Random Cuteness

Isaiah and Luca "helping" with dishes

Taking the new double stroller for a spin with YaYa

Saying hello to Isaiah

Bathtime Duckie

Helping Daddy win World Conquest

...Must have pushed the wrong button!

The Bean loves her Blanket

Branding

Also over the holiday weekend we got invited to help with branding the late calves. Uncle Tom and Aunt Bonnie showed us (I mean me) the ropes (Joe grew up knowing the ropes) and so I found myself holding down a calf (I mean trying to keep from being kicked in the face) and getting another farm-girl lesson (my first lesson involved hogs, a different trip, a messier story). Luca was nervous and didn't at all like the noise (Mama cows separated from their babies) until we grabbed her blanket out of the truck, then she was game. Joe and I both discovered that we've lost any riding skills we used to possess (it's been about 12 years since I've sat a saddle) and our mare knew it...interesting...but still fun and next time we'll be more confident. It was a grand way to spend the morning, the land is beautiful, the weather was perfect (Luca and I have the sunkissed shoulders to prove it) and we got to spend time with two wonderful people . Even with my lack of cow wraslin' talent I'd be sorely tempted to show up at branding time again. (Although....maybe some tricep work first...ouch!)

Luca & Daddy

Surveying the Scene


The Mark

A Family Event

(Brooke, Uncle Tom, Luca & Joe)

Yep

Posing for our PETA ad

Two Ornery Females

Luca, up close and personal...and not sure :)

Tired Baby: we missed the photo-op but she fell asleep on Daddy's lap while they took the truck around the pasture. It was so sweet!

4th of July

We spent the holiday weekend in Broken Bow, NE with Joe's family and enjoyed relaxing on the farm. Luca got to go to a parade, her first, (and my first too, which was a shocking revelation to everyone present. :) she enjoyed it immensely, especially since we gave her a sugar high! She rode in the wagon with Ryan (second cousin? Joe's cousin's son....whatever that makes them...) to see Tom & Bonnie's new house on the lake, played with Ryan's toys (he shared very nicely) and slept through the entire front yard fireworks production (including a 300 round screaming/popping extravaganza). We ate lots of delicious food and visited with Grandma, Great-Grandma, Aunts, Uncles, cousins, siblings, etc. and played with several puppies. Joe got to go fishing and play a round of golf with the boys and we all got in some naps. Ahhhhhh...

We are so thankful that God has placed us in this country where we can freely worship Him. What a blessing to be an American!!!!!!!!!!!

Luca, directing Grandma (she's not bossy, she helps you not make mistakes) towards the parade

First Rocket Pop! (Thank you Aunt Bonnie!) Yum yum

A kiss for Aunt Whitney

Here comes the Parade! (Luca wasn't a fan of the sirens but she liked the lights)

Giving Mommy a "pound" (okay, maybe that wasn't what she meant but it was cute).

Laughing at Ryan

Wagon Ride!

Very intrigued by the mechanics of the wagon. She kept hanging over the edge (making Grandma Cindy extremely nervous) to see the axle and wheels and was NOT interested in holding onto the the sides. :)

"They left the keys in it, I am so out of here!" :)