Christmas at Joyner Ranch

Christmas continues with Aaron's family. Eric & Tracy head to the ranch for Christmas with Mom & Papa Bill. Tracy got a new camera from Eric and snapped the day away. Mama was experimenting with my new camera that Aaron got me. He got me a small Nikon camera that will fit in my vest pocket when I am working cattle. He was tired of hearing about how much I wish I could of snapped a picture of that......

So here are some shots from Christmas at the ranch.

Luke got the opening present thing down this year! How cute!

Abbie loves presents!!!

Hopie loves the golf chart! See stops in to say "Hi" to Dee Dee!

Aaron & I had Bill & Mom's brand put on some vests for Christmas.

They loved them. Aaron & I were so excited.

Thrills me to see this cowboy sittin' in that fine lookin' jacket!

Happy Trails....Merry Christmas!

Shoot 'em Up

The Abshire Clan ~ Armed & Dangerous!!!

There has been a tradition start on the Friday after Thanksgiving, skeet shooting at Joyner Ranch! There are a ton of people who come out for great food, lots of visiting, and shooting until 1)we run out of clay pigeons, or 2) we run out of daylight! This year we ran out of daylight, too bad!

The children always find new ways to have fun in the country. This year they decided to climb the hill at the ranch. Keri was quite the sport in going with them. I have to be honest, I did not think they would make it. It was one of those times that it was nice to say, "Oh, I don't think Brother can do that! Shucks ~ I guess I have to stay here and look after Luke." Keri, you're the best!

Here they are at the beginning of the trek.

They look like ants on a hill.

Wow ~ I am impressed! They made it to the top! I love this photo.

Luke found his own form of entertainment while the girls were conquering their hill.

A boy & his tractors!

Later that day Hopie got her first shooting lesson. I don't know how I feel about that yet. I want her to be gun safe but I know how that little brain of hers works ~ yikes! I do know her Papa is VERY retentive in gun safety, so she is in good hands. She did have fun, and was a good shot.

The one surprise of the day was who the best shot was. Our buddy Rob was one of the best shots out there. Aaron & Mike bought him his gun a couple of years ago and look at him go! Congrats Rob! Your kids at school should know you are such a good shot!

We all had a fabulous day together.

A Day In The Hills ~ Butch's Branding

Today was a day filled with God's beauty in creation, family, friends, & horses. I always wish I had pictures of the beauty you get to see horse back in the hills but never have a camera. I love to see my Master's handy work as I watch the flowers dance in open meadows. It sets a heart free.

We spent the day with our family & friends branding Butch's cattle. Some of us went out to gather the cattle.

My buddies Benny & Steve joined in on the day.

Here are the three amigos!

We got to sort the cattle.

Benny & Steve were ropers.

I liked this shot.

I got to give shots.

My girls hanging out in Papa Bill's truck watching the action.

Abbie lovin' on Papa Bill.

The girls getting a ride on Joe before we head home.

Hugs from my babies!

Our Clan minus Luke.

He was home safetly with Uncle Rob & Auntie Keri.

'>Here is the whole day of photos if you want to see them all.

8 Seconds......well maybe not quite!

Last Sunday my father-in-law, Bill, needed some help gathering some cattle for a friend. My buddy Benny & I were happy to help! If it has to do with horses, cattle, beautiful country, count us in! There were six of us to help so we split into two groups when we went to head out. Bill, Benny, and I headed out together. We hadn’t been out 5-10 minutes when the other group had run into to cattle and we were just going along. I had just turned to my father-in-law and joked about who picked this side of the mountain (he had) ~ no cattle! Just then Baby Girl, my mare, went to hopping a little, as she does when she is scared by something. I turn to see what is upsetting her and see two free horses running our way to play with our horses. Note to self ~ free horses can be VERY dangerous for those of us horseback! Anyway, I turn to check on the others and find my father-in-law lookin’ like Lane Frost on his mare. Dee Dee went to bucking and Bill was hanging on. He tried his best to ride through it but there was no way. After he was on the ground she still was bucking. There were some scary thoughts for a few seconds until the horses settled down. Bill took a good spill but is on the mend. He has takin’ some pretty hard teasing from his buddies. What was probably 4 seconds felt no less than 8 seconds! He is my father-in-law, that’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it!

Joyner Ranch

Today was a beautiful day outside. Spring is around the corner and the rain has brought a lot of green grass and wild flowers. We spent the day out at Joyner Ranch, Papa Bill & Grandma Kay's. The girls got to ride around on the golf cart that Grandma got for the grand kids, while Mama took a walk down to the mail boxes (about two mile round trip). The breeze was great, the birds sang when the girls weren't riding up to scare them off, and the scenery was a piece of beauty done by the Creator! Here is our day caught on a slide show.