Slow Days at The Villa?

Over the Memorial  weekend we just wanted to enjoy our place in peace and quiet.

It was nice to just be there and not feel like we had to do tons of work. Sometimes we need a little

reminder of why we took on this project in the first place.

Laiken tended to the chickens.
I think she looks like Dr. Dolittle in this picture.

I also think dressing like a Barred Rock is taking it a bit too far.

 The dogs especially, look forward to this chore.
 Olive is drooling.

 The boys repaired this old harrow.
 After Skye mowed down all the weeds,

 he dragged it around behind the lawn mower.

Laiken and Maggie made friendship braclets for camp.

Jake and Elwood browsed in the meadow.

But I knew the serenity wouldn't last forever.
 Ridge broke out... again!
This is the "walk of shame"  all the way home to his pasture.

I actually think he likes all the attention. Neighbors out in their cars, trying to head him off. Lad and Skye directing traffic, so no one gets hurt. Arron and Laiken running back and forth across fields. Just so he can have his little run. I know he doesn't get the best views down in the pasture, but this is ridiculous! We had to rev up the electric fence, and this will be his last break out!
(I hope)

We did manage to get some work done.
This door in the kitchen had to be filled in for the new layout.
  I  need optimum cabinet/counter top space.

It's such a beautiful view on this side of the house, I couldn't bring myself to completely close it off.

So Arron and Lad installed a window for me.
I should have great light in my new kitchen.

Then the  gable ends got covered up. Arron reminds me of a goat, always on the top rung.

I can't imagine climbing on these ladders like this. Good thing the boys are all rock climbers.
It did remind me of our rock climbing trips. My neck even got a kink in it from looking up so much.

Now all we have to do before drywall is the electric,

oh, and a little more demolition,

and, build a few interior walls.

Rodeo With Grandpa

My dad was visiting from Alaska for a few days.

 One of the highlights was going to the Jordan Valley Rodeo!
It was a gorgeous day.

 Laiken will do just about anything to get her picture taken with a cowboy.

 Calvin had his hat on and was ready to 'see him some Rodeo!'

We picked the perfect seats, opened the cooler, and settled in for the long haul. I think Jonah had to
get up to use the porta potty five times!

There was bronc riding...

Bull riding...

My favorite events are the team roping and barrel racing, I got so into it I forgot to take pictures.

What this Rodeo is really known for is the Big Loop!

They make it look so easy.

I don't remember the last time I saw so many cowboy hats and Wrangler jeans.

The girls had so much fun at the rodeo, they decided to have their own when we got to the Villa.

The calm before the storm.

This is the last picture I got before they were both bucked off!

We still don't know why Ridge reared up. He is not a buck-er!

 Once he got started it was hard to stop him.

The reins got under his front leg and the saddle slid under him.

He was so scared he jumped the barbed wire fence.

Poor Sicily landed on her wrist and broke it in two places!

Rannon carried her all the way up the hill to the truck so

I could take her to town.

After a long night in the ER she had to have surgery

 to set the bone.

 I'm glad she's doing well and they didn't have to pin her wrist.

Sicily knows exactly what it feels like to be a cowboy in a rodeo.

She was so brave and is already planning her next ride.

We ended our get together with a cook out.

Never a dull moment when grandpa comes to visit.

A River Runs Through It

We arrived at the Villa one morning to the sounds of
 running water.
No, we didn't leave any faucets on.
 Why is the front yard flooded?
Oh ya, the irrigation water has been turned on. Water was everywhere! With all the focus on the house we sorta forgot about our watering system. I guess we don't need to worry about not having water.  We closed the head gate at the end of the lane, which stopped the water from running all over the yard,
but I still hear water.

Looks like we have a waterfall, and all that water is flowing into the bottom pasture. We grabbed our shovels and started digging a ditch all the way down the pasture and through the fence.

We can't let the Blues Brothers be flooded out.

Or the chickens.

and what would Ridge do with all that water?

It didn't take us long to divert the water. We will still have to address this issue, but now we can do it in a more leisurely fashion. I mean...we still have a house to finish, that's priority #1!

Ridge's "Track Record"

Early Sunday morning Arron was awakened by a phone call from County Sheriff Frank Rodriguez. This time it wasn't concerning one of our kids but our one and only... Kings Ridge. We had a real bad wind storm during the night and his electric fence got damaged. I'm sure he was scared, and being an opportunist he decided to escape. The Police found him on the main road a 1/2 mile from the Villa. Neighbors identified him as ours and the call was made. Thank goodness he wasn't hit by a car and no one was hurt. When we showed up (30 minutes later) there were two cop cars with their lights flashing and Ridge standing like a statue nearby. The officers said they couldn't get within five feet of him. We left Laiken and Arron to talk with the cops while we drove down the lane trying to coax him closer to his corral.

Laiken was able to put his lead on and bring him safely home.

Carrots and rides where available to all.

He looks so innocent, but this isn't the first time he's bolted. Last time he was loose he crossed the busiest road in town twice while dragging a pallet behind him! What a crazy morning. The only casualty was Laiken's phone. Maybe Ridge thought if he stepped on it the cops couldn't rat him out next time.

Riding Fences

Right now it's all about fences at Pura Vida. Where should we put one up and which ones shall we take down?

Saturday we worked together and put a new (temporary) fence up so Ridge could finally enjoy the pasture and be out of the round pen. Of course getting the fence up was only part of what needed to be done. The pasture was burned, holes were covered, logs removed, and a gate installed.

I think it was worth it and so does Ridge.

He was so excited. Laiken took his blanket off and he ran up and down the pasture, neighing, and running so fast I didn't think he'd be able to stop. He is so beautiful. Now he just needs a friend to share all that room with.

See this barbed wire fence going all the way down the lane?
 Well it's not there anymore!

Laiken and I have spent two days, wrapping up all the wire and pulling out the posts.

Here's Laiken in a bit of a panic. She had barbed wire caught in her hair! I told her not to move...then I ran and got the camera!
It really wasn't too bad.

By this time we were getting tired and hungry. We decided to take a short break and go into "town" for a hamburger.

It wasn't hard to find the Whitehouse Drive-In and Motel. ( it was difficult finding a door into the restaurant) Once inside we found the people who worked there to be very friendly and the hamburgers were just what we ordered. They also serve ice cream, so I'm sure it will be a "hot spot" for us this summer.

We felt energized and ready to get back to work.
 Now that the ugly barbed wire fence is down, I will be looking for a more Feng Shui solution to the pasture fence down the lane. Maybe I can find a good deal on pole fences this week.

I hope the nice weather keeps up. (40F)
It's been fun working out at the Villa with Laiken.

 I want to plant grass, trees, flowers, my garden and lavender.

 I'm getting so tired of winter and all these cold grey pictures.
 Are you?

Welcome Home Ridge

Laiken has been looking forward to this day for about a year now. She has worked very hard this last year to pay for boarding Ridge. All last winter she cleaned stalls, she baby sits, and she works at the Bistro. Now she can keep more of her money in her pocket. I'm very proud of her, she has taken care of all of Ridge's and Maggie's needs. She is smart with her money, hard working, responsible, and generous. I sure Love and respect that girl!
It was a great day!

Lad giving the much needed love tap with a "get in there!"

Lad got us all safely to Pura Vida in-spite of the slick roads. Whenever I need a trailer moved, hitched or backed up I ask Lad, he is amazing!

Olive is absolutely fascinated by Ridge. She has been caught down at the round pen just starring.

The snow has made one thing easier. The oat bucket is on it's way down!

Oh, Maggie we won't forget you!... little snow bunny.

I LOVE this picure of Skye and Olive!