Montana Christmas

Well, Christmas is here. I don't think since growing up in Idaho have we had a more peaceful and relaxed holiday. No parties to go to, no over abundance of food to feel remorseful about eating (Though, honestly I never feel that remorseful.)
For the first time in the history of our family it is just us - Kyle, Rita, Colton and Alex. I'll admit I'm really enjoying this holiday. I have loved the simplicity we have adopted. I love just being us for the day. I love that Colton has the time to really enjoy the gifts he received without being rushed to the next place... but, along with the blessing and relief this Christmas has brought me, there is this feeling that something is missing. When I thought about what it could be, I was shocked to realize that I miss the business of the season. Running from gathering to gathering, visiting family and friends. I miss catching up on the year of events with loved ones that we have been too busy to see the rest of the year.

So, though I have loved the solitude of this holiday. I am quite relieved that this is the only one that I can expect to have without being surrounded by friends and family.

So, that all said this is how we have spent our single Montana Christmas....

For our family the fun has been with Colton. He (now 4 years old) is ready to get a good grasp on what the holiday is all about. Of course we want to encorage the true meaning of Christmas, the birth and purpose of our dear Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. So, all month long we have anticipated the holiday by celebrating the Christmas Advent. Every night after dinner we have lit the advent candles and done a short devotion regarding the Christmas story. This is the first year we have done this. It was so enjoyable for our whole family that I hope it will become an annual tradition, wherever we are.

Also, because of our upcoming move back to Michigan (we are due to leave in 10 days) we decided to forgo a tree. This was a very difficult decision. I have from the moment we moved here looked forward to going up the mountain and picking out a wild fir tree like we did when I was a kid. But alas with the final preparations of our move to commence this coming week. We decided as a family that skipping the Christmas tree would make life a whole lot simpler.

Instead, Colton and I made a picture of a Christmas tree and put it on an empty book self. As it turns out an empty book shelf makes quite a nice Christmas tree. Presents fit nicely in the shelves allowing them to be displayed. The above picture is what Colton and Alex awoke to Christmas morning, prior to today the bookshelf has been relatively empty.

This year has also marked Coltons very real interest in Santa Claus. We did our best to introduce who Santa Clause really is in the telling of the story of St. Nicholas. But he was very wrapped up in the idea of flying reindeer and a jolly man in a red suit. So, we did our duty and left the milk and cookies. In the morning Colton was delighted to know that St. Nick had indeed visited, eaten the cookies, drank the milk and was so kind as to deliver all the presents he had been waiting for from all his Grandma's and Grandpa's. I don't know how this will work year to year. But, we enjoyed playing along with his fantasy.

So, let the un-wrapping comence! Here is Alex enjoying his first Christmas present. Thank you Grandpa Pete and Grandma Meme.

Here is Colton enjoying one of his new gifts. Real water color paints, brushes and paper. Thank you Manna and Papa.

And of course the aftermath. Thank you all for the wonderful gifts. We love everything.

So, that pretty much wraps up our Montana Christmas, it has been a wonderful day. We hope yours was as joyful and peaceful as ours. MERRRY CHRISTMAS!

Of All things...

You know, when we moved out here, I knew that we would move around a bit. But never in my wildest dreams did I figure that: A) we would need to move so soon, and B) that the move would be back to Michigan.
Yep, you heard right we are headed back to flat land. Why, You would ask? Mainly the reason is because we have not been able to sell our house back there. We have tried renting it and let me just say that being a land lord is not for the faint of heart. And it is even harder when you live 1,800 miles away. Thought it could have been much worse. It was still bad enough that we never want to have to be land lords again. And since we had no prospects for anyone looking at the house, let alone buying it. We have decided that heading back to Michigan, and eeking out a living until we are able to sell the place will be the best financial decision for our family.

Gosh! this has been an awesome experience, one we will never forget that is for sure. But, I will admit that there are a few things I look forward to as we head east.
#1, grocery stores being less than a half hour away. I will admit that I will enjoy the convenience of shopping once a week, though we are Costco converts for sure and still plan to get most of our staples there on a monthly bases.
#2 For a northern state, gardening is much easier there than here. Though if we were planning to stay here I had a full plan of attack to make things work.
#3 Of course our friends and family. Though this one is a toss up as we have met so many nice people out here that we will be sad to leave. It will be nice though for the boy's to be near their grandparents and for Alex to meet his many Great-Grandparents.

So, the "when" of all this looks like the first week of Januray. Should be another adventure as we attempt to move cross-country in the middle of winter...sigh.... yet again.

Colton's 4th Birthday

Had a wonderful time celebrating Coltons 4th Birthday on December 2nd. Time sure does fly.
We kept thing simple this year just the family.
I had the opportunity to make his birthday cake for the first time ever. It was great fun, and even better because he helped every step of the way...

Making the cake.

Alex was a cheerful helper too.

Of course we had to test the batter...yep it was good.

Time to paint some dinosaurs (gift from mom and dad)

Colton helping decorate, he is a great helper.

The finished product. Designed by Colton. Everything about the cake he picked out. The horses are from his collection. and the tractor was new just for this purpose. Turned out pretty well if I do say so myself.

We had the Hatches down for cake and ice cream. Here Colton is blowing out his candles.

Very happy boy, a remote control backhoe. Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Hatch.

Time to wind down, sleeping in the new John Deere sheets from Manna and Papa. It was a good day.

Thanks Giving

Well, we had our first Thanksgiving in Montana, and coincidentally the first one ever with just us. Well, actually we had two meals. One on the Sunday before with the Hatches that included turkey and all the trimmings. But since I have only cooked one turkey in my life, and we wanted to be conservative and use the wonderful meat we are so thankful to have, we cooked beef.

Our (Thursday) thanksgiving meal consisted of the following: Standing rib roast, sweet potato's and white potato's, buttermilk biscuits, Grandma Grigsby's vegetable casserole, and for desert pumpkin pie w/whipped cream. Though the meal was not that far off from a typical weeknight dinner, we still thoroughlly enjoyed it.

Shipping Day - October 29,2010

Well, they're off! Well, the calves anyway...oh hand Mr. and Mrs. Hatch. All on their way to Great Falls to sell the calves.

I was a beautiful morning here. Cool 35 degrees and sunny. We all headed out early to watch. It never fails though, almost as soon as Alex hears those cow's bawling he falls asleep. Which is fine, he probably wouldn't remember it anyway. Colton and I perch on a round bale and watch. I think both of us wish we could be of some use. But due to his size and my general inexperience we are sideliners.

So, the morning started with a prayer. "Lord please let the work today go smoothly." God is good even though it was a fair amount of work the cows and calves separated well.

For those of you who don't know how this works and for my own documentation because I didn't know how this worked, this is how we get calves ready for shipping.

We need to first start about two weeks ago when the final bunch of pairs returned home from summer pasture. Cows and calves where separated and the calves where worked. What I mean is that they where run through the chute and given their pre-conditioning vaccinations and wormed, this is done to help with the stress of travel and protect them from any virus' they might encounter durring transport. I think this is good stockmanship. And it makes sense. The calves are returned to their mothers for another couple weeks grazing on home ground.

Fast-forward two weeks to yesterday when all the pairs where gathered. Then this morning is when the real work began. Mr. Hatch, Mrs. Hatch and Kyle where out the door early. The Manley's (good neighbors) brougt their cut-back calves that were going to ship the Hatchs calves. Then they stuck around to help with sorting. Everything worked like clock work. First they separated the cows from the calves. Then the heifers calves from the steers. Then our own cutbacks. Our cut backs happen to be a cripple calf, and two august calves too young to wean.

Soon the semi trucks came rolling down the drive. Two semi's to be exact. The drivers pulled up to the ramp and loading commenced. I was amazed to realize how many compartments are in the cattle trailers. Repeatedly the driver would call for 10, 8, 15 calves to fill the different compartments.

Most of the calves loaded easily, though there where a few that had a mind of their own.

All in all from sorting to shipping it took a total of 3 hours. Which always amazes me how fast they can get things. done.

So, once they where loaded everyone sorted through paperwork and tied up any loose ends. One of the truck drivers was very kind and let Colton sit in his truck and pull the horn. Which of course was the high light of the day for him. then just as fast as they rolled in they where off. Mr. and Mrs. Hatch in-between.

So, great minds may wonder where our calves are shipping to? They are going to an auction in Great Falls. This is kind of an experiement for the ranch. Typically ranchers will contract with a cattle buyer early in the season. The cattle buyer will give a set price per pound. Of course this is not the gaurentee, because even though the buyer and the rancher agree on the price there is some negotiating involved and of course the buyer will often leave "cut-backs" which are calves that he doesn't like. The cut-backs then have to be sent to auction anyway. Mr. Hatch met with several cattle buyers but for whatever reason, he decided that this auction would bring the best return on his investment. So, they are off and by tomorrow night he will know. All I know is that we are praying blessing on them.

Time for a kid update

So, the summer has flown by and winter seems already just around the corner. No one was kidding when they said summer was short here. We have already fired up the wood stove a couple times. Anyway, that's not why I'm here. I figured it has been a good while since I have posted an update on how our family is doing amidst the great relocation adventure.

I am proud to say that in most aspects of our lives we are thriving. Alex is growing at amazing rate, matching his brothers stats pound for pound. I love that he looks like me. His deep chocolate eyes are enough to melt my heart. He is an extremely happy boy, he loves Colton and Colton loves him.

All of the warnings of the jealousy that could crop up have not thus far. Our biggest concern is that Colton could actually love Alex to death. Alex is constantly smothered with hugs and kisses. Colton tries very hard to be helpful and entertain Alex as often as possible. Most of the time Alex eats it up, but occasionally it is even more than he can handle.

Colton of course has a few other interests besides his little brother. He has made a few friends out here, and while seeing them is far and few between he sure embraces each opportunity.

Be still my heart... My dear Colton told me the other day that he LOVES HORSES! Why is this such a big deal? Because basically from birth anything with a motor has outweighed horses. But, he is definitely showing interest now. The trick will be finding one we can afford before the attraction wears off. Thankfully our many wonderful neighbors have relatively quiet horses and will pony him around. The instructor in me wants to nurture his desire to ride and explore the wonderful world of horses and see how well he would do should we turn him loose. The mother in me however, has a very real expectation that this is not my job. So, I'm going to leave it up to his father to teach him the basics of riding, and when he either gets too big for his breeches or too good for us we'll hire a professional.

Look at me the poor kid isn't even of the lead line yet....Pray for me.

So, other things going on... We are finally getting some eggs from our chickens and we have culled the heard back to a modest 16 hens. Yesterday we got 10 eggs. Good thing we are having company next week or we would be in trouble.

Speaking of company, you heard right we are going to be swamped with it too. My parents arrive on the 25th. This is going to give us the opportunity for a mini vacation to Idaho. Mom and Dad are flying into Spokane and we are going to meet them up in Sandpoint. I can't wait to introduce my family to my old stomping grounds.

After our mini-vacation we will come home for the week. Upon my parents departure Kyle's parents will be arriving. So, yes when we get company we get it all at once. We are very excited about it all though.

However, in the back of my mind I am already coming to grips with the fact that after these visits that will likely be all until spring. I will have to figure how to get us through the holiday's by ourselves. I personally am looking forward to a low key holiday season, but I also know that we are going to be missing family like crazy during that time... We'll see how it goes I guess.

So, anyway that is all for now.

Helmville Rodeo

We just got back from the Helmville rodeo. It is by far the best Rodeo I have attended yet this year. What made it so great? Well, first off it is inexpensive, second the food is good and third the entertainment is awesome.

Things start early, we got there about 9am. Before the rodeo starts they have a "round-robin" team roping competition. The Round robin part means that the headers and healers take turns roping with each other until everyone has roped with...well... everyone. It was great fun to watch, and mostly was comprised of locals, so we knew quite a few people. The rodeo started at 1pm. I think the thing that made this rodeo so great was that they combined many events from Ranch rodeo's with the traditional PRCA style rodeo. And many local cowboys and cowgirls are included.

The event run-off goes something like this. #1 Junior Steer riding - these are kids riding bucking steers. #2 Grand Entry and flag ceremony. #3 Stock Saddle Bronc Riding - They buck in regular stock saddles and can hang on anywhere. Still looks really tuff and they had some rough stock.#4 Bareback - PRCA Style, #5 Team Roping. #6 Calf Roping. #7 Saddle Bronc - PRCA Style and rules apply. #8 Break away roping. #9 Bull dogging. #10 Barrel racing - Little kids, older kids, and the cowgirls. #11 Mutton Busting - very hard to keep Colton from doing, he actually needs to be 5 years old. #12 Bull Riding. #13Wild Cow Milking.

As you can see you get a whole lot of action for your $5 entry fee.

And even better the whole community pitches in to put it on. It was a lot of fun, and I can't wait to help out next year.