away in a manger

What a beautiful sunny-ish morning to go to work with Mr. Cowboy himself. Life around the ranch has started to slow down, and really until calving starts it will be a quiet, uneventful winter. The cows needed salt and minerals and so we decided that we'd help.

I never really know quite what to expect when we spend the day with Spencer. Sometimes I open gates, hold open a cake feeder, check water, or help call cows (sounds like this: "hum boysssssss" --even though most are girls... I still haven't figured that out). Last year I was roped into driving some round hay bales to help Spencer feed. This homemade trailer was not too sturdy, especially for a novice like me, and Spencer watched in horror as I got it lodged in a ditch one balmy February morning. I wasn't asked again to help with that.

I was very pleased with our day at work. No major mishaps. Just a wonderful morning with my two favorite people. Ella enjoyed checking out all the cows, and she especially liked her trip to see the horses and sheep. And Spence loves the company. (No offense Leroy)

"Leta" looks like she got a bad hair cut. But really, after she had her lamb she developed mastitis and thankfully survived :)

Here come the very friendly horses! Ella could hardly contain herself.

The wonderful thing I continue to discover is that you can really learn a lot from your children. She really does bring joy in every moment. What a great Christmas gift, because she does keep giving and giving.

I love this picture because it was right after Leroy got a little too excited and knocked Ella down face first in the snow. We wiped off her cold beard and this is what we received in return...

"Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay,
close by me forever, and love me I pray.
Bless all the dear children, in Thy tender care,
and fit us for heaven to live with Thee there."