national pancake day

Feb 24, 2009- In addition to it being Mardi Gras today it was also National Pancake Day- who knew! IHOP was giving away free pancakes so Pecos went to celebrate the day and have some pancakes with his friend, Zane. Pecos thought it was really neat to eat pancakes for lunch!!

egg-cellent results

Feb 23, 2009- The chicken saga continues. In this episode we finally get some girlfriends for Jim Bob and Denis. We picked up 6 laying hens this weekend after completion of the chicken coop and pen. The girls are happily adjusting to their new living quarters while Jim Bob and Denis are content to wear down a path on the perimeter of the chicken pen while showing off their beautiful feathers and seranading the girls with their crowing. And the best part of all is the eggs we get every morning. Now, Pecos will do a lot of things- such as rope a rooster, ride a horse, and feed the chickens but he draws the line at touching eggs. That's right, he'll look at them and carry the bucket but he is not sticking his hand into the nesting box to get one.

While MiMi and Paw Paw were visiting he got Paw Paw to do the dirty work. How would you like your eggs cooked?

beignet boy

Feb 22, 2009- Happy Mardi Gras (two days early!). Mimi and Paw Paw were visiting over the Mardi Gras weekend. You would think that visitors from Louisiana would come loaded with beads, doubloons and other appropriate accessories to celebrate, right? Instead our celebration included eating beignets for breakfast and making countless calls to Auntie Em and Uncle Eric who were celebrating in the Big Easy. So instead of a funny picture with Pecos adorned with beads and other various props you get to enjoy pics of Pecos eating his beignets for breakfast. Would you like a beignet with that powdered sugar?

CCC- the chicken construction company

Feb 20, 2009- The construction crew is in full swing putting together a chicken coop. Since we have our two prize roosters- now named Jim Bob and Denis- we thought it was time to get some girlfriends for them so they would quit running away. Pecos put his tool set from Santa Claus to good use building the chicken coop. To be continued....

cookie monster

Feb 18, 2009- Being the good wife and mother that I am, I made chocolate chip cookies for my two favorite guys. As they were set out to cool I caught this little cookie monster with his "hand in the cookie jar," so to speak. The evidence was all over his face and he had a fresh cookie in hand. This is not his first attempt at cookie thievery. His first criminal act was a few months back when he found cookies on the counter, moved his step stool over to get within reach, grabbed a cookie in each hand, ran to find me and prompty proclaimed "I need milk!"

kissing cowboy

Feb 14, 2009- Happy Valentine's Day from the Kissing Cowboy! Pecos was having fun blowing his lip whistle and I just had to snap a photo of him to share with you for Valentine's Day. He had strep throat this week so maybe it is best you get a picture instead of a real kiss for V-day this year. Pucker up!!!

rooster ropin'

Feb 12, 2009- Pecos was practicing his roping skills and the stationary steer in the yard is no longer enough of a challenge. He decided to try his hand at roping a moving target today...and is suffering from an identity crisis at the same time. He can't decide if he wants to be a team roper or a bull rider. Today it was neither as he opted for the title of rooster roper. First it was the cat, then he thought he'd go after the roosters. Rest assured, he didn't rope one but Casey thinks a little more practice and a longer rope should do the trick.

free range rooster ranch

February 3, 2009- Pecos is in the rooster business. Our two roosters are from a neighbor who was culling out the less than desirable roosters from his flock. Pecos adopted them and now they make their home here with us. And so far they have provided much entertainment in addition to being a reliable alarm clock. After surviving their first night here the roosters were greeted by our Remuda of horses who were eager to investigate…the roosters took off running like they were being chased for the stew pot. I didn't know if they were coming back. After the horse episode I had to run to town so we went out to the car and I told Pecos we had to look for the roosters before we left. He told me the rooster was in the car. I thought "yeah, right" but just to be on the safe side I looked under the car- no rooster. Then to be extra cautious and avoid killing a rooster by turning the car on, I popped the hood to take a look- no rooster up in the engine area. So down the hill to feed the horses but the horses wouldn't come. We honked the horn for about 10 minutes, then drove back up the hill to get the horses and back down again, fed them then took off for town. By now Pecos is telling me the roosters are out in the pasture and I'm beginning to wonder if he has some sort of secret insight to rooster behavior. We went to the bank- inside, not the drive through. Then on to the feed store to get chicken feed even though I wasn't sure if I would even have roosters to feed when I got back. Next stop- the post office. We came back home and the red rooster was in the pen but no black rooster so I figured he was maybe behind the shop. Got out of my car, heard a flapping sound and something hitting the underside of the car. Out saunters the black rooster, steps about 5 feet from the car, takes a good shake, flaps his wings a few times and struts over to join the red one in the pen. Yep, the rooster went to town and back. True story- I wouldn't have believed it if I didn't see it with my own eyes!!! So that is our first venture into the free range chicken business- we'll let you know when we get some hens and have eggs available.

meat market

Jan 18, 2009- Deer season is officially over. Casey shot a deer earlier this season and filled the freezer. HOWEVER, that freezer went out while we were out of town so everything in it had to be tossed. So it was a mad dash to the finish trying to get a couple more deer before the end of the season. The hunter was victorious and managed to bag two does before the close of the season. We made one into ground meat and of course Pecos had to assist. Another child safety rule broken (see 'rather sweet' post below)- never let a child near dangerous equipment- check!

rather sweet

Jan 16, 2009- Let me explain.....Pecos was exploring the contents of Oma's kitchen cabinets when he came across a bag of Easter sprinkles. Oma told him those were for cupcakes, not for the bread she was currently making. Well, Pecos insisted that we make cupcakes right then and there. And being the good Oma that she is, of course she obliged. And let me just admit that yes, we broke just about every parenting and child safety rule in the process. 1) Don't eat cake batter that has raw eggs in it- check! 2) Don't put a child on the kitchen counter top- check! 3) Don't give a child sugar just before bedtime- check! 4) Don't put a hot pan from the oven near a child- check! And I'm sure there are many others but Pecos was not harmed in the process and Oma and I laughed harder than ever with Pecos' animated comments about the cupcake making process and his desire to sniff and taste everything. At every step along the way he narrated what we were doing and said "rabbits now?!" So when we finally got to the end and it was time to eat a completely baked, iced and decorated cupcake do you know what he said? "I no like it!!!" Couldn't let good cupcakes go to waste now could we? Oma & I took care of them!!

parrain par-tay

Jan 2, 2009- Pecos got to spend a little time with his Parrain Eric (translation for those of you that don't speak Cajun: Parrain [pa-ra(n)]= Godfather). Eric was in high spirits; I'm sure it had something to do with LSU winning and Alabama losing in their bowl games....may the 2009 tailgate season planning begin!

laissez les bon temps rouler!

Jan 1, 2009- We visited Erin's family in Louisiana over New Year's. Pecos had a great time helping Paw Paw feed all the animals, seeing the new baby lambs, mixing feed and picking satsumas. MiMi kept us well fed and we all gained a few extra pounds. The purpose of our visit was Auntie Em & (soon-to-be) Uncle Kris' engagement party but it was also our Christmas visit so Pecos got to show off his present unwrapping skills. As always the trip was too short but we got to see lots of friends and family and eat some good Cajun food. However, Pecos had too much Cajun influence and cultural exchange while we were there. Now all his sentences end with 'me'. "I want to play, me." "I want that, me." "I like that, me." Guess I'll start looking for a speech therapist!!

polar bear exhibit

Dec 28, 2008- Pecos went to his friend, Demi's b-day party. It was an indoor Shamu-themed swimming party for all the polar bears (kids) to take a dip. Pecos insisted he would not get in the water at the "gimmin' party". The pool is heated and has a ramp so he started with his toes then ever so slowly walked his way into the pool. He really wanted to play with some of the pool toys so he would walk as far as the next toy within reach and that was about it! Not quite Michael Phelps but he had a good time!!

catfishin' cowboy

Dec 27, 2008- Pecos is true to his cowboy roots but he thinks fishing is fun too. Especially when he's catfishin' in the shop!!

Santa is a pretty cool dude

Dec 25, 2008- Although Pecos was reluctant to sit on Santa's lap, come Christmas morning he was thinking Santa is a pretty cool dude. Pecos had a great Christmas as you can see. He was really looking forward to getting a Mater Truck but the tool bench has turned out to be his favorite. He is getting really good at ripping open wrapping paper, too! Hope you had a Merry Christmas!

night of a million lights

Dec 13 2008- We made our rounds checking out Christmas lights this weekend. The highlight was Pedernales Electric Co-Op in Johnson City. There must be at least a million lights on the trees and building. Pecos thought this was much more fun than going to see Santa! He kept saying "more lights! more lights!"

all I want for Christmas

Dec 13, 2008- Santa made a pass through Harper this weekend and Pecos made a very reluctant visit to tell Santa what he wanted for Christmas. If it weren't for the lollipop as bait to lure Pecos over to Santa I'm not sure we would have gotten a picture. In last year's photo he was screaming so we've made a little improvement. Maybe next year we'll actually get a smile! Ho, Ho, Ho!

all aboard the Pecos Express

Dec 2, 2008- We set up our Christmas tree and we have a Christmas Lionel train that goes under it. This year Pecos is really aware of what is going on and he was just over the top excited about this train. As you can see he was really excited, couldn't take his eyes off it and had to get as close as possible. And just like his dad he had to try and make it go faster. So I guess Casey will have to figure out a way to reduce the top speed so we can keep it on the track. For me, it is a new tool for which to bribe the little conductor- Get dressed then you can play with the train, eat your lunch then you can play with the train, take a bath then you can play with the train...Choo! Choo!

fresh roughstock!!!

November 25, 2008- Oma & Opa's miniature donkey had a baby recently and Pecos was there to lend a hand when the vet came by to check on everything. Dr. King told Pecos his job was to hold the tail and as you can see he took his job very seriously. And when Dr. King said to hold her tight so she doesn't get away he was really talking to Casey but Pecos heard the instructions and put a good grip on the hindquarters. Pecos thinks this new baby is just the right size to practice his bronc riding skills!

cave man

Nov 13, 2008- Here's a couple of pics of our little cave man. Now that he has a big boy bed his new trick is to have us lift up the sheets so he can go into the "cave" with his flashlight. Thankfully he has not tried to draw on the walls or build a fire in his cave. And so far no bats have taken up residence. Pecos thinks it is pretty fun to be in the cave but my arms sure do get tired of holding up the cave in place!!

a hunting we will go

November 1, 2008- Opening day of coon season- oops!!- I mean deer season. Casey went out hunting this morning but no trophy bucks were willing to put themselves in range of the rifle. So instead our trophy for the day was this coon that has been getting into our barn and eating the cat food every night. And no, there are no plans to make a coon skin cap out of this one, but beware all cat food-eating coons on our place- it is open season!!!

the Halloween scene

October 31st, 2008- Pecos had a great time attending the Harper community fall festival. There were lots of cowboy and cowgirl costumes but Pecos was the only bull rider in attendance. This little Ty Murray was a crowd favorite and by the end of the night he realized that if he held out his plastic pumpkin bucket someone was likely to drop a sucker or candy into it and he thought that was pretty cool! Hope you had a Happy Halloween!!!

happy fall, y'all

October 25, 2008- Pecos had a great time at the pumpkin patch in Medina. As you can see he had fun exploring and re-arranging the pumpkins on display. I guess they were not lined up the way he thought they should be. As for the Indian....well, Casey has always claimed to have Comanche blood so this picture is to prove the Comanche blood must be too far back in his pedigree for Pecos to bear any resemblance. But what good is a cowboy without an Indian sidekick; afterall, the Lone Ranger had Tonto, right?

feedin' time

October 19, 2008- Pecos spent the afternoon with Uncle Duke and Aunt Shannon in Mason. He loves to help feed the cows. Uncle Duke is teaching him to be a fitter and getting his future show string ready.