Fun Times

Well this week was full of lots of different events. We started out working cows for a few days, then the kids and I went to Albuquerque for 2 days. We ended the week being able to spend time with friends of ours.

Blazen, Me, Denim, Ace, and Granny. Riding at the Old McPhaul. Blazen says, "stick'm up"

Rock cliffs north of the Old McPhaul shipping pens.

Me and the kids on top of the south side cliffs. It took both granny and I to lift the kids and Sassy over some of the ledges.

We went and explored a cave.

Dried moss on the cliff wall.

Denim and Blazen sitting on the propane tank at Papa and Grannies shipping pens. Nelda and Jerry's brand.

The kids and I left early in the morning to go to Albuquerque. We met Nacona and Ike and spent the day at the Aquarium and the Zoo. We had a wonderful time.

Ike, Denim, and Blazen in the Aquarium. Nacona showing Blazen a horseshoe crab.



Denim standing in front of the jellyfish tank.

When we were by the eel tank, an eel stood all the way up. The kids thought that was cool.
"Not too sure about all this mom."

Looking at the sharks.

Denim touching small stingrays. She was so brave. They were very slimy feeling. The boys just wanted to watch.

A giant turtle coming towards Blazen.

Ike, Denim, Blazen, and Me in front of the big tank.

The train that we rode from the aquarium to the zoo.
The kids walked a lot of the way, but a few times my stroller came in handy. They obviously wanted to all ride at the same time.

I tried to take a picture of the kids with this monkey that had been standing and tapping the glass for several minutes. When I finally got them situated, one on each side, he turned around. I guess he wanted his backside in the picture. That made the kids laugh.

There is a fabulous playland inside the zoo. It wrappes around in a half circle. Denim went crazy. Ike and Blazen were trying to catch up with her. Ike was brave and went all the way through several times, even alone. Blazen was a little bit short in the britches for parts of the climbing; I had to ask other kids to push his behind up so he could continue.

The giraffes were being fed. Denim looks a lot like her "Aunt Cookie."

Ike showed us the ropes on how to feed the ducks. This was the last thing we did and I think it was the highlight for all of the kids.

I took Denim and Blazen to JC Pennies to get pictures. That morning as we were getting ready Ike asked what we were doing. I told him we were going to get pictures. He said, "I want to go get pictures too, I won't cry this time." I said, "Ok." He came and got his pictures too and he didn't cry one ounce. It is kind of funny because a month ago we were getting cousin pictures and he was crying the whole time. This time it was his idea and no problemo.

After pictures Nacona watched the kids while I tried to run around like crazy doing birthday(Nacona, Nalynn, and Whitley) and christmas shopping. I drove home that night. I picked up pizzas in Socorro. When I got home, Ace was playing a good host to our friends. They are rock climbers and come every so often to climb the "enchanted towers". This trip they are staying with us so that we can visit. She home schools her children and it is her methods of teaching that I have been implementing with Denim.

On Friday I was going to try and be helpful, but I felt very sick. I told Ace, he looked at me and said, " You are green, you are going to rest." When I started to argue, he said, "You don't have a choice." He took the kids to granny and made her not ride. It really was a good thing because I crashed. I threw up then slept for 7 hrs. I slept nearly 10hrs that night. So as for Friday I
really didn't exist that day, couldn't tell you much about it. Good thing that our friends knew how to take care of themselves.

It was too cold to rock climb. Ace saddled the horses and our friends, Harry, Samantha, Rob, Jen, and Preston became cowboys for the day.
This was a neat picture. Moving cattle with the full rainbow.

Ike, Blazen, and Preston watching the branding. Preston hasn't seen anything like it.
Ace giving Blazen a ride on a calf.

Hot irons.
Rob learning to hold the front of a calf.

Ace holding a calf.
Me and Denim staying warm. She really enjoyed riding the calves this time too.

Jerry and Ace. This time Ace takes orders from the big boss.

The Cline Family came to help this weekend. It was sooooo cold. I think everyone that rode about froze too death. The kids and I came out after the riding. Ike was worn out and sleeping. Nalynn and Whitley were troopers and stayed on to sort. Auntie helped get everything ready to brand and then had to go finish writing a paper. Granny made sandwiches on the tailgate.

Nalynn after she had warmed up a bit. Whitley and Samantha giving shots.

My nieces,Whitley and Nalynn. Such loving sisters. Whitley, Granny, Nalynn.

The week went by ultra fast. Ready for another!!

*Remembrance:
On Thursday I received word from my mom that a very dear friend of the Amy Family had died. He was just my age and has worked with my family for several years. After taking a bath, a valve from his heart ruptured and he died nearly instantaneously, falling back in the water. It was truly devastating news. Our hearts go out to his family. Chad, you will be missed.