Swans

I think that I have previeously posted a blog about our swans. At the ranch one day several years ago two swans showed up and they have been there since. They stay around the banks of the tank and keep their distance from us. We all really enjoy watching them. They are very pretty. We made a trip out to the ranch today just to check on things and we found a surprise.
We saw the swan sitting on the bank in the grass and I thought we should go over a check for eggs. Sure enough there was four eggs in a nest. Here is just a little information I found about the breed of swans at the ranch.

The Mute Swan is the common swan of parks and estates. It is native across Europe and Asia and has been introduced in many other areas, including parts of North America. In England, all Mute Swans were considered the property of the Crown until the 18th century. Actually, they're still considered the property of the crown, but you're no longer hung for killing one.

Mutes can be distinguished from other white swans by the triangular naked black area in front of the eyes and the black knob above the deep orange bill. The fleshy knob on the head of these swans is more prominent on the males. An adult male (the cob) can weigh 25 lb (10.5 kg) and an adult female (the pen) 21 lb (9 kg). Usually juveniles are pale gray with gray legs, which become black in adulthood, but there is a European population, known as leucistic or Polish Mutes, in which the cygnets are white with pinkish legs. Both forms may occur in a single clutch as the coloring is a result of a sex-linked recessive gene.

Although quieter than some other species, it is by no means mute. Among its vocalizations are a loud snort when annoyed, shrill trumpeting when really angry, and an aggressive hiss. They are the most territorial of the swans and two males will fight viciously if one intrudes on another's turf. Nesting territories can cover 4-10 acres and are reoccupied by the same pair year after year. In breeding season they can be quite aggressive to people approaching the nesting area, and their large size makes them somewhat dangerous in this situation, so it is best to avoid them at that time.

The nest consists of a large pile of vegetation, usually by the shore of a body of water. A nest may be up to 4 meters (15 ft) in diameter. The chalky greenish-blue eggs are laid at intervals of 48 hours and a clutch averages 5-6 eggs. Incubation can last 35-41 days, with the pen doing most of the sitting. The cygnets can't fly til 120-150 days of age.

Some Mute Swans have been recorded to live past 30 years of age.

Happy Birthday Dad

Today would have been my Dad's 81st birthday. I woke up this morning and had about fifteen seconds before I thought about him. I miss him so much. But I am going to try not to be sad today. I am going to try to just remember his life and celebrate it, not mourn his death. I love you Dad and I wish you a happy happy birthday.

Rodeo 2010

So I know I have not been great at blogging lately. Life is just so busy I have not had time to take pictures of all of our activites. We had three trips to the rodeo this year but I don't have many pics. And the pics I did take were just with my phone and not very good quailitu. Sorry:(. Hailey was able to visit the fair grounds with her school and had a great trip. It was a little stessful for me. It is just hard to keep up with my child plus other students at a place with so many things to grab their attention. All the kids wanted to go in different directions. But they all had a great time.

We went a second time on a weeknight and left the girls at home with a babysitter so they would get to sleep at a good time. Sam and Tyler did go amd loved every minute of it. Tyler didn't talk durnung the rodeo. His eyes were glued to the action, and he would not take off his black cowboy hat for anything.


The third trip we made to the Rodeo was on a Saturday and everybody went. The girls loved all of the rides and especially the fun houses. Liz and I didn't love the fun house slides so much. I will NOT be posting a picture of that. Fun was had by all little cowboys and cowgirls.


Post From My iPhone

It's Finished!!

It's been a long wait. Well, only four months of actual build time but long time desire for a new house. My Mom's new house is finished. She got the OK to move in tomorrow. It looks great. I think it is everything she hoped and dreamed for. Some might think that we would be really sad to see the home we lived in for twenty-seven years demolished, and we are a little. But just a little. That house now had too many sad memories in it. It is better that my Mom moved on with a fresh start and a fresh house. We still have the ranch house to help us feel close to my Dad and we don't have to be reminded of his last day over and over again. We are all really proud of my Mom for having the courage to move forward with the plans that her and my Dad had began. The entire building process went very smoothly for her. How many people can say that about their building experience. Mom knew what she wanted from the start and it made the decisions easy. We also had a great builder. Dale and his wife Debbie were great to work with and took care of everything. I would recommend them to anyone. Here are some pictures of the house. I am new to the photo editing stuff so this is as good as it gets.

Wordless Wednesday

-- Post From My iPhone

Western Day

Hailey had Western Day at school today. We was really excited to dress up for it. You know she is a real Texas Cowgirl, Yee Haw! Or atleaat that is what she told everyone in California. She asked if she could wear my spurs on her boots. I reluctantly agreed. When we arrived at the school and the lady came to help Hailey out of the car the first thing Hailey told her was about the spurs. She said, "these were my Mommy's spurs when she was a little girl and now she let me wear them"! I just hope she doesn't use those spurs on any on the other kids.


Tyler had to get into the action also. I know, he needs some boots. I am going to try to get him some next week. He has to get ready for school everyday also. He packs a lunch like Hailey, but it rearly makes it past our driveway without being eatten by a hungry little boy. He is so funny!
Posted From My iPhone

A Year Of Change

As many of you know we have had a tough year. I attended more funerals than I can count on my fingers, including my Father's. We lost my Dad the morning following Hailey's fourth birthday. When he started having health problems six months earlier I clearly heard God tell me to prepare myself. Well, how can you prepare yourself for such a loss. My Dad was amazing. He loved his family first and foremost, was a smart businessman, and was never afraid to take a risk. He always tried to build you up and give you confidence while being real at the same time. My life has a huge void in it without him. If you ever wounder what he meant to his daughters just look at the names of his three youngest grandsons, Tyler Ranney, Jack Ranney, and Samual Ranney. However, there are many things that I am thankful for about this year. Tyler has grown into a playful toddler, and Hailey had her stage debut. She had her ballet and tap recital in June and stole the show as Squeaky The Mouse in her Theater Club performance in December. And my Mom, Sisters, and I have become even closer through our mutual heartbreak. I am also thankful for the support we received from our Husbands. We could not have dedicated so much time to my Dad without Wil and Todd really stepping up as Dads and Husbands. I am very thankful to know without a doubt that my Father is in Heaven with his son Ranney Jr., our sweet Baby Kate, and our Savior Jesus Christ. In the six months that I was helping to care for my Dad I had the privilege of witnessing to him and having many long talks with him. I have great peace knowing that there was nothing left unsaid between us. I was able to tell him how much I loved him and how proud I was of him, and he was able to tell me the same. I love my Dad and will always miss him. So I am ready to say goodbye to 2009 and am looking forward to the possibilities of 2010.