Three Cows & a Donkey

Here's the full story (in pictures) of the Hanes family's newest additions.

Popa, Perry, Dale, & Tristan came back in the truck pulling a trailer that had something in it...

A DONKEY! Named Leeroy

Uncle Perry had to take Jeremiah in the trailer to meet Leeroy up close & personal.

Perry & Popa really wanted Jeremiah to sit on Leeroy. Jeremiah wasn't so sure and had a death grip on Uncle Perry.

Then he thought it wasn't so bad sitting on a donkey...

He thought it was pretty darn cool!

I think Leeroy is pretty cute. As cute as a donkey can be, at least.

But he can definitely be stubborn!

The day after Leeroy arrived, Popa, Nana, Perry, Jeremiah, and myself ventured to a cattle auction!

There were LOTS of cows.

Some bulls too, but they weren't packed quite as tight. Good thinking!

Jeremiah was really interested in all the "moos"

I thought this light colored one in the middle was really cute and asked that we not buy her. I definitely couldn't bring myself to eat her as a steak later on.

Unlike this one...pure ugliness.

These are the three ladies STEERS (Nana originally told me they were heifers & I trusted her because who really wants to get up in their business to verify?!?!) Popa & Perry brought home. These cows are all around 1000lbs! I have no sentimental attachment to them and won't have a hard time enjoy them later on.

But we'll be keeping Leeroy around for a long time...evidently he's good for scarring off coyotes.

Adventures with Livestock

There have been several "new additions" at Popa & Nana's house this week. They are now the proud owners of three Black Angus Cows (which I think should be named Prime Rib, London Broil, and Cheeseburger since we plan to eat them) and a donkey named Leeroy (although I'm not exactly sure if that's how you spell it).  Jeremiah really likes the new additions and even went to his first cattle auction Monday. 

I have lots of pictures but it's been a busy week and I'm too tired to decide which ones to post (not to mention the million others I have for posts about J's first Easter Egg Hunt, Easter weekend with both sides of the family, and our homeowner adventures), so until later this one will have to suffice.

Let's play...

Bring Daddy EVERY RANDOM item in the room! 

One night between bath and bedtime, Jeremiah started bringing Josh a few random items from around the room. Before we knew it, Josh was overrun with blankets, pillows, balls, a few shoes, LEGO, a snack cup, building blocks, a t-ball stand and who knows what else! I thought it was TOO funny and had to snap a few pictures (of course!)

Looks like Daddy liked all the attention from his boy!

More spring fun

The weather hit the 80s here today and we celebrated by spending lots of time outside. After a morning of watching Playhouse Disney and playing, we went with Nana to look at some plants and had lunch at Cracker Barrel where J pigged out on applesauce and fried okra. 

After a long nap with me this afternoon, we played outside. Jeremiah is a big fan of his sandbox lately, so here are some fun pictures from our afternoon.

Slinging sand, despite Mommy telling him over & over (and eventually closing down Mr. Turtle's Sandbox) not to.

Crocs can hold a LOT of sand!

Baxter ran around while we were outside too.

"Um, Mom, I'm pretty sure these leaves aren't supposed to be here anymore." Oops!

I love the flowers on this tree in our backyard - so pretty!

While we were playing in the backyard, Popa drove up to take away the trailer full of yard debris that I've been digging up and cutting down this week. He was so nice to try to get up some of the bushes that had big roots that I couldn't get up by myself. Daddy came home during this time and helped too. Jeremiah really liked watching them work, so he got to have a picnic supper outside. 

Hard working men.

They needed some refreshment.

The roots were so strong and big that they had to pull them out with a car. I didn't feel so bad for asking for help once I saw them use this trick.

Bush #3 won out today since the strap broke over the bricks. It will stand no chance tomorrow when the wrecker comes!

A blessed day...

Yesterday was simply a fabulous day. I'm pretty sure we enjoyed every second of the day and I wanted us to remember it. It wasn't a day full of new, exciting things. Just a pretty ordinary day, which is where the beauty comes in for me. Don't get me wrong, the day had a typical toddler meltdown or seven, but it was just a great day. We were too busy enjoying the day to take any pictures, so no photographic evidence...just the beautiful memories of how blessed we are.

We woke up yesterday and Mimi was still visiting, so she & I got to enjoy conversation and a bowl of cereal together before Jeremiah came downstairs. Mimi & Little J hung out at home while I went to a Cycle class at the YMCA with 2 good friends. After Cycle, I came back home, Mimi headed back to Raleigh, and we had "Brunch Bunch" at our house. It was a light crowd - just Julie, Nicole, and of course J's best buddy, Anna. While J & Anna played, the mamas enjoyed coffee, bagels, and adult conversation until noon. After lunch, Jeremiah took a 2.5 hour nap while I worked in the yard trying to get it ready for a new landscaping look. Jeremiah & I snuggled on the couch and had a quick snack of Ritz crackers when he woke up and then headed over to Nana & Popa's house. Jeremiah rode the Gator for almost the entire 2 hours we were there. He saw a calf being bottle fed, cows & a bull in a local pasture, and even a baby bunny just in time for Easter this Sunday. We eventually had to come home for dinner and a much needed bath. A few snuggles when Daddy got home, a couple of minutes of Cars and it was time for J to hit the hay. Josh & I ate dinner together and snuggled on the couch watching TV for the rest of the evening before both falling into bed very tired.

What a wonderful day full of friends, family, and simple fun. I hope I never take for granted the blessings God give me every day.