A New Adventure

I wanted to start this post with some sort of deep, meaningful quote regarding life, comfort zones and curveballs; but everything was much too deep and serious for this post.  I just needed some sort of cute meme that stated: And then I had a baby girl said holy cow.  But alas, Pinterest failed me.  

Never overestimate the brain power of sleep deprived mama. 

So, long story short, we had a baby recently and it was not of a gender that were were so accustomed to.  After having two boys I now find myself browsing Pinterest during the wee hours of the night for 'little girl hairstyles' and the like.  

I'll admit, for the first few minutes after meeting baby Kathryn I wasn't sure quite what to think about the situation.  And then I saw my husband cuddle with her and I decided maybe God did know exactly what we needed all along.  Funny how that happens all the time (the God knowing thing) and yet I still find myself amazed.

Auntie snuggles

No good can come of these two when they look like this.

Kathryn has already had her first 'slumber party' with her much older cousin, Madeline, who is a whopping 20 days older.

All of our children have very intense, deep blue eyes when they are little.
I hope hers stay that way. 

We've already logged several miles in the stroller while attempting to chase her brothers.  I have a feeling that she and I will be doing this quite a lot in the future.

...And snap tests.  I got to have a lovely eight day maternity leave before the neighbor called and asked me to run some snap tests for him.  Sigh...

Shipping calves one morning

Kathryn never lacks for attention.  We had to implement a rule that hats must be taken off or turned around before sticking your head into her carseat for a kiss.
Kenyon loves to turn his hat backwards and then state, "Look, Mom.  I look like a thug!"

See?  I wasn't lying.  These boys are constantly on the go.  I've always wanted to purchase a step tracker such as a FitBit.  I'm curious to see how much ground we cover in a day.

This is one of my favorite pictures of all time.  My mother came to spend several days with us.  By the time you have your third baby, it's not that she comes clean or do laundry for a sleep deprived mom, it's that I needed her to snuggle babies so I could go sit on the lawn mower by myself for a few hours.  Funny how priorities change with each subsequent birth.

Although not a slumber party this time, Kathryn was able to meet her newest other cousin who is oh-so-much younger... by a whopping six days. Someday I'm sure that will be very important to them, this crucial six day difference.  For Kathryn in their younger days and Asher as they age!

Stylin' and profilin'

Our trusty steed for the turtle races at the town festival this past weekend.

A little pep talk between heats from Dad.  Kenyon's turtle came in second and John's was third.
Both boys were happy with their results.  Both turtles were relieved when we released them at a pond in the hay field this morning. 

John loved riding the mechanical bull VERY SLOWLY.  

Kenyon would have ridden all night long if we had allowed him.  He had an absolute blast. 

All this blogging is making me tired.  If only I looked so sweet and peaceful while dreaming.  Just add 30 years, three kids, a messy ponytail on the top of my head and drool running out the corner of my mouth and we're almost twins.
Almost.

A Week in the Life of a Ranch Kid

Continual apologies regarding my tardy nature.  Y'all should expect it by now.  It's been busy around here lately.  The weather has had some serious ups and downs so you'll notice the extremes in fashion choices when viewing the photos.  

John is getting to the age where he is much more interactive and engaged with all the happenings around here.  Although he doesn't talk much, he definitely is quite expressive and lets you know what he's thinking through facial expressions and gestures.  

Since he's down to mere days until he's bumped into middle child status, I'm feeling rather sentimental towards him and decided to focus primarily on the current 'youngest child' for this post. 

Watching the calves come to the feed pickup.

A little light pond dam work on the bulldozer. 

National Take Your Kid to Work Day
...or...
A normal Tuesday.

Rainy day reading with his big brother.  Kenyon was so good in explaining the differences among various implements and equipment in the tractor book.

We went to a spring show.
I got tired of chasing him.
I locked him (temporarily) in the calf scales.
(No children were harmed in the making of this photo.)

The boys, and friend, jumped off the pig loading chute hundreds of times that day.

See the bottom of his pants?  That would be an accumulation of soggy juices from playing in the feedbunks where silage had collected and then gotten rained on.
John smelled delightful after playing in this mess. 

Bath time was guaranteed that night. 

A quick trip to the hospital to see our new baby cousin...

Approximately 3 hours old, after approximately 2 hours of nursing.
She is quite possibly the world's best snuggler.  And eater, according to her mother. 

Playing on the swingset.  Over and over and over and over...

Working a little ground with Dad one evening.
I love these trips when both boys ride with their dad.  It guarantees me at least a half hour of quiet time to relax in the car by myself.  

These tomatoes aren't going to plant themselves. 

I love this photo.  It was such a fun morning planting the garden with these two. 

Feeding chickens.

I feel the need.  The need for speed.
This does not bode well for our future. 

He's exhausted?  Think about his mama trying to keep up with him!

I can't get enough of this little devilish grin.

And there you have it, folks.  As you can plainly see, this kiddo covers some serious territory during the course of a week.

Have Smiles, Will Travel

The boys and I traveled to see my family this weekend for some much needed snuggles and good food.  I'm always slightly embarrassed, slightly proud when I see the boys eat my mom's food so well.  Yes, they do try to eat her out of house and home, but it's not all their fault.  She cooks REALLY well.  

In the event you do not have a proper teething ring available, just throw a stick of celery at this kid.
He enjoys it just as much.

Mom's mums are enormous and gorgeous.  These were knee-high on me, to help you put it in perspective.

 Yes, I see cattle every day.  Yes, we live in the middle of beautiful grass country.  Yes, I drove hours away so I could see the exact same things with my dad.

Now that John is one year old it was high time he had a proper hair cut.  My Aunt Chelle did the honors in her beauty shop.  It warmed my heart to see John wear the same little cape that I wore countless times when she trimmed my hair growing up. 

Before: little baby

After: big man

The boys read lots and lots of books with their Great Grandma S, and Kenyon was kind enough to sing her the ABC's as well.  She's a great audience and fawns over their accomplishments like a dutiful, well seasoned great grandparent should. 

Books, books and more books.  Kenyon has memorized so many of his grandma's that he reads to her these days.

I love John's laugh when he's with them.  He was such a ham all weekend.

His mustache may be a different color than Dad's but it feels the same.

Grandad had a coconut cream pie for his birthday.  We used to say that everyone in the family (besides Grandad) hated coconut cream pie.  That is now amended to say everyone (besides Grandad and Kenyon) hates coconut cream pie.
YUCK.