Honey Lake Ranch

July 5th

I drove the loader for the first time.  It was super bumpy.

Aaron would go check the wheat and the kids would beg to come so they could get chewing gum - wheat gum.

The pool was broken, but the kids still managed to make it fun.  Wyatt made a slip-n-slide down to the deep end.  It kept them entertained for hours.

We love eating at the bar. 

We were lucky enough to have Kelli and her kids join us for our last night.  We loved sharing Doyle with them.

July 28th

This trip the kids enjoyed helping us move wheel lines.  Last year they were always at the bottom of the field waiting for our signal to empty the water.  It was definitely boring for them and frustrating because it was difficult to communicate.   This time they were able to be with us and do some actual moving.

The pool was fixed!  Billy even took time to entertain the kids.

We moved bales off the field.  This was my first true 'helping with the harvest' job.  The first day I drove the pick-up with the trailer.  It was stressful because I am not used to driving a trailer and I felt like the pull of the trailer was going to break the hitch.  I would try so hard to be careful but I couldn't stop it from being jerky.  The next day I drove a flatbed truck and it was fun.  There was no tugging so I felt like the bales were better supported.  I even could handle Dallin driving on my lap.

Wyatt joined me for the last few loads.  He would sit on my lap but he did all the steering and the brake and gas pedals.  He did a great job.  He was careful and caught on quickly.

Dallin learned how to drive the rhino all by himself this trip. 

August 10th

 For some reason this trip every night Aaron was out late figuring out why water wasn't coming out of the sprinklers like it should have.  We were definitely ready to come home at the end of that week!

 We spent lots of time cleaning and vacuuming out the pool this trip.  Teri must work so hard to keep it as clean as it is.

 It was finally warm enough for me to get in and enjoy the water.

 Wyatt went to Cub Scout Day Camp and learned how to shoot a bow and arrow.  We stopped by Schools on the way and bought our own.  The kids spent tons of time out by the hay bales practicing their aim.

We drove into Susanville and found a hamburger joint.  It was delicious!

My favorite memory of this trip was driving into the farm to see Dallin tagging along after Aaron helping him move lines.  Aaron had driven down earlier with Dallin and we were coming to join him that night.  When I got there Aaron was trying to move a wheel line over the pump house.  He needed Dallin at the driver to turn it on so he could lift the wheel line over.  Dallin watched for his signals and they got the job done.  I then saw Dallin run down the field, hop in the rhino, and drive it up to the pump house to pick Aaron up.  It seriously was the sweetest thing.  Dallin was so proud.  There is just something about farm work and kids that is very satisfying.  I think it has something to do with the fact that there is such high responsibility with the equipment - they have to be careful and watchful - and in turn it provides them with a natural satisfaction when they complete it and have done a great job.  They just don't get that feeling when they have helped weed or dust or some other job that I am giving them to try to teach responsibility.