Farm Family

Grandma and Grandpa Hillman's dog, Maggie, had puppies.  Despite them being awful cute and several attempts, the kids could not convince me that we needed a cow dog for our family pet.

On the last day of March, we got this freak snowstorm.  I was working with a gal and trying to get her to come to church.  I went and helped muck the stall in their sheep barn and Dalanie tagged along.  That was the only time I could get her to come.

The growing puppies which Delsie absolutley adored.

One school morning on my way home from my walking gig at Pullin Hill, I passed Bryce Jolley's field with handlines.  It was a frozen masterpiece.  I had to go back with a camera.

Trading off taking turns in the swather with Dad while he lays first crop down.

Keeping cool in the truck while we helped haul hay.

This year Hudson was promoted to stacking bales.  He has become pretty proficient.  It's surprising to me what a good operator he is.

Muddy boots graced our front porch this summer.  I guess it comes with having a pipe mover in the house.

Nothings says it's the Fourth of July like crop dusters flying overhead.

Hudson got a pipe moving job this year up and Schiesses.  He would meet Alan there at 6:30/7:00 and go up top to move his field.  It was great because Alan was close enough to help if there was a problem, but big enough that Hudson worked really hard to keep up with the big boys.

I made the mistake of tagging along with Hudson one morning to take pictures.  All of a sudden everything was too hard and he wanted help with everything.  There is a reason moms have to send their boys away from home so they can grow and do hard things.  

Waking up early to move pipe took it's toll on Hudson.

We had a job up in Hamer chopping Shupe's triticale.  It worked out that the kids and I were able to go up and help out for a day.  Dalanie took turns riding.

Hudson got thrown in the rake tractor to help out the kids on the other crew had to go bale hay before it got rained on again.  It was his first time.  I rode a round or two and coached him, but then he was on his own.  One edge came up close to a pivot, but he did great slowing down and being cautious.

Not quite sure he like the color of tractor, but a new job made him happy enough to give me a thumbs up.

It gets old that we farm all week and then when Brent is home, all the kids want to play farm.  Here is their field of hay that needs hauled.

When Brent is tied up elsewhere on jobs, I get to help him manage the water on our farm.  There are still some hand line risers that drench me every time.  I still have to call and have him walk me through all the switches and levers to get the pivots going.  I know he thinks, "it is not that hard!" but it just doesn't come natural to me.  I think the same thing if he ever has to do something in the kitchen.

Alturas Camping

After getting corn planted and Trek, there was a small break of time that Brent designated as our time for a camp trip.  Never mind that it was freezing cold.  We set out for the Sawtooths and headed over to Alturas lake (so we could take the kayaks.)

We found a great spot next to the lake.  (And who are these kids playing checkers, they didn't learn that from me-guaranteed.)

 Ruby was just learning to ride her bike without training wheels.  A minor mishap and she was back on her way.

Judging by Delsie's nap, I was wishing I had a stroller my size.

 Launch time!

 These pictures still make me cold.  It was a pretty windy day.  We piled 3 to a kayak and set out for the end of the lake.

 We unloaded lunch and had a picnic.

 The bridge was the main attraction, or maybe it was the troll . . .

 Loaded up with all the girls so the boys could try their hand at sailing.

 What boy doesn't love to cut wood and make fire?  Hudson was in heaven.  Except I think he wished the saw had a motor.

 The kids love to play with the sink, even if they're bundled up in jackets.

 We took a drive over to Red Fish and I reminisced about the Nelson Reunion that used to happen there.

 Making the best of the long drive.

 Nearing the end and they were getting silly.

Trek 2014: Heritage of Faith

Preparations for trek began nearly a year in advance.  By the spring, we were having regular meetings and an occasional dance practice and walking exercise here of there.  The girls were really excited to be able to go with me on one of the walks.  Ruby had been wearing around a purple gingham dress she dubbed her 'pioneer dress, ' so  naturally her and Dalanie had to dress the part.  

After months and months of talking, planning, and preparing the time finally came.  By then I was feeling a lot like I do by the end of my pregnancies- let's get this over with.

Grandma Parish came up to Dalanie's dance recital and took the kids home with her for Grandma's camp.

Brent and I were most nervous about being able to relate to our 'kids' and connect with them.  We had an amazing group of kids.
[Need to insert family picture and thoughts I recorded in my journal.]

It was an incredible experience.  I was grateful that we were able to be a part of it.  I definitely learned a lot.  Probably more than anything, I think the experience gave me a new perspective on parenthood and it's importance.

The after math: gross feet

Facial hair has got to go!

Paunie's Dance

Dalanie has been taking dance and gymnastics from Paunie for two years.  This was her first year to participate in a performance (thank goodness!)  There were lots of practices and rehearsals that kept us very busy during the last weeks of school and right before Trek.

Even Hudson, Ruby, and Trent got to help line up so they could put tape on the floor, the boys were less than excited.  But Ruby thought it was pretty neat to be on stage.

A week before the performance the kids were playing on the trampoline and Dalanie started screaming.  I wasn't sure if it was just one of those tired things, so I watched her limp.  When it was really consistent I began to realize that we had a problem.  For a few days she wouldn't put any pressure on it.  But she was determined not to let it stop her.  She said it didn't bother her, but she definitely had a bit of a hobble on stage.

LinLee, Presley, and Dalanie

We were lucky enough to have Chris, Deidra, Millie, and Truman come up with Grandma and Grandpa for her last performance.  Millie spoiled Dalanie with yellow roses.  I think they were equally delighted.

Miss Paunie is one of a kind.  Her stature reminds me a lot of my Grandma Wilma Parish.  She gives her students her whole heart.  Despite her older age and failing health, she continues to teach more life's lessons than just how to dance.