Oooooklahoma

We did it! We booked a ticket and got some therapy. That is best friend time-therapy in OKC. Matine was a super-trooper on the plane (even though it was right during her bed time). Will I fly at that time again? Hell no. Will I block the experience out of my mind. Yes. But doesn't seh look cute in her extra seat eating her snacks on the plane (with puppy, of course).

First full day with Aunt Mic - we SWAM and enjoyed the sun and heat! On this day in Edmond, it was 90+ degrees and it was SNOWING in Livingston.

There were a LOT of kids at this waterpark - but Matine only had eyes for Micca.

The real fun began when Mattie realized she could have her own private pool in the yard, be naked ALL day, and poop in the yard, WHILE playing with the garden hose and Cash-dog. This was her idea of Heaven on Earth.

Water baby in beautiful, green Oklahoma!

We finished off our first full Day in OKC with a good ol' Oklahoma truck ride to check on the Rasp's cows on their red-dirt lease land. By the end of this trip, Matine knew what "cows" where quite well. With the mooing, friendly (face licking) calves and cows just outside the yard, I think she thinks all cattle are like pets.

Next day --- Shopping with Mom and Micca and the anticipation of the arrival of Micca's larger-than-life dad, JP, and step-mom Patty. They came for the weekend too to help with the Rasp's First Annual Branding!

The Cowboy Life. For Real.

There's a whole lot of "cowboy-esque" things that go on in Montana. Many "ranchers" that do a lot of mimicking the real thing. I am truly not bashing any of it, I feel like if you love it, it gets you outside, connected with animals, the earth, LIFE, then go for it; but it is really exciting to get a glimpse, every once in a while, of real families, real cowboys, real people truly making a living from the land.

Pete FINALLY got an invite (or he invited himself and they gave in) from brother-in-law Eric and his buddies at the La Cense Ranch in Dillon. On this rainy TuesdPete and the real-cowboys of Beaverhead County (get it?), branded 300 head of calves. Pete got to rope, flank, and drive - in the rain - across some of the prettiest country you could imagine.

I think he had fun.

Cowboy Clark

Clark and his friend Eric were here for an entire week. We tried to pack in as much fun as possible, and as usual as many "Montana Experiences" for the city boy Clark.

Clark always gets a kick out of visiting the Titeca's place on the Boulder River. Last year, if you remember We Attacked the Sheep, Part 4 of Clarks Vacation was hilarious and what legends and tall tales are made of, so when Pete was asked by John and Clara to come help them "move cattle" this week, Clark and Eric jumped at the opportunity.

Peter went and got a few of our Fjord Horses so they could get some saddle time and Clark, Jim and Eric could experience a good "green ride" (this is what we told him anyways). Clark got to ride Attie one of our newer horses and one that hasn't been ridden all that much, especially out in the open. She is great on a trail behind her other Fjord buddies and as sweet as horses come, but we weren't real sure how good she was going to be with a lone rider and reins on her. Well, we found out...

Clark affectionately calls Attie a "*%$#@ bitch" and many other affectionate terms. He lost his favorite hat, got run into trees, almost a barbed wire fence, and got a black/bloody eye. It was a good day.

Overlooking the Boulder River Valley

The boys on the trail, in search of cows to wrangle

Eric about to mount the faithful Stumpy

Attie the vicious scary beast.

Clark swears he will prove his dominance of the horse and "conquer" her next time he visits and asked us, "if Attie is a green horse, what other color horses do you have?"

We always like to give our guests some excitement and fond memories to take home. If only I hadn't contracted the Swine Flu, I would have loved to witness this momentous day. Clark will thank us later for the cool black eye... It made him look really tough.