Halloween

This year Connor was the only one who dressed up. He was an 'indian'.

A new chapter begins!

We have officially moved to the ranch! We will be working on the ranch and we'll get to see our bucking bulls almost everyday! So I know almost everyone who reads this knows how hard ranching is, but there might be some who might think "How hard could it be? There are big open pastures that the cows roam around in, eat, and take care of themselves right?? Oh no!- Henson will be mending fences, building corrals, feeding the animals that are not out to pasture, checking each pasture to make sure none of the animals are on the wrong side of the fence, doing day-long horse rides to move the animals from one pasture to another, hauling water, loading and unloading hay, cleaning out horse pens, welding stuff, breaking and halter breaking colts, branding, and I'm sure there's more, but I can't think of them right now. ( I bet Cleo could think of some more)

And all of this Henson's parents have been pretty much doing themselves! So we decided we needed to come and relieve them, cause Henson says they're getting too old. Jerry and Nancy are the hardest working people I know and do EVERYTHING together. They are also the most generous and selfless couple in the world! They do so much for everyone and I have never heard them complain or ask for anything in return. What a great example they set for us- we love them to death!!!

We are all excited for this change, but also bummed. We have made a lot of friends in Flagstaff and the surrounding areas and will miss them so much. We are so happy that Connor and Ross (Henson's baby brother) get to grow up on the ranch together. I am looking forward to living closer to family again and hopefully that means I can ride my horses more with all the babysitters!

I will post pictures as soon as all this moving madness ends.

Weekend in Payson

Last weekend Henson's sister, Tally, took us to Grandpa & Grandma Spurlock's house in Payson. We had a great time with the Grandparents and we got to relax for a change. Sunday was a beautiful day so I took the family outside for pictures. Hope you enjoy!



Haidyn is sitting on the very first saddle that my talented husband made.

Navajo rug weaving

A couple of months ago I asked my grandma if she could weave me a saddle blanket and being the awesome grandmother that she is, agreed. I was so excited and while she was putting the loom together I had an epiphany- "I should learn how to weave!!!" So we made a small loom for me and she started my saddle blanket. She finished my 3' x 5' blanket in about three weeks. Here is a picture of me and my brand new saddle blanket (its folded in half). The rug behind me on my right, and the little one on my left are some she wove a long time ago and gave to my mother who then gave them to me. The one in the middle was given to us as a wedding gift by Nancy (Henson's mom). Sorry the picture is crooked- Connor was my photographer.

Here is a picture of mine...... two months later. It is hard for me to find time where I can work on it without someone 'trying to help me'- All you parents know what I'm talking about. I have just done straight lines for now cause I haven't learned how to do other designs yet. Weaving with only one color is an art of its own, and coordinating colors and coming up with a design is just crazy! But I'm sure I'll get there one day. My grandmother is now weaving Henson a saddle blanket. I'll post a picture when it is finished.

Here is a picture of my grandma holding Haidyn a while back.

Winn Family Reunion

This year we had the Winn family reunion at Lyman lake for the second year in a row on Labor day weekend. It rained a lot but there was a lot of sunshine too. Thanks to all the chefs in the family we ate real good- we had fajitas and shrimp boil (a tradition) for dinner- yummy! The adults sat around the campfire and talked nonsense, the teenagers played cards, and the kids (or their parents) made bottle rockets. I think Connor's (I should say Henson's) went the highest and had the coolest spin on it.


Last but not least, we all had fun on the boats. Life jackets and Cowboy hats- it doesn't get any better than that!

No more Bean

Last week we lost Bean. I have had her since 2001-she was just a pup. We have been through a lot together- she lived with me in college, and was probably a little upset when I married Henson and her spot in the bed was taken. She welcomed Connor into our home and was also accepting when Haidyn came along too. She developed cataracts when she was about three years old and still got along very well. We will all miss her and maybe one day she will be back, but for now we can just hope that she is in good hands.

On a brighter note, a couple of months ago Henson's mom gave us a german shepherd puppy named "Filly" she isn't small anymore and is such a good dog. Nancy was originally supposed to give her to her sister but ended up giving her to us- I guess she is where she is supposed to be.

A True Cowboy

Henson just started breaking his 500th colt (I might be exaggerating but he has broken a lot)! It is really neat to see the transformation that Henson is able to make in these horses. The colts come just barely halter broke and in a day or two he will have them saddled. After a few more days he will be riding them out on the ranch gathering cattle! He learned from his dad when he was 13 and has been doing it ever since. Pretty soon he will be teaching Connor! (right now he is making me train my own horse but that is a whole 'nother post!')