Fishing

I enjoy fishing. It's a great way to relax. I'm learning to flyfish. I've only caught 2 fish this way but it's fun. Now that we live so close to the North Platte river. I want to really get into it. It's a great way for us as a family to do something together. The other day we went to Casper and bought Ruby a fishing pole. It's a little kids one. It's character is Toystory.
We stopped by the river this morning and Sharon got to fish for the first time. She didn't catch anything or get a nibble. But she had fun and wants to go more. She really enjoyed casting and trying to do better on every cast. I'm really happy she enjoyed it so much. It's gonna be so much fun taking my girl's fishing and picnicking. Here's my bride fishing.

It really was fun watching her. She got to fish I got to wrangle Ruby. Lol I know who got the better end of that deal.
There is a fly fishing club in Casper. I think I'm gonna join. They sound like a really good group. Sharon might be interested in fly fishing. So it would be a great family outing.
Until next time take care

Shooting star

In the last week I have seen at least one big shooting star every night. The other night I remembered your supposed to make a wish on a falling star. So I was going to and started to say the poem then realized. What could I possibly need? I have a good job that provides well for my family. I like my job. It's not ranching but I think we have grown closer as a family since I started in the oilfields. I think is the fact now that we have financial security. Money goes to savings and towards retirement. Yet still can have a comfortable lifestyle. We can go places and enjoy doing things. We have a nice comfortable home. I have a beautiful amazing wife. A beautiful daughter who is my world. We are debt free other than the home. My wife gets to be a stay at home mother. I completely drew a blank on what to make a wish for. We have everything we need.
I'm sure more money, a bigger home, less hours working. Blah blah blah. But we are happy with what we have and appreciate what we do have. If we want or need something we will save for it.
These two people make my world complete. I can't imagine living without them. Look at the smiles and happiness. It makes the long hours and sacrifices worth it.


Until next time take care

Alway be home

Dubois Wyoming will always be home to us. It doesn't matter where we live. It's where Sharon and I started our lives together. Where we would love to live again. It's where we plan to retire.
It just doesn't have a strong economic base to support a family. Tourism is huge here but that's mainly seasonal work.
Logging and ranching were the main source of employment. Now there is no logging. There were 3 sawmills in town now all gone. The big ranches have been broken up. Now its dude ranches in summer and snowmobiling in winter. Hunting season was also a big income for the town but the wolves have been really hard on the elk and deer population.
The people of the town are great! Very friendly treated us like lost family from the get go. We went and visited last weekend. It was the busy weekend of the year. The volunteer fire department had the 57th annual buffalo bbq. The high school reunion for every year. The quilt show and the Chance Phelps 5k. Oh normally there is a chariot race as well. Pretty packed weekend. That's why we went. Your bound to see everyone you want to see.
We stayed in my aunt and uncles guest cabin. They have a place on the Wind River.



That's about it for now. Until next time take care.

Home

So we are still moving in. Trying to get things put away. We still have half my stock trailer to unload. Its kinda overwhelming. It is so nice though to have a house that we call home. It is coming together just taking a bit longer then we would like it to.
My Mom just got here today for a visit. She had a heck of a time with the airlines. They cancelled her flight put her on stand by. She lucked out an get one of the first flights out. Had a really nice day with her and my girls. Had a great breakfast in Casper. Then did some shopping. Now home waiting for my work assignment tonight.
Here's a hoodshot of the sunrise from my truck the other morning. It was the second night I had to throw chains because of the mud.

Chained up and ready to go.

My co-pilot on the lawn mower. She is such a big helper.

Well until next time take care.

Big news!

We are now homeowners!!! We closed on Wednesday. Its a 3 bedroom with a full unfinished basement. The basement does have an amazing bathroom though. We plan on finishing the basement into a family/playroom with a guest room and a room for me.
Ruby has her own room and Sharon now has nice sewing room.
My commute is now 10 min vs the 50min plus. I will get more sleep now and more family time. Big win on that.
I love this picture if Ruby watching me leave for work from the old place.
Here's our new front yard.

And the day we took ownership.

Little Ruby giving me pointers on backing a trailer up.

Until next take care

Night Shift

I've have be working nightshift this week and next week also. Lots of hours. I don't mind working nights. It tough to get enough sleep but I like seeing my girls in the morning when I get home. Ruby is up and in a good mood and really happy to see me. I get to spend time with my girls before I go to bed. Then I see them before I leave for work. On day shift they are still sleeping when I leave and cranky and tired when I get home. Im hauling water tonight to fill a big tank. We are running around the clock on this job.

And now the important stuff. The Ruby update. Sharon sent this picture to me the other morning. Ruby had only been awake acouple minutes. She's ready to take on the world.

Well until next time take care

Mothers day

We were gonna have a relaxing day yesterday. I worked 15 1/2 hrs the day before so we were just gonna take it easy and have a nice dinner at home. I had a good nap then got a call to work at 4:30p to haul a load to a rig. So much for nice dinner at home. So I spent the night in my trucks sleeper. Its 5am and finally unloading. Ill take Sharon and Ruby out tonight or soon to make up for this.
Ruby is just amazing to watch grow. She is so much fun. She said her first word the other day. It was doggie not momma or dadda. I see where we rate.

We went and visited one of Sharons friends and they gave us this keyboard that looks like a cat. She loves it. Its so cool to watch how happy she gets playing on it. We love the concerts also. Just wish we could turn the volume down sometimes.

That's about it here. Until next time take care. Happy Mothers Day.

Healing

Im healing up from my accident. Hoping the Dr. releases me to go back to work this friday. I just went to a chiropractor on Monday. Wish I would have went sooner. He worked miracles.
Still going around and around with insurance companies. It hasn't been to bad but it's still a hassle. Im looking for another truck. It's hard to replace a truck that I planned to have forever.
The little termite turned one year old. Its hard to believe my little girl is growing up so fast. She is getting molars and walking everywhere.
We made her a birthday cupcake and expected her to make a huge mess. She picked the sprinkles off and ate them. No mess.

She loves to climb on her table. We had to take the chairs away.

She was standing 30seconds after I took the picture. It was time she got off the table. She is so active and into everything. She really is just amazing.
Until next time take care

Wrecked truck

I got in truck accident last night on my way to work. Im fine. Im really sore and the Dr. thinks I cracked a rib or just bruised it bad. My truck is totaled. The other truck is totaled as well. The good thing is everyone was wearing a seatbelt. The driver of the other truck just sprained his ankle. His passenger got pretty bruised up. I dont think he broke anything.
The pickup was in the opposite lane of traffic from then turned left in front of me. I try to stop but I was doing 50-55mph. It happened on the hiway.

Im just so happy no-one was killed or crippled. My truck in the day light.


Seatbelts save lives! Make sure you put one on every time you get behind the wheel. Take the time to kiss your loved ones. Life can change in a split second.
Until next time take care

Comments

I just want to thank everyone who reads my blog. I really appreciate the comments back. Im using my phone on this and and dont know how to answer back to questions. Just wanted you guys to know I wasn't ignoring you.
The job is going good. Lots of hours. I haven't had a week with less than 60hrs. I'm a floater so I don't have an assigned truck. Its cool driving different trucks makes me a better driver. I like driving tucks with the Cat motor and a 13 speed transmission. Some have 10 speeds with Detroit motors they seem weak with no low end pull.
I send my girls good morning texts every morning. My bride sent this pic of my little girl in her text back to me. Can't believe she is almost a year old.

Until next take care

Job

The new job is going good. Been learning alot fast. I've been putting in lots of hours. Its funny how I used to think a semi-truck was big. Now it's just a large car. It feels strange in a normal sized vehicle.
We are wanting to buy a home. So these long hours have a purpose and a goal. We would like a couple acres and a 3-4 bedroom home. Something comfortable with a fireplace or a place to put a wood burner.
A friend of my Mom send Ruby an Easter dress. Its really pretty and very girly. Daddy's little girl all dolled up.

Until next time take care

2 years

It was two years ago yesterday that my father passed away. I miss him. There is so much I want to share with him. I wish he could have met Ruby. I know he would love her so much, and she would love him. I wish he could bounce her on his knee and sing those goofy kids songs to her. I can just see them playing together and laughing.

The new job is going good. Im getting the hang of it. This is one of the trucks I'm driving.

I can't wait til spring gets here. Getting tired of winter and not knowing if we can get in and out of the house. Because of snowdrifts. Hope they get the road/bridge fixed soon. This thing sucks to drive over.

Until next time take care

Life changes

We had a big change in our lives. I lost my job here on the ranch a month ago. My old boss was helping me get my CDL. So I've been home with my girls and really getting to know Ruby and spending quality time with her. I got a job last week driving a water truck in the oil field around here. I've been learning to drive and operate these trucks.


We are looking at losing my job on the ranch as a motivater. We have always wanted to get our own home. Now we will be able to do that and have health insurance and retirement. I love ranching but I need to take care of my family. I really like the new job it gonna be challenging. Life is an adventure.
Ruby is doing great. She is 11months already. It's crazy how fast she is growing. She has 8 teeth and is starting to get a molar. She is walking every where, and jabbers all the time. She wore jeans today for the first time.

Until next time take care

Mentor

You ever have someone in your life who taught you something and helped guide you through a rough time? But you didn't realize it at the time? A person who was there? Not for problems you were dealing with but just there to talk. This person I'm talking about is my hunting mentor. He is a hunting fool. A real mountain man. That being said with the utmost respect. I learned to hunt and guide from him. Together we hunted pigs, deer, turkey, quail, pigeons, ducks and coyotes. Oh and fishing trout in the mountains and rock fish in the ocean. The memories and stories I have of hunting with him I will share with my daughter. It's hard to write this because I remember another story he told me or an adventure we had. I would love to share them with you but then this would be a book. This picture of him was taken when I shot my first deer in '02 it was a late season draw tag in the Ventana wilderness.

I shot a nice forky blacktail. He wasn't a monster but I was hunting with a great friend on a draw tag in wild county. It was a great hunt. I got him mounted and every time I see him on the wall it brings a smile.
That's the Pacific ocean in the back ground. I packed the deer out about 2miles out to the truck. He was shot in one of the draws over my right shoulder.

One of the pigs we guided.

I owe a huge thank you to Eldon for spending the time to teach me skills that I use all the time. Skills that I will share with my daughter. Until next time take care.

Birthday today

Im another year older today. Its snowing and trashy outside so we are just watching movies and reading.

Got my little cuddle buddy.
My Mother in law made this really cool birthday card. She is so super crafty.

Until next time take care

Valentine's day

We had to go to Dubois to sign some papers. It sure was nice to get back home for a visit. Sharon and I had a really nice dinner with my aunt and uncle and some friends at the Lava Mountain lodge.
Sharon and Ruby made this awesome mug for me. My coffee tastes better in something made with love.


The best is there a smiling face in the buttom of the cup.

I took my fly rod with me. So I got to fish for an afternoon. It was the first time fishing in 4 years. I sure missed it. I didn't catch anything but sure was nice being on the water. Its just so peaceful and relaxing.





Ruby likes driving my truck.
I love sharing everything in this world with her. We found the perfect fishing rod for her.

Until next time take care

10months

Ruby was 10 months yesterday. Sharon got this great picture. So I stole it and sharing here.



We are doing good. Life has thrown us some changes. But we are working through it. The main thing is we are healthy and have each other.
Until next time take care

Monday

Not to much has been happening here. Just feeding cows and some shop work. Feeding cake by hand to a friendly cow.

Went coyote hunting to other day all I got was cold and this picture of an old homestead.

Little Miss Ruby has taken to the laundry basket. She thinks its the best toy ever. She drags it around the living room.

Well until next time take care.

Phone's

Phone's these days are crazy. The things we can do with them. I've started using mine to do my blog. My computer is in the shop. Sharon showed me this app now I'm blogging at lunch at the shop.
Well Ruby turned 9months on the 10th. She is growing so fast!



She likes to "help" us with anything and everything she can get her hands on. She is "helping" us fold her cloth diapers last night.



Until next time take care

Homesteads

I got this picture of an old homestead today feeding cows. Thought I'd share it and acouple others.














Hope you enjoyed the pictures. Until next time take care.