Coming soon . . .vacation!!

I am officially counting down that I have only 7 work days left until I am gone for over a week. Yay!! Girl road trip with Mom and Paige=shopping, zoos, lots of snacks, and fun. I am very excited. The only bad thing is that there will be no Dad or Cowboy with us and we won't see them on Father's Day. We will be celebrating with them the following weekend when we are home. Oh, and we are actually going farther than Bismarck this year. We are heading to Minneapolis to see my aunt and uncle--they are going to be fabulous hosts.

Country Life

My Cowboy. . .looking very much the part.

Bulls, like other males, do not do what they are supposed to.

Herefords and green acres (too bad they aren't mine.)

I found myself taking lots of pictures of cows, bulls, and cowboys this last month. Apparently, that is what I surround myself with. I do have to admit that I have been fortunate to see some very pretty spots in our SW corner of the state recently; and fresh green grass with calves running around is a very pretty picture.

Word of the week

So. . . I have a 3 year old without any patience. Hence our word of the day she learned lately. I decided to explain it to her with situations. Such as, Mom's on the phone so you will have to wait one minute and then I'll help you. Mom is washing dishes, let me get my hands dry and then I will help you. Sometimes 30 seconds is a long time to wait for someone. Also, at daycare there is a new baby; and there hasn't been a baby there in quite a while. They aren't used to having to wait for the baby to be situated before Kim can help them right this second like they want.

We've had a few instances at home and daycare where it's been a success to remind Paige of what patience is. A few where it hasn't. Such as Paige wailing, "But I don't have any patience!" to Kim when she told her just a second. It's hard being three.

Nothing butt fun!

Paige played outside for almost 2 hours with her sandbox and its various buckets, scoops, etc. Despite a wardrobe malfunction that occurred sometimes when the poor child crouched down, she had a ton of fun. I am just happy there are a few times in life when a little plumber's crack is sort of cute!

Cowboys, horses, and cows--oh my!

So our last week or so has been pretty busy. We were fortunate that some college friends of ours ventured out west from Fargo to see us for the holiday weekend. They were sports and agreed to attend a large cattle branding that my Cowboy was helping work at on Saturday. Both friends are from an ag background so they aren't the true city slickers like you may be thinking. I have only attended a handful of brandings myself, but it is a sight to see how 'western' they are! Cowboy got to ride his horse and attempt to rope some cattle--he had the honor of being one of two people whose horse reared up on them. It was very dramatic. However, it was a sucess with no major injuries to anyone and the weather was cooperative, except for the wind. I pretended I was with the paparazzi and took a million pictures since I am trying to figure out my camera settings. I know what the aperture is now :)

Poor little guy--doesn't know what's coming!

My tough Cowboy wrestling those calves.

Kissing cowboys over the fence. I sense trouble in the later years.

Paige and her daddy riding Matt. She was in seventh heaven with all the cows and horses. I fear she may turn out to be a cowgirl. Sigh.

The 'city slickers'--not really, but it sounds good! Note which side of the corral we were all on. We were smart and stayed out of harms way. Thanks for coming to see us!

Paige-isms

"(insert name) is my best friend EVER!" The names in this sentence have varied almost every day. Some of the people mentioned have been relatives, friends, or even strangers. The dog has even made it, so has the horse. I just think its funny that she has to say the 'ever' after it with such drama.

"What are you going to bring me?" She asked me when I told her that Daddy was going to take her to Kim's this morning because Mommy had to go to a meeting out of town. Apparently leaving town is just cause to buy a present. I am sensing someone is spoiled!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day, Mom. This is my favorite

picture of you and Paige. I remember you and Dad that day

and how excited you both were.

I knew you'd be fabulous grandparents since

you are such great parents.

I hope someday Paige tells me that she

thinks I am a good Mom.

I will tell her I learned from the best,

because I did.

I love you.