life on the ranch.

So,as some of you may know and others fretted about(thanks my bubs) I went to my friend K's ranch. Well,technically her parents ranch-but details details. She had the three kids there who I happen to looove-her hubby was back in Austin working and we just had a grand ole time.

Her parents live there most of the time and do much of the work around the ranch. They also help out with the kiddos when they can just to give K a break.

Her mom had started 'cooking school' for the older 2 which I think is an adorable thing to do.

I was thrilled to get to spend some time with J,AJ,and M since I had been missing them lately-and we got tons of time together.

But also, K and I got to spend some good quality margarita time together also while Yaya had the kids.

It was all very lovely.

A real ranch.

I'm afraid that my photos won't really do it justice. I don't know if it was just as I'd pictured or very different from what I had in my head.

It kind of reminded me of the farm with a lot of extra land and cows. Just a lot of beautiful green,green grass and little water holes periodically sprinkled around. There was also a lovely pool,with lovely chairs that made for some especially relaxing and lovely poolside reading. mmmm. I love some poolside reading.

The first morning I was lucky enough to get to go to a roundup. For you non-ranch speaking readers-a roundup is where they 'round-up' the cattle to see just what they've got. How many 'dry' ones,baby ones, and 'wet' ones. They put them in a shoot and give them shots and other meds.



with K and M.

K tells me that historically all her children cry during roundups-it is kind of a loud bunch of whining and mooing-but that little M just clung to me and did just fine. no tears at all!!


Now this roundup requires REAL cowboys. Yes,real cowboys DO exist. I couldn't believe it either. Horse riding cowboys. And they wear chaps. In real life. I was dumbfounded. Anyways...the coolest thing ever. There are also little 'ranch dogs' that are bred to nip at the heels of the calves and whatnot to spur them on along. It was quite an interesting experience...





and then one of the cowboys walked over to show the kids this brand new little baby raccoon. I got all flustered because there was a real cowboy standing in front of me...in chaps...and boots WITH SPURS. Then I quickly recovered because he was maybe 18. whew. Needless to say...I let the kids pet this cute little thing and then immediately went into a 'did I just give them rabies paranoid fit?!' luckily K was just across the yard talking to her dad and she approved of the whole thing. Sometimes Miss. Mary let's kids do things that mom doesn't. This was probably one of those things-but we hand sanitized...and went to the pool and I figure we're all rabies free. Maybe.

Either way-how many opportunities do you get to pet a brand new baby raccoon. Carpe Diem I say.

Here's the cute little thing



The rest of the time was really just spent swimming,eating(can we say personal chef...yes we can!),eating more(I ate TONS on this trip),napping,reading,playing with the kiddos and just generally enjoying being somewhere new and different for a few days.

Life on the ranch is good. And as K's dad told me..."there is no guilt on the ranch." So I did not feel guilty about the 6 chocolate chip cookies I ate for breakfast one morning. Or for eating lunch with the kids early and then lunch with the grown-ups later. Or the 3 pieces of that delicious cherry dessert. Or going to bed at 10 and sleeping until 10 the next day. Or even reading the entire day away. Did I mention life on the ranch is good??

Oh yea,and I forgot a couple of essentials...such as a HAIRBRUSH(never once brushed my hair!!) and deodorant. yea,that could have been a problem but I was just a pool baby and that took care of that problem.

So basically,I didn't brush my hair or wear deodorant for 2 whole days.

Yes,I realize that's kind of nappy. I mean really nappy. I looove being. But on the ranch...for 2 days...I just let that all go! what a feeling!



This one was my SIDEKICK. We've been friends now for over 2 years and she continues to crack me up. AJ is really just fun to be around. I wish I could take her everywhere with me. I really do. She keeps me in check. More on that later in another blog.

And one more thing before I go...I don't know if you can fully understand what M looked like in her bathing suit(used to be AJ's) but it is preciously adorable. Oh my my. check it out..



Sorry I don't have too many great pictures. I was too busy living it up or relaxing too much to take many. I know I'm going back soon though-so maybe you can be looking forward to that.

I know right? real live cowboys actually exist!! I am stunned!