A new phase in life

 On September 10, 2015 our little big boy had his very first day of school. He was very excited to get on the school bus. But as he zoomed away from me, this momma couldn't help but tear up. The fact that he was going down the road WITHOUT me!!!! was hard. But anyways, off I went to make sure he got to his classroom all right. He was fine and was ok with me leaving which I knew he would be. I was ok leaving him there because he was ok being there. (If that makes any sense at all?!) It is such a strange feeling not being in touch with him for 8 hours of the day! Your so used to knowing what they're doing and where they are every minute of every day and then you go to not being able to check on them at all....just a strange feeling. I loved every day I had him at home, but he is definitely ready for this stage in life and I'm very excited for him. I pray every night that he gets there and comes home safely.

 His sister had to have a picture with him. Poor girl, I think she was feeling a bit left out. Tanner got lots of new stuff, a lunch packed and on and on!

 We made cookies for when Tanner got home off the bus. She wasn't sure what to do all day without Tanner...

And she painted!

Ashley

Here fishie, fishie

 We had planned on camping here all weekend long..but a sick baby and the weather kept us at home. We decided that we would still head up there on Sunday to fish and relax around a bonfire. It was raining when we got there but turned out to be a beautiful day!! No one caught any fish but it was still lots of fun. This was our kids first time fishing. This at some pasture we own, it's a nice little spot.

We ate way too much food, did a lot of relaxing and had a good visit with family and friends. Can't wait to camp here in the near future!

Have a great holiday Monday!
Ashley

Wordless Wednesday

 Happy & Safe Harvesting!
Ashley

Barley Harvest

 Our neighbor helping us bale the straw.

 Chugging away, two days ago we had a half an inch of rain and were able to get back at it last night.

 The sunset was so beautiful last night!

 Full to the brim and ready to dump.

 Our son is obsessed, got in an hour or so before bedtime.

 Getting ready to ride home in the grain truck with Grandpa.

Happy HOT Friday!!!!! Heat warning again today!

Ashley

My favorite time of year

This (and calving season) are my absolute favorite times of the year! When we get to harvest the fruits of our labor is such a great feeling. And even more so when the harvest is plentiful! I love watching the grain fill up the combine hopper. I love watching it pour out of the auger and into the truck with the sun setting in the background and the crisp night starts to wrap it's arms around us. I love the smells of harvest, the air just smells different. (Thank goodness I don't fight with allergies) I love wearing sweaters and sleeping with the windows open. Drinking coffee on my verandah in my slippers and a sweater wrapped around me. Something else I love so much about harvest is that it takes all our family to make it happen. It is a lot of family time, maybe not always happy happy happy if you get my drift but none of this would happen without effort put forth from all of us. Even the kids. They LOVE riding and being a part of what's going on. We try to limit their time in the fields for safety reasons but the fact that my son usually knows more about what's going on out there than I do makes me pretty proud. If his love of farming continues, we will be so proud when he wants to farm the family farm some day. So, not only do I love harvest in the fields, I love harvesting my garden as well. It's not huge but it's producing! Here are some pictures of my favorite time of year so far. We are not yet combining....could be today, tomorrow or the next day. Still trying to dry the barley out that sat in the rain last week.

 Swathing barley. We were also swathing canola the same day but I did not get a picture.

 I have so far picked enough cucs to make eight jars of pickles and lots of fresh eating.

 And I think this is the earliest that I have some almost ripe tomatoes to pick! Yum!

Have a great day!

Ashley

Seven Years

Can't believe seven years has gone by! We have done so much with each other at our sides and I can't wait to see what the next 60 years bring! ;) Haying was caught up and we're not quite combining just yet so we managed to sneak out for supper. And with only one child. It was nice and quiet.

Ashley

Flashback Friday

**sob** My baby boy was just over a year here...and this fall he heads to Kindergarten!

Have a great long weekend!!
Ashley