It was another summer spent with some of our favorite four legged friends, washing, walking, blowing, clipping and feeding. For the first time, this summer really felt like it was a family project.
Emmalyn is still only a mini 4-H'er....until next year! And though Keaton has a few years to go, he's quite got the hang of it all!
Meet Colton's calves:
First came Duke. Duke came from the same breeder that provided us Rizzo last year. We fell in love with his coloring and he was already partially halter broke -- extra bonus!
Later in the year, we had the opportunity to get another steer from John Ward's farm, across the highway. A hereford steer. Natalie told me that I'd LOVE having a Hereford...that they were gentle giants and had the sweetest disposition. Except, from January to about June I was pretty confident we had been dealt a stubborn red. Little did I know how much that redhead would come to mean to ALL of us. Meet Diesel.
Lastly, about May we were approached about helping a local breeder out by showing his prospect steer. He was quite the little project, but Colton likes a good challenge, and game of tug-o-war. Meet Charlie.
So, we spent the summer with these three, and spring/winter with the first two. We put in the work. Even Emmalyn and Keaton helped, which was so fun to see. We always grow attached to these animals, but never did we imagine the bond we'd build with Diesel. By summer, Diesel was quite the brute...one of the most gentle giants we had seen. Emmalyn's friend Annabelle, who's scared to DEATH of our sweet lab ...
walked this 1100lb red LIKE. A. BOSS. Mostly because he was the most gentle giant.
We always worry that we're spread too thin, that we haven't worked with the calves enough, and that they aren't as tame as they should be, fed out like they could be, etc. But this year, these pictures remind me that it's about so much more than all of that.
It's about time spent outdoors together.
Even in the beginning, when it's cold, and the calves are feisty, and we're all almost miserable!
Colton -- you've taken such a liking to Carson Bell. You adore him and look up to him, and I'm pretty okay with that. Carson's a great role model for you. You've been so interested in how he can clip his own calves, and you got a pair of your own clippers for your birthday this year. You took solid interest in figuring out how to do it yourself, and you were an awesome student when Dane Clark came over to guide and teach you.
When the big show came, we were ready. And the fair -- that 7 days of hard work and FUN - are some of our favorite days of the year. We all love seeing the people of our small community come together for Agriculture. We love hanging with our friends in the barn or by the campfire. When show day rolled around, we were so blessed. You had all of your grandparents in the stands cheering you on, and Aunt Denise and Uncle Marc were even in town too.
You did a great job with Diesel in Showmanship, but ultimately lost to you classmate and teammate Weston Morgan. I was so proud of the way you stepped up and welcomed Weston to the cattle barn and cheered him on in victory.
Next up to show was Charlie, the prospect. We've never shown a prospect before, so didn't have any idea what to expect. There was only one class, and only a handle full of calves, including Weston's. This time, it was your turn to shine. We were delighted to see you get tapped for Champion Prospect Steer.
Next up - Diesel. This would be his second time to the arena, and he was just as chill as the first time. He showed great, and you were crowned Reserve Champion Hereford and Reserve Champion County Born & Bred Hereford.
Last to show was Duke. He stood in a strong class of Simmental Steers, including the a long lost relative, from the same breeders, with near identical markings -- who won the class, and wound up standing pretty well in the Grand Drive, if memory serves me.
You always make me proud when you're in the arena. And, ribbons and banners are nice. But the hardwork, dedication, friendship, sportsmanship and other lifelong values you're learning in 4-H are what make me beam the most. You didn't sit around while others prepped your animals for show -- you dove in to help and I cannot be more proud of you for that. Taking the bull by the horns (no pun intended) ...
For the last show of the day, Emmalyn took Diesel for one more stroll around the arena in the Mini-Lead class where mini's get their chance to show a steer. You two worked so well together and Colton, you were a great teacher. Emmalyn, I'm proud of you for just owning the moment (as you always do) and showing Diesel like you've been doing it for years.
Never too far from big bro or sis, and always in on the action, was Keaton of course!
I swore we'd take pigs in 4-H. I didn't see this cattle thing coming, but I'll be the first to say, I'm so tickled it's happened. It's family bonding and hard work and yelling and barn fights.....but in the end, it's bliss. We said goodbye to Duke,
and sold him in the auction and thanks to a paddle happy Aunt Denise and other community supports backing you -- you would wind up making more in the auction than the Grand Champion Steer.........your buddy Carson!
We got to spend some special time with Uncle Marc and Aunt Denise, and after all they'd just done for you at the auction, you were brave taking Uncle Marc on a ranger ride. Or maybe we should say he was the brave one! #twopeasinapod
That goodbye wasn't easy....they never are, but I think the one that came next, was even harder.
We brought Diesel home with us, because he was set to be butchered and shared with Grandma & Grandpa Hall. When we bought him for you, together, that was always the plan. We left after fair and went on vacation for a week, then the day came. Or maybe, the night before, but regardless....I'm fairly confident we ALL shed tears saying our goodbyes to Diesel. That sweet, stubborn old red touched our hearts in so many ways. Maybe it's the lessons learned. Maybe it's the gentle spirit that reminds us even the hardest of hearts can be soft too. Maybe it's that he stuck around longer than the rest and we just weren't ready for 4-H to be over for the year...but goodbye Diesel....that was HARD.
4-H does that to you. To all of us. And for that, we are so thankful.
Emmalyn is still only a mini 4-H'er....until next year! And though Keaton has a few years to go, he's quite got the hang of it all!
Meet Colton's calves:
First came Duke. Duke came from the same breeder that provided us Rizzo last year. We fell in love with his coloring and he was already partially halter broke -- extra bonus!
Lastly, about May we were approached about helping a local breeder out by showing his prospect steer. He was quite the little project, but Colton likes a good challenge, and game of tug-o-war. Meet Charlie.
We always worry that we're spread too thin, that we haven't worked with the calves enough, and that they aren't as tame as they should be, fed out like they could be, etc. But this year, these pictures remind me that it's about so much more than all of that.
It's about time spent outdoors together.
Even in the beginning, when it's cold, and the calves are feisty, and we're all almost miserable!
Colton -- you've taken such a liking to Carson Bell. You adore him and look up to him, and I'm pretty okay with that. Carson's a great role model for you. You've been so interested in how he can clip his own calves, and you got a pair of your own clippers for your birthday this year. You took solid interest in figuring out how to do it yourself, and you were an awesome student when Dane Clark came over to guide and teach you.
When the big show came, we were ready. And the fair -- that 7 days of hard work and FUN - are some of our favorite days of the year. We all love seeing the people of our small community come together for Agriculture. We love hanging with our friends in the barn or by the campfire. When show day rolled around, we were so blessed. You had all of your grandparents in the stands cheering you on, and Aunt Denise and Uncle Marc were even in town too.
You did a great job with Diesel in Showmanship, but ultimately lost to you classmate and teammate Weston Morgan. I was so proud of the way you stepped up and welcomed Weston to the cattle barn and cheered him on in victory.
Next up to show was Charlie, the prospect. We've never shown a prospect before, so didn't have any idea what to expect. There was only one class, and only a handle full of calves, including Weston's. This time, it was your turn to shine. We were delighted to see you get tapped for Champion Prospect Steer.
Next up - Diesel. This would be his second time to the arena, and he was just as chill as the first time. He showed great, and you were crowned Reserve Champion Hereford and Reserve Champion County Born & Bred Hereford.
Last to show was Duke. He stood in a strong class of Simmental Steers, including the a long lost relative, from the same breeders, with near identical markings -- who won the class, and wound up standing pretty well in the Grand Drive, if memory serves me.
You always make me proud when you're in the arena. And, ribbons and banners are nice. But the hardwork, dedication, friendship, sportsmanship and other lifelong values you're learning in 4-H are what make me beam the most. You didn't sit around while others prepped your animals for show -- you dove in to help and I cannot be more proud of you for that. Taking the bull by the horns (no pun intended) ...
Okay, so, you look pretty cute with all your banners too! :)
I swore we'd take pigs in 4-H. I didn't see this cattle thing coming, but I'll be the first to say, I'm so tickled it's happened. It's family bonding and hard work and yelling and barn fights.....but in the end, it's bliss. We said goodbye to Duke,
and sold him in the auction and thanks to a paddle happy Aunt Denise and other community supports backing you -- you would wind up making more in the auction than the Grand Champion Steer.........your buddy Carson!
We got to spend some special time with Uncle Marc and Aunt Denise, and after all they'd just done for you at the auction, you were brave taking Uncle Marc on a ranger ride. Or maybe we should say he was the brave one! #twopeasinapod
That goodbye wasn't easy....they never are, but I think the one that came next, was even harder.
We brought Diesel home with us, because he was set to be butchered and shared with Grandma & Grandpa Hall. When we bought him for you, together, that was always the plan. We left after fair and went on vacation for a week, then the day came. Or maybe, the night before, but regardless....I'm fairly confident we ALL shed tears saying our goodbyes to Diesel. That sweet, stubborn old red touched our hearts in so many ways. Maybe it's the lessons learned. Maybe it's the gentle spirit that reminds us even the hardest of hearts can be soft too. Maybe it's that he stuck around longer than the rest and we just weren't ready for 4-H to be over for the year...but goodbye Diesel....that was HARD.
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