Hello Again!

Hi there! I apologize for not keeping everyone updated on the happenings around here, however, we have not slowed down. Jake got to come home on the 12th of December. He is doing great. At his last appointment, he weighed 6lbs 11oz. He already has us all trained. Since there are not ten nurses at his beckon call, we are all having to do double duty to keep up with his expectations. Let me tell you, they are quite high for someone who is not really supposed to be born yet.

Jessie is a great big sister. She is helping out a lot. However, if he cries, she is quick to hand him off.

Christmas was great. We went to Church on Christmas Eve and then spent Christmas Day with friends. It was nice to have a place to go have a real Christmas Dinner. If it had been left to me to cook for the three of us, it probably wouldn't have been turkey and dressing. Jessie got her skateboard from Santa that is all she asked for in her letter. She also got a new pink hockey bag plus lots of other goodies. Jake got a swing, which was probably the smartest gift Santa has ever bought. It makes up for the skateboard which has been involved in several single vehicle accidents in the middle of the living room lately. I'm waiting for the broken arm, so I can say I told you so to the father figure in this house, who has been involved in a couple of those accidents. I did put an end to him skateboarding down the hall holding Jake.

Kelly is planning a birthday party for Jake on the 2nd since that was his original due date. I think he has invited everyone he knows for supper. He promised to help, but I know how that story ends.

That is all I really know for now. Jake is actually napping without someone holding him or in a sling around my neck, so I'm going to take this opportunity to get something done.

Happy New Year!

Jake Henry Armstrong

Sorry it's been awhile, but I've been rather preoccupied as Jake decided to arrive two months early. He was born November 8 weighing 4lb and 4oz. All is well, he is making great progress every day. He lost weight, as most babies do, and was down to 4lbs. Yesterday, he was 4lbs 7oz, so he is gaining now. He has gone from being intubated with IVs to assisted breathing and now he is breathing on his own and trying to suck from the bottle. Most of his feedings do come through a feeding tube in his nose. However, the sucking apparently isn't developed until 35 or 36 weeks, so we are hoping he will catch on in the next couple of weeks. He is now in a cot and out of the incubator and keeps everybody on their toes. He pulled out his oxygen tubes so since then, he has had socks taped on his hands. He has pulled out his feeding tube as well and puts up a good fight when they put it back in. We are hoping that with all the progress he will be home by Christmas, but the rule of thumb is not until their due date. Jessie cannot wait for her little brother to get home. She loves to hold him and really wants to help out.

Conversations with Jessie

Jessie: Mom, how long will it be before my baby brother's eyes will open?
Me: We aren't having a puppy Jessie, they will be open when he's born.
Jessie: Oh, okay.




Jessie: Mom will my baby brother be able to walk
Me: Well, not right off the bat, but in a year
Jessie: Hmmm...Just wondering.


Jessie: Dad, what all sports have I played
Kelly: Well, you've played baseball, hockey, and volleyball
Jessie: Yeah, I'm pretty good at all of them.


Kelly: Hey Jessie, would you want to be a singer when you grow up like these girls on Disney?
Jessie: Yeah, I guess
Kelly: Well you should start practicing your guitar with mom so you can learn
Jessie: Dad, those girls are like 14. I have plenty of time.
Kelly: Well if you become a famous singer can I drive your tour bus?
Jessie: Well I guess, but you're gonna have to work on your driving. You know like
your speed and your corners.


There is never a dull moment here.

Trick Riding Debut!

Well, we made it through the weekend! YAYYYY! Jessie trick rode at a rodeo in Patricia. She only walks, which is completely fine with me at this stage. She is riding the world's largest and slowest trick riding horse. Big Boy, however, did great even though she had him covered from head to toe in pink. You could see the disgust on his face. Jessie, had a blast, and I'm afraid she still wants to do it. She came home and has practiced now carrying the Canadian flag while doing the hippodrone stand.





Sunday was the Little Britches Rodeo. Jessie just ran barrels and poles and did great. She was mad that she made her fastest pole run ever and didn't place. She is a little competitive. Don't know where that comes from.


Silaging is in full swing now. Kelly and the neighbors are out in the field, and I'm supposed to be planning their next meal. I'm not so good at that. However, my chicken and dumplings last night were a hit. Even Kelly commented on the chicken, which he usually refuses to eat. However, when you call your wife at 2:00, who is an hour and a half away spending her day shopping to tell her that you are going to need supper in the field for six people by 6:30, you just can't be fussy as to what you eat. They weren't supposed to get started that early, so I had taken advantage of the day off. Ha! I should've known. It is impossible for me to spend a day without interruptions. Last time, I had to come home because there was a dire need for a pail of hydraulic oil from town.

Well, I suppose I should do something housewife like for the day and maybe get something planned for the hard working men in the field.

First Day of 3rd Grade!

Today was Jessie's first day of school. She was so excited. I hope it stays this way, but I'm sure it won't . I loved not having to fight with her to get out of bed this morning. Kelly is in British Columbia until Friday, so we are doing the first week of school by ourselves. I'm going to get a lot done this week!

Dog Days of Summer

Jessie and I have made it to and from Texas with no major catastrophes. This is a major feat due to the fact that our trip home involved not only the well travelled weiner dog but also a Catahoula puppy who was like travelling with Marmaduke.

We had a great time down South in the heat. Jessie loves to swim, so she spent lots of time in the pool. We have returned to 50 degree weather and rain. The rain is good, but the cool air I could live without for a couple of months.

On the way down, Jessie wanted to see Mt. Rushmore, so we detoured down I-90, were caught in the middle of a high speed chase by the South Dakota Highway Patrol, and saw Mt. Rushmore in Byars style: "Well there it is. Smile. Alright let's go. We've got miles to make." I have to say, it was very neat even seeing it for the second time.



Kelly and Jessie headed off to Olds for the rodeo this weekend with Big Boy on the back of the liner. Jessie missed him while she was gone, so she is making up for it by riding every chance she gets. The rain has put a damper on it lately. She was hoping that slack was this morning so she could chase calves out of the arena. I stayed home for a wedding shower, and then I am going over in the morning to fulfill my duties as the stock contractor's wife. These duties aren't as fun now that I can't sit at the trailer and drink beer with the pickup man's wife.

I finally broke down and bought some maternity clothes yesterday. Uckkk! What a waste of money. $70 for jeans that I'm not going to wear but a few months.

On Tuesday, I have a doctors appointment, so maybe we get to find out what it is. I asked Jessie if she wanted it to be a surprise. I knew the answer, but the look on her face was great. She looked at me like I was stupid and said, "No way, I want to start shopping."

I'm on my way to town right now to get this fly issue settled in our house. August and September are miserable here when you live 100 feet from the pens. The flies have taken over and Kelly is losing his mind. He has been dancing around like a ballerina with the fly swatter. I'm afraid he is going to fall down the stairs in one of his fly swatting fits. I moved the KONK sprayer outside because I wasn't sure it was good for any of us spraying in the house. I may hang those long sticky orange ribbons all over the house for decoration while we are away for the weekend. I hate flies with a passion and my husband is driving me crazy. I spend half the day following him around and sweeping up the dead flies he leaves on the floor. I know this is repulsive to many, but hey it's life on the farm. John Denver did not know what the hell he was talking about when he said it was kinda laid back.

The Days are Getting Shorter!

So, Jessie's school year is finally over! Yeah!!! Going to school until June 26th is completely unnecessary. However, no one seems to care what I think. Jessie had her awards day on the 25th. She received the Spanish award for her grade. She loves Spanish.



We are surviving summer so far. The weather has been in the 70's at the warmest and the wind has been blowing every single day. It is so dry here that there are herd dispersals all over the country. Many of those who still have their cows are still feeding. We turned ours out, but the grass is looking grim, so we are praying for rain.

Jessie lost her second tooth. The drama that surrounds losing a tooth here is worthy of an Oscar. It is quite the ordeal. The tooth fairy is not good at staying up late, and the weiner/guard dog who sleeps with Jessie doesn't welcome midnight intruders.

We spent Saturday ear tagging calves and vaccinating cows. I have no pictures because it was just the three of us to gather and do all of this. It was, once again, a run for your life type of scenario. Words can't describe some of the events that take place here. You have to see them to believe them.

The rodeos are in full swing. We had a successful production sale, which is nice to have out of the way. Innisfail is done, Ponoka finishes Wednesday, and then the madness of "Stampede" starts next week. We have bulls out on Sunday and again on Thursday in Calgary. On Wednesday, Jessie and I are taking in the Taylor Swift concert. She is stoked.

After that, we are headed south for a while. Jessie has been wanting to see Mt. Rushmore, so we are headed to Texas via South Dakota. We are taking a well deserved vacation and leaving Kelly home to tend the fort.

Since it has taken me three days to write this, I will post some pics of Jessie from yesterday. We went to a Memorial playday type of thing yesterday. It is an all day affair. They have every event from tiny mite goat tail undecorating to wild cow milking and the hide race. We try and go every year because it is a lot of fun. Jessie entered the barrels and poles yesterday. She wouldn't enter the goat tail untying because her horse is too tall. I entered the breakaway, team penning and team roping. I got third in the breakaway and the rest were a flop. The team roping I can finally blame on the header who missed for me. However, my heeling leaves a lot to be desired. It is more of a close your eyes and throw it under and see what I come up with and then try and get a dally but don't count on it kind of thing. I am learning though. It is my goal to be able to heel in the arena not just in the branding pen where they are standing still.

The Weekend

We spent this last Friday and Saturday at some friend's branding. They live west of Stavely, Alberta in the hills. Willow Creek runs in front of their house and if you ride up the ridge behind the house you can see the Rockies. It is the most beautiful place on earth. We had a great visit with lots of friends we don't get to see on a regular basis and even got 400 calves branded in the meantime. I woke up early Saturday morning hoping to see the black bear that have been roaming through the yard, but they didn't show. Jessie was highly disappointed. Of course, she didn't wake up, she just told me to get pictures. Apparently, they've been showing up early in the morning and wrecking the trees around the houses.

Kelly took his gray up to ride and gather with no intention whatsoever of dragging calves, but of course, all the old buddies were around heckling him so he tried it. He did great. He definitely wasn't bothered by the five wrestling crews and the branding pot he had to walk by. He got a little up in the bits, but it didn't last long. We are quite impressed that he takes everything so well, considering he only got broke when he was five and that was last year.

Anyways, I thought I would share some pics I took. I didn't get to take many as I spent most of the day branding and vaccinating.

As for now, we are off to the neighbors to brand this afternoon. They are short handed since Lori had an emergency appendectomy last week and she is usually a roper, a cutter, and the cook.

When It's Springtime in Alberta.....

Well, spring has officially sprung here. The garden is planted, not by me, of course. Biff had that taken care of a week ago. Yesterday he and Kelly spent an hour pot bellied pig proofing it, as I've planted his potatoes three times. They put up a hot wire, so we'll see how that works. It may get the best of the weiner dog before it does the pig.

Branding season is here. All the neighbors are calling, so we have a fun filled week ahead. We start by heading to Nanton in the morning to Keeley's. That is always a fun time. Yes, Jessie is missing school to go to a branding. It is perfectly ok. This time of year, there are many missing from school due to brandings. In a town of 350, they tend to understand. I think branding could even be an "excused" absence in Big Valley.




We cut our beef calves the other day. This only furthered my suspicions of Jessie being Sarah's child. I headed down check out progress and here stands Jessie in the middle of the pen in her Crocs and a skirt holding the "nut" bucket. I started cutting after a while, so Kelly and Rolly could wrestle. Two of them crawled the fence and got in with the cows, so the just roped them and we did them amongst all the cows. I was cutting as fast as I could because the cows were not pleased with the goings on. Rolly and Kelly were getting snot blown all over them, I turn to throw Jessie her treasure, and she is standing right behind me. She had come in the pen with all these mad momma cows to do her duty. My heart skipped a beat or two. She was as proud as punch with her new job and wasn't letting fear nor fashion stand in the way of getting the job done. Afterwards, I cleaned them and we cooked them on the fire for the kids. Jessie and her friend Grady ate most of them by themselves. Be it known, that I did not bother to batter them. They were just cooked. Jessie has been asking lots of questions about heifers, steers, and bulls lately. So, Kelly took the opportunity to explain to her while cutting a calf that this was how a bull becomes a steer. Her reply: "Ohhhh, now I get it!" The kid never ceases to leave me speechless.



Well, I should get outside. I see my horse is saddled, so I must have a job to do. Kelly is out on the new love of his life, Goose, whom he now refers to as "Mine that Goose." He has found his soul mate in a free gray horse. You would know that with Kelly it would have to be free for him to like it.

Have a good one everyone.

Victoria Day!

Today is Queen Victoria's birthday, so we have a holiday. God Bless the Queen, I guess. However, this is the first long weekend of what is supposed to be summer. Campers look forward to this weekend all winter. They pack up their gear, load their trailers and absolutely flood every campground in Alberta. This morning, the joke is on the campers. It is snowing! Yes, I said snow! Not funny.

Yesterday it was about 70 with a wind worthy of Vernon, Texas. This morning it is snowing and the high is in the 30's. I'm glad I'm not a camper.

Kelly has headed back out to his tractor seat. We haven't seen him much. He did come in for supper last night when some friends called and said they were coming over and bringing everything we needed for hamburgers. It was a great supper. I didn't have to cook it. They even brought paper plates and plastic forks.

I plowed for a little bit yesterday. Jessie asked if she was going to get to see her dad in the day anytime soon, so I thought I better get out there for a while so they could play together. Kelly is pulling his hair out going round and round. I think it's therapy for his ADD. He thinks it is a waste of time he could better spend doing something "productive." I informed him that since he was planning on planting a crop in this field, that plowing should probably be considered productive. I hope he has learned his lesson this time and decides to hire a real farmer to do it next time. Jessie said he should have left it in pasture, it looks ugly all plowed up. She doesn't have that farming gene either. I, however, don't mind it. You can sit on the tractor all day and no one bothers you because there isn't a person for 1,000 miles that wants your job. It is actually peaceful.

During the father daughter quality time yesterday, Jessie made Kelly paint her new fort. In hot pink letters he had to paint, JESSIE'S FORT KEEP OUT BEWARE OF DOG. We're not sure if she is warning people of the vicious weiner dog or the three legged dog. Either way, they are warned. I will have to get pictures of this on a nicer day.

Since it's a snow day better spent indoors, Jessie and I are going to Red Deer to see the Hannah Montana movie. I'm quite sure it's an Oscar winner. Jessie has been dying to see it. She already knows all the songs off the soundtrack and can dance to them while singing in front of the mirror with her air mic. It's awesome.

Have a good one.

Hello Again!

Sorry it's been so long. I've been down and out and really busy. We are having our first production sale June 10, so guess who got to build the catalog. You can see it on our website, www.kicknspin.com on the sale page. It came back from the printers today, and it looks good. I wasn't as impressed as I thought I would be. However, I think I'm just sick of looking at it.

Kelly is out dummying yearling bulls right now. The wind is out of the north. There is no hint of sunshine, and I'm sure the windchill is below zero. They already broke a leg on one. I braved the weather in my North Face down coat and watched them buck two, and I came back to the warmth of the house. It is miserable out there. I'm just not that interested. Besides that, I will get the play by play anyways, whether I want to or not. There are 52 of them, so Kelly was desperately hoping to cut that number down significantly. That is way too many mouths to feed until they are old enough to haul.

Jessie is busy with softball right now. I think it should be mandatory that they all wear helmets, not just the batters. It is a dangerous sport, mostly from lack of eye hand coordination and attention span. She rode her new horse the other day for the first time. He is a hand me down from the cousins. His name is Big Boy. It is definitely for a reason. She looks like a flea on him, but he does whatever she wants and at the turtle speed she likes. He also loves carrots, so she has gone through a bag of carrots this week.

We are getting through calving quite nicely. It will be a good day when they are done and turned out to summer pasture.

Well, I should be on my way. I have a chili order for 10 that needs to be done for supper. I will get some pics on here later and try my best to do a little better job of updating this. Have a good one!

Warm Air and Warm Sunshine!

I'm not going to say Spring is here, but it is definitely in the air. If I, even for a moment, begin to think winter is over, it will sure as hell snow tomorrow. For today, I'm enjoying the +11*C and the sunshine. We had our first beef calf today, so calving should be under way shortly.

Kelly has been in Nampa, Idaho at a PBR event this last week, so Jessie and I have been manning the fort by ourselves. We've become accustomed to being modern day grass widows and can handle pretty much anything that comes our way. It may mean Honey Nut Cheerios for supper because we are too tired to cook, but we survive. It is great that Jessie is old enough to ride along in the tractor and open gates. She can be a lot of help when she wants to be.

That is all I know for now. I'm heading back out to soak up the sun and check cows. Hope you have a great day.

Spring Isn't Springing!

So, I have decided that the Groundhog is a moron. Next time I see him, it will be through the scope of a high powered rifle. I'm going to turn him into a hat to keep warm. It is cold here. The wind is blowing out of the north and I drove through snow off and on all day coming home from Kelly's sister's. I have had it with this wintry wonderland.

Jessie is staying with her cousins for a few days. She was very excited to be going and quite put out that I spent last night with them. I was feeling unwanted. She knows as long as I am there, I can say no to everything Auntie lets her get away with. As I walked out the door, her Auntie was talking about buying her a hamster for her birthday. Yikes!!!! Just what we need.

So, I'm hoping for a few warm days while Jessie is away. I would like to ride, nap, and tomorrow I'm going for a massage. Due to busting my butt in the bull pen the other day because of ice, getting hit twice from behind in hockey the other night, and spending two hours on the water slides at West Edmonton Mall, I cannot turn my head.

That is really all I know for now. Life has been pretty dull around here lately. Chores, chores, and more chores are all that seems to be going on.

Have a good one.

I peeled myself out of my warm bed this morning at 6:45. I have to admit I stayed in bed a little longer than usual, but Kelly got up and made the coffee for once, so I thought I would wait until it was done. During the winter, we turn the radio on in the morning to listen to the local radio station for bus cancellations. Yes, during the winter. Today is March 10. Over the radio they announce that all county buses are cancelled. It is -33* Celsius. That is -27.4* Fahrenheit. Again, it is March! I'm beginning to think Global Warming is bologna.

Jessie's friends, Grady and Raina, are over for the day. They came running upstairs wanting to go play outside. I told them to come back in 10 minutes with a worse idea. Hopefully by lunch it will be at least -20 and then they can go out. Jessie has been dying for them to come over and play on "Snow Mountain." Kelly has been adding to it and skillfully sculpting it with the front end loader.




Jessie's hockey windup party is tonight, so yesterday I went to town and bought all the fixings for ice cream sundaes. I have yet to take the ice cream out of the back of the truck. What is the point? However, we may have to warm it up to scoop it out.

Well, that is all I know for now. I should get to work and make the most of this "Snow Day." Too bad it's too cold to even snow.

You've Got To Be Kidding Me!

It is March 3 and the snow is falling like you cannot believe. We have an antique horse, an injured horse and five cows along with calves stuffed in our barn. I'm so sick of packing water and straw I could scream.

It all started in the night with freezing rain. About the time the bus driver called and said she was turning around and going home, it started snowing. Jessie was outside enjoying what she thought was going to be a snow day when the neighbor called. Upon consultation, we decided it best that our kids went to school. Not for our sanity, but out of concern for their education of course. So, he came and picked up Jessie and they made their way to town.

Kelly and I bedded the barn, hauled water to the stock, and milked a cow so we could tube her calf that was born sometime last night and still hadn't sucked. Kelly is out on the tractor doing chores, and I'm supposed to be typing up a colorful biography of a cow to be sold online. In other words, I have to make her sound better than she is.



After the snow last week, Kelly had to clear the driveway with the tractor, so he piles it all up for Jessie. She calls it Snow Mountain. Snow Mountain contains tunnels, luge runs, and more recently a sled jump built by myself. I thought it would be fun to sled down snow mountain, hit the jump and skid down the icy driveway. Every kid likes to catch a little air. So, up the hill she goes and down she comes. She hits my Olympic jump and the sled comes to a complete standstill. The seven year old does a lip stand that should have required a cast or stitches. She spits out the snow and yells at me a little for my less than adequate jump building techniques. So, I promised to fix it. I built it up higher, made a gentle upward curve and a slope that physicists would be proud of. I smoothed it all down with the sole of my snow boots, and we were away. Up the hill again. With a little sled adjustment at the top, she comes careening down to hit the perfect jump. Now, I blame it on the fact that she wasn't leaning back enough to correctly perform the maneuver required to land a perfect ten. She, again, blames it on the jump. Once again, the saucer comes to a complete stop, but with the angle of the jump and the speed at which she was traveling, she caught air. As I said, the landing was not a perfect 10, but a perfect X. She landed spread eagle on the driveway. I was trying not to laugh. Kelly was calling me sadistic so he looked like the good guy, all the while stifling back hysterics. She jumps up and Kelly yells "GET HER, She did that to you." I was under attack by one mad little girl. She pounded me with a few snowballs and then was quickly over it. She resorted to having the three legged dog pull her around the driveway on her saucer. The mom was not so much fun to play with.

So, for now, I should get on with something productive in the house. Not that that sounds appealing at all, but snow days are to be taken advantage of. There is laundry to be done and beds to be made. Hope you have a good one.

February

So, February is halfway over, and I've yet to post anything. I have to apologize to you faithful followers. Life here has been chaotic since Kelly's mother passed away. Thanks everyone for the cards, prayers, and kind words. We really appreciate it.

Jessie is still busy with hockey. She won another medal last weekend. She was most proud when she stopped a shot while playing goal. After she did it, she looked up in the stands and gave the thumbs up as best she could with a hockey glove on.

I got to escape the Armstrong Family Three Ring Circus last night and went roping. It was a much needed break. My horses are fat and out of shape, but they worked great. I've decided I need to learn to heel because Jessie's horse, Mighty Mouse, is a whole lot of fun to rope on. I just wish he was bigger or I was a heeler. I did get two feet roped. Now I just have to learn to dally. I even got a few turned on old Lucky. He worked great. It is nice to have him sound again and rearing to go. At 18, he has not slowed up one bit. He is still a lot of fun to rope on.

Well, I need to keep this short. I have four holsteing calves in the barn who I'm sure are waiting impatiently for their milk. There are two hungry horses that are in the barn as well because they were too sweaty to spend the night in below zero temps.

Hope all is well with everyone.

The Nice Weather Never Lasts Here!

It is not fit for man or beast out there right now. The windchill is only -25, but I would swear it was -50. My face is beginning to thaw and it is painful. I went out to sort out a mess that the horses created last night by opening a gate to the yearling bull pen. Instead of fixing it last night when the weather was decent, I put it off until this morning. I should've paid closer attention to the forecast. Needless to say, it is done and I put Copper and Mighty Mouse in the barn. I figure the 38 year old horse and the one witnessing his first Canadian winter definitely deserve a place out of the wind. The others will make their way back to the bush to seek shelter.

Today is hockey day and reading log, so I plugged the truck in when I went out. I need to get to town to the grocery store, but that may have to wait. They are giving blowing snow and poor road conditions on the radio. However, I can make it to reading log and hockey with only driving on about two miles of pavement.

With not much else going on, I thought I might just post some pics I've taken the last couple of days.


A True Canadian Birthday Party


Race on the Pond




Sunning


My Sweet Little Mare


38 Years Old


Armstrong Pork

Chinooks!

The worst part about winter in Alberta , or I should say one of them, is that the weather man gets you all geared up for warmer temperatures. Well, in order for those warm temperatures to happen, the wind has to blow gail force out of the west. It is beautiful outstide right now until you step out from behind the shelter of the trees and buildings. I had big plans to ride in all the deep snow. It doesn't look like that is going to happen.

Tuesday was Jessie's school ski trip to Canyon Ski Hill. It is only an hour away. It has one chair lift, a t-bar and a tow rope. It is a perfect place to take kids who are learning. Out of the 100 kids in the school, seven stayed behind. The kids all take morning lessons and then get to ski until 2:00. We had a lot of fun. Jessie is getting to be quite the little skier. I have to tell her to slow down every once in a while. She is getting enough confidence to ski straight at someone standing at the bottom and blow snow on them when she stops. It's all fun and games until she doesn't get the stop just right. She was getting on and off the chair lift by herself as well. The only time she fell is when I tried "helping" her. I did get an earful a couple of times.



Kelly is hauling hay, so I've been busy entertaining myself today. Now, I realize some of you might think this is a mean thing to a weiner dog, but he wanted to follow so I let him. He's in the house laying in a sunny spot now. Not to worry, no animals were harmed or lost in the shooting of these pictures







Well, it's back to work now. Have a good one.

Happy New Year!

I hope that this is finding everyone's New Year going well so far. We all made it home safe and sound from Texas. We even had decent weather to welcome us. I'm not saying it is overly warm or anything. It just isn't blizzarding. We even took Jessie sledding on Sunday.



Christmas in Texas was lots of fun. The best was Cita's Christmas surprise. Bobby was not impressed at all, but thanks to the Harkey family, Sarah and I have a place to celebrate Christmas next year. Betsy assures us that no gifts are required. Nestor, the long eared Christmas donkey, is winning over hearts quickly. Even the braeing has made Bobby smile a time or two. We are sure that this is a Christmas gift that will keep on giving. It has given Cita a job, Jessie something to play with while in Texas, Bobby one more thing to grumble about, and Kelly and Sarah endless ass jokes. Kelly was not allowed in on the surprise. When we asked him if he could keep a secret, he said "NOPE!" Chase felt this was quite unfair that he was punished because of Kelly's loud mouth and did not get to see Nestor before Christmas morning.

Needless, to say, Sarah and I owe the Harkey's a big Thanks for helping us pull off Operation Christmas Ass. They hid the donkey in their barn for a few days and Logan, the donkey whisperer, gentled him down a bit. If anyone ever needs assistance in the donkey area, I highly recommend Harkey's Mule Barn.


Christmas Day, of course, we branded calves. Chase held off going to his family Christmas, so he could brand at ours. Poor guy has no excitement in his life. Kelly taught him to brand and was very impressed with his abilities. I am hiring Chase as my replacement. He did not get yelled at once. So not fair! If you are going to get the full Armstrong/Byars branding experience, someone needs to get yelled at.

And of course in true Byars family tradition, why not end the holiday with shooting something. We gave a donkey for a Christmas gift, we branded on Christmas day, so Bobby and I completed the holiday season by killing a pig. You might be a redneck.....!





Now, the holiday excitement is over. We are back to the grind. Jessie has hockey practices two days a week. I have hockey games at least once a week (we don't practice). Kelly is wanting to ivomec today, and I'm trying to talk myself into riding a horse or two. It is barely below freezing, but I'm still finding it tough to get out there. The novelty has worn off of snow.

Best of Wishes in the New Year!