Living On The Land

One of our most favorite things to do as a family is spend time out on Bauer Ranch. So, after a family reunion in Louisiana, we relaxed... Joshua practiced shooting his BB Gun... and he explored as little boys do. He was excited to see that the orange trees had sprung lots of oranges and begged his Granna and Papa to pick some. So, Granna found a basket and we picked ourselves some Satsuma oranges.

 

 

 

 

He didn't really understand the whole twist until they fall off method, so he just grabbed an orange and pulled until it broke off...   resulting in some "broken oranges" as he calls them. He tried throwing them on the ground until I explain that he just took some of the skin off and that they were still good oranges.

And they were... very sweet and yummy oranges. We came home with a whole bag full.

As Joshua was picking oranges I walked around Mom and Dad's house and took in some very beautiful scenery.

Can I just say again.. I love this place!!

Growing up I couldn't wait to move away... I wanted the city life so much. Now that I am older and have lived in many cities.. I miss the peace and quietness of the country life and everything it has to offer. Most of all... I hate the fact that Joshua doesn't know what its like to have so much land. To run and play so freely with no one yelling at you to stay on the sidewalk.. or get away from the street because the crazy people in our neighborhood only have one speed.. FAST.

Yes, I miss that life. I envy that life. I want that life for Joshua.

One day we will have it again though.. maybe not today, tomorrow or a few years from now, but that farm runs through my veins just as much as it does my father and I can't wait to live on the land I grew up on.. he grew up on... 

And last but not least... Pecan trees... ugggghhhh.. I could go forever without seeing another Pecan in my life!  But my Dad? He loves them. So the boys picked up as many Pecans as they could find.

I think we are having a pecan cracking party soon... sounds fun huh?

Yes, I know.. I make fun of this now... but I am my father's daughter and one day I too will appreciate these trees as much as he does. I will just have to hire someone to come crack the pecans because that really is not my idea of a fun party.

His First BB Gum

Joshua received his BB Gun as a gift from Aunt Lucy and Uncle Grady back in July for his birthday.

However... we are only busting it out now so that he can use it.

Because John works long shifts offshore and gets to miss out on a lot of Joshua's 1st events..we thought we would save this until John could be home with him.

So here he is.... the first time he ever shot his BB Gun..

He has a target for practice, but was upset when he couldn't hit it. So, he asked his Dad if he could just shoot in the field.

All was going well.. until he started pointing the BB Gun at me.. and his dad.. and his Granna.

He couldn't remember that you have to keep the gun pointing towards the ground at all times. I think he was just too excited.

So we unloaded the gun... and he can just practice walking around the ranch with it for now.

Relaxation For Mommy

Recovering from a previous weekend of streamers, balloons and guests... I just wanted to go to the Ranch and relax. And what do you do when you have a 4 year old and just want to relax?

Impossible you say?

No. You just blow up a giant slide... invite a few friends... and call it a few hours of freedom.

You can sunbathe and read your favorite novel.

or since it's 100 degrees outside...

You sit under the porch and space out while you watch the kids play.

Either way.. I relaxed.. and he had a blast!

Happy Birthday America

For us, the birthday of America... started with a whole lot of water... and ended with a bang. (and a few people screaming.)

First things first... my mother bought 500 water balloons. It came with this bottle that looked pretty easy to set up and do.. so I volunteered John to work on the balloons while Mom and I baked.

However.. this was not as easy as it seemed. It took about 5 hours and two people to get about 250 balloons filled before we gave up because we couldn't feel our fingers anymore.

But... it was worth it.

The party was held at my Brother and Sister in laws house. She had is decorated so cute. All the small touches really made it feel like you wanted to stand up and sing "God Bless America."

The food was even better. I know I have said it once.. so I am saying it again... my Sister in law can cook!! and apparently so can my brother, because the hamburgers were great!

Bauer Ranch sure knows how to throw a party...

Water slide with cannons... Check!

250 water balloons gone in 4 minutes flat.... Check!

Crafts for the kids... Check!

Bubbles... Check!

Cheers for America.. Check!!!

Fireworks for the Kids... Check!!

Crazy Fun Aunt... Check!!

And the Grand Finale... beautiful fireworks that lit up the sky so perfectly. My dad made great choices this year for fireworks because they were all just so big and beautiful.

Everything was going great... until it wasn't....

John set off a firework and it fell over and went crazy. It shot straight into the crowd of people and everyone went running frantically. Three of the little nieces had minor burns on them that were gone by the time they woke up the following morning.

And John... well he caught one in his 'Misters'.... and is very bruised... 


But we are all alive. We all had a great time. This will be the party talked about for years to come because it was such a success with a surprise firework attack at the end.

Thank you to Mandi and Ryan for hosting the Bauer Ranch Freedom Bash this year!!