Kayla, our calf needs a name!

The first calf of the season was just born on Sunday morning. This was Number 13's (Notice, no name either) first calf. Boy did this mom struggle. My dad was watching with binoculars, and Deborah down at the mobile home had front row seats giving us "play by play" updates. It was touch and go. Bob had to help deliver her. The Vet made 3 visits to feed her through a tube to get food to her stomach. This morning, we knew she was going to be o.k. She had been eating and was frolicking all around, just as cute as could be. Tonight we set up a little area for her, out of the wind and the rain. Now, we need a name (Or so our friend Kayla thinks) for this new calf.

Kayla, have your mom leave the name you choose in the comment area we will see if the name you choose fits. Or maybe we will just call her Number 13a.

Enjoy the little video of her playing.

This "Climbs" for you Patty!!!

In past posts you've read about our sweet friend Patty from Reno. In the summers we would go and visit our grandma in Reno, Patty was the nice neighbor who lived next door. We have kept in touch all through these years. Yes, she still lives next to where Grandma Garrett lived.

Patty is always interested in our cows (Her house is decorated with a cow theme) and also interested in Derek's rock climbing skills (Derek is featured in the Athletic Club of Bend's commercial). Patty wanted me to video Derek during one of his climbs. So I finally remembered my camera this week. Here it is. Hope you like it Patty!

I Love You Bob

Before I had time to go out to my car to get my Chick-0-Stick...
Bob included a large one in my Valentines gift. Besides flowers and a box of kisses... I was so excited to open a Spa W gift certificate. The spa treatment is called "Wrapsody 5 glorious hours."
Ohh, do I love Valentines Day! We are trying to teach Derek to take pictures. If Trey can do it.. certainly Derek can learn. Try and see which photo Derek took. It's fun having my dad here so he can take the pictures of the two of us! There are so few pictures of Bob on my blog, some of you may wonder what he even looks like. I hope you all are having a great Valentines Day. Got to go, I hear Bob calling he's got lunch is ready. I am truly spoiled!

"Happy Birthday...Way to go Idaho!!!"

Summer was one of Derek's first tutors. Oh, did we love her, and still do! Summer went through the very beginning with us. Derek wasn't even talking, only making a few sounds. Summer went to California with Derek and I to get some training, she was our head tutor and she helped things get rolling. Summer's favorite thing to say when Derek got things right was "Way to go Idaho." We remember she came to work the day after she had "hardware" taken out of her leg. She sat on the piano bench and worked for 2 hours, heavily medicated and probably in pain as well.

Summer has since moved on. She went to college, has many degrees in sign language. She is even teaching the Dave Ramsey Money Management Course. She lives in Texas with her beautiful son Riker and husband Erik. It was fun to call her today to wish her a Happy Birthday. Derek played Happy Birthday for her on the piano, and then he played the song that Summer sang all the time "You are my SunShine." Here's to you Summer.

Derek plays Cupid!!!

Derek made a list of all his friends. He wanted to share Valentines with all of them. We made cards and cookies. Derek is enjoying cooking class, and I can tell that he is learning some skills.
We had a great time delivering. He was so excited to go to the door, knock and say with a hug. "Happy Valentines Day Tomorrow"

February 13th is finally here!!!

I'll get right to the point. A year ago on February 13th I vowed to myself and told my dentist that I was not going to eat candy again... well at least for a year. Dr. Chad Stephensen said, "That would be a good idea." I had just pulled out a crown with a Valentine conversation heart... the time before that I went in with a crown stuck in a Milk Dud (I hoped he could pull it out of the candy and stick it back in my mouth, but no, it doesn't work like that). I am a candy lover. I like all types of candy, especially the gooey, sticky, hard sucking type of candy. I used to love big fire balls, I like hot tamales, Neccos, but my favorite are chick-a-sticks. I've had one waiting in my purse, it's been there for 2 months . So my "break the candy fast" started with a piece of toast, then I took the recess peanut butter cup in the car with me. I had it, and enjoyed every bite of it. Felicity gave me another peanut butter cup.. yum yum, (thanks Felicity for remembering)I devoured it in the car on the way to give my dentist cookies (they were in the shape of teeth, with a heart on top)and to tell him, "I did it,I went the whole year without candy." I also told him that I will do it again starting the 15th. I had red vines for lunch(I couldn't buy a tub. I'd eat the whole thing, so I went to Gina's and borrowed 5 of them.. she had brought them last week to share with Derek and I was so tempted) And tonight I had an Easter peanut butter cup that Bob brought home.
My chick-a-stick is still out in my car. I'll bring it in and have it for breakfast tomorrow morning!

We miss you mom.. come soon!

My dad treated us to dinner at Applebee's(Maybe he is tired of my cooking.. or lack of). We had a good time, but missed my mom. She'll be joining us the first part of March. Hurry "HOME" mom!

"Grandpa's out with the Ladies"

My dad is back.. Shout Hooray! Mom will be joining us the first part of March.
If you know my dad, he loves being "out on the farm". He's always wanted to live on a farm, loves everything about farm life!
So, he made airline reservations and came to be ready for calving season. All 11 "ladies" are due to have a calf in the coming weeks.
I'm getting spoiled having him go out in the morning and the late afternoon to feed the "beasts" I mean "ladies". That is what he says before he goes out. "Well it's time to go out with the ladies". LOL. He gives them the attention that they certainly don't get with me!
This morning I decided to blog his routine (and I did it in my pj's and coat). He starts by feeding them, then he goes down to the pond to break the ice, then he finishes his routine by walking down to the mailbox to get the morning paper. We figure he is putting in a mile a morning. Pretty good for Senior! This morning was especially a cold one, you can see by our little temperature gauge that it was 27.. the hour on the gauge is wrong, 3 hours ahead. I'm a few years younger than he is, but he insists on doing it and he loves every part of it. Thanks dad for being with us. We can't wait for mom to join us!

Lunch with the girls!!!

Still another birthday... This was Carol Virgin's birthday time. Both Carols and I meet for each other's birthdays. We had a great Chinese lunch and more importantly had fun getting together. Since they are the travelers in the group... it's fun to hear all about their times away from home. Happy Birthday Carol!!!

Now we have to wait till July to go out again... or maybe not!

A Volcano on Gosney Road

When Elijah comes to play, he always brings something to show, or something fun to do. This time he brought his volcano. Elijah has a great mom who is always putting together projects for him and for her daycare kids.

Elijah was so professional. He made Derek put on safety goggles before they set it off... he made sure we weren't in the grass so the food coloring wouldn't hurt it, and he made sure we (the observers) stayed back several feet.

Derek giggled as it started sputtering out. We set it off several times... Derek thought it was pretty fun. Oh.. it didn't work on my camera...