The Sorrows of the Shepherd

"A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way."

Mark Twain 

I love having an assortment of creatures on our acreage. 

I love watching them.

I find great amusement in all of them.

I enjoy caring for them.

Inevitably something happens that requires additional care.

I love to learn new things.

I find satisfaction in nursing these guys back to health.

I don't love carrying a cat by the tail 

(So to speak)

Not too long ago-

One of my ewes was "off"

We went out and she had some fox tail in her eye.

She gets really wooly eyes and so she does get grass etc caught in them from time to time.

I cleaned it out.

Long story short.

My efforts were not good enough.

By the time I called the vet my poor sheeps eye could not be saved.

I know she will be fine.

I know most farmers shoot a sheep in the same predicament.

I also know that this is on me.

I have carried my cat- I hope that I don't have to write another post about a sheep and fox tail and a tardy vet call....

Bella prior to eye removal.

Outtakes

I have been waiting for some snowfall to do some family pictures.

Of course the afternoon was perfect

but

it took FOREVER to get organized.

The results meant one unhappy group of models.

We have far more outtakes than normal.

Some of the outtakes are pretty perfect though.

This one pretty much sums it up.

Dusty smiling and being totally annoyed at everybody's lack of focus.

Me paying attention to Andy.

Andy being a baby and totally not caring.

Ellie looking at the camera (glad she isn't the one with Penny's focused attention)

Lucy being dramatic and being stamped on

and Penny being Penny.....

This should be the one on the wall.....

Old wrists

November has moved at lightning speed.

We have started getting into the swing of hockey-

She loves it.

We all love it.

The first of month- the girls all rode in a Halloween fun day.

It was so much fun to see everyone out!

We got our house decoded for Christmas.

I haven't found the time to actually make anything yummy though!!!

Ellie and the choir she sings in at school opened by singing "Oh Canada" at a WHL game.

The girls had a great time at the game and Andy was totally into it-

Even though we FROZE at ice level!

It's been a busy time for all of us and it doesn't look like there is a slow down any time soon!

I got on the board for our local AG society and I am excited about being able to help out with that and I also started playing hockey at nights with a friend. I am glad she talked me into it! 

It took a lot of persuasion but it was so much fun. I am not as sore as I thought I was going to be EXCEPT for my hands and wrists!

Delights

It's been a while since I posted about the little guy!

He is getting some top teeth in

So that's been fun....

But he has needed more snuggles and the tylonal sleeps have made him much easier to put to bed!

We have started bringing out our Christmas decorations and I was a little concerned about it getting destroyed but so far so good. He just likes to point and shriek... And who could blame the guy for that?!? Christmas stuff is awesome!

A little more Routine

I have been looking through this blog- this journal of our lives the last few years- and I missed it.

I missed the stories.

I missed the pictures.

I love the memories.

The small things that sometimes get forgotten over time.

The picture above is Andy.

(obviously)

He is screaming

(which he does- a LOT... I think it's the red hair)

He wants his toy.

Penny is not allowed to touch it

or him.

 That is not dirt on his forehead...

He decided to climb on top of a cardboard box

and if that wasn't bad enough...

He stood up...

AND

then he lost his balance and took a chair with him.

He has three good bruises!

UGH!!

I knew it was inevitable

I had hoped it would slow him down.

It hasn't.

and I think we have a simular picture of Lucy enjoying ribs.

He looks like we busted him!

Home in the Summer

We decided to come home..

Well the weather helped that decision 

But

It was a good thing we did because our garden needed some tending!

We got our beans and peas harvested and stored away!

And this little monkey was making it as tricky as he could!

And when we finished the girls got to go to the ward picnic for a waterslide.

For the love of

Ketchup

Love canada and ketchup flavouring!!!!

First Horse Show!!

So the beginning part of our summer has been super busy!

Super busy because

we decided to be apart of a horseshow!

The girls practiced and practiced....

and it totally paid off!

The girls all LOVED it 

and

Dusty is totally a "show" dad!

 

Ellie-

English Pleasure- 4th

English Equitation- 4th

Hunter Hack- 2nd

Command- 4th

Handy Horse- 1st

Walk/Jog western- 4th

Western Pleasure-  2nd

Western Equitation- 2nd

Reining- 2nd

Command- 2nd

Barrel racing- 2nd

Trail- 2nd

 

Lucy

English in Hand- 1st

Walk/trot- 2nd

English Equitation- 1st

Command- 2nd

Showmanship- 3rd

Walk/jog- 3rd

Western Equitation- 3rd

Command- 4th

Barrel Racing- 3rd

 

Penny

Lead line English- Red Ribbon!

Lead Line Western- Red Ribbon!!!

Family

What a girl.

We have totally enjoyed our time at the beach

And

Getting to visit with family.

So many great memories here!!!!

So thankful I get to make some with these kids!

Boog

We have a pony.

Lots actually

But only one

Named

Booger

He is eating someone else's grass

For the moment

And it's surprising

How much we miss that rascal!