Gardening 101

Last weekend Eric came home again to help Bruce hang gutter. It is getting harder and harder for Bruce to continue to do this work especially on some of the higher and more difficult jobs. I can help, but Bruce is afraid my footing isn't the best. I must admit - I don't like to climb on ladders much. Thanks Eric for helping out so much -- we appreciate your time and sacrifice away from your family and also working on your weekend off. Nothing like working a 6 day week!  Sometimes even 7.... You are a good daddy for sure!

Anyway, with Eric and Bruce gone Saturday most of the day, Katie and Konnor and I played and played hard!  We got to go outside and ride the gator, got the horses in and moved around,then rode Cheyenne, played in the sandbox, rode the tricycle and three wheelers, baked cupcakes and cookies, ate lunch, and then went back outside again. After the men got home in afternoon, we planted potatoes, onions, lettuce, spinach, and radishes. The kids worked so hard and they were really a fantastic help! Konnor has his own way of covering up potatoes -- and his technique is not to be disputed.... He wanted to use his trowel to cover those potatoes - so we let him do his work. So here are a few of the pics I got with my phone. Never had time to go grab the camera!  That night when it was time for baths after supper, the water turned a colorful "redish brown"! We collected our share of "dirt" for sure.... Nothing like farm work and getting your hands dirty!  The kids will be excited to eat the food they planted I am sure!

On Sunday, Bruce and I planted another 6 lbs of potatoes plus more onions and also some peas. Sure will be nice to eat some tasty home grown produce....  In a couple of weeks, Carrie and the kids will be home so hope we get to plant some more garden. Maybe by then it will be time for the pole beans, squash and maybe cantaloupe... We shall see!

March Birthdays for two special K's.....

Since I'm not on Facebook now I didn't get to share birthdays in March for two very special grands.... Kolsen and Karolyn!  They both are so special as each one of the grands are... but this blog is to celebrate their special days.  Happy Birthday to you Kolsen.... you truly have a heart of gold! God is molding you into a work of art!

 And to Karolyn our first granddaughter who has truly made our heart sing with her special talents.... you notice she is almost always with an animal... one of her passions!

We are so blessed to have you as our grandchildren and pray that God will truly use you both in ways we cannot imagine for his glory!  We love you so much!!

Finally......

after 4 tries to get to grandpa's house -- we made it on our 5th attempt. Seems like the weather would change, a front would come through, and then the weather went to pot.  So here are a few pictures of the home place for those who would like to see. 

Also, we are planning a party for grandpa August 23rd on his birthday! We hope all our friends and family will be able to make it so he can celebrate his 90 years on this planet!  Please consider the time out of your day to help him celebrate.... I know he would love to see you all!  Oh yes, we are trying to keep this a secret so don't spill the beans.....

Grandpa and Bruce with the old 4-Wheel drive pick up. What a beautiful day it was!

Sick Birthday Bear

Celebrating your birthday should be fun and full of excitement and good food, but poor Konnor has been sick since Thursday, his birthday, with a high fever. Thought I'd post some cute pictures of him as we keep him in our prayers.  Poor little guy....

 We brought him his birthday gifts from us and Aunt Carrie and Uncle Shawn..  He did muster a little smile at his new bots and other gifts but wasn't ready to get up and play just yet.

Here's hoping he is up and playing very, very soon!  He's had a really rough go on his 4th birthday!

Endless Winter......

I normally don't mind the seasons in Kansas, but man... here lately the WINTER - is taking a bite out of all of our patience! I know the Minnesota Papon's are way tougher than us! Anyone on the farm knows how hard a bitter winter can be: endless chores to keep the animals warm, fed, and content is indeed a big task!  But when the temperatures remain well below freezing for so long: it tests even the most seasoned rancher.... Baby calves are born in this weather here in Kansas so dealing with frostbite and death and sickness is always a concern. The horses are staying in the barn - today is their first day out simply because their tank is frozen solid! The cattle has a propane heater in their tank so they seem to be fairly content! We are hopeful that in the middle of next week we will be above freezing.

However it is not all negative. We have received 9 or 10 inches of welcome snow and it did come down beautifully! But the following days rearranged it all -- that seems to happen a lot in these parts! The pictures below reflect just some of the landscape! I really never took the camera out to visit the horses and the cattle but they are pretty gross from the lot! Papa and I cleaned out the horses stall today and it was certainly nasty from tracking in snow, etc. Mucking the stalls isn't my most favorite thing to do... LOL! However Papa and I managed to complete that job!

Not sure how we are having any melting, but here are the icicles to prove it!

Emmy has been a little out of sorts..... Stares outside - plays with all of her toys, follows me around, basically doesn't know what to do with herself and does NOT want outside at all!  Guess we are all getting a little cabin fever. Better go drag out the seed catalogs because March isn't that far off. Actually about 30 days till we typically plant our spuds and onions... Seriously - right now that does not seem possible!

I am READY for some fresh produce though!  and I'm hoping the gutter garden produces like this again!  Wow, that was awesome.... Until then, stay WARM!

Christmas and Birthdays... Oh my!

Sorry for the delay in posting our Christmas celebration, but my IE browser was causing me a lot of grief with uploading pictures so I changed to Google Chrome... low and behold - it is working!  Shawn and Carrie and family made it here on Christmas Eve -- just in time for Santa to show up for Christmas morning. We were all so excited since they didn't come home anytime during the year! Poor Cheyenne and Blackie and L.T. and Emmy were so happy to see them!  We didn't waste anytime getting down to working and playing. We even got a little snow so we got to ride the sled behind Papa's John Deere 60. That was a blast flying over the terraces! Eric and Theresa came the day after Christmas so we got to open presents and play with cousins. So, here are just a few of our Christmas in pictures.

 MY DUCK DYNASTY CREW :-)

 Even the dogs were happy and involved with Papa's hay rack rides. Looks like the girls were having a great time too!

 Tractor rides,

 coloring,

 iPad,

 smiles,

 presents,

and puppy and

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS

A VERY HAPPY CREW

Kassidy and her new birthday quilt. I think it matches her colorful personality with blooming character.

Kaylee turned 7 in December and loves to dance, dance, dance. She was pretty excited to get her new quilt.

And Karolyn actually helped to design her quilt. She created the horses and the quilt was totally my design.

As always, when everyone left--Papa and I were LOST! Not only us but our animals are sad too! Emmy is sulking as well as L.T. I think Cheyenne and Blackie are constantly looking for their apple treats from the kids. I am so proud of them for loving to ride. Each and everyone rode this time and LOVED it. I am a happy girl - make that a happy Nana! I have no pictures of that since I was giving the rides. Oh well, I carry it in my heart and my mind! As we ended our Christmas get together - for Bruce and I, its all about family, loving and laughing-- and not the gifts! I treasure those homemade gifts so much! Thank you kids for everything. We miss you all! Praying for a safe and healthy 2014.