Calving season is officially here on the Whitaker Ranch

Calving season is officially here on the Whitaker Ranch. Jenae & Aubree are thrilled to have the little calves arriving.

Kyle was soaking up the sun in Texas all weekend and Chip was need to get some cattle work done so Chip had to rely on the ''B'' team or second stringers to help (Ben, Hope & myself). Hope and I helped Chip move the cattle from our place to their place. Ben helped us sort the cows from the heifers and then we took the cows back to our place and left the heifers at Chip's place. It all went very smooth and we managed to have a good time even though temperature was only in the 20's. Marilyn kept the kids in the house for most of the day and cooked us an awesome dinner. Jenae & Bree did get to come out to ride a little bit but it was too cold for Trey to take a ride.

Sunday morning Chip had a set of twins born. It was lucky he found them right away with as cold as it is. Jenae and Aubree were very excited to get to help. One took off to sucking from its Mom so Jenae named that one ''Sucker''. The other one need a little more attention to get going in this world and Jenae named that one ''Nelson''. She said it just looked like a Nelson. I am not sure what a Nelson looks like :-). Both calves are doing well.

It was nice to get out of the house a little bit this weekend. I think the fresh air did us some good even if it was cold fresh air.

This past week our barn has been having a strong skunk smell and last few night I did chores I have been convinced the skunk was living in the barn. The horses needed to be fed so I put on my big girl pants and went into the barn to get the grain. I of course had Buster by my side just incase I would see the skunk. Luckily I never did see anything. Yesterday Chip went through the barn and found the skunk living in the lean to shed that connects to the barn. I am very thankful that Chip found him and took care of the situation. If I would have came face to face with the skunk Kyle probably would have heard my scream all the way in TX.

Chip and Jenae gathering up the heifers to sort and work.

A week long Birthday!

4 parties later Jenae's week long birthday celebration is over. The parties started a week ago Saturday when we had her birthday brunch with Kyle, Tuesday she had her party at school, Tuesday night we had Chip, Marilyn, Ben, Hope & Trey over for supper and Saturday we had my side of the family over. Each party was fun and special for Jenae. I love having birthday parties. It is so much fun to all get together. I love planning them and getting ready for them. As much as I love it I am glad it is over!

Saturday night Chip and Marilyn took us to the Fireman's prime rib supper. The food was really good and it was fun to visit with everyone. Pretty much the whole town of Chambers show up to eat prime rib. The girls had a blast playing with all of the kids.

Yesterday we stayed home all day. We had a lovely winter storm blow through. Church was canceled. It was nice to have a nice quite day. We spent the day doing projects. I tried to get the 24 months/2T clothes out for Bree. Unfortunately she still only fits on 18 month clothes. The good thing is that the 18 month clothes are getting smaller on her. :-)

Kyle was gone all week and it has been hard on the girls. One day Aubree came out in the kitchen when I was doing dishes and laid on the floor. She said ''I am just sad Mommy'' I asked her what was wrong and she said ''I miss Daddy'' It broke my heart to hear my 2 year old talk like that. Kyle is such a hands on dad when he is home that the girls really miss him when he is gone.

I am really hoping for some winter weather. Calving season is just around the corner. It will be much better if those babies can be born in the sunshine instead of a snow storm!

We are not sure what happened. Trey was happily sitting with Bree and all of the sudden he got mad! Maybe he thought Aubree was going to give him some kisses!

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My little 6 year old. Jenae holding her treats for her kindergarten class. Aubree and I are going in to her classroom around 3:00 for her party. I still cannot believe Jenae is 6! In some ways it feels like yesterday when we brought her home from the hospital. Time goes way too fast.

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Rapid City

Kyle had a good weekend. He was in Rapid City on Friday and he spilt 3/4/5 in the second round of the steer wresting and ended up 2nd in the average. His traveling partner won the first round and won the average. They were a couple happy cowboys coming home that night!

The girls and I stayed close to home for the weekend. I have a head cold that is getting the best of me. It has been a long time since I have been sick I forget how being under the weather can take a lot out of a person. It really cut into my productivity of the weekend. We did manage to get valentines done for Jenae's school party and Aubree's daycare party. Jenae kept telling me "you know the party is on Friday ..... we better get them done"

My little Jenae turns 6 tomorrow. I just can't believe how fast time goes. She is turning it to such a big girl and is so much help around the house. She is really enjoys reading. She actually takes books to bed with her and reads until she is tired enough to go to sleep. She has been busy helping me plan her birthday parties. Tomorrow night Chip, Marilyn, Ben, Hope & Trey are coming over for supper and on Saturday my parents, siblings and all their kiddos are coming for dinner. We are looking forward to having everyone over.

Aubree has been keeping busy with her dolls. She has 5 dolls that she plays with all the time and has named them Allyx, Riley, Trey, Buster & Lucy. If those names sound familiar it would also be the names of her 3 baby cousins and our dogs. She usually sleeps with all of them (along with 3 teddy bears and a duck). It is fun to see her turning into her own little person with her own ideas about things. Aubree can be a little stinker about some things. She does not like to have her hair fixed and she thinks her jeans are too tight (even though they are plenty big) and deos not like wearing her winter coat. However when she is happy she is really fun to be around!!!

The weather here in Nebraska is COLD, COLD, COLD!!!! We are all ready for Spring to arrive. I guess this weather will really make us appreciate it when it does gets nice.

Lincoln Rodeo/ Marilyn's Birthday

We had a really busy weekend. Lincoln's PRCA rodeo was on Saturday night. The girls and I were excited to be able to go along with Kyle to the rodeo. Chip came along too. Lincoln's rodeo is held at Pershing Auditorium and it a very unique rodeo due to the fact the auditorium is in down town Lincoln. There is no parking so they block off 2 streets for the cowboys to park their pickups and trailers. I should have taken a picture of the set up. Maybe next year! Kyle ended up 2nd in the calf roping with 9.7. We got home around 1:30 Sunday morning. I am just not used to staying out that late! It was hard on me :-)!


Sunday I had nursery duty at church. Then we went home and I got ready for Marilyn's Birthday party. I was a fun evening, the girls always love it when we have company over!


I hope you all had a very happy Ground Hog Day. It sounds like 6 more weeks of winter!