundled up. I brought my own cheering section.

I didn't as well as last week, but considering the weather...

5K

I ran my first 5K this weekend. Guess what? It didn't kick my butt - and I came in under my set pace! And Wyatt ran with me...in his stroller! And I didn't train! I wonder what I could do if I did prepare for one?

I may do another next weekend!

My Serious Little Helper

Wyatt loves to help out in the yard. He drags the hoses everywhere and picks up whatever Mac has managed to 'hoard' onto the lawn from the outlying fields (sticks, bones, broken toys, cans, etc...now if we could just teach him to put them in the trash).

He's so serious about what he's doing when he gets focused.

His favorite thing is to help feed the dogs. He has to take food from one bowl and carry it over to the other. Dixie thinks it's great since she's usually finished first and he's handing her the other dogs' food. They've all figured out that they can clean up whatever he drops while he's 'helping'. It's so funny to watch him crawling under Dixie, around Mac, over Wrigley while they hop around him, walk over him and basically try to see who can get to what he drops first.

Designer Butts, Homey and the Couch Potato

My kid has designer diapers. No joke.

He also likes to wear his pants down around his butt. We call him Homey.
And he has a thing for the couch he got for his birthday. It's the first thing he goes for when he gets home each day. He walks over to it and flops down. It's too funny.

Can you guess who he might be mimicking with that book in hand? He'll often prop his legs up on it also and lean against the arm. I think I live on the coach with a book when I'm not outside..

Blast From the Past

Hey Michigander's - Remember this from your childhood?



My brother used to run around doing the baba boo thing from the flamingo and saying,"my makeup, my makeup!" and "5 minutes, just 5 minutes" to drive us nuts.

Buddies

I recently brought Ringo back into the home pasture to be with the rest of the horses. They've been a little rough on him since he's never been part of this herd before. He's very independent anyway so he's taking it alright.

I let him out to graze on the lawn from time to time and just be around the family and noise and dogs and anything else that he should get used to. Mac is super happy to have his buddy back!

MAC ATTACK!

This dog is seriously turning out to be the bestest dog ever. His herding instincts have kicked in, and though he may be a bit pup-ish at home, when I get on a horse he knows he's going to work.
People have been asking at the ranch where I had him trained and what I have done with him. When I tell them he's only 9 months old and I haven't done anything with him but take him with me, they are amazed. He's that good of a dog.

What could make a happier life for a dog when he spends it herding bison, cattle and horses....chasing birds and grasshoppers on thousands of acres....swimming in the stock tanks...and generally just getting to hang out?

Not too bad for a free dog! That's Maggie's feet he's sleeping next too. Those two have an understanding...

Ranch Pictures

I really am enjoying it there and am snapping pictures whenever the opportunity arises. Since I'm mostly on horseback sometimes the pics don't always come out to clearly, but occasionally I get a few good ones.

Labor Day Weekend...Part 2

Can you tell what this picture is?

Went to work on Sunday at the Ranch. We had a visitor the night before that broke into my friends house and ate all her sugar:



At least that's all he did before taking out her screen door! I caught the little bugger sniffing back around the house that afternoon. He wasn't too worried about me. There's been such a drought here that there isn't enough food for these guys and they are getting to be pests. Everyone is afraid there is going to be a huge die-off this winter due to lack of food. That and huge problems with them trying to find that food...

The managed herd is used to being worked on horseback and with people near them - this gal let me get up next to her on foot to take a picture. That is not something we would do with our wild herd as Bison are quite dangerous...not at all like cattle. We keep a few hundred aside that are worked regularly so guests can get closer for pictures and the experience.