Yesterday Emry and I had the rare opportunity to have a girl's day out! We didn't have anything special planned but I did have to go to the city to get a "few" things (quotation's are to humour Jared ;)! I decided it would be fun to have Emry along, it is always more fun shopping with a girl friend! My super special sister watched Calum and Armin for the day so we could have this special day. While we were shopping though Emry would keep asking if we had too much stuff in our cart. She embarrasses easily and I think she worries that people are looking at her. However, I think she forgets to look at everyone else's cart because we didn't have near the amount as some of the shoppers did.
We were able to visit both my Grandma's. It has been too long since I have seen either one and it was really nice to visit with both of them for more than two minutes! Grandma Bev was doing good, she is just finding it hard to stay busy so the time will pass a little quicker. And Grandma Mary looked good despite her horrible fall last friday. She forgets quite easily and gets confused quickly over simple things, but she also knows this and is trying to be patient as her concussion heals. When we saw her at the hospital Grandpa was still there for his daily visit and had told us that the nurses had Grandma up and walking earlier that day. She seemed quite chipper over her accomplishment. I love my grandparents so much and I admire all they have done to set the way for me. It is really hard to see them get old, especially when they all are such hard workers and sitting still is asking a lot.
Emry and I picked out birthday presents for her three boy cousins having birthday parties in March! And we also got some little dollar store things for Calum's potty prize bag that he will be able to pick from starting on March 1st when he offically starts being toilet trained! She had lots of fun picking things out for others, sometimes it is really hard to do that when it may be something you really want. I think it helped that she was picking out all boy things! And getting a little something herself probably sat in the back of her mind with great anticipation! When we would go by the little baby clothes she would spot a cute little baby dress and said, "I wish I had a baby sister!" I agreed with her sentiment but that ship has most likely sailed due mostly to health concerns and Jared not wanting to be a single parent raising four children!
We were also able to have supper with Grandpa Glen, who we haven't seen since Christmas Day. I think that has been our longest stretch in quite some time. It was lots of fun catching up face to face without the constant cutting out during our cell phone conversations! Dad was so totally thrown off guard when I told Emry there was a salmon dish on the kids menu if she wanted to have that, when she nodded her head very vigorously yes, Dad's chin dropped and was speechless! I told Dad that salmon was one of her favourite meals, he was stunned, yet delighted because he too loves salmon. He jokingly told her that she was his new favourite girl, beause she is a girl after his own heart!
It was a fabulous day with my precious little girl. And as fun as it would be to have another little girl, I am so thankful for the one I have and for the friendship we share. She is growing way too fast, but I look forward to the coming years to see how she continues to grow and develop into the beautiful young woman she is already showing she can be. And as we always say to each other, before she goes to sleep, "I love her to the sun and the moon and back!"
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Family Day Fun?!
I thought it would be a great idea to take the kids skiing on Family Day, especially since Jared and I had been away the entire week before. And by kids, I mean all three of our kids!! For some strange reason I thought Calum could do the mini bunny hill all by himself while I stood at the bottom watching him! The reason I thought this was a very practical thought was because this is what I witnessed first hand when the Champion School went to the very same mountain for their annual ski trip. I saw one of Emry's class mates and his little brother who is almost 5 years old skiing for their first time on the mini bunny hill while both their parents stood at the bottom watching and encouraging them. This little hill really isn't even a hill, more like a very, very gradual slope, and to get to the top all you have to do is hold onto a little tow rope and it pulls you the 50 or so feet to the top. So simple!! Well, I guess for a three year old this is a little more complicated! Calum was so excited to go skiing and actually did pretty good for his first time!
We put the kids to bed an hour earlier than usual the night before and got them up before the sun the next morning. There was not one complaint as we got dressed and headed out to the car while the sun was barely peeking over the eastern horizon! I put a movie on for the kids, even Armin enjoyed the ride being able to see the show, they ate their simple breakfast and drank their milk, and only once did we hear the words, "Are we there yet?" The weather at Castle truly has it's own system! It was lightly snowing the entire drive there but sure enough as we came around the corner to the entrance to Castle Mountain it was snowing big fluffy flakes with hints of sunshine poking through the clouds! There was no wind which is extremely odd for Castle and the temperature was just right! Jared was worried that they may not even rent boots or skis out to kids Calum's size, but sure enough they did, and Calum was beside himself with utter excitement that his helmet and skis had orange on them (his favourite colour). We got the rentals and the lift tickets and then headed into the lodge to get snowsuits on. Even Armin was all bundled up and he seemed to thoroughly enjoy walking around in the snow, he didn't even try to take his mitts off! Jared had originally put his snowboard boots on and walked Calum up the little hill, he would get him pointed in the right direction and then send him down with a little push. Calum's face was all smiles! Next Jared tried to teach him how to use the tow rope! That was not happening, it seemed as soon as Calum was touched or touched something himself he turned into a wet noodle! It was hard on Jared's knees keeping the solid little guy upright! I was able to find a harness which made a huge difference on the strain Jared's knee was taking. By this time Jared also put his ski boots on to better help Calum. Calum desperately wanted to go on the chair lift, especially when he saw Emry and their cousins going up. He was not going to be stopped (that boy sure does have determination!) Jared did take him on the green chair, and Calum was again beside himself with excitement. The harness worked so well, Jared was able to keep control of him but Calum had to do some of the work, he had to hold himself up. They did about three runs off the green chair and then came into the lodge for lunch where he continued to stay the rest of the day with Armin and I. I was so happy that Calum was able to try this year, we will probably try him again next season, I think it will help him in the long run by helping him to be more confident.
Emry did amazing this time too. I think a lot of it had to do with being able to ski with Cora and Leah. She was not nearly as timid and even tried new runs. Last year Jared took Emry on the newer part of the mountain and it really scared her, she would not go back. This year Dave and Char took their kids over to the newer part and Jared and Emry would meet them at the bottom to do a run together. Jared took Emry up the Huckleberry chair and instantly she became scared. She would snow plough to one side of the hill, sit down and turn her legs so her skis were pointing back to the other side. She is so good at turning yet she just wouldn't do it. About half way down that run Leah and Cora come skiing over the ridge and call to Emry to come ski with them. She instantly gets up and calls to dad to hurry up and follow her! I admire Jared's patience, he was also very patient with me 12 years ago when he tried to teach me how to snowboard!
After they did this run a few times Dave and Jared took off to go to the tippy top of the mountain! Their favourite spot! Jared enjoyed skiing with his old partner again and was so happy he was able to do those runs again after breaking his knee there 2 years ago. I know the next time he goes skiing it will be just him and Dave! When Jared and Dave came down from the top they decided they wanted the kids to go up the blue chair, it goes a lot higher than the green chair and the Huckleberry chair! From where the boys and I were sitting in the lodge we could see them all getting onto the blue chair. I was absolutely flabbergasted to see Emry in line with them. I was so proud of her for being so brave and for trying new runs!
The boys were so good in the lodge with me! Calum played with his cars on the windowsill, while Armin had a nice snooze on the bench and I read some of my book! It was a fantastic family day, especially since we were able to spend it all together as a family! I love how our kids like the same music that Jared and I like! When we were in the car Emry asked if we could listen to cd Jared got for Christmas. It is the new Black Keys album, a fantastic rock band. She was either singing along with the songs or whistling. And both Armin and Calum were bobbing their heads to the beat or banging their hands against their knees to the beat! They all definitely have rhythm, and I am most certain that they inherited this from their daddy! It truly was a great day, I love my family so much and I am so thankful for the closeness that we share, I hope we will always be close knit. I was also very thankful to be able to spend the day with Dave and Char's family as well. I love the close bond that our children share as cousins. Family truly is important, and I am so happy to be so close with both sides of our family.
We put the kids to bed an hour earlier than usual the night before and got them up before the sun the next morning. There was not one complaint as we got dressed and headed out to the car while the sun was barely peeking over the eastern horizon! I put a movie on for the kids, even Armin enjoyed the ride being able to see the show, they ate their simple breakfast and drank their milk, and only once did we hear the words, "Are we there yet?" The weather at Castle truly has it's own system! It was lightly snowing the entire drive there but sure enough as we came around the corner to the entrance to Castle Mountain it was snowing big fluffy flakes with hints of sunshine poking through the clouds! There was no wind which is extremely odd for Castle and the temperature was just right! Jared was worried that they may not even rent boots or skis out to kids Calum's size, but sure enough they did, and Calum was beside himself with utter excitement that his helmet and skis had orange on them (his favourite colour). We got the rentals and the lift tickets and then headed into the lodge to get snowsuits on. Even Armin was all bundled up and he seemed to thoroughly enjoy walking around in the snow, he didn't even try to take his mitts off! Jared had originally put his snowboard boots on and walked Calum up the little hill, he would get him pointed in the right direction and then send him down with a little push. Calum's face was all smiles! Next Jared tried to teach him how to use the tow rope! That was not happening, it seemed as soon as Calum was touched or touched something himself he turned into a wet noodle! It was hard on Jared's knees keeping the solid little guy upright! I was able to find a harness which made a huge difference on the strain Jared's knee was taking. By this time Jared also put his ski boots on to better help Calum. Calum desperately wanted to go on the chair lift, especially when he saw Emry and their cousins going up. He was not going to be stopped (that boy sure does have determination!) Jared did take him on the green chair, and Calum was again beside himself with excitement. The harness worked so well, Jared was able to keep control of him but Calum had to do some of the work, he had to hold himself up. They did about three runs off the green chair and then came into the lodge for lunch where he continued to stay the rest of the day with Armin and I. I was so happy that Calum was able to try this year, we will probably try him again next season, I think it will help him in the long run by helping him to be more confident.
Emry did amazing this time too. I think a lot of it had to do with being able to ski with Cora and Leah. She was not nearly as timid and even tried new runs. Last year Jared took Emry on the newer part of the mountain and it really scared her, she would not go back. This year Dave and Char took their kids over to the newer part and Jared and Emry would meet them at the bottom to do a run together. Jared took Emry up the Huckleberry chair and instantly she became scared. She would snow plough to one side of the hill, sit down and turn her legs so her skis were pointing back to the other side. She is so good at turning yet she just wouldn't do it. About half way down that run Leah and Cora come skiing over the ridge and call to Emry to come ski with them. She instantly gets up and calls to dad to hurry up and follow her! I admire Jared's patience, he was also very patient with me 12 years ago when he tried to teach me how to snowboard!
After they did this run a few times Dave and Jared took off to go to the tippy top of the mountain! Their favourite spot! Jared enjoyed skiing with his old partner again and was so happy he was able to do those runs again after breaking his knee there 2 years ago. I know the next time he goes skiing it will be just him and Dave! When Jared and Dave came down from the top they decided they wanted the kids to go up the blue chair, it goes a lot higher than the green chair and the Huckleberry chair! From where the boys and I were sitting in the lodge we could see them all getting onto the blue chair. I was absolutely flabbergasted to see Emry in line with them. I was so proud of her for being so brave and for trying new runs!
The boys were so good in the lodge with me! Calum played with his cars on the windowsill, while Armin had a nice snooze on the bench and I read some of my book! It was a fantastic family day, especially since we were able to spend it all together as a family! I love how our kids like the same music that Jared and I like! When we were in the car Emry asked if we could listen to cd Jared got for Christmas. It is the new Black Keys album, a fantastic rock band. She was either singing along with the songs or whistling. And both Armin and Calum were bobbing their heads to the beat or banging their hands against their knees to the beat! They all definitely have rhythm, and I am most certain that they inherited this from their daddy! It truly was a great day, I love my family so much and I am so thankful for the closeness that we share, I hope we will always be close knit. I was also very thankful to be able to spend the day with Dave and Char's family as well. I love the close bond that our children share as cousins. Family truly is important, and I am so happy to be so close with both sides of our family.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Home Again, Home Again! Jig-atty-Jig!
Well, Jared and I made it home safe and sound to three very excited little kids! Both Emry and Calum threw themselves at us for humungous hugs, and Armin cuddled into me so sweetly and for at least 5 minutes! Our wonderful vacation started with the school ski trip to Castle Mountain. Jared and Emry had so much fun on the hill together. Emry was a little whinny, but we think that was mostly because she knew mom and dad would be leaving from the ski hill to go on a little holiday. She did so well, a little more timid than usual but her confidence will keep growing the more she goes!
Our holiday was marvellous, so relaxing, and rejuvenating! I honestly felt like a new woman when we got home! Although a few hours of chasing kids and doing the normal day to day stuff has certainly brought the crusty's back to my eyes!
Jared and I didn't do a whole lot, we ate good, shopped a little, hiked to the hot springs one day, made cards (I did) and played Grand Turismo (he did). The first couple of days were a little strange not hearing the antics of our kids in the background to all we did, but we quickly got used to the quiet and revelled in it! The hike up to the hot springs was quite the adventure, something Jared and I seem to be good at! We happened to take the long way around the resort to the trail, but we didn't ever actually find the real trail, we found one that cut through the trees and went up a lot steeper. We did take the real trail back to the villa, and it was a lot easier, and not too hard on Jared's knee because it wasn't steep at all. The hot springs were a welcome relief after our "hike" up to them!
We ate at a local grill on Valentine's day and Jared had all you can eat crab, he had seven rounds and thoroughly enjoyed it, once he was able to get the meat out that is! I was able to have a massage at Panorama while Jared skiied, we decided that this would be our anniversary presents to each other. And the massage was amazing, something I will have to continue!
The end of the week brought bittersweet feelings for both of us! The holiday was much needed but being without our precious little ones was harder than we both thought it would be! Coming home to the love and excitement from each of them was so sweet. I knew how much Jared missed them when he took both Emry and Calum to Vulcan to put the pulley's on our van! It probably took him twice as long to do with them there but they came home with huge smiles on their dirty faces because they got to play and explore at daddy's work! Actually, he didn't just take them to Vulcan he also took both of them out to help him feed cows this morning! I think it had a lot to do with the fact that Calum called daddy his favourite! It melted Jared's heart!
Our holiday was marvellous, so relaxing, and rejuvenating! I honestly felt like a new woman when we got home! Although a few hours of chasing kids and doing the normal day to day stuff has certainly brought the crusty's back to my eyes!
Jared and I didn't do a whole lot, we ate good, shopped a little, hiked to the hot springs one day, made cards (I did) and played Grand Turismo (he did). The first couple of days were a little strange not hearing the antics of our kids in the background to all we did, but we quickly got used to the quiet and revelled in it! The hike up to the hot springs was quite the adventure, something Jared and I seem to be good at! We happened to take the long way around the resort to the trail, but we didn't ever actually find the real trail, we found one that cut through the trees and went up a lot steeper. We did take the real trail back to the villa, and it was a lot easier, and not too hard on Jared's knee because it wasn't steep at all. The hot springs were a welcome relief after our "hike" up to them!
 |
| The BBQ master! |
 |
| Our super yummy steak dinner, with a new found favourite gourmet root beer, "Hank's Root Beer!" |
 |
| This was the view out the patio door of our villa! |
 |
| The start of our hike, I had my toque on! |
 |
| By the top I was bright red and sweaty! I desperately need to get into shape! |
 |
| The views were spectacular! |
 |
| Taking the right trail back down, and there was even a pretty waterfall! |
The end of the week brought bittersweet feelings for both of us! The holiday was much needed but being without our precious little ones was harder than we both thought it would be! Coming home to the love and excitement from each of them was so sweet. I knew how much Jared missed them when he took both Emry and Calum to Vulcan to put the pulley's on our van! It probably took him twice as long to do with them there but they came home with huge smiles on their dirty faces because they got to play and explore at daddy's work! Actually, he didn't just take them to Vulcan he also took both of them out to help him feed cows this morning! I think it had a lot to do with the fact that Calum called daddy his favourite! It melted Jared's heart!
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Happy "Valentime's" Day
I love how both Emry and Gilbert say "Valentime's" it is so cute and so innocent! Jared and I had such a wonderful Valentine's Day, we usually don't go out because our Anniversary is only two days after.
Jared has always in the past brought home flowers for me and even one for Emry, since we are not home this year we had to make sure Emry got a flower somehow on Valentine's Day. The school always sells flowers a few weeks before hand and then they are delivered on Valentine's Day. When I saw this I knew we had to get one for her. They cost $2 and there is even a little card that goes with it to say who it is from, it is a fundraiser for the Junior High. She was so excited to get a flower and when she got home from school it was the first thing she showed Grandma. She was a little sad last night when she went to bed but Grandma was able to make it all okay and she quickly fell aspleep. I am so grateful for Myrna and for the love she gives our children, I know they are being well taken care of.
Back to our wonderful Valentine's Day! We spent most of the day relaxing, we then got ready and went into Invermere to do a little looking around. We had a dinner reservation at a little restaurant 10 minutes from our little place in Fairmont, it is called The Hoodoo Grill and it is located at the base of the hoodoo's, hence the name!! We had seen in a flyer that Tuesday's they have all you can eat crab, and it so happened that Tuesday was also Valentine's Day! Jared ordered the all you can eat crab, and had seven rounds!! I had the most delicious chicken, it was called Brisine Stuffed Chicken with Mango Rissotto. I have no idea what rissotto is or brisine for that matter, and when it came, I was extremely thankful it was so dark in the restaurant because all it looked like was a pile of goo. I was a little aprehensive to taste it, but I was bold and it turned out to be amazing! I finished my meal by the time Jared finished his second round of crab. So I got to sit and watch him wrestle with getting the meat out of his crab, it was quite amusing! At least the amount of effort it took for him to eat his meal warmed him up, because the restaurant was so cold. It was a lot of fun, and since my meal had settled well before he was done, Jared made me get dessert! And really, he didn't MAKE me get dessert, who could pass it up!! I ordered the Manhattan style cheesecake with a strawberry apple sauce. It was really yummy, and I think I only had about three bites before Jared demolished it! I jokingly told him that he had more than half, and he teased me back saying that just because I only had 3 bites and almost devoued it, he most certainly did only have half! After our dinner we went for a soak in the rec centre hot tub, and it was lovely! Only the combination of a full tummy and the heat made for one tired girl! Who thought that doing nothing could make one so tired!
Tomorrow is our 10th Anniversay, it has been such a wonderful week with my very best friend. I am so grateful for Jared and for all he does for me. He is so supportive, so caring and extremely loving. I am thankful for the father he is to our three wonderful children and for the time he spends with each of them. I love how as soon as he gets home from work both Calum and Emry are all over him, and Armin just says, "Hi Da!" And I love how Emry is often out helping her Dad with the daily chores. These last 10 years have flown by and I know the next 10 will go just as quickly! I am thankful for every moment and I cherish the time we have together.
Jared has always in the past brought home flowers for me and even one for Emry, since we are not home this year we had to make sure Emry got a flower somehow on Valentine's Day. The school always sells flowers a few weeks before hand and then they are delivered on Valentine's Day. When I saw this I knew we had to get one for her. They cost $2 and there is even a little card that goes with it to say who it is from, it is a fundraiser for the Junior High. She was so excited to get a flower and when she got home from school it was the first thing she showed Grandma. She was a little sad last night when she went to bed but Grandma was able to make it all okay and she quickly fell aspleep. I am so grateful for Myrna and for the love she gives our children, I know they are being well taken care of.
Back to our wonderful Valentine's Day! We spent most of the day relaxing, we then got ready and went into Invermere to do a little looking around. We had a dinner reservation at a little restaurant 10 minutes from our little place in Fairmont, it is called The Hoodoo Grill and it is located at the base of the hoodoo's, hence the name!! We had seen in a flyer that Tuesday's they have all you can eat crab, and it so happened that Tuesday was also Valentine's Day! Jared ordered the all you can eat crab, and had seven rounds!! I had the most delicious chicken, it was called Brisine Stuffed Chicken with Mango Rissotto. I have no idea what rissotto is or brisine for that matter, and when it came, I was extremely thankful it was so dark in the restaurant because all it looked like was a pile of goo. I was a little aprehensive to taste it, but I was bold and it turned out to be amazing! I finished my meal by the time Jared finished his second round of crab. So I got to sit and watch him wrestle with getting the meat out of his crab, it was quite amusing! At least the amount of effort it took for him to eat his meal warmed him up, because the restaurant was so cold. It was a lot of fun, and since my meal had settled well before he was done, Jared made me get dessert! And really, he didn't MAKE me get dessert, who could pass it up!! I ordered the Manhattan style cheesecake with a strawberry apple sauce. It was really yummy, and I think I only had about three bites before Jared demolished it! I jokingly told him that he had more than half, and he teased me back saying that just because I only had 3 bites and almost devoued it, he most certainly did only have half! After our dinner we went for a soak in the rec centre hot tub, and it was lovely! Only the combination of a full tummy and the heat made for one tired girl! Who thought that doing nothing could make one so tired!
Tomorrow is our 10th Anniversay, it has been such a wonderful week with my very best friend. I am so grateful for Jared and for all he does for me. He is so supportive, so caring and extremely loving. I am thankful for the father he is to our three wonderful children and for the time he spends with each of them. I love how as soon as he gets home from work both Calum and Emry are all over him, and Armin just says, "Hi Da!" And I love how Emry is often out helping her Dad with the daily chores. These last 10 years have flown by and I know the next 10 will go just as quickly! I am thankful for every moment and I cherish the time we have together.
Monday, February 13, 2012
The Sound of Silence
Jared and I have had the wonderful opportunity to take a little get-a-way, just the two of us! It has been so much fun so far, we have had no agenda, no time constraints, just complete and utter relaxation! Our holiday started on Friday, when Jared took Emry skiing with the school. Buck, Arren and Gil also went so it worked out perfectly for Emry to ride home with them while we continued on with our holiday. We were able to book a place in Fairmont through my mom's timeshare (thanks so much mom!!) and between my mom and Myrna the kids are being well taken care of! It is so neat to come here for our vacation, since this is our 10th Anniversary holiday, we get to spend it where we had our very first vacation. We spent our honeymoon here so it has been really nostalgic.
We got here around 9pm on Friday, after stopping in Fernie to get a few groceries. The next morning we got up around 9:30am, had a late breakfast and then eventually got ready to go into Invermere to get real groceries and look around a little.
Yesterday we lazed around all day, I made some cards, Jared played Grand Turismo. We made a delicious steak dinner for supper, and then watched the Grammy's. We even fell in love with a new group we saw perform, they call themselves "The Civil Wars", a male and female who have a deep bluegrass sound.
This morning we got up early enough so I could do the aqua fit class, but since I was the only one signed up it was cancelled. So instead Jared and I worked out in the fitness room and then went for a swim and soak in the rec centre's pool. Tonight we are going to go to the Hot Springs for the last hour and a half when it is half the price.
As I sit here and type this I can hear only the pages turning from Jared's book. Earlier I sat and listened to him play his guitar, something I have always loved to do. It is so quiet here, and as much as I miss our sweet little kids, I am thoroughly enjoying this much needed rest from the day to day to chaos. A huge thank you needs to go out to family back at home for continuing on with the all we have left behind...Myrna and mom for taking care of the kids and making sure they get to where they need to be, Buck for peeking at the cows to see if they have water, and to Dave for leaving his family more this week to feed the cows. Without the love and support from family we really would not have been able to take this vacation with the perfect peace of mind we have as we sit here and revel in the complete and utter silence.
We got here around 9pm on Friday, after stopping in Fernie to get a few groceries. The next morning we got up around 9:30am, had a late breakfast and then eventually got ready to go into Invermere to get real groceries and look around a little.
Yesterday we lazed around all day, I made some cards, Jared played Grand Turismo. We made a delicious steak dinner for supper, and then watched the Grammy's. We even fell in love with a new group we saw perform, they call themselves "The Civil Wars", a male and female who have a deep bluegrass sound.
This morning we got up early enough so I could do the aqua fit class, but since I was the only one signed up it was cancelled. So instead Jared and I worked out in the fitness room and then went for a swim and soak in the rec centre's pool. Tonight we are going to go to the Hot Springs for the last hour and a half when it is half the price.
As I sit here and type this I can hear only the pages turning from Jared's book. Earlier I sat and listened to him play his guitar, something I have always loved to do. It is so quiet here, and as much as I miss our sweet little kids, I am thoroughly enjoying this much needed rest from the day to day to chaos. A huge thank you needs to go out to family back at home for continuing on with the all we have left behind...Myrna and mom for taking care of the kids and making sure they get to where they need to be, Buck for peeking at the cows to see if they have water, and to Dave for leaving his family more this week to feed the cows. Without the love and support from family we really would not have been able to take this vacation with the perfect peace of mind we have as we sit here and revel in the complete and utter silence.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Preg Checking
On Tuesday Jared and Dave got to try their new cattle handling system out (well that's not entirely true, they did de-horn some calves last week, but there were only 9 to run through)! Jared woke up that morning with a terrible tummy ache, he was so nervous that their single file alley would be too small! He had visions of having to tear it all apart and move it out about six inches! Well it turns out it worked beautifully! The crowding tub and the back up gate that Jared welded was amazing, and super effective! I was so proud of all his hard work!
The vet, Dr. Mike arrived at around 2pm, and that's when John, Buck and I went to round up the cows and bring them into the alley! Well, this took us forever, much like the day when Jared and I resorted the calves and cows, they did not want to go through the gate, and if one happened to wander through she quickly changed her mind and turned around! It was so aggravating! And to top it all of, notorious number 14 charged at us several times! She happened to be open last year and was also completely crazy, she jumped the fence in our corrals and got all the other cows all riled up. We kept her with all the rest last year, and Jared was even thinking about giving her another chance because she seemed to have calmed down. When I told him she charged at us, he was again contemplating getting rid of her. When she got into the squeeze, she decided her own fate rather quickly! She reared up inside the squeeze, got her two front feet tangled up above and when she came down she happened to de-horn herself. And then as if she had forgotten what happened the first time she reared up she did it again, only this time I was sure she was going to hang herself. Thankfully she came down and before the vet could test her, Jared opened the squeeze and let her charge her way into the open pen! So really other than her, things ran rather smoothly!
It did take all of us to get the cows out of the corral though, and we only planned on taking groups of 15 at a time, but when we saw how long it was taking them just to get into the alley we didn't stop them once they all went through. The only problem with having all 56 cows in the alley was the constant fear of having them break through the barbed wire. That is the one thing Jared really wants to change, he would love to make the corrals a lot stronger by using wood, in time this will be done! John happened to stay with the cows in the alley to keep them calm and make sure they wouldn't break through. Buck and I moved them up into the crowding tub and on through the single file alley. Dave pushed them further up into the squeeze. Jared ran the squeeze and sprayed the cows that were pregnant with a de-licer, and Arren did our record keeping! We finished exactly at 5pm. Our results were not what we were hoping for especially after having 19 open last year. This year we had 14 open, and only one of those open this year was also open last year. We also got rid of other cows, one had bad feet, another had a prolapsed cervix and even though she calved last year and had a healthy calf, it is something that will just continue to get worse. Another cow may have aborted already, and then we got rid of crazy number 14. So we sent a total of 18 cows to the auction yesterday. We also sent 11 of our heifers that also tested open to the auction yesterday. So yesterday the boys and I tagged along with Buck, Arren and Lily to the auction, it was lots of fun and I could not believe how good all the kids were, it can be boring sitting there watching cows run wild in the pen while the buyers decide if they want to buy them or not!
Anyway, back to preg testing! One cow that Jared has been concerned about took a little longer to get her through the squeeze. When Jared was doing his nightly walk through of the cows he noticed this one cow growling at him, he seriously thought she was mad at him and was trying to let him know, when he got closer, he realized it was how she was breathing. He asked the vet about her while she was in the squeeze, she happened to be pregnant, so when the vet decided to treat her with an antibiotic and then as we was checking closer he noticed she had a hard lump under her jaw, he further investigated by sticking his hand inside her mouth to feel from the inside. She had punctured a hole inside her mouth which caused the lump, which was pressing on her airway causing her to breathe funny. He lanced the lump and drained the puss out of it, which was totally disgusting. Jared watched every step in case he ever has to do it. He found it fascinating. He also got to hold the harness and was elated when he was able to take it off of the cow. The poor cow, she experienced the vet at both ends!
I love watching Jared with the cows, he has such a tender heart for them. When he would let them out of the squeeze he would first calmly put his hand near their nose and say shhhhh, sometimes he would even lightly pat the top of their head, I think it did help calm some of them down, some of them would walk so gently out to where they were to go.
Myrna was also such a huge help to as, she not only took care of Calum and Armin, but Lily also. She made supper and cookies for us too, and when Emry came home from school, Gil also came home with her, so Myrna probably had the hardest job of all! Thankfully when Lily and Calum are together they usually play so good.
I love working with the cows, and even though it has been a ton of work and has taken all of Jared's free time, it is also so rewarding. I know we will be in our house soon, and I know Jared is doing all he can to make that happen sooner than later. I am so thankful he fully has his heart in the cattle or they would definitely not be here on our farm. I look forward to when we get to run the cows through the squeeze again it was a lot of fun, and without the help from wonderful family it would not have run as smoothly!
 |
| This is Jared's back up contraption, is worked so good! |
It did take all of us to get the cows out of the corral though, and we only planned on taking groups of 15 at a time, but when we saw how long it was taking them just to get into the alley we didn't stop them once they all went through. The only problem with having all 56 cows in the alley was the constant fear of having them break through the barbed wire. That is the one thing Jared really wants to change, he would love to make the corrals a lot stronger by using wood, in time this will be done! John happened to stay with the cows in the alley to keep them calm and make sure they wouldn't break through. Buck and I moved them up into the crowding tub and on through the single file alley. Dave pushed them further up into the squeeze. Jared ran the squeeze and sprayed the cows that were pregnant with a de-licer, and Arren did our record keeping! We finished exactly at 5pm. Our results were not what we were hoping for especially after having 19 open last year. This year we had 14 open, and only one of those open this year was also open last year. We also got rid of other cows, one had bad feet, another had a prolapsed cervix and even though she calved last year and had a healthy calf, it is something that will just continue to get worse. Another cow may have aborted already, and then we got rid of crazy number 14. So we sent a total of 18 cows to the auction yesterday. We also sent 11 of our heifers that also tested open to the auction yesterday. So yesterday the boys and I tagged along with Buck, Arren and Lily to the auction, it was lots of fun and I could not believe how good all the kids were, it can be boring sitting there watching cows run wild in the pen while the buyers decide if they want to buy them or not!
 |
| The wood structure behind the squeeze is the single file alley, which really did work perfectly! The entire design came from Temple Grandin's book, "Humane Cattle Handling Systems" |
I love watching Jared with the cows, he has such a tender heart for them. When he would let them out of the squeeze he would first calmly put his hand near their nose and say shhhhh, sometimes he would even lightly pat the top of their head, I think it did help calm some of them down, some of them would walk so gently out to where they were to go.
 |
| Calum desperately wanted to help Grandma with the dishes, it was so sweet of him to offer his "help"! |
I love working with the cows, and even though it has been a ton of work and has taken all of Jared's free time, it is also so rewarding. I know we will be in our house soon, and I know Jared is doing all he can to make that happen sooner than later. I am so thankful he fully has his heart in the cattle or they would definitely not be here on our farm. I look forward to when we get to run the cows through the squeeze again it was a lot of fun, and without the help from wonderful family it would not have run as smoothly!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)