Fall

Adding pictures on this thing is so much smarter than me, so bear with me I'm just going to go down the line with them:)

Bringing cows down of the mountain - I watch riley and i see what a big kid he is now, it makes me sad and proud all at the same time. Being the oldest he has the most responsiblities as well as usually takes the brunt of the trouble - I know how can that be??- But he makes me proud!!

Riley wrestled this year it was his first year, he didn't win many matches but he still did really well. He wrestled at 120# and most of the boys he wrestled have been doing this for many, many, MANY years so I am proud - matt time, thats what he needs!!

So ya, still no order in the pictures SORRY:( Here is my wonderful Dad - whom evertime I see him now I cry and smile. He is our rock when he should be the weak one right now. I LOVE YOU DAD!!! He is the true meaning of Cowboy, he is humble, quiet, hardworking, honest - he just gets his work done and goes home. My dad birthday was December 6th, that also would have been him and my moms anniversary. I called him and said i was going to make dinner, told him I would probably be down to the house by 5:30 or so - when I got there he had dinner all made - IT WAS SO GOOD!!

Dad and Brandon leading cows, it was a cold cold day coming off the mountain but Dad enjoyed Brandons company - they get along well and when Dad needs something else to think about Brandon is good company, they can talk cows, and horses, and hay, and farmer stuff - What would I do without these two???

Brandon on Shorty, what can I say this man is the greatest - also the most Handsome:):)

AhhhhHHHH He makes my heart melt:)

This really isn't the best picture but they wouldn't stand still long enough I laughed and laughed we were in Gallup selling hay and here was Brandon and James, both in black cowboy hats, wrangler denim jackets, and the same type of leather hay chaps - HMMMMM could they be brothers?? These two are stuck together, but I wouldn't have it any other way - James is the perfect brother, brother-in-law and Uncle!!!

Our lives have been very busy, which is good. I still miss my mom more than I could have ever imagined. I am ready for a new year.

Happy Holidays to all of you, and i am blessed that you are all in my life!

Family

I am truly blessed to have the mother I did. She was caring, funny, loveable, sometimes grouchy, and always helped others!! Ohhh how she loved the grandkids - Jake still thinks she will get well and come home. I don't know how to explain death to my children, I know they know but understanding is a whole different story. And my dad, i wish I could make the pain go away for my Dad and Wrangler. I know there house is very quiet now. And I know they have to work it out, but i still wish I could take there pain away. Her and my dad were great together, they grouched around alot, but thats just who they were - they complimented each other well. I always laughed growing up because if we did anything wrong and had to go home and explain, my mom believed anything and everything we told her and my dad believed NOTHING - so somewhere in the middle they came to pretty much the real story. My mom was the mediator I guess maybe all moms are.

I am still wondering how something so natural can hurt so bad? I keep saying that dying only sucks for the ones left behind. I know that my mom is in a much greater place, but the selfish part of me still wants her here.

I miss her so much and its only been a week. I love you mom and will miss our daily talks - we always used to talk, laugh and complain about things, life, and sometimes people:) she would always say "well if only the world were as wonderful as you and me, we would get along great" and yes she was being sarcastic, but we laughed alot!! I talked to my mom everyday, I am actually kind of feeling sorry for my dad because now he has had to talk to me everyday:)

During this difficult time though I need to let you all know how much i appreciate each and every one of you! So many people gave time out of there day to go out of there way for our family and it is heartwarming, to say the least!!

I could guarantee on some, and a few surprised me(sorry but they did) but it made my heart a little happier with each person that called or wrote. I'm not a very sentimental person, my dad always said you could only cry on the day of funerals because our life has to go on(that changed a bit-not much-but a bit this time around) and alot of you knew me and how I wanted to deal with it which is don't talk about it and go on. But I do have to say the love that was thrown my way was GREATLY WANTED AND APPRECIATED. I don't feel like I couldn't thank any of you enough!!!

I also have to give a special thanks to Brandon, whom was so perfectly wonderful!! The day my mom passed we were not expecting it so I told Brandon I would just go to Farmington by myself and he could just do his thing. Well am I ever glad he insisited on going, he also sat through quite a few days of just sitting and helping keep my dad company with some cattle talk etc - it really helped I LOVE YOU BRANDON!! And a great big thanks to James who is just always there - in a good way- and does all the crap jobs no matter how hard, or gutwrenching, or whatever. James is one of my few heros and I could not live without him!!

And of coarse Glenna, she called, and answered my calls no matter what- she had gone out of town for a weekend with her siblings and yet she still made me a priority, I LOVE YOU GLENNA!!!

Tammy, Tammy, Nan, Becky,Jennifer Oliver, Stacy, and Jamie who constantly checked on me througout - Thank you all of you I am so blessed to have you!! I LOVE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU AND AM A BETTER PERSON FOR KNOWING YOU!!

once Again thank you to everyone!! I couldn't live without you, and I don't want to miss anyone because you all were so wonderful!!!

Where OH Where does the time go?

CONGRADULATIONS to the Mayo family - wooohooo so glad you have a new family member she is BEAUTIFUL!!!

Now the countdown is on for Little Kelby to arrive(hopefully sooner than later for Heathers sake!!)

Well - Beans are in the warehouse, most of the hay is in the barn(or at least baled and stacked) we have about 40 acres to finish up - and it seems to be taking us FOREVER. It however was only cut so we could pasture so its ok. Cows are home from Dolores - I do miss going to Lightenburgers though to check cows, it is so pretty over there. So a whole new set of business, but its nice. Hopefully Brandon and James can slow down, and Dillon can do nothing but hold his son(as soon as he makes his appearance in the world).

Riley is wrestling this year so that has started and practices go everynight until 7. Kind of a pain, but its good for him! Ty will be next, how nice that peewees strart as soon as middle school is over. I'm trying to decide if Jake should wrestle or not, he is old enough but.......

Not really a whole lot going on. Just an update more for myself than anyone else!!

We love you all and thanks for reading - HAPPY FALL!!!

Life, people, places, things

Life -
seems to just pass us by, it seems like just yesterday school got out for summer, Stacy and Heather both told everyone they were expecting, we were planting beans, etc, etc, etc. And here it is September 22. Where does the time go? When did summer happen?
Amongst all the time flying by - I have learned many things. HUH who knew at 3yucky1 I don't know it all??????????????????
Some things I did allready know:)

PLACES-
We went to Phoenix over the labor day weekend, it was so nice and relaxing. We were looking for farm equipment in Buckeye, Az. We didn't buy any equipment there. But what we came home with was a new puppy, new shoes, and a little fun behind us. Once again when we do things like this I have to thank Brandon, he just works all the time, he fretted the whole time we were gone - however he knew that James and Dillon were here to "hold down the fort" in which they do exceptionally well. Then last weekend we went camping up at my dads place up at Groundhog and gathered wood - it was ALOT of work, but it was so nice up there!! It rained, but it was still nice!! Also in that we had a little fun with Tommy, Tammy, Kenna and Hayden. Whom by the way we owe BIG BIG BIG time because they wasted there whole weekend helping us get wood:) They are to wonderful to us.

People-
Sometimes you get something in your mind about someone, and that seems to just be it - good, bad or indifferent! But once I open my eyes and my heart sometimes I am PLEASANTLY surprised. Things happen for a reason only God can understand sometimes. But when these things happen, the people that come forward with sincerity in there hearts is overwhelming! It pulls at your heart strings, and makes you wonder what you ever did to deserve such awesome people in your life, and how can I be a better person, because being around these people makes me want to be better! Also the old ones that you count on always - they continuously come through without hesitation. Whether with a helping hand, an ear, or just a simple, I don't know what to say but i'm here for you and I love you.

I AM TRULY TRULY BLESSED with people in my life! I have the most wonderful hardworking husband, the orneriest but most awesome boys. My parents are my heroes and I love them very much. My brothers and sisters are far away but always right there. I have and extended family that can not be beat - my inlaws are the greatest(just another wonderful thing that Brandon has given me). And friends that I wouldn't trade for all the money in the world!!
So thank you to all of you for just being you!! You make me a better person!

Now off to the things-
Oh please oh please oh please hold off on the freezing! I can't believe its September 22 and we just today started 3rd cutting, and we have beans to do, and so does alot of other people!! We(Brandon, Dillon, James, so therefore I guess Heather and I also) now have 3wire hay equipment. Hopefully small bales will move better than ton bales - we are diversified, you want 2 wire, 3 wire, or Ton bales - we have them:):) Thanks to those hard working men,who don't give up they just work on another idea!!

Thanks for reading and I hope everyone has a wonderful fall!!!

Camping

I have the greatest husband ever!! He works so so hard, and still finds the time to try and do somthing good for me and the boys. I think he had finaly had enough - We went to bed on Thursday night, both of us grumbling, not so much at each other, just stuff in general. Friday morning when we woke up, we got to talking about Tommy and Tammy going camping(thank you so so much guys for going camping and letting us barge in!!) and Brandon said "when are they leaving? Call Tammy, were going" We had so much fun! We really didn't do anything out off the ordinary - just relaxed. Well kind of, Brandon fretted all weekend about pivots and him and James went down to Dolores on Saturday and rode through and checked cows(yes some sort of work has to be done for Brandon to have a good day). But the boys enjoyed themselves ALOT. Tommy has some really neat older horses that Kenna and Hayden ride and as you can imagine, all the kids fought and wanted to ride, but they all did! We had so much fun hanging out with James, Tommy and Tammy, and girls, and Tammy Dufrene and her kids!!

Also a GREAT BIG THANKS to Dillon for staying here and checking pivots and thrashing wheat, (we were hoping Dillon and Heather would be able to go, but he wanted to Thrash and Heather wasn't feeling well - we missed you guys and hope Heather feels much much better!!)Morgan for shutting off our water on Sunday, Julie for changing Fettermans on Fri and Sat night, and Luis, for being an honest hard worker and keeping the rest of the water going while we were gone.
and once again to Brandon for going ahead and saying "lets go" even though I know he worried all weekend. We love you Brandon and appreciate all your hard work!!


Jake, Tammy, Hayden and James

Chase, Ty, Jake, Tierah, and Stetson playing in the river, I would have thought it was to cold, but not them!! Tammy made some homemade Tom Sawyer fishing poles - we didn't catch anything but the kids had fun.

Jake and Tierah, these two have so much fun together

Ty on one of Tommys horses - they loved to ride

Jake on Dietz - this is James's horse, but he is so friendly and good natured that usually James has to ride a different more ornery horse and the boys and I ride him - The greatest Brother-in-law and uncle ever REALLY!!

And poor Riley, he rode Dietz when Tommy, Tammy, Kenna and Hayden and went on a good ride, and as i was getting ready to take the picture my camera messed up. I think Tammy has a picture, and I have many more on their cameras - so there will definatly be more to come!

13 Years

On August 24, 1996 I married the greatest man ever!! Happy anniversary Brandon, I hope there are many more to come! Brandon is the hardest worker, and he has to be the best - he could take up quilting and master it, because thats how he is!

With 13 years there have been many smiles, tears, hard work, lazy days, and even a few(hehehe) angry words and ALOT ALOT of Love. Brandon has given me 3 wonderful boys, a safe and warm home, and more memories than I could ever write about! I love you Brandon, You make me and my life what it is!!

Same ole' Just stuff

Do you ever get tired of my boring old just stuff blogs?? Sorry, but I love the random pictures I take - I like to share, i'm like old people with there slideshows of all there travels:):)

Poor Jake, he is a true farmers kid, he loves to eat wheat and since we are thrashing right now(well Dillon) there is always some around to munch on. Well in our storage shed on the mesa, there was some poisonos wheat(the kind that you feed to gofers and stuff to kill them) Yep, you guessed it - Jake ate some. Dang kid - they were in there with Brandon looking for something and as they were walking out Ty says"Jake don't eat that, thats gross" Brandon said he turned around, and about had a heart attack. The ER dr said he didn't think Jake ate enough to hurt him, but poor kid he had to drink the charcoal stuff and have an iv, and get blood drawn. After they drew blood, he said"Did you take all my blood? Do I have any left" it was cute. Rhonda Conrad was the ER nurse, she was great(which I allready knew). Brandon keeps asking him if he wants to go eat rat poison, he say NO!

And he really is ok. This picture is after he drank the charcoal - it was messy!! I think that was the scariest phone call I have ever gotten - lets hope its the last!!

Other than that not much is going on, almost done with second cutting - yipeee- Jake is awfully tired of the swather!! Brandon is awfully tired of the Baler! I am actually looking forward to winter:) I know I shouldn't say that but I am. Not of coarse until the beans are done!

Fair#3

Wow - how could I have missed??

A GREAT BIG THANK YOU - to Cruzan Construction for buying both of the boys steers. Alan Schaffer, Farmers Telephone, and Superior auto and Grandma, and Grandad Oliver for the add - ons for the boys - without the businesses of this community support, the fair would not be what it is.

THANK YOU!!!!

Fair #2

Let me just say that all the kids in the community did Great at the fair. .

CONGRADULATIONS 4-H and FFA Kids of Montezuma County

They all work so hard and I love to watch all the kids, they are all nice and helpful and smiley, and just overall good kids with good families backing them!!

Fair

Ahhh fair time - Alot alot of work, and a little bit of play, Exhausted kids, tired animals, and parents wondering why, why, why did we let them sign up:)!

My boys did so GREAT though, so let me brag only for a moment!! Riley got Reserved Champion in his market class, with his 1420lb Angus, Simmetal, Hereford Cross steer. The judge looked him over long and hard before he finally decided the other guy would get champion. Brandon is just certain Riley should have got it - but its ok, he did AWESOME!! Good Job Riley, and thanks for helping Ty so much this year.

When we walked them Riley (for some unknown and not understandable reason) loved to rile Red up, he would get him all wound up, make him tromp through ant hills, run, jump, try and ride him etc, etc, etc which drove me crazy but he thought it was FUNNY!! I do have to say though Riley got drug a few times with the rope, but only once when we were walking him did he ever let go - he is my tough guy!! Walking with the pu, was another story though - poor Riley he bought 3 halters this year because he kept breaking them - he didn't like being pulled with the pu!!

He didn't want to stand here for the picture either, he hated the backdrop - it was driving him nuts(neither steer like the goats or sheep either) Funny Stuff!!

Ty - who is only 8, showed a Black Angus - 1235lb steer. His name was D.A.(i'm sure most of you can figure out what that stands for) One of the first times we were walking him, he laid down and rolled over on his back - we thought he was dead - so ever since then that has been his name:):)

Ty worked so so so hard this summer, and it paid off! He got Grand Champion Jr. Showman, and 5th showman overall(jr, intermediate, and senior divisions). SO Proud!! He was also the star of the steer show(not me just bragging either, he really was) he was so small and everyone thought he was cute and the judge LOVED him. He also sat on him in the sale ring - he got quite the applause!! Animals and children alike were VERY tired by the end. Ty didn't even ask me how much he made on the sale, he just asked me if he could go put D.A. Away!! Good Job Ty - Keep up the good work and the great attitude!

Jake was mad, he couldn't sell his - he wanted to take him to the fair. He says he wants me to buy him now and that he will just stay in the pin forever - hmmm not sure how were going to work that one!!

Ok, I'm done bragging now!!

Thanks to Brandon and James for staying up all night bailing hay and then coming to the fair all day to help the boys, You are the best dad and uncle ever!!! Thanks to Eddie, Morgan, and Dillon for keeping the farming going so everyone else could go watch the show and help the boys!

Thanks to Tammy and Tommy for lunch on sale day and keeping Jake Friday night and saturday so he didn't have to sit there!!

Thanks to grandmas, and grandads, aunts, uncles, and cousins, and even some just friends of the family for sitting through the long, long, LONNNNGGG show, and the ones who couldn't make it but made the effort to go out of there way to call and talk to the boys, and find out how they did, we appreciate your love and support for Riley and Ty!! Our family and friends are truly the best there is!

New Toys, playin jokes, lovin life!

New toys, or well toys for Brandon, we got a new(new to us) swather and baler. I am so excited because hopefully although they are work toys, they will lighten Brandons load a little:):)
Instead of being the only one to bale, now 2 of them can do it in half the time - yipeeeee. The swather was just kind of a bonus and I have not driven it yet but James said "it was a little slice of heaven" true farmers!



Here is my prankster son - oh he always thinks he is so so so funny - sometimes he is NOT. But on this day, Ty and Jake had, had it with his jokes so they schemed and schemed and couldn't come up with anything so Brandon did - I told Riley I wanted to take his picture next to the pivot then Brandon turned on the valve on him - we laughed and laughed - Riley did NOT!!



There really aren't even words......

Here is Luis pulling Ty and Jake back to the barn - the 4wheeler broke down on them, thank goodness Luis was done changing water and was headed back to the barn, Ty was waiting by the 4wheeler and Jake started walking back - funny!! Luis is our water changer, helper, etc(and no we don't make him do anything we don't do!!) He is awesome - a very hard worker and for some reason Jake LOVES him - he doesn't understand anything Jake says, but Jake doesn't care he just follows him around and jabbers at him, so then Luis always just turns around and pats him on the head. Jake always wants to ride with him on the 4wheeler and stuff - pretty funny, Dogs and babies, they always know good!

Jake driving truck - look how small he looks!
You can't really see it but Dodge(the steer) kept licking Annie(the colt) I don't know what was up but this went on for a good 10 minutes(that I saw) Funny stuff!!

James did not think it was as funny as me, but both of these are his pick-ups and no only one is broke down, but it still looked funny - besides he has 2 other sitting outside the barn that need work to, so I laughed - he didn't! Thats all for life at the Oliver house for now:)

Always work, but we add the fun:):)

There is always work to do, but we always seem to find some fun! I LOVE watching Brandon, the boys and James work. Although they are always tired and worn out, they seem to enjoy farming so so much!!

Here is true teamwork, and there were alot of laughs involved, but James couldn't get the endgun to clean out with the pivot off, evertime he started it , it would just clog back up so... He got the Loader and Riley, and while James cleaned the endgun, Riley would back the loader up as the pivot moved - it really was great teamwork, but funny and a good photo opportunity all at the same time!!




Some of our cows pasture at up the Dolores River at Lightenburgers Ranch, it is so so so Beautiful there, they have an awesome set up on the river. Anyways - as the water starts to get lower in the river, the cows like to cross and also go upstream, then they get into the neighbors - ROTTEN COWS - they have perfectly good grass where they are. The Grass is always greener.....
Anyways so we had to go build fence across the river, Yep ACROSS the river, I'm not sure what happens when a late season rafter decides to go down it but that is what Bruce told us to do, so we did it! It was kind of a project, but the boys had so much fun!!

This was the stream that flows when Bruce pulls water from the river to irrigate, it was small, and Jake could play in it easily so the boys named it "Jakes River" It was cute!

Darn Bull, this is why we have to build the fence!!

I hate this picture, but I love it at the same time, and it started out as just Brandon and I, but the boys decided to jump in,and Riley was taking the picture, so thats why he is not in it. Sorry Riley!!

Random Stuff

I hope everyone had a great Fourth of July!! Thank you to our troops that continuosly ensure our safety and freedom!!
We worked on the fourth(I think that is all Brandon knows how to do - but we love him for it!!)

This is our Hay hauler, it is an old Army truck, its pretty cool, and even Riley knows how to drive it - at the time of this picture however, it was stuck in the draw at Fettermans. Unfortunatly to haul hay on one half of this field we have to cross the draw with the hay truck, one to many trips across this time I guess. But with a little help from the loader, and alot of grumbling from Brandon and a few laughs from the boys and i we got it!





This is the Mahaffeys sheep, they were gone for a few days so we fed them, Jake loved it. I liked this picture though because some got on the one sheep, and the other just ate it right off his back - Jake laughed and laughed!






This is Annie, Rileys colt he bought her with some of his steer money. We have 3, but the other 2 keep to themselves,, Annie is very NOSY - the boys couldn't play in the dirt, she kept licking there toys, and sniffin Jakes head, and trying to eat Ty's hat. It was cute - they didn't think so but I did.

Thats about all, nothing grand really just random pictures, I love to capture!

Really no new news here, I just love showing off pictures of my boys! I love it when school is out and they get to be at home with me. It amazes me how fast they grow up and how much like their dad they are! Some people might not think the farming is a talent but it is, and it is alot of hard work - Riley is loading the hay - at 12 - and he is good!! Brandon had to straighten a few bales on there before driving back to the barn, but he still did really good for his first time doing it. And the loader driver gives the orders, so Riley thinks its GREAT when I drive the truck and he gets to boss me around!! The first time I loaded the truck (no laughing all) but seriously it took me probably 45 min, and I knocked a few bales off first shot out. Not Riley about 30 minutes was all it took him! He is truly a farmer!


This is Rileys 2nd 4-h Steer, but Jake thinks its his, and he likes Jake - obviously he is letting him ride:):) Jake doesn't understand why he can't show him at the fair??

I have no idea what Ty thinks he is going to shoot, but he was ready!! Prairie dogs watch out!! Its an actuall 22, its just smaller, its called a cricket and is for young kids. I think its a great way to show them how to responsibly use a gun - and he is right on with his aim - must be a boy thing!!

I love my boys and my Husband - they are what I live for.

Happy Fathers Day!!

Happy Fathers Day dads we love you all so much!

Yesterday we were pretty busy, we did however have dinner on the mesa with Brandons family, it was nice to take a little time off, we love you Eddie and we missed you Stacy and family and Heather. My dad was cutting hay - just another day for him he says - I love you dad!!

Brandon has pretty much the same attitude. He has been baleing hay nonstop for 7 days now, either going all night or starting at 2-or 3am he is exhausted!! He did nap quite a bit yesterday afternoon though - maybe that was an ok fathers day gift for him:):) We appreciate all the hard work he does, and the things he does to keep our family together he is our rock and we love him.

What happened to the lazy days of summer?

Well life at he Oliver house is going as usual for this time of year - BUSY - We have been branding, moving cows, planting, changing water, and now we are ready to start 1st cutting. All the while we attended Julies wedding, Congradulations Julie and Jeremy, and we enjoyed all the family time.

We did however manage to sneak in a little dinner break and grilled us some steaks with Tommy, Tammy, Kenna, Hayden, Tammy, Chase, Tiera, and Dillon - thanks guys for coming and eating we love having you there!!

I am greatful for my health to do the work, and the friends to enjoy the fun!