Howdy-
If
I don't hurry, I'll be a couple months behind. I did start on a May
email, but it only got that far. You'd think 24 hours in a day would be
sufficient to get something done. :)
Here's May (or what we can remember of it):
This month is always busy with the end-of-the-year things at school. Rodney had the FFA banquet on Monday the
4th. This year he had an extra hog at the school farm that he didn't
sell and he had a local guy roast it up for the dinner. Yum, yum :) Had a
good turn out. We were able to get the other shed moved to it's new
location. Rodney got the old concrete cleared out and at the end of the
month Dale and Bonnie came down with the tractor and they got a small
trench dug for the footings. On the same load, they brought the bull and
a heifer that was up at Kalispell. We decided to give her another
chance of getting bred last fall and she should have a calf in
September. Rodney wanted to try to AI a few of the cows. He got 4 done
before the bull came. Trying for some replacement heifers so we can use
the bull a bit longer. He did two of the cows and then the other two he
had a former student come out that took an AI class. On the 23rd we went
down to Virginia City for their seasonal kick-off parade. This year
they had a marching band from a Washington high school there. The girls
were really fascinated with that. And you can't go there without going
to the Creamery and getting some ice cream :) Was a bit chilly that day,
but ice cream is good whatever the weather. Speaking of the weather, it
was all over the place. Had some hot weather, then it turned chilly,
had some rain showers here and there. Got quite a bit of rain the last
week.
The girls and I had a trip to MN for my sister's high
school graduation. We left Rodney home. He had finals to take care of
and get things wrapped up for the summer. Sheridan's graduation was the
30th. Good thing he was around because we had a problem with #8 calf. He
must've got stepped on or something because he ended up with a broken
jaw and spent a night at the vet's. Rodney milked the cow twice and
tubed the calf, but he did get back to nursing. Poor fella.
We left home Sunday afternoon
(24th) and went up to Alan's, by Winifred. Alvins came over that day
also. That was the beginning of the late nights. :) We took off Monday morning shortly before 9. Kids enjoyed traveling with their cousins. Got to Mom and Dad's about 12:30 that night. Tuesday lunch we enjoyed seeing Rich R. and Chris S. Tuesday supper was over at Aaron's for Borden's 8th birthday. On Wednesday Andys
came and we had Gospel meeting that evening. It's been a couple years
since all 7 of us were together. And now there's 18 grandkids added to
the mix. Days were spent feeding the kids and cleaning the kitchen :) Thursday afternoon Janell and I did a grocery run for Mom. Friday was
spent getting ready for the party. Andrine's ceremony was that evening.
We had our own little corner to hang out in. Going up the bleachers I
overheard a few times about the number of kids....we only had a few in
the group :) Saturday afternoon
was Drina's party. Then at supper we pulled a surprised "happy 60th" on
Dad. His birthday isn't until July, but thought since we were all
together, we might as well serenade him. Was great to see many extended
family that we haven't seen for a long time. On Sunday we took family pics. Jan and Brenton had fun getting us all to cooperate. Andys took off late that afternoon. We took off Monday (1st)
morning and went back to Alan's. Outside of Lewistown we went through a
cool thunderstorm. Some of those lightning streaks were right outside
the windshield. We even heard the crack of thunder once. We were all
ready to get back. The girls and I took off late morning Tuesday. Got home that afternoon.
I think that wraps up May. On to June:
Howdy-
Wow, this month was here and gone! Let's see...Rodney finished up school on Friday (5th). Dale and Bonnie came down after meeting on the 7th and we worked cows on Monday and
got them over to summer pasture. This year was nice and sunny
(otherwise known as hot) so we got the calves branded. Rodney got the
garage ready for pouring concrete Tuesday and got that poured early Wednesday (10th)
morning. I don't think Charlie, Nick or Mitchell will answer a phone
call from Mr. Braaten again. :) They didn't mind helping and I was glad
he lined up other help! We left that afternoon for Ronan convention.
Needed to drop off the concrete screed in Butte and stop and get a part
for the camper at Missoula. We missed the first part of the meeting, but
we made it. Had a great convention! Girls were happy to get back with
their cousins and they were not happy that they had to leave Sunday.
Thought we should stay longer :) It was said that if a ship is just 1
degree off its course and it's not corrected, that the ship will end up
about 100 miles from its destination.
Rodney got the forms off and got the slab ready for building the walls the following week. On Thursday (18th)
Rodney brought a few kids over by Livingston to catch a bus to Highwood
for the FFA Alumni leadership camp. He picked up shop materials on the
way back through Bozeman. The #8 calf died some time Friday night. The cow was quite upset about it. On Saturday afternoon
the girls and I went over by Toston and got a cute, little 3 day old
Holstein bull calf. Momma and baby took to each other without a hitch
and everyone's doing great. But it sure looks funny - red momma and
black/white baby. :)
Monday (22nd) he was back to Bozeman early for his Ag teacher conference. Was there until Friday afternoon. The girls and I went over Tuesdayafternoon and spent the night. Came back home the following afternoon. Friday afternoon
Dale and Bonnie came, along with Paige and Jace, for a quick overnight
trip. They stopped in Butte and picked up the trusses. We got those up
the following morning. Now Rodney's got the shop mostly closed in.
Girls
have been busy riding bike, playing in the water and dirt. They know
how to go through the changes of clothes! Part way through this month,
Janell took her first steps. Now she's walking more than she's crawling!
No more baby, we got us a toddler! She's earlier with walking than the
other two were. Being around her walking year old cousins at the end of
May must've got her thinking along those lines. Doesn't want to be left
behind. She's 11 months now. A couple more teeth have popped through, up
to 6. She's got a couple words now: uh-oh and num-num.
Looking
forward to getting a little bit of Manhattan convention this week.
Rodney's haying now, so we'll see how that goes this year.
There's probably other stuff that will come to mind after I send this, but here's most of our happenings!
'Til next time-
Rodney, Amanda, Hannah, Nicole and Janell
