goodbye small town

I've lost interest in blah-ging. No reason. But wanted to spit out a little update in our lives... Matthias is being transferred to another town for a job opportunity, a transfer within the firm.  He is to get the office up and running there. It is a good move supposedly and he will be able to focus more on his interests in natural resource law. While we aren't thrilled with the area, we are looking forward to a couple things. Being closer to family, having more than just a WalMart to shop, being closer to a major city, having more opportunities for the boys. Oh, and I have a cousin only a half hour away, yay! 


I think I can officially call this new town a city, though it is not a big one. We went down for a visit and found a cute little place to live. I took Ty in to his new school and he loved it. The city had a nice community feel. I am optimistic, I think. I am going to miss this small town, more than I thought I would. But like B-town, I will have fond memories and look back on this as a growing experience. 


As nervous as I was to do the small town thing, I could totally do it again. My 10 favorite things about a small town. 

1. News travels fast. When we found out we were moving we told 2 people, and by the next day it seemed as if everyone knew.
2. People are very friendly and eager to help. I have boxes coming out of my ears. People are just dropping them off. Is that a hint??
3. Small towns are laid back, something I desperately needed to experience. Sometimes I go about my life a little too intensely. 
4. Sense of community. Activities like the Christmas Stroll.  Closing down Main Street for festivals. Community Christmas dinner. Park movie nights. Community support of local businesses and the YMCA. Food co-op. Branding parties. The whole town attending the High School Football games.
5. Knowing almost everyone. Going to the store takes a lot longer than it used too. I can't get out of the store without having a conversation with at least 2 people. You say hi to everyone and every says hello to you. On the radio yesterday, the host announced the name of the "Local Business Person" of the week. They said that if you saw him, Bob, this week, to say hello and congratulate him. I didn't see him, but wished I had. The newspaper is full of people I know.
6. Getting to know the local restaurants really well. Because there are only 5, the menu becomes very familiar and you can order rather quickly. 
7. Ability to save money. The stores I want to shop at, or the products I need are not here. I have become a very savvy online shopper. My mom and dad call me to find items online for them now.
8. Western wear and rodeoing are not unpopular here. A nice pair of boots is a must.
9. Highest speed limit is 30. I learned that my second day here when I was pulled over for going 36.
10. The men here are very gentlemanly! I've never had so many doors held open for me in my entire life! 

branding

We live in real cowboy country, the West that you read about in books and see in movies. As tradition goes around these parts, neighbors and friends help each other during branding season.  Eager to witness the wildness of the West, we drove out to a nearby ranch to help some friends brand their cattle. Matthias didn't have a cowboy hat, but that didn't matter, he had work boots.

On our way out, it wasn't hard to see that spring was in the air... baby animals close to their mothers, mothers full of milk. The land was green and lush and there were wild flowers. It all seemed idyllic. 

I started dreaming about what it would like to live out on a ranch... until we got closer to the branding sight. The cattle seemed to be in a bit of a frenzy. Some were standing and staring at their young, some were running back and forth.  Then I heard the noise... the awful noise.


Of mothers crying for their babies. Oh, it was unsettling.

The branding was already under way, so Matthias jumped in and began wrestling cows. I watched and took photos to document the process. I was offered a chance to help out. No thank you I said.

This is how it went, Over and over. First you got to round 'em up.


Then you just grab one. Right by the leg. It takes brute force to drag them out. Oh my.

Then you have to get the cattle on their side for the actual branding. These cowboys flipped 'em real quick, and pinned them down. 

And then there was the smell. Of burning flesh. I really disliked the whole process, but this was really the worst. The ranchers assured me that the branding didn't hurt the animals, I however was not convinced. Here are the ranchers' brands. S&L.

On goes the S. Burning skin smells terrible.



On goes the L. Ouch.




And to add salt to their wound, as it seemed to me, they were stuck with a needle in the armpit and given a dose of antibiotics. The ranchers said it was all necessary, but I didn't know that cows got antibiotics this early in the process. I thought cows only received antibiotics once they got to the feed lots, because of the conditions they have to live in. This picture shows one of the helpers, a gal from our church who is actually a nurse, getting ready to give a shot. She told me she was doing it in the least painful way by pinching their skin and sticking the needle in at an angle. Aye yie yie.


And here is Bex observing from a distance.


To sum this little experience up, I hope I don't have to experience it again. On the flip side, a bonus for us it that we have easy access to buying a free range cow, that is if someone wants to go in on a cow with us.

9 years and counting

This month we celebrated our 9th anniversary. Our awesome friends, the Katschkes, took the boys for a sleepover and we had an extended date. I was in charge of the night activity and Matt took over the morning activity. We went out to dinner and a movie followed by ice cream. In the morning we golfed 9 holes. I love golfing. This was my first time playing a real game, and I did all right. It was so fun to be out in the cool morning air with Matthias, no kids to worry about. Matthias gave me some good tips that I struggled using, but I actually had one good teeoff.

Several years ago, the Swenson side of the family had a golf tournament, called the Swenson Family Classic, and we would really like to revive it and host next year. We propose a golf tourney here in early June 2011. We know it would be a long drive for everyone, but it is so beautiful here, and we have the floor space for those who want to sleepover at our house. What do you think fam? Any competitors? Hopefully by next year I'll have improved my game, and I actually might be a killer team mate. We are taking a golf clinic in August, watch out!

the art of summer camp

We are in the middle of a summer camp frenzy! Last week Ty had soccer camp every morning at 8am, and Bex had his half day Adventure Camp. So far, this tops all summer activities!

Beckham's camp consisted of differently themed days, his favorite being super hero day. He was most excited about all of his new friends and the activities they got to do, splash park, pool, slip 'n slide, cooking, play land, etc. His favorite counselor was Sarah, when I picked him up every day, Sarah was usually reading to him, or building legos with him. It was so fun to watch him walk around with his backpack and lunch box. He is getting so big, and I love how excited he is that he finally gets to do the things Ty has been doing all these years. I mean, summer camp is fun, but the fact he gets to carry a back pack and lunch box really gets him excited! When we left every morning he insisted on wearing his backpack from the door to the car, which is approximately 6 steps. Cute.

Ty loved his soccer camp. He reported that he got better at hustling and came close to scoring a goal at the end of camp round robin. He got a pair of rad green YMCA soccer socks that he wore every day. I am also amazed at how grown up he is getting - this is the first time that I have dropped him off and haven't had to get out of the car to walk him to his destination. It was pretty great, and very convenient!

This week Ty is in an all day outdoor adventure camp (8am-4pm) in the mountains. I don't know who is more excited about it, him or me?? Not because he gets to be away all day, but because of all the cool things he gets to do! This camp is the mother of all camps - he comes home with all sorts of adventures he's been on. So far he's done Riflery, Geo-caching, canoeing, swimming in a lake, box braids with boondoggle (he brought it home, and I said "No Way! I used to do that!"). Later in the week he'll be challenged in archery, rock climbing, and hiking. I am so excited for him, and so proud of him. He has such a positive attitude and is so friendly to all the kids there. I can't help but want to go with him!

What have I been doing with all this time on my hands?? Relaxin bubbleaxin of course! I've had lots of time to exercise, read books, and enjoy the sun. Matthias on the other hand is studying for another bar exam. Absolutely dreadful. However, we do have a cherry to top the end of our summer camp extravaganza. My parents are coming out for the 4th and we are going to party hard. Two days after they leave, Matt's parents, siblings and nieces are coming out to play. I can't wait!

kid spectacle

While the boys and I were out for a walk, we happened on a yard sale. I don't know how or when Ty and Bex snagged my camera, but here is what they had their eyes on. Surprise pictures on my camera are the best.

I did not save the pictures they took of my rear, which is unfortunately at their eye level. Sorry boys, and also, thank you for giving me extra motivation to increase my exercise regimen.

yee haw

As you already know, I love small towns, and I just might like this town. Well I better, because I'm here... as in living here. Ty's school invited children's author, Cowgirl Peg, to come out for the day. She read her books to them at school and then came to autograph her books later that evening during the school's Western Spring Fling. I am still giddy from what a fun night it was. It's this type of event that brings the girlishness out in me.

boys with author, Cowgirl Peg

The boys already had boots, but no cowboy hats. It was a must, as all the kids wore their duds, boots, and hats to school that day. I took them over to the Boot Barn and told them I was only buying a hat if they really loved it. Bex's eyes went immediately to the "Woody" style hat and declared, "I love that one!" Ty was more cautious in his choosing. He tried on 3 hats in front of a wall mirror before he found his love and quietly said, "This one."

A local band, the Craft Brothers, played for the evening. The music was fun and there was lots of dancing. The kids had been practicing different western dances in P.E. The walls were lined with chairs where most of the parents sat, but Hoosier Daddy and I couldn't sit for long. We joined the kids, and both grabbed a miniature partner. I had Ty, and HD had Bex. The only thing that was missing from the evening was a heel clicking dance with my handsome husband. Aw shucks.

snapped one of bex playing chase

Ty showing off his cool dance moves

The funniest part of the evening was when a sweet but demanding 8 yr old girl captured Bex. When I saw him dancing, I snuck up to watch how it would all play out. They danced the whole song, Beckham cool as a cat. When the song ended, and the next one began I heard Beckham say, I need to go see my Mom and Dad. And so he left. The girl followed. She insisted he come dance again. Beckham replied "I'm tired." And that was that. After she left, he was off again running around.

the dance

Ty with his buddies, the twins

the Craft Brothers