Easter Weekend

Easter weekend was a few days of swing set building, checking cows, family dinners, Sunday School program, hiding Easter eggs, and being grateful.


I hope your weekend was all that it was meant to be for you.

Like finding eggs in a haystack.  ha.  ha.  

Everyone hides eggs in/by their farm machinery, right?

Also normal to hide eggs in the field?!

Look close, they found the Easter Bunny while out hunting eggs!

My aunt & grandma, beautiful ladies!

Rockin' the taco hat!  She makes that hat look good!  

Another snapshot of 'there I was...'

Beautiful ladies before their Sunday School program.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day!  Now, honestly I love the thought behind Mother's Day.  But truthfully, good bad or otherwise, it's usually just another day.  Now don't get me wrong, I don't forget to acknowledge my mother or grandmother, it's just that we don't do fancy dinners, or day the spa or any of those things that Hallmark and tv commercials tell us we have to.

Growing up, most of my Mom's Mother's Day were spent either at a rodeo, branding, going for a ride through the calving pasture, or we helped her get the garden ready.  Now, there were gifts, or fresh crocuses plucked from the pasture and presented to her in a old cup found in the garage.  We would make cards.  It's just the way it is and was.

Now that I am a mom, I really don't expect or want much.  We are usually farming, of course still calving and what ever else needs to be done around here.  Hubby will usually make me biscuits and gravy for breakfast (my fave) if time allows, or I get an IOU.  I am ok with that.  Last year when I was asked what I wanted for Mother's Day, I informed my family of 2 things.  1 was that Tally and I could go for a horse ride and 2 was just to spend some time and go tag calves together as a family.

I thought I would take a few moments of your time and introduce you to the Mother's in my life.

Now of course there's my mom, Mother Tracey.  She's tough, strong, stubborn and bossy, and still with us.  She has lived 12 years longer than any doctor gave her when she was first diagnosed.

Mother Tracey and Mother Marilyn

Mother Marilyn!  In no way is she related to our family, but when her and her husband became friends with my parents....she became Mother Marilyn.  She's been there through the good times, bad times, fun times, wedding, baby times.

Me and Mother Marilyn, wagon train circa 2009

My mother in law, Canova.  I have said many times that I won the lottery when it came to mother in laws.  She's a great friend, great mother, great mother in law and an awesome grandma to my children.

Ruth Ann was one of the first neighbors my parents met when we moved to North Dakota.  I spent so much time at her house through grade school and high school that she probably disciplined me as much as my parents.  Her oldest son is one of my best friends, and was a part of my wedding.  Ruth Ann also made a beautiful cake for our wedding.

Now that I have children there are 'mothers' in my kids' life that I would be lost without.  They have given me advice, helped with babysitting, given me advice.  They've laughed at me whenever I tell whatever recent shenanigans  my kids have pulled, and are just there whenever needed.  Most have kids way older than mine, and some didn't even have kids when I had my first.  The saying 'it takes a village to raise a child' is so true, and I have come to believe and rely on that.

Laura, friend, babysitter, and everything else.  

Me and Tam.....there's nothing we can't talk about or bitch about when it comes to life and our kids. 

No matter what you do or how you do it, thank your mom tomorrow.  Thank those moms that treat you like one of their own.  A simple phone call or text is worth a lot.

Lauri, she's takes my kids, helps me out and lends me her daughter to take on road trips to babysit.  

Pamela, a great friend, cousin, and god mother! 

Uncle Jess, (no that's not a typo, kids same the darndest things).  Sister in law, god mother and she's got my back when I need help or a babysitter.  Thank God she moved closer and is willing to help with my crazy kids. 

Wild Bunch.  These gals rock and have been and are awesome to my kids.  They help. they discipline and they give this mama a break.

I am truly blessed. 

Happy Mothers Day to all my Mom's and every other Mom out there.





Disclaimer; there are plenty more other mom's out there that help me out that I didn't mention or find pictures of.  All help me tremendously to help make my world keep going around and my kids happy.  

Adventure, Part 1

Hubby & I are headed into new territory for the next week.  My sister & her boyfriend finally talked us into vacationing with them in Mexico.  It took some planning and saving and budgeting and farming out the kids, but we are on our way to Mexico. 

 Due to flight plans and whatever, we got to spend the day in Denver wasting time. Now Denver rained and snowed on us all day, but we still had a fun filled day. 

 It has been quite the experience for me. I got on a plane for only the second time in my life. Had to maneuver airport and find baggage claim.  Took a questionable cab ride to downtown Denver. Spent the day walking and looking and stopping to drink adult beverage. Rode Denver's electric train to different part of town to eat at the oldest steakhouse in Denver. Thankfully got a great cab ride back to motel room.  

It's been a lot of learning for me today. Lots of fun and relaxation also. Now I need to chill out in out motel room and muster up the courage to survive the plane ride in the morning without incident. 

Heyyyy Bossss!

Ok, let's try posting this video once more so it can actually be viewed.  Sorry!

TC is (so she sometimes informs me) mine and papa's cowboss.  She's learning at young age, though honestly most of her time is spent catching an nap while we are out feeding cows.
This morning I had to stop and capture this little video of her.  She cracks me up.    Enjoy!

Cruel and Unusual Punishment?

Who doesn't love Birthdays and the Birthday song?

TC, that's who.  Doesn't matter if we are singing Happy Birthday to her, you, me or her best friend.  She. Hates. It!!!

No joke, when attending friends birthday parties I try to remove her from the room before the singing starts.  Now, we, her aunts and uncles, our friends and everyone else who has witnessed gets a good laugh out of it.  Its the craziest thing.

What's that?  You don't believe me?  Well ok then.

Well there ya go!  Oh, and I am sure you noticed how her loving family did NOT quit singing to her!

Family Friday Night

Family Friday nights around here in the summer are not your typical family outings.

Nope, on any Friday night (and really any night of the week) we load up the kids and dog and head out to go check cows, check crops, go do some irrigating or a hundred other things that need to be done.  We take this time to be together as a family, but do get our work done and teach our kids.

T and TC just love going to check cows and helping putting out mineral.  I could say its because they are with mom or dad, or because we are spending time as a family but I would be lieing.   They enjoy putting out mineral so much because 'mixing' and 'stirring' the mineral is just the most fun!  It really is, just ask the two little blondes in the picture!

Putting out mineral is just one of the many things we do together as a family.  We irrigate, we seed, we hay, we move cows, we work cows, we harvest, we play, we fight, we hug and we love.  Its just what we do.

The kids, though they are young, have already learned you can't go check cows, put out mineral without checking on the water!  And maybe so mom can snap some pictures.  

 I just love old windmills.   Our Family Friday nights may not be typical, but they are who and what we are and do!  Pretty sure I wouldn't change a thing!

30 Days of Thanksgiving

Cow Camp Crazy's 30 Days of Thanksgiving

Day 1:  So thankful that I am living my dream job; ranching, farming, being a mama, and being a part of Agriculture.  It's not always easy, but it's the perfect fit for me.

Day 2:  It may sound silly, but I am thankful for cell phones and texting, and the ability to send pictures from my cell phone.  My family and close friends are scattered across Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota.  Cell phones allow us to keep in touch so easily.  It's easy to send pictures of my girls to my sisters, and their grandparents.  It makes the miles just fade away, and my kids keep in touch.  And it makes me feel like we, as a family, aren't missing out on little things in the others' life as we can keep in touch.

Day 3:  I am thankful for toilet paper.

Day 4:  I am thankful for the communities that I grew up in.  They hold a special spot in my heart and then helped make me who I am today.

Day 5:  I am thankful for my network of friends.  Each one of them adds something to my life.  Many miles may separate most of us, but the miles don't take away the memories!

Day 6:  I am thankful for my children.  They are my little miracle babies.  I think when the doctors told me the impossible, God just laughed and said "watch this!"!

Day 7:  I am thankful for father.  I hope I can remember everything dad has taught and told me over the years, but am afraid I won't.  I love his old wives tales, his stories that are lessons, and his ability to throw you into a situation you would have been scared to jump into, and them him saying 'See it wasn't that bad!'.  I thank him for sharing his love of ranching, horses and that if you love what you do, work isn't work.  I thank him for teaching me that you take care of them first and your livestock will take care of you.  I am thankful he made me work and taught me how to work.  And I am thankful that he is able to share some of these things with my daughters.  My babies first word was 'papa'.

Day 8:  I am thankful for my husband.  Granted he frustrates me, ticks me off and I sometimes don't understand they way he does things BUT he's a hard work, and a great father, and he puts up with me!

Day 9:  I am thankful  muck boots and Carhartt.  Yes, that my sound trivial, but its not.  I have spent the last several days shoveling snow, chopping ice and feeding livestock in a snow storm.  Those of you that share my life, you get me.  For those that don't, I'm telling you Muck boots and Carhartt are wonderful.  Great improvement from when I was a kid and had to put grocery sacks around my feet before putting them in my snow boots.

Day 10:  I am thankful for my nieces and nephew, and for cousins.  They just make my life fuller, funner and crazy.  Plus I love hearing stories from their mothers, as then I realize I am not the only one with crazy kids!

Day 11:  I am thankful for a good dog.  A good dog is next to a good horse, its just right for the soul.  A good dog lets you rant and rave and throw temper tantrums and then snuggles in and makes things better.  A good dog is there to help get that last ol' rip up the alley or through the gate.  A good dog makes you smile, and smiling is great.

Day 12: I am thankful for my horses.  They make my world right.  Nothing helps me get my head on straight like a horse.  When riding that good one thats close to your heart, and you get the cow stopped or pulling calves or hes firing on all engines and cutting like a champ, that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.  And I love how my daughters are falling in love with horses and how they seem to have the same effect on them.

Day 13:  I am thankful for my freezer full of meat and my pantry full of food.

Day 14:  I am thankful that as we come upon the holiday season my mother is around to spend it with her family, her grand kids and anyone else she chooses too.  She has outlived the doctors predictions and keeps rocking on!

Day 15:  I am thankful for neighbors and friends that are always willing to lend a hand.  Being neighborly makes hard work and long days go by fast and with a little commraderie and social contact.  It also is allowing us to sneak away to my folks' place over Thanksgiving.  Thank goodness for good neighbors.

Day 16:  I am thankful I am a very awesome grandma and truly awesome, if not stubborn, grandpa still in my life.  They both rock.

Day 17:  I am thankful that when I married D, I gained an awesome family.  We have so much fun and we've got each others back.

Day 18:  I am thankful for this blog.  Not many people see it or read it, but I like that I have a place to jot something down, share something, or not.  It's all up to me. It's mine.

Day 19:  I am thankful that D and I have gotten the opportunity to farm and ranch.  I can't imagine either one of us being as truly happy doing anything else.

Family Summer Nights

Some people spend their summer nights playing baseball.  Some people spend their summer nights swimming at the pool.

Some people get to spend their summer nights lounging in their backyard.

Some people get to spend their summer nights boating

Some people get to spend their summer nights fishing.

We get to spend our summer nights irrigating!!!!

And though sometimes I envy folks who are fishing, boating or lounging, 

I am not sure I would trade my summer family nights.

Summer Sky June 7th 2011

Mother Nature still isn't in a very good morning.  She just keeps coming with the rain and icky weather.  They have opened the gates on the Fort Peck Dam and some of our crops are getting flooded as I type this.  The majority of our cropland lays next to the Missouri River, and are slowly becoming swallowed up by the water.    

Here are a few pictures I snapped early this morning of the sky.  It's been lightening for the past hour, and has started to rain.  

Looking North

Looking West

West.  The sky is so amazing.

Another shot looking West. 

Northeast of our place.

The weather man has heavy rains and thunderstorms predicted for the rest of the week. Our fields, pastures and my mood could use a good shot of sunshine!

I Have Proof!!

I know I have mentioned a few times how much I love PW!!  It's true, ask my family and friends!  

I love her blog.  I love her recipes.  I love her cookbook.  Honestly I heart PW!  

Way back in March my good friend J and I traveled many miles to Great Falls to go to one of  PW's Book Signings.  It was so worth the miles.  I left my babies at home, but her son Colter John made the trek with us across the state of Montana.  It was the first road trip J and I have ever take together, and I can't wait until next week when we take the next; but that is another story.

Anyway, however you look at it I love PW.  I bought a few new cookbooks for her to sign.  No, I did not have her sign the cookbook I use, as it is falling apart.  Both Dana and I have used that cookbook so much it is falling apart.  

The pages don't even stay in anymore.

I wasn't kidding, its falling apart at the seam!

Falling out all over.  And you can't even see the stains from splatters from our cooking!

See the broken seam??  This is the first cake I have ever baked from scratch in my whole life!

OHHHH...cinnamon rolls.  To die for.  And so simple I can do it.  

Since Dana stayed home with the babies, and  he enjoyes PW's recipes as much as I do, I had Miss Ree sign a cookbook for my husband!

*the pictures aren't the best, as my four year old insisted on taking them.  Though she might have taken better ones than I would have!*

Kids and Horses

The girls and I spent a few days at my folks' house the other week.  We branded a few, rode some horse and hung out.  These pictures were taken the 14th of May, and it was cold!!  We branded on Friday the 13th, and it was cold.  We could see our breath as we were standing in the branding pen.  My dad snuck back up to the house and put his long johns on.  I was wishing might hard that I had packed a pair of my long johns.  

Despite the cold, the girls got to ride for a little bit.  They were froze when they got back to the house, but they had fun.  I didn't get any pictures, but they had the barrels set up behind the house, and were having fun 'running the barrels at the rodeo'.  

Miss Timber getting ready to ride Shambo.  Shambo is HER horse, just ask her.   Though her Papa will let her believe that, ol' Shambo is one of dad's good horses.  He uses him on the ranch, to rope off of and of course to keep his granddaughter horseback!

I love how Shambo lowers his head to let Timber do her reins.  He knows, and he takes care of her! 

Tally & Abe
Tyann & Streaker
Timber & Shambo

I might add that Tally's Auntie TyTy and Timbers mother TyTy is riding the oldest horse out of the three pictured.  Just thought I should share that fact!  Streaker is an uncle to my horses 6pack and Squirt I have talked about.  And according to Tally, he is a naughty (ie not a kids horse) and she can't ride him.

Streaker is not a kids horse, nor is he a Tana horse.  That horse has bucked me off several times, and tried to several more.  Him and I have a personality conflict, and I am ok with that.  If he has been ridden I can get away with roping out of the branding pen off of him, but that is about it.  When we lived out on the Powder River, we had to gather yearling out of the top pasture, which was 14 sections and had to trail down (another 4 miles) down to the Dippenvat pasture.  About 2 miles from our destination gate, Tyann wanted to switch horses with me.  While Tyann was riding him, he was stumbling as he was sleeping from being so tired.  But I got on and he had his ears back and was gonna buck me off.  I do believe that is the last time I have ridden him.  But that little story was off the subject, so lets get back to Kids and Horses.

We don't believe in ponies at our house!

And they are off!