{Twit}

You may remember me mentioning that Meysa got a camera for Christmas. Here is proof Papa Don that she indeed does use it, just at the wrong times. Like when she is suppose to be going to bed. I found her camera the other day and was curious to see what she found interesting enough to take pictures off. These seven pictures were the only ones on her card along with some videos of her singing (they were too dark or I would have posted them as well). I about peed my pants laughing so hard. We have a twit of a girl on our hands I am afraid. I think the pictures speak for themselves. Enjoy the laugh!!!

{The Making of Men}

The highlight of the week for Ayden was getting to "hunt" with his cousins Porter and Preston. It was also a learning experience for him. He hasn't had quiet the experience that the other boys have had with BB guns. Porter and Preston both shot a rabbit and Ayden was trying really hard to get the hang of shooting at a stationary target let alone one that moves...fast. After the hunt all the kids got a lesson in skinning and gutting and how to prepare and take care of the meat. We wanted to teach the boys that while it is fun to shoot it also comes with the responsibility of not wasting.
After another day of trying to get a rabbit with no such luck. Ayden was frustrated because he couldn't hit anything. So Papa helped him get a target set up and helped him sight in the gun and then the target practicing commenced.

There isn't anything better than getting one on one instruction from Papa. I even got to shoot a little when Ayden wasn't hogging the gun!!
Of course little man was not about to be left out of the fun. He followed Papa around ready for his turn to become a man.

{New babies}

We spent our Spring break in Idaho at Grandmas house. The kids were so excited to get to go and see grandparents and cousins and run to their little hearts content at the Place. I am starting at the end and working my way back to the beginning of our week. One of the fun things to experience while at Papa Chip's house is seeing a new calf be born. We have always just missed seeing the new babies come. Either they happen right before we get there or they happen right after we leave. Well we got lucky this time. We had two babies born while we were there. One we didn't get to see because it happened really early in the morning (more to come on that baby) and one we got a front row seat to see.

This little guy was born our last full day at the Place. His mama, Oreo as we lovingly call her, was showing signs all week of being about ready to pop. We had planned on having a family movie night to watch Tangled with all the cousins that night. Right after dinner and right after everyone arrived for the movie Papa came in to say that Oreo had started. You didn't need to say anything more and all those kids were headed down the hill to watch this baby being born. Cows usually go off by themselves to have their babies in peace and quiet but luckily for us (and the fact that Oreo was closed up in the front pasture) we got to witness the birth. At first we were up on the hill watching from afar because a tribe of kids can't be quiet enough for a mama cow to be able to settle down enough to have her baby. But once that baby dropped we loaded up in the back of Papa's truck and we were off to get a closer look. Once down on the road close to the new baby there were lots of questions about placentas and umbilical cords and the deep burning question of what gender the baby was. Basically the facts of life were discussed, analyzed, and debated among a group of kids ages 12-2. Pretty interesting stuff I tell ya. They also named the little one Oreo Milkshake, which makes total sense to a bunch of kids...... We couldn't resist waiting around to see the baby stand up and start to nurse. We cheered with each slip and fall of the baby, practically willing it to it's feet. Oreo was a great mama. She was right there licking and helping every time the little guy would fall and then try again to get up.

Finally there was success and though while very wobbly, he didn't fall down again and chased his mama around for his dinner. We finally left them alone and headed back up to the house to start our movie. Although I think some of us felt like we had already watched the main attraction. It is sure to be something my kids remember for a long while.

{Opening Day}

I know it has been a month since I last posted and there are so many pictures waiting on my computer to be put up on the blog. My life feels a little crazy right now and I feel like I am running in circles not getting anything done. So I am going to start from yesterday and work my way back over the last month.

Yesterday officially started our baseball season around here. Thankfully we had good weather, which means we didn't necessarily have sunshine but we didn't have any rain. We are thankful for the little things. Ayden moved up a level this year, which means that the kids pitch and not the machine. I am amazed actually at how many balls get into the catcher and how many the ump actually called strikes. Ayden is on the Minnesota Twins this year and so far is loving it. Each year we see improvement in his abilities and his coach is pleased with his level of ability as well. The boys get to run onto the opening ceremony field while we rock out to some tunes. It is fun for them and fun for us to watch. Makes them feel like real big league ball players, which I am sure 98% of the kids that play want to be when they grow up at the point. Again, Ayden is the only lefty on his team. He didn't have the greatest hitting day. He struck out once, and was walked his two other at bats. Ayden's great day came while playing defense. He caught a pop fly and while playing at first got a few guys out. The coach was moving the kids around the field to see where each would play the best in a game situation. Ayden played shortstop, first and even got to pitch to a few batters. They ended up winning the game 11-9. Ryan says all is right in the world again now that it is baseball season. We will have fun watching Ayden this year.