Cassie 'n chores

Cassie Ann is no stranger to choring at the farm, but this time she got to help Grandpa Bob, Oregon style to feed his retirement project, sheep!!! 60+ head n' all, not counting the lambs. Dad says the are small dairy cows!

Needless to say, she'd love it....and so did I. The warm temps, warm sun and bonding time with Bob was just what my kids needed and ravished. AND...grandpa Bob, who celebrated turning 68 loved every minute of it as he grinned ear to ear working with the two Jersey grandkids.

A new mama sheep is very protective of her cute baby lambs. Tyler just "loved 'em."
Cassie checks out the baby lambs.
And...loves to feed corn to the ewes.
Awe, giving grandpa Bob some "good Oregon quality hay."
Wait up Bob, I'm comin'!

Brotherly Love

We were able to stay with my sister Cathy & her family one night, and Tyler thought that was the "coolest ever." Of course, the Shields hospitality was wonderful, their home beautiful and our time with them, priceless. The three boys: Cade, Colby and Tyler were inseparable, mainly because Tyler was right behind them ever step of the way, weather they liked it or not. Awe, we miss you already...and thank you for letting us stay with you.

Tyler and his cousins, Colby & Cade, in their pjs, ready for movie & popcorn.
Earlier in the day, Cathy reads to the girls.
C is for catch that ball. Tyler enjoys the outdoors & a lil' game over football.
While Miss. Cassie Ann finds another ball that she can keep all to herself.

Oregon Bound I

The kids & I headed west to visit grandma & grandpa Davidson, along with all the Davidson sisters and cousins. WOW...what a house full. I think we counted 23 for dinner (just family) the first night for dinner. Thankfully the temps were in our favor with 50 degrees and sun. The Jersey kids soaked up the rays and the opportunity to play outdoors. Needless to say that we sported big smiles the entire time, even though we missed Dad while he stayed home to work (and train a few new employees).

The three amigos! Tyler, 3; Colby 4 (Cathy's youngest boy) and Josiah, 5 (Mary's boy).
Tyler new BFF, cousin Colby.
Cobly, Trenton, 13 (Lynn's boy) and Tyler
Cousin Rebecca, 15 (Lynn's oldest girl) helps Tyler ride a bike.
Cousin Maggie, 21 months (Mary's girl) naps.

Oregon Bound II

Thankfully the trip included visiting my late brother Pat's two children: Josh and Kelsey. It was Kelsey's 15th Birthday, which was a surprise party filled with cake (kids loved it), balloons (another hit) and a bunch of teenage girls. Kelsey had a blast. Hard to look at this picture, especially considering that Joshua, who is 17, looks identical to his father. Spittin' image. He is 6'4 and growing and playing on the varsity football team. Go Panthers!!! Kelsey is in 8th grade, playing volleyball (and pretty darn good at it) and about as sweet as they come. Love you guys! Your dad would be so proud of you two!

Josh, 17 and Kelsey, 15.
A quick snapshot with Josh & Kelsey.

Already Accessorizing

Miss Cassie Ann, is stickin' cute, on the go (to say the least) and already accessorizing. She needs a pink bag...I'm guessing to go with her pink cords, right??

Snow Storm

Perhaps if my first winter living in the Upper Midwest was like this one; it would be my last. Nah! Love my family too much. But...seriously, its takin' its toll on this Jersey mama. We received over a foot of snow (and areas not too far from us, nearly hit two feet of snow); everything was closed, including day-care and Swiss Valley Farms...of course, Bohnert Farms was open for business. Those Jersey cows, you know, are demanding! :) Well, with dad working his tail off...me and the kids were house-bound, yet again. No worries, we didn't loose our sanity, we found a few things to occupy our time.



<<<<<<Tyler checks on the snow levels.

<<<<<<<
Ty decides we should make cookies!









<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Next up...lets do a quick puzzle or two.





<<<<<<<<
Building a fort out of our toys is always fun!
(Notice the position of the gator...its their "private door" I'm told)







<<<<<<<<<<<<
The highlight was once dad came home and the boys got to shovel the driveway out.
(Again, note, highlight for Tyler; not Scott!)