Kids in St. David

Here are just a couple of pictures from Blake and Jayden in St. David. They have been there for a whole month!! We miss them a ton, but from what I hear, they are having a BLAST!!

Blake got his hair cut!!

Jayden at Aunt Kathys!

More Cow Truckin'

The very next weekend, Dana was back on the road. This time he was going with Luke to Dalhart, Texas. Dana knows Luke thru Ty, and he has gone with Luke quite a few times. Luke hauls Jersey cows. Dana and Luke left from Glendale, Az on Friday, June 19th. It was a nice and easy trip for them and they were back in Glendale, Saturday night at about midnight.

Dana took this picture with his iphone, and it turned out really good! It's the sun rising in Dalhart, Tx on Saturday morning.

Cow Truckin' It Up!

Dana has been a busy boy while the kids are down in St. David. Friday, June 12th he left Mesa, Az at about 3:30 pm, after working at his construction job from 3am til 1pm. Dana and Ty were headed to Sleepy Eye, Minnesota with a load of Holstein bulls. They made really good time and were in Minnesota Saturday afternoon. It's 1,760 miles from Mesa to the place they delivered the bulls in Minn. Dana had to be back at his regular job on Monday morning and at the rate they were going, it was looking good that he'd be back in plenty of time.

Minnesota

So green!

Sleepy Eye, Minnesota

They had to make a stop in Roswell, New Mexico to pick up a load of cows coming to Maricopa, Az. About 50 miles Northeast of Roswell, one of the worst things that could happen, did happen... the cow truck broke a U-joint! They managed to make it into Roswell, only to find out that no shops were open until 8am Monday morning. Dana wasn't going to make it to work. I told him to hitch a ride home with aliens, he wasn't impressed Haha. While they were waiting for the truck to get fixed, Ty picked up 2 local loads of cows. After the truck was fixed, they hauled 2 loads of cows from one side of Roswell to the other side. They finally got on the road and Dana made it home at 3am Tuesday morning (June 16th). He had time enough to get in his truck and head to his other job...with very little sleep!

The broken U-joint

It's a poopy job....

Dana convinced me that since the kids are out of town with cousins, that it would be a good idea to get up at 4am, on a Sunday, to help him go wash out the cow hauler trailer. It's alot of work! I had NO idea... Jayden usually goes with him to help out. I did what she usually does, and I am sore today. The hose that they use to wash out with is kind of like a huge rubber fire hose, tons of pressure and it's heavy. Cows trucks have a top level, with little steps on the outside of the trailer. You have to climb up that ladder, with the hose! Dana said that Jayden just climbs right up, no problems! I struggled with it! I'm a little embarrassed to admit that.

Ole Blue

The trailer hadn't been washed in about 2 weeks. Cows, lots of cows, have been in that trailer everyday... yea, there was alot of poop! I knew cows pooped alot, but dang, they should hold it while they are riding the bus! It was hot, humid, stinky, and wet in the trailer... but we got it done in about 3 hours. Kinda sad that it will only be clean until the first load of cows get in there.

Before:

After:

I love love love going out to Milky Way Dairy in Maricopa. Dana helped move all the dirt to build this dairy, he knows the owner really well. There are so many milk cows out there, that there are calves being born ALL day long! I really like to go and play with the new babies, they are so tiny and cute. I always want to bring them home, and Dana always says no. I try and tell him that it can stay in the backyard, so far, he isn't convinced! *pout*

I love this little cutie!