Since it is colder than a well diggers patootie....

These are some more of the out takes from trying to get a posed shot of the kids and Shadow.  Keep your eye on the dog people.  See his ears?
Okay, now he has zeroed in on something in the neck deep grass beside of me.  I can hear it also and I am praying that it is NOT a six foot long black snake.
Since we are in front of one of the straw barns, it is a distinct possibility that the critter in question is a snake.  They love the bales.  But I decide to ignore that noise and tell Levi to grab onto the dog.  I step closer to the Gator without checking where I am putting my feet.
My feet, with flip flops on.  Crap, lost Shadow.  No amount of holding was going to contain him and he went hopping off after a rabbit.  That was when it hit me.  Something was on my feet, and my legs.  ANTS!!!!  Boy, did I do a dance to get them off of me before I got bit too many times.  That is what we needed a shot of, because immediately following the ant removal jig, the kids were all laughing hysterically.  

Sunday Evening

Sunday evening, the bigger boys went to Grandma Debra's house (aka Landon's mom) and the little boys and I went out to eat with my "kin folk".  That was followed by swimming, and then we were back home for a combine ride.  
They waited so patiently for Daddy to get back around to where we were, and then to unload, so they could climb up.
And they're off!  David was square baling, but he never got around to me, so no pic of him working.
I did, however, finally get Mike driving the bale wagon.  The thing is so fast, I had to sit in the shade and wait for him to come back after unloading at the straw barn.  The bale wagon picks up 160 bales at a time and then unloads them in a cube into the barn.  This one was purchased by Landon's grandfather, many years ago, and was the first one on this side of the Mississippi.  
Here is my ever faithful, riding companion, Shadow.  I normally don't let him ride in the front, but since we were alone, I made an exception.  Don't think I got to ride home and relax.  I had to check the radar, and then try to figure out how long the husband had before it started raining.  (yes, the NOAA website was acting up... doesn't it always if something is coming near you?)  Then Shadow and I had to roll up all the windows in the equipment at the shop, put away bikes, get clothes off the line, and give the father-in-law a ride to the field.  BUT, it was a GLORIOUS rain.  It rained and rained and rained.  We haven't had rain in sooooo long.  All in all, it was a great Sunday evening!

Happy Birthday Mom!!!!

Shadow, The Wonder Dog

Shadow's favorite chair.  If you sit here, expect some company.
His favorite place in the whole world....right beside of a kid with a snack.
Guard duty.  He sits here when we are inside.  Or if he is tired of us, lol.
Supervisor of all farm projects.  He is under the truck, you can't see him.
This post is for Shadow.  Our dog, confidant, and furry friend.  He used to be so darn hyper, but has turned into a really great, little dog.  He is the first small dog we had ever had.  He will sit beside of me outside while the buddies play and I read the paper, okay, while I do the Sudoku.  When he gets up and stares into the shed or the pasture, I know someone has wondered a little too far away from the play area for his comfort. A Gator ride isn't the same if Shadow isn't riding in the back, tongue hanging out, and head in the wind.  He just showed up here four years ago, after our last dog died.  L saw him outside of the kitchen doors and exclaimed, "I prayed and asked Jesus for a puppy and LOOK, ONE CAME!"  You know you have to keep him after your kid says something like that.