I love it when Luke comes home.

That's right. I love it when Luke comes home. He was traveling for 3 days this week and finally got home last night. I was really happy to see him. It's not that I feel scared when he's gone, I just really like it alot more when he is here with me. And, he brought me these beauties:

I didn't go anywhere while he was gone. I didn't leave our property once, except when I went for a bike ride. I've really become a home-body and enjoy being here. Kelly is good company too. We went fishing one night and she helped me with my fish.

We get along okay without Luke, but it's so much better when he's here!

Remembering Skippy

So, this is the only digital picture of Skippy that I have. It will have to do even though it doesn't do him justice.

Skip Brick Sioux (Skippy) was the prettiest palomino color you could ever image. He was born and raised at the Penn State horse farm where they were doing research on line breeding. Therefore, Skippy is a very line-bred Skipper W horse and exhibited the best conformation of any horse we had seen. Through the years, Skippy was purchased by a friend of Mom's and ended up in Montana. This was about the same time that Matt & I were both really into showing horses and were "sharing" Sara. We desperately needed another show horse and Skippy was the answer to our prayers. Skippy was Matt's horse and took him to numerous victories in show rings all across the state. I also had the opportunity to show Skippy a few times. He was the one and only horse that Matt & I both got along with in the show ring and he worked as consistent and successful for the both of us. However, poor Skippy had his share of lameness issues and was retired when Matt purchased J.R. Since then, Skippy and Doc have been the best of friends and have enjoyed many days relaxing under a shade tree.

Skippy was possibly best known for being great at escaping. If there was a gate left open for only an instant, Skippy was half way down the road before you were able to shut it. He even escaped while tied to the horse trailer at a show one time. The annoucer called over the loud speaker that Skippy was on the loose, checking out the sights on his own, to our suprise.

Overall, Skippy was a great addition to our family. He was a horse that we all trusted and all enjoyed riding. He was a champion, he was gorgeous and he will greatly be missed. Sunday was Skippy's last day on Earth and we hope he is now enjoying horse heaven.

Photo of the Day

Fresh as a Missouri morning.

Photo of the Day

We've got huge bugs in Missouri.

Peach Harvest

We have an Elberta peach tree in our backyard and last week the peaches were ALL ripe at the same time. I picked 11 1/2 pounds one day and then about 1 lb the day after. Since then, I have been washing, peeling and trying new recipes for peaches.

As you can see, I had lots of help from Papa Kitty and Kelly. Kelly decided it would be a good idea to eat the peaches that had already fallen on the ground. She even ate the pits! I guess this proves that dogs really are omnivores.

New Addition

Mandy & Tim welcomed their handsome baby boy into the world yesterday. Tucker James weighed 8 lbs 6 oz and was 21 inches long. She sent a picture of him to me on my phone and he was already wearing a camo hat, so I'm sure Tim is a proud papa! Congratulations Mandy & Tim!! I can't wait to meet him!

Remembering Sept. 11th

Where were you on September 11, 2001? I remember the day very clearly. I was a freshman at Montana State University living in the dorms with Lynmarie. I remember waking up in the morning and laying in my top bunk and turning the TV on. Immediately you could tell something was wrong because there was some special report on. Then, just an instant later, the second plane hit the Twin Towers. I remember the utter chaos on TV and feeling so helpless sitting in my dorm room. I remember classes being canceled and we all just watched TV all day long and called our families. Even though New York is so far from Montana there was definitely fear in the air and everyone was uneasy. It's amazing to think that was 7 years ago! It's also amazing to think that terrorists were able to pull it off. I hope America is blessed with peace today and everyday. I hope Osama bin Laden gets what's coming to him!

Ferocious Barn Kitties

Meet the cats. None of them are really "ours", but I think we have adopted them whether we like it or not since the family that previously lived here left them behind.

Papa Kitty: the father of them all and the obvious leader of the pack. He is constantly fighting with something...we're not sure what though, but he always has battle wounds.

Mama Kitty: the mother of them all, the only female. She keeps them in line and doesn't put up with any crap. She is more elusive and only comes around occassionally.

Jack: young, playful male. Papa Kitty is his mentor and he will take over as leader when Papa Kitty meets his match. Jack is pretty much the favorite. He and Kelly have become really good friends and often tease/chase each other.

The kittens: extremely wild and rarely seen. They keep their distance and are very flighty. The braver of the two plays with Jack when he thinks we aren't watching. I've named him Jack Jr. or JJ for short.

We have quite the pack of yellow kitties.

Welcoming a New Family Member

My cousin, Renee, and her husband Josh welcomed a beautiful baby girl into the world yesterday. Alexis Marie weighed 6 lbs 13 ounces and was delivered by C-section. She was a little early, but mom and baby are said to be doing well. I wish I could be there to see them, but I did get a photo sent to me on my phone (thanks Trish!).

Congratulations! I wish them the best :)

(Next we are anxiously awaiting the birth of Tucker James, right Mandy?!)

New Life

Things have calmed down around here and we now are enjoying the new life here. This is #534 and her heifer calf that we had to pull (never mind the burs that she has stuck all over her & the awful flies).

Here is #612 and her crazy heifer calf. If you read my last post, you will understand why this picture is from so far away.