Labor Day Weekend

…better late than never!

This year we headed to the ranch for Labor Day weekend with the Sorenson Family.  Originally, we were supposed to head out on Friday, but Jarrad came down with a stomach bug.  I really thought we were going to have to cancel the whole trip, but by Saturday morning, Jarrad felt better and we headed out.  Seth, Suzanne and the kids met us out there.  I didn’t tell Meg that they were coming, so as we were pulling onto the ranch road, she saw their car and got super excited.  It was great. 

Both of us brought our yellow labs.  Dixie is 10 years old and Emma is 10 months old.  I was surprised that Dixie did so well with Emma, but they both just kept to themselves.  We took them both out for the afternoon hunt on Saturday.  Dixie was a fetching machine and got every bird that Jarrad shot.  Emma on the other hand, was a little gun shy and hid under the mule until Seth drug her out and took her with him. 

Dixie hunted so hard that she could barely get around, so she had to spend the rest of the weekend locked up in Joey.  She just can’t do it like she used to…poor girl!  

***Dixie***

 

***Emma***

***Colton, Tanner and Meg***

 

***Meg and Tanner***

 

***The kiddos perch while we were hunting***

 

***My sweet girl***

 

On the second afternoon hunt, we had to have the kids fetch the birds since Dixie was out of commission.  This was such a cute scene…Tanner, Colton and Meg were around this bird.  I can only imagine the conversation that was going on was one for the memory books. 

It seemed that finally a decision had been made.  Meg picked up the bird and ran it to Jarrad as fast as she could.  The look on her face is priceless. 

 

***Meg, Tanner and Colton***

Meg and Tanner were pulling feathers off of birds in Jarrad’s bag.  I’m not even sure he was aware what was taking place behind his back. 

 

***Seth and Emma***

 

***Two peas in a pod***

We had a great weekend with the Sorensons and hope we can make it out there again during deer season. 

Shells

Even though I didn’t want to go to the ranch for Easter, I do love watching Megan enjoy herself so much.  Meg loves everything about the ranch.  We were at the back tank and she went running off with Dixie.  (I stayed behind enjoying a beer).  She hadn’t been gone five minutes before she came running back down with two handfuls of shells.  She was so excited with her finds. 

I love this sweet girl! 

Things I missed in April

…that I wanted to get on our blog.

 

A dinner at Boompaw & Nawnaw’s house when Grandma was in town :)  
April 15, 2010

 

***Megan’s first French manicure and pedicure***
April 9, 2010

 

***Meg and Poppy at the Ranch***
April 3, 2010
 

***Loving the spring evenings***
April 14. 2010
 

Ramsey Easter

Easter Sunday, we woke up at the ranch.  I couldn’t wait for Megan to wake up.  Of all mornings for the little lady to sleep in.  Meg was so happy when she woke up.  Joey was decorated with Easter Eggs and a beautiful basket with all kinds of goodies in itMeg loves to hunt for Easter Eggs.  She quickly dumped all her goodies out of her Easter basket and started the egg hunt.  This year, the bunny didn’t just put them in the obvious places…he got creative.  She searched hig and low.  Inside and outside.  She definitely got lots of eggs and loved every minute of the hunt! 

Cascarones at the Ranch

Meme bought a dozen Cascarones (confetti eggs) for Megan this year and brought them with her to the ranch.  After Meg’s driving lesson, Meme told Megan she had something to show her. 

***Meme waiting to give Meg her surprise***
(isn’t she sneaky with the egg behind her back) 

***Meg had no idea what was going on***

***Here is Meme telling Megan that there are more eggs***

***Meg was so excited about cracking eggs on everyone***

***Dixie even got in on some of the action***

Watch Out World!

 

While we were at the Ranch for Easter weekend, Jarrad gave Megan a Mule driving lesson.  He taught her everything, from how to start the mule to how to put the emergency brake on before she gets out.  She did an AWESOME job with all the in-between stuff and was super excited to take us all for a ride Saturday afternoon. 

This seemed like a good idea – teaching her all the steps, but on Sunday morning, the day after her lesson, she came into Joey and asked me “Mom, where are the keys to the mule?”  I guess she wanted to take it out for a spin.  Lucky for us, Jarrad was thinking ahead and had taken the keys out. 

 

***Meg & Daddy on their first lap***

***She was close to hitting Joey, but made the turn at the last minute*** 

***Lesson One – Complete***

***Proud Teacher & Student***

My Birthday at the Ranch

Jarrad, Megan and I left out of Friday for Easter weekend at the ranch.  Friday happened to be my birthday and Good Friday, so Meg was out of school and I took the day off.  Jarrad even took the day off so we could head out early.  I think he was excited about taking Joey out for the first time. 

The trip took a little longer than normal because we were pulling the trailer, but we managed to make it out to the ranch in one piece.  We unloaded and started to get the trailer leveled out.  In no time, it was set up and we were ready for the weekend.

Jarrad unloaded the mule while Meg and I played inside.   As soon as the Mule was unloaded, Meg grabbed the ladder so she could climb up into the attic.  About 20 minutes after we got situated, Meme & Poppy arrived.  Meg was so excited to give them the tour. 

She showed them the “upstairs” (bedroom), her “attic”, the bathroom, and the garage.  Meme and Poppy actually slept in the garage (there are two double bunk beds back there). 

After the tour, we went for a drive around the ranch.  We loaded up the dogs and headed down the road.  Gunner bailed ship and refused to come thru the gate.  I had to walk back and convince him that the gate wasn’t going to hurt him. 

***Gunner, not looking so convinced***

***Jarrad, Poppy, Megan, Meme, Dixie & Gunner***

A trip to the ranch wouldn’t be complete without Dixie taking a dip in a few tanks.  Gunner isn’t sure about the water yet, but I have a feeling he’ll learn to love it. 

 

***Dixie swimming***

***Gunner thinking about taking a swim***

***Gunner decided that swimming was overrated, but found a fresh pile of cow shit to roll around in*** 

***Gunner after his bath***
  

After our ride and after Gunner’s bath, we all cleaned up and headed to Mary’s for my birthday dinner.  Thankfully, no one sang to me!