Snowmobiles

I was cleaning the back and front entries one day and realized we have a problem. I counted up the snowmobile helmets and we have 9.  Nine. And 1 snowmobile here. :)  Fun. It's nice storing things like helmets when we don't have enough machines for people to run and wear the helmets.  So I told Matt we need to either get rid of the helmets or find some snowcats for the kids.   He thought finding snowcats was a better idea, so we did.  We found a few new (to us) ones that everyone's having fun driving around the yard and fields.  The kids just beg to go for rides - like they do with ranger rides in the summer.  Now Matt's used them to check cows in the big herd at night, too, because it's kind of a long walk out there and back (and who knows, maybe he's not so scared out there with a big fast snowcat. :) )  

Cute little Cliff...

 They were getting ready to go with Matt for a ride...so cute to try and watch them get on by themselves.

 Clarence loves to drive this cute little one...it's perfect kid-size!

 The boys were waiting for Matt to take them for a ride one day and I looked out and they were pretending to drive.  Adorable!

 This one's Uncle Mark's...

 Hi boys!

Off they go - I thought Clancy was with, too, but I don't see him... hmmm. I'm not sure.

Snowcats have been a great addition this winter - they make the snow seem a little more fun.

Matt's Amazing Helpers

We've had a busy winter feeding our animals every day. Last year and other previous years I've gone out most days to help. This winter, I'm hanging out with Betsy and trying to keep up with the endless housework, so I haven't made much of an appearance in the tractors.  Matt's had to recruit some other helpers this year. They've all measured up to the job and are so willing to head out every afternoon after school to help Dad watch gates.

Betsy's learning in the house - how to write ear tags.

Cliff's got great coveralls for working outside!

We went out to visit one day before we sold the calves...Betsy loved "helping".

Gate watchers...

They're so cute!

We've also got new babies coming - about 70+ so far. We have had great calving weather, too.

1st calf born in 2018.

Hey guys!

 Steers ready to get loaded on the semi...

 When the kids go and lay on the fresh straw, the big calves will come right up to them to smell them...makes for really tame calves!

Matt and Willow.

 The calves are moving in...

 Cliff's helping take net wrap off (I think).

 Following Dad everywhere...

 His great helpers...Clancy's a great helper, too...he was sleeping this day, though.

Teamwork - Filling up feed buckets for the bulls. 

Here's Clancy - he loves helping Dad.

Betsy was exhausted after she helped outside.

She loves dressing up.

Going out to help Daddy again.

Six Months Old!

Miss Betsy Jeanette is six months old today. Wow.  Time sure flies, right?  Betsy is the best...she's squishy, smiley, happy, and such a hard worker.  She's really been into working in her office lately. She's happy to sit in there for quite a long time, which is helpful (for me).  She loves her siblings - and they love her.  The minute Adina walks into the house after school, she looks for Betsy. She carries her around for a long time and just plays with her.  Cliff and Clancy haven't gotten sick of her yet either. They play with her off and on throughout each and every day...kissing her, giving her toys, talking baby-talk to her, etc.  And Clarence...he loves her too, but has a lot of grown-up work on his mind. I had him watch her at the arena the other night in the warming area while I helped decorate for the skating show...I came in about an hour later and he's watching hockey...she's sitting in her carseat with a toy and crying because she's sick of sitting there. I told Clarence he's going to miss not getting to hold a baby next year and he just told me that he can hold a baby cousin if he wants to hold a baby next year.  Ok Clarence.   He's got baby calves and selling chicks on his mind. :)

Six Months Today!

  She was playing with the little boys one day and they decorated her. :)

She was learning how to write ear tags.

 Cliff sure loves baby Betsy!

Working in her office is one of her favorite things to do...she gets so much done!