Just another day at the ranch....

Ya, right! Yesterday was anything but typical for our family as we headed out and spent the morning on the ranch. Ken and Vivian Couch's ranch to be exact. They go to our church and have been very welcoming to us over the years we've spent here in SD. I've mentioned before that Monica often works there, helping them with herding the cows, giving them shots, branding the calves...much of it she does from the back of a horse, usually Squirt. Well, today, they invited us all over to 'help' them move their cattle to a different pasture. This time we all got a turn riding one of their horses=) It was a really fun day - much appreciated since we are trying to pass the time until Daddy comes home! Here are some pictures....

Horses aren't the only things on a ranch~

Monica's becoming quite the expert at all this ranching stuff=) She helped take her little brothers and sister for a ride.

Zach and I got to ride for quite a bit, he rode on the way out to get the cows and I rode as we herded them back.

The cows had to be herded through several gates and here they are, running right along!With that many big animals moving about I was glad for the grown-up to little kid ratio=) Mrs. Couch always knew where the kids were.Our time ended with lunch at the Couch's finished off by a yummy rhubarb pie! Thank you for a wonderful day!

Another quote from the day: Monica showed the kids around and walked them through the chute where they take the cows if they need to vaccinate them or whatever. Well, later Alana told Mrs. Couch, "Monica showed me where you shoot the cows" =)