Seventeen?!

I can't believe that she is seventeen! She is so much fun and always so happy. She has been an easy child to raise. She is the most driven person I know of. If she decides to do it there isn't much anyone can do to change her mind. She loves everyone and soccer, piano, hanging out with her friends, sewing and anything else that seems exciting.

She was headed to a three-day 4-H conference the afternoon of her birthday so we went to lunch at Cafe Sabor to celebrate.

Chopping Hay--Again

It is time to chop the oats again! The weather has been terrific and so things have gone smoothly. Better yet, the equipment has run very well. Even the old white truck didn't overheat this time. I took good care of it and made sure it had a drink after each load.

Shawn is in the chopper, Cody is in the yellow truck and Alma is in the tractor in the pit. I got to drive the white truck. It has an auger to unload rather than a dump like the yellow one, so it is easier for me to unload. Allan helped one day so I could get caught up at home.

We spent three days chopping and the pit is full! Another fall job done--now can we just ride horses and gather cattle?

Shipping Yearlings

Shipping yearlings with Bryan is a relaxing get away--sort of. Relaxing in that I get to just watch and let someone else worry about getting the cattle in, making sure they are all found, getting the health and brand taken care of and lining up the help.

It is fun to see how someone else's corrals are set up and how they make it work for them. These yearlings are in Kamas, Utah. There were eleven loads. He had everything together and it took them about 15 minutes to load each truck!

I got a lot of reading done and even some sewing that I've been dying to finish. After, we went to Taggart's for lunch. I highly recommend the carrot cake!

Tetons in the Fall

Savanna and Ben

Bob's place

Every year over Conference weekend, we to to Jackson Hole to ship the yearling steers that we have had there on feed all summer. This year was beautiful.

We left Friday about noon and met Bryan in Soda Springs, where he had been loading cattle. We ate lunch there and then went on to Jackson. We found a great place for dinner that we had never been to before called Roadhouse Q--a barbecue place that was delicious!

The next morning, Bryan and I went to Bob's to start loading. It is never a fast process there, but the people are kind and the pasture is great. We finished in record time this year--1:00 p.m. The cattle only broke out of one pen, once! When we finished, Jennifer had brought us all a burrito and then had made the most delicious rhubarb cake ever!

After, we did a little shopping in town and then sent Bryan to the Priesthood session while the girls and I swam. Grandma Marj soaked her legs.

The next morning was relaxing and we were able to listen to Conference before we had to check out.

What a great weekend!

Bignhusky

We couldn't help it, we bought another yearling! He is a true blue roan with no white markings. He came from Keith Munns in Rexburg, Idaho. He is out of his Handmade Hancock stallion from Blue Valentine, and on his Dam's side, Husky Hanna from Sandhill Music.

He is what his name implies. A little thick in the neck, but he may grow into it in a couple of years. He is definately in the gangly stage. He is bigger than the first yearling we bought by about 200 pounds. Thankfully, he is halter broke where the Rassmussen colt is not--yet. We've been working with him and he is coming along.

We sold three horses this year (Trigger, Z, and Diamond) so we really needed to keep our numbers up. Besides Bryan's Auction Paint, these are the only horses we've bought since his Dad passed three years ago. It is time.

I think he would love the blue, but he will question me on the gray. I hope he turns out good so I have a good answer for him!

Livestock?

I wish these pictures did this bull moose justice! He was so huge! I was not far from him and there was a second moose on the hill to the side of us. He just meandered to the Cedar tree and ate. My horse did not like him at all and was not happy that I wanted to hang around and take pictures! I had just ridden up the hill to check for cows above a pond on the Forest ground and he was happily eating. About 5 minutes later it was a down pour and I was under a Cedar trying to stay dry while I waited for the boys to arrive. Bryan was not one bit happy about it raining. He is a fair weather rider. I told him it has only rained when he has come with us this year!

Called to Serve

My parents have arrived in Hiko, Nevada! They loved their MTC experience and made many new friends. Mom said that she tried to take a picture of Dad out on the tractor discing, but the glare off of his smile kept getting in the way! It is much easier to send your parents than your son on a mission. I get to talk to them daily! I did get Jackson's return date: November 30th. He went out on the 19th and so this will be his third Thanksgiving away from home.