Good Ol' Cow Works

A few weeks ago we got the chance to go on a working vacation. I know that seems like a contradiction in terms, but for two country kids that had been living in the city and just now getting back to country life it was a treat. Ty's folks have recently moved back to Silver City to help Ty's grandma with the ranch and we went up to help them with the fall branding and shipping. Needless to say it was a great trip for all of us and we spent ten days doing what we really enjoy and have missed the most about ranch life.

There was never a lack of stuff to do while we were there, which was right up Trey's alley of course. He got to help feed cows and horses, work on trucks, fix water troughs, and still found time to make two new girlfriends.

Our trip was bitter sweet though, because as we were gathering the decision was made to sell the longhorn herd that Ty's grandpa Pete had put together. He passed away last November, and in the last 10 years or so he had taken up having some registered longhorns as a hobby. Well what started as a few cows turned into a herd of about 50. Luckily enough though, we had a private buyer who was very excited to buy some of the registered cattle and a bull. This man is as passionate about the business as Pete was and loved the pedigrees and history behind the cows he selected. What he didn't take we had another buyer for, so it all worked out good for everyone. We did keep back a few for posterity though- an old momma cow who we turned out with the heifers (she's good at bringing everyone in for a bite to eat), one of the first cows that Pete bought, and an old steer with a great set of horns that's the pet.

Other than that it was just a great trip for all of us and we really enjoyed seeing Ty's mom and dad and other extended family and friends that we hadn't seen in a while. It was also nice to have a little vacation before I started my new job at Angelo State and Trey started pre-school. I took a ton of pictures while we were there, and here are some of my favorites from the ranch.

Trey and Dusty- "Buddies"

Trey riding Dusty

Branding the late summer calves

Ty and Web dehorning

Branding smoke

Ty and Trey just before sun up

Heading out to gather the longhorns one last time

(I got the lucky and warmer job of driving the feed truck. Trey is even better than me at honking cows in.)

A few of the longhorns that were already at the pens

Even for as much of a pain as the longhorns were- we're going to miss them. Happy Trails...

Trey's Antics- Again

Well he's been at it again....

As usual, Trey has been keeping us well entertained. Here are a few pics I've snapped of him in the last few weeks of him "just being himself."

Playing in the post-holes that his dad had just dug

Stretched out.....

And....In he goes (Trey was actually laughing as Ty pulled him out)

Telling me-"No pictures, Mom, No pictures" (despite his peculiar get-up)

Who says bags are just for gifts?

Stay tuned for more antics....

Quick Update!

Just wanted to let everyone know that we haven't fallen off the face of the planet- just trying to get caught up. We had a safe and wonderful trip to New Mexico, and now we have two more family members here with us- our two horses Dusty and Peanuts. Trey has started pre-school and really likes it and even has a little buddy named Caleb. I started my new job at Angelo State University today as a Multicultural Program Specialist, which I am really excited about.

All in all we are doing well and staying busy. Will post more later!

The Goat Chronicles- Conclusion

Well- here is the end to the Goat Chronicles. On Sunday after Trey's birthday party we decided to load up everyone (meaning us and the goats) and head back up to Abilene. It was kinda funny watching Ty get the goats loaded as he suckered all of them but one up into the trailer with a can of feed. He did finally manage to get the last one caught and loaded and off we went after bidding my folks a safe trip home. We figured we better return the goats to their home since we were going to be gone the following week and wouldn't want our neighbors to have to worry about feeding them while we were away (not to mention getting them out of the fence). I didn't manage to get any pictures, but for any of you with an imagination, picture Ty with a can of feed trying to coax a sweet little goat to get close enough so he could catch her. Not mention it was pretty cool and misting while he was doing this...

At any rate- we had a quick trip to drop off the goats, and I'm sure eventually we'll end up with a couple down the road. But for right now we're goat free and getting ready to get our horses from New Mexico. Stay tuned for the Horse Stories coming soon...

Trey's Little Birthday Party

Three days after Trey's real birthday, we finally had his birthday party. (Sorry it has taken me so long to get this up- we've been super busy! Thanks for checking on me Tam!!) Grandaddy and Gramma (my folks) came down from Dell City to spend the weekend with us. Trey had been telling people for two weeks that his Gramma was bringing his birthday party so it's a good thing that they were able to come . ;) Trey had also invited a couple of friends but unfortunately they got sick on Friday before the party and weren't able to come. Regardless of the lack on little guests Trey still had a great time with his momma and daddy and grandparents. He made a quite a haul with the gifts too! Here's some pics from his big day.

"I'm 3"

New boots...

Fancy tops

Singing "Happy Birthday"

Blowing out the candles

Opening presents

Getting tickles from momma

My dad and Ty cooking burgers

"Gotta have my balloons..."

Happy 3rd Birthday Trey!

Today our little guy turns 3! Hard to believe that he should be that old and be as big as he is. What a fun time we've had with him and look forward to all of the other antics that he can get into.

This morning I asked him if he wanted to go to town and have pizza for lunch (it seems to be his second favorite thing besides hot dogs). He promptly informed me that he didn't want pizza, that he wanted a cheeseburger, and when asked if he wanted to go to Applebee's I got a resounding yes! Needless to say he knows what he wants and will not hesitate to tell you.

We're having his birthday party on Saturday, but I thought I would put up a couple of pics of the birthday boy on his big day.

"Hanging out in my pjs."



"I have good taste." (He picked his clothes out this morning, and was very proud of his new shirt and shoes.)



I'm sure I'll have plenty of pics from Trey's party, and I'll try to get them up soon.

The Goat Chronicles- Part 2

Well it's been a month since we brought home the goats. And in the past month there hasn't been a week or rather every two or three days when we have to go and get one out of the fence. We have rescued three different goats from the fence, but we have one that is particularly hard headed or just plain dumb (Ty and I lean toward dumb.) The same little goat will put her head through the fence in the same spot (and I mean literally the same spot) at least every other day and sometimes twice a day. And let me tell you- nothing ruins your weekend or returning home from town more than the sound of distress coming from the little thing. About a week ago we had enough. That and we had four different people and the neighbor up the road give us a handy piece of advice on goat management. "Tie a stick to their horns and they won't get in the fence." So we tried it, and I'll be darned (as Sarah Palin puts it) if it didn't work for a little while. "Stick" as we like to call her managed to keep her headress on for about 4 days before slipping it off. (FYI- wiring a stick to a goat's head is not as easy as it sounds).

Well, today she got stuck again- and talk about ungrateful. She steps on your toes as she saunters off to go find another long piece of johnson grass that she can reach on the neighbor's side of the fence. Tell you what- he's getting a heck of deal seeing as how he doesn't have to trim, but if his round hay bales were any closer to the fence they would have big chunks missing.

All in all though, we have enjoyed having them around. They have done a pretty good job on the weeds around here and are fun to watch. Here's some of our favorite pics of the critters....

Here's Stick with her headress on.





If I could pick two to keep it would be these two. The little red and white faced goat in the second picture is very sweet and would hang around and be your friend.





Stay tuned for more tales of the goat........