C- Ranch Weekend (warning: picture heavy post:)

This weekend was wonderful! It is a long story...pull up a chair. I'll try to keep it brief, but probably won't. We'll start with Friday. Lane was off work since it was Fiesta week in San Antonio. We took off around 10 to head to Eldorado. Lena Kate slept all the way to Sonora where we stopped at Dairy Queen for lunch. Of course, Lena Kate was a hit at the DQ...small towns are so friendly-I just love it. Then we headed on to the C- Ranch. We were the only ones there for a few hours and Lane mowed while Lena Kate and I porch sat and she took a nap in her stroller. Then around 5:30 Chip arrived and he decided to take me riding since he heard the story about the last time I rode Amigo a few years ago. Flashback: We were riding out for a scavenger hunt for Carla's birthday and decided to give the horses a break and drink at the tank. Amigo decided he would rather go for a swim than just take a drink. I FINALLY got him out of the tank and then he started to spin in a circle. Knowing that horses do this before they lay down and roll over I was going...what is he doing...I'm on his back...uhhhh. Meanwhile Carla was screaming - GET OFF, GET OFF, GET OFF!. If I was really thinking I probably could've just kicked him out of it. Anyway, he was already down on all fours when I got my foot out of the stir-up and just stepped over him onto my own two feet. Fortunately, I was off and didn't get rolled on as Amigo decided to go ahead and roll saddle and all. Also, the horse is fortunate he didn't break Lane's saddle or he would've been rode to death probably. I got back on and rode him home as if nothing had happened. It was just weird. End of Flashback. Chip got wind of this story and wanted to make sure Amigo and I were reacquainted. I was fine with him, I actually really like riding him...but it was nice to go out on a ride just the two of us horseback anyway. I appreciate the sincerity of Chip's concern. It was great conversation and a relaxed ride. Later Trent and Nancy and Chili and Carla arrived and we cooked some burgers....and boy those were some good burgers:) Apparently a difficult cow lives on...in the freezer. Sorry for those of you that don't like the thought of eating home grown beef...but I'm a country girl and think it is kind of funny-serves her right for being difficult. We fell asleep listening to the high schoolers on the porch chat....we can't hang anymore....and really don't want to. We were all up and at'em by 6:30 am. Those going horseback to round up the goats for working headed out by 7am. I stayed at the house of course with the baby girl. The goats were worked with no problems to really speak of. It is always fun to watch this process of sorting and grabbing goats that were kicking with all their might. Previously, I'd have been in there too, but now that I'm a Momma I had another responsibility:) The funniest thing was that one of the billies decided that Lena Kate's Uncle Trent was his buddy. We all thought he was going to ram him, but instead he just planted his head on Trent's leg for quite some time. He'd back away then come back up and just rest his head again. Glad I got a picture of that! Of course, we all agreed it was just a little bit funnier being that Trent was the one getting picked on...sorry Trent! Leelee and Grandpa came out and spent the afternoon with us and watched Lena Kate so I could play and enjoy the working. It was nice to have help with her. We had to keep a hood on her the whole weekend it was SUPER windy, but I really think she enjoyed being outside. After goats were worked, then the cows were brought in and separated to ship some calves and work the bulls. One of the bulls ALMOST got a piece of Chip...whew, it was close. I didn't get a pic of that...kinda wish I had since it all turned out to be a laughing matter in the end. For a guy with a hurt back he moved pretty quick, but the bull could've had him if he REALLY wanted to. The girls took the cows back to the correct pasture on horseback Sat. evening. It was a little sad for me because I hung back on Amigo and lead a crippled calf back. He limped slowly behind the herd, but made his way there. Hopefully he wasn't in much pain and just couldn't use the leg. Amigo knew his job and when the little guy would stop, he would gently nudge him on. So sweet and so sad, but another good life experience. Then Saturday night we had BBQ barbadoe sheep. It was super good. I was skeptical, but I was wrong. We also had roast barbadoe for lunch compliments of Chip the chef. It was delicious as were the beans and salads...oh and my butterfinger cake...had to give myself a plug:) We spent a great evening relaxing on the porch and getting caught up with "the crew." Lena Kate had a big day experiencing her first goat/cow-working and slept from 10ish until 4:30am which is really good for her. Sunday was also a busy day. We didn't leave the ranch until after 5. The guys wanted to "get" some baraboe for the freezer. I think they ended up shooting 5. They are really wild so they had to track them down several time. All in all, it was another fantastic weekend with family and a new experience for Lena Kate. We LOVE the country and I miss living there full-time...hopefully someday we'll be there again and our kids will be able to grow up as country kids as we did. On my ride Chip and I discussed how we agree that you learn alot of life lessons on a ranch and we wouldn't trade our experiences or those with our children there.

Oh, and as you can tell by the pics...I'm not the only one that loves my baby girl.
Kids will be kids...oh, they are not kids anymore...ok, newlyweds will be newlyweds

Mi Amigo

Just a pic of a tree..thought it was pretty

There were more wildflowers in West Texas than South Texas this year

Texas Gal. This is the first outfit LK received. It is from Uncle Chile and Aunt Carla...before we even knew she was a girl :) about this time last year!

Daddy play time in the morning

GO AWAY MOMMA

I got you Daddy

Love for Uncle Chili

Awwwww

In Training

Dusk from thye front porch

Best buds

Tuckered out

Porch sittin

Uncle Chip got a turn too

Are you my Momma?

Goat working is tough.

Sweet little goats

Daddy's lap is cool.

Sleeping as I was "wearing" her in the Baby Bjorn.

Leelee is here!

My babysitters were awesome :)

Holding up the fence

Trent's billy goat friend

How could you not love this face?

Trent's friend again

Carla - happy as always. She has the prettiest smile, and a love for baby goats

Hard at work

My handsome hubby pondering life

Like father, like son

Three Amigos

Stella thinks she is a lap dog

Carla on her new horse Vegas...used to be named Chili ironically

Cowboy Lane - I love this man.

She was not drinking the beer, I promise.

Grandpa and Lena Kate enjoying the cows


Another reason I love this man- he loves his baby girl.

POOPED OUT on the way home.