Bringing home the girls...

My step daughter and son in law are living in Texas where he is a Ranch Superintendent, so today was the day to bring home the girls that are about to calve. We started out at 8:30 this morning and went to the "bottoms" and rounded all them up. Then the guys drove them from that piece of property back to the ranch (about 3-5 miles). We blocked traffic and everything... it was so cool. Maybe I shouldn't say "we" since everyone that knows me knows that I CANNOT ride a horse. So I rode in the truck...and got some great pictures. After the drive we had prayer (Thank you Roy) and a meal...it was delicious. Smoked Brisket (Thanks Rhonda and Tyson!), Pinto Beans with Tennessee Squash Relish, Potato Salad and Megan's Sweet Tea. We're all wore out...even the dog! I hated the fact that they moved so far from home (12+hrs) but they have made some great friends out here. Everyone I've met has made me feel so welcome...I don't feel so bad about them being out here now with a little one on the way. It was a good day...I feel so blessed.

The guys going to round 'em up

This is the bottoms

Just starting out (I know these aren't the greatest pictures but they tell the story!)

Coming on down the road

My son-in-law leading the herd

Texas Tyson!!! A real cowboy:)

Coming home...down their driveway that is lined with 125 Bradford Pears (which are blooming... aaaccchooo)

They're all in Roy...get the gate!

Check out those chinks! (short chaps...I'm learnin')

First Day in Texas

This is a picture of my first Texas sunset. WHEW...Long drive but so worth it. It's beautiful and so peaceful here. I will post more tomorrow about my adventures!

Lily and Luke

I photographed my dearest friend, Nan's children on Sunday afternoon and whew...I just kept asking her how she keeps up with Luke. He is going everywhere. Luke loves his sister...I mean he LOVES her...lights up when she walks in a room. We put him on her back and the first thing he did was grab a handful of her hair...Lily is a great big sister, she just laughs and takes it. Luke is turning 1 in a week and if you want to see how much he's grown check out the blog from August 21, 2008. They're so much fun and I'm grateful for the time I spent with them on Sunday. He looks so much like his Uncle Paul in this first picture that it made my eyes fill up with tears. Some of my best childhood memories were spent with Nan, Paul and their family:)

Lil...so grown up and into accessories, she said that's what it's all about

He looks so tough in this picture. It's my favorite.

Miss Carlee

I had the opportunity to shoot some pictures of Miss Carlee today. We had a good time invading my mother's guest bedroom. I'm still having some lighting issues with my indoor work but I still got some pretty cute pics. I hope my cousin Rachel and her husband Steven like these. I had fun doing them. Carlee is just so precious. I'm looking forward to photographing her for many, many years to come.

I know that she looks like George Washington but I loved this picture and wanted to include it. Sorry Rachel, hope you didn't mind. LOL

Feathered Friends

Here's some sights from the farm today...

Oh...I can't wait

Here's our first look at the grandbaby...I love it...I can't wait. My fingers are constantly sore and cracked from excessive cross stitching. I am working on a baby blanket and hope to be finished by the end of next week...will post pictures when complete. I just thank God everyday for all these blessings.

Mountain air is good for the soul...

My gracious parents sprung for a cabin in Wears Valley TN (near Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg) for a whole weekend so we could have some much needed family time. I don't know when I have had so much fun...just doing nothing. We ate on Friday night at Tony Roma's (clam chowder was excellent)! Mr. Howard drove up on Saturday meaning we HAD to eat at Calhoun's in Gatlinburg that night...he lives for their ribs. We played Guesstures...which we've all played a million times but each time is funnier than the last. Sista brought a new game Pop Cranium it was so much fun. We also borrowed a Wii for the weekend and discovered that our Dad can "cut a rug" on Dance Revolution. I think Mom beat almost everyone at pool. The place we stayed was great and we even had a visit from a raccoon that trashed our trash! LOL And scared Sista half to death. It was fun...so much fun. I am so lucky and blessed with a wonderful and fun loving family who is ALWAYS there when I need them.

She's good at this game but her forte is POOL!!!!

My dad's hat...Mom and I clowning around! lol

My two best friends...