Here Comes Peter Cottontail

Here comes Peter Cottontail, Hopping' down the bunny trail, Hippity, hoppity, Easter's on its way. Bringing' every girl and boy baskets full of Easter joy,Things to make your Easter bright and gay.

He's got jellybeans for Tommy,Colored eggs for sister Sue,There's an orchid for your MommyAnd an Easter bonnet, too. Oh! here comes Peter Cottontail,Hopping' down the bunny trail, Hippity hoppity, Happy Easter day.

Here comes Peter Cottontail, Hopping' down the bunny trail, Look at him stop, and listen to him say:"Try to do the things you should."Maybe if you're extra good, He'll roll lots of Easter eggs your way. You'll wake up on Easter morning And you'll know that he was there When you find those chocolate bunnies That he's hiding everywhere. Oh! here comes Peter Cottontail, Hopping' down the bunny trail, Hippity hoppity, Happy Easter day. (by Steve Nelson & Jack Rollins)

Well it's true Easter is on it's way! This week I plan to do a few fun things with the girls to help us celebrate Easter. I thought I might share a few fun Easter traditions with you today.

Every year we make this cute bunny cake and it so much fun to do, and easy too!

For as long as I can remember my MeMaw made us a wonderul Easter cake every year!! We always looked forward to it and I can't ever remember an Easter without it. Once she was no longer able to make the cakes my mom took over. MeMaw always made stacked round cakes and I loved them just as much! My mom saw this bunny cake in a magazine and it is now a family tradition!!

My favorite Easter tradition...coloring the eggs!!! For as long as I can remember the entire family gathered around mom and dads kitchen table, mom got out the boiled eggs the white cups with vinegar, water and dye and we colored more eggs than any one family could eat!!! Every year we try a little something different, but we always make a batch of "normal eggs" This year I am going to make a few glitter eggs. You simply use spray adhesive to boiled and cooled eggs than cover with glitter. I think my girls will love it. I also saw a really cute idea of mixing oil in with your water and dye to give your eggs a marbled appearance. You can find the instructions on this wonderful website. http://www.oneshetwoshe.com/

Here are a few Easter projects I hope to do with the girls this week, who knows maybe we can start a few new Easter traditions!

Jelly Bean Jewelry, using a needle and elastic thread, string jelly beans, tie loose ends together and enjoy!!!

And since Morgan loves to paint she will really enjoy making this bunny card!

To make the bunny face have your child place their thumb in white paint, for the ears have your child use one of their fingers, let the paint dry and add the rest of the decorations!!!!

**The above craft ideas and many many more can be found at http://www.familyfun.com/

I also found this picture at http://coloring.ws/easter.htm I plan to print it on thick white paper than let the girls decorate the face with cotton balls, wiggly eyes and pipe cleaners!!!

Hope you and your family have a wonderful Easter

Happy 3rd Birthday Morgan

Morgan Lee Fury, born March 16th 2008.

My sweet girl who decided to come a few days early what a wonderful surprise! The doctor’s said that there was no way you were coming on the 16th, I might as well get comfortable because I was going to have a long labor. Two short hours later and 3 big pushes and you were here. From the first moment I saw you I loved you, I loved every part of you. You were so sweet, so little. As I watched them wrap you in that sweet little blanket I thought I would never get my hands on you…but once I did I knew I would never let you go. We spent the next 24 hours snuggling in the hospital; I couldn’t wait to get you home!

I anxiously awaited your arrival. I would lay clothes out on your changing table and imagine what they would look like on you! I would sit in the glider in your room and rock you and read you stories. I enjoyed every minute of preparing for you. I loved picking out your coming home outfit, designing your nursery, picking out your carseat, your baby swing, and researching the best baby monitors, the best bottles, I loved it!!

You were such a sweet baby girl, you slept all the time. I was such a nervous new mother. I woke you up every 2 hours to feed you…who does that to a baby who sleeps both day and night. I think I was probably the only mother on the plant to wake up a sleeping baby. You were to sleepy to eat so you didn’t gain weight in the beginning. The doctor told us to strip you down and put a cool rag or ice on the bottom of your feet. We hated every minute of it, we felt like such bad parents. It didn’t matter you slept right through it. About 3 weeks old you came alive!!! You were awake more you began to eat, you grew!

I loved to wrap you in blankets and snuggle up close to you I loved to hear your breath and smell your sweet smell!

I can’t believe how you have grown and changed. I can’t believe you are 3! I have loved every stage, every change.

You have always been so sweet, I remember when you started giving kisses, it made my day when I got my first kiss from those sweet lips. I was soon a little less excited when I saw you kiss the trashcan!!

You always stayed close to me, you still do. You never wanted to be in a room by yourself, and I am so glad you wanted me to be with you!

I love to see you fold your hands and bow your head to pray. I love to hear you say new words, words like hangabur (hamburger), farkaly (sparkly), and gobbeles (goggels).

You are a wonderful big sister. You love your sissypoo! You are always the first one to report when Riley poo-pooed and is stinky! You love to help her when she is having trouble. I love to watch you take care of her.

You love to snuggle, you love with your entire self, you are sensitive, and you love baby dolls and milk. You love to go, you love your friends. You hug and kiss everyone you can. You would take your blanket with you everywhere you go if I would let you. You love to do things for yourself and you are so proud of your accomplishments. You are particular about how you want things. Every baby has its own blanket and you would not think of going to bed without them each snuggled in their own blanket. You are my first born, you are so special to me, and you always will be special to me. I love you because you are my baby; I love you for all that you are, and I am excited for our next stage together.

Happy Birthday Morgan
All My Love,
~Mom~

My Sweet Valentines!

There is something I love more than chocolate, something I love more than flowers, candlelit dinners, or dancing. Something that makes me happier than receiving beautiful jewelry or sweet perfume...what is this thing that fills my heart with love and my life with joy you ask?

It is my two sweet valentines!!

Snow Much Fun!

We have all really enjoyed the snow, and since we live on a farm and ranch I understand how important winter moisture is for our cattle and our crops but....I am so ready for the winter wonderland in my back yard to melt away, and don't even get me started on the mud hole which is my driveway!!!


Have you ever wondered what happens when a cowboy forgets to put his horse in the barn?

It makes for a very cold morning ride!!

Another reason I am ready for the snow to go.....being stuck!!

It isn't all bad, the girls and I have enjoyed the time in doors doing crafts.

And you can't have snow without this...

or doing a little of this

Hope you are all enjoying the last of winter!

Is it spring yet?

Branding 2010

A few weeks ago we took advantage of the pretty weather, called in a few of our favorite cowboys and branded the new calves!

Ok, so these are not really the cowboys I was referring too, but aren't they cute!!!

First we got the cattle off the wheat and drove them to the pens to be sorted.

We separate the momma cows from the calves

The cowkids decide to give Grumpy some help!

The Ranch Boss shows up soon to make sure everyone is working! Check out her shoes, she makes her momma so proud!

It takes a real woman to do ranch work in heals!


Ok boys no more standing around looking pretty, it's time to get some work done!








I wonder if the bull was comforted at all by the fact that his family jewels were being removed by a trained paramedic?




Oh no the Ranch Boss is back!







Alot of work, but a lot of fun as well, time for lunch!!







Bar ST Farm & Ranch, January 2010

Whew!!!! What a Week

Ok, when I started this blog I set a goal for myself, blog at least once a week. Well up to this point I have done pretty good, but since it has been 10 days since my last blog, I guess I am not doing as good as I thought! Please no one throw anything at me! I didn't make it one of my New Years resolutions because I feel I have enough and lets face it January is half over which only leaves me 51 blogging weeks left.


Speaking of resolutions I am off to a good start! I started my third book of 2010 last night. Now don't get to excited...I got a new camera and am learning how to use it and learning some of the tricks of the trade so I am all into that right now which has made reading about it that much more of a priority! They say the best way to learn is to take as many photos as you can. Well I have taken 600 photos so far this month, so I think I have that covered, (only about 100 are any good)! As for exercising more...I have not started, I think I will wait till after I learn to make and decorate those yummy cookies!

It has been super cold here the last week, some snow, but mostly just freezing cold air! The girls and I have been hiding from the cold in doors, but you can only stay inside for so long! For a little excitement we have been breaking ice for the cattle with John which is always entertainment. John tried to walk across a tank of frozen ice to prove a point to me. I was so nervous about him falling in that I forgot to take a picture! Well lets just say as he got closer to the middle and the ice began to crack he decided his best course of action would be to get the heck out of there!!! All the while Riley is happily splash'n around in the water...did I mention it was freezing outside? That girls loves water!!

Since it was so cold outside all the cows had a nice covering of ice on them which had poor Morgan so upset. She didn't understand why the cows were covered with "bad stickers" and I was doing nothing about it! I was glad the next day was a little warmer and most of the "bad stickers" were gone!

One day last week I went down to mom's house so we could be crafty, something I like to do when the weather is so cold outside! We had a lot of fun and the girls were happy to help! I hope they enjoy the new outfits Grams and I made for them, they are full of love!

Hope you have a great week!

The Holiday Season

The Christmas Eve candle light service has ended, the long wait for Santa's arrival is over, the sounds of girls squealing with delight as the rip into each pretty package can be heard no more, and the count down to 2010 is complete!!

The holiday season is over, it was wonderful and exciting. We all had a beautiful wonderful white Christmas with the ones we love, we were missing a few this year, but it was still a wonderful Christmas. We have enjoyed watching the girls play with their new treasures! John surprised me with a beautiful new Nikon D5000! So I am well on my way to learning to take great pictures, well maybe that statement is a little ambitious. Lets just say I am well equipped to take great pictures. I have looked into a photography class to help me get started and stay focused on my goals, but 2.5 hours every Thursday is a little to much to give up, so instead I will stay home leaning by trial and error as I photograph my two favorite subjects. Be prepared to see way to many pictures!!!

We have had snow on and off the past few weeks and the girls and I have loved it. Riley loves loves loves to eat snow, don't ask me why??? This is the same girl that loves to eat ice and will carry around ice cubes to eat! Morgan loves to stomp in it, I think she likes the sound. The girls and I have taken advantage of the snow and have made several trips with John to check cows and break ice! It is a lot of fun, and if the ice is thick enough Morgan does a little ice-skating!!!

2010 we welcome you with open arms and excitement to see what you have in store for us!