Nebraska...Here We Come!

Early Saturday morning, Daniel, Isaac, Walker and Nick pulled out of the driveway heading towards Kearney, Nebraska.

One of the items on our bucket list is to take the boys to the Miniature Hereford Junior Nationals.

This is the year. 

This is also the last year that Nick is eligible to participate as a junior, so he is tagging along and helping Daniel out with the two restless boys.

I wasn't able to get the time off of work and we have 3 calves due, so I stayed behind to tend to the important stuff.  

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I can't even begin to tell you how busy this year has been for us.  

The last thing they should be doing right now is spending 10 days away from home, but some things are more important than the to-do list.  

Making memories is more important....

But, fixing the brakes was pretty important too.

Nick is clipping on his bull, Apollo, and he was kind enough to come over and help Daniel get Ribbon and Jewel clipped out before the trip too.

Actually...Nick did all the clipping because someone else was taking a sledge hammer to some stubborn truck rotors.  

This is the longest trip we have ever taken with cattle, so we spent the week packing and preparing for every worse case scenario.

After last weekend, we made sure to pack a few more just in case items.  

Space was tight, but they have been strategizing what to take and what to leave behind for months.

They even rigged up two stalls in the trailer.  

This way, Apollo is separated from the girls, but they all can be loose to move around and lie down.  

I sent them stocked with lots of snacks.

There is absolutely nothing healthy in here.  

I gave up a long time ago at getting them to eat healthy at cattle shows.  Besides,  if I don't pack it, they will buy it at some over-priced gas station anyway.

I am pretty sure they will all have belly aches before the week is over.  ​

We knew it was going to be really hot out in Nebraska, so it is a good thing Daniel's Father's Day gift arrived early.  

This cooler is huge! 

​They had it packed before I could get a picture, but they have a 32 pack of water, a case of Mountain Dew, a six pack of flavored water, an eight pack of Gatorade and I don't even know how many Powerade bottles in there.  

They should stay well hydrated.  

Sorry for the low quality pictures taken on my phone, but they insisted on taking my cameras with them.....I don't think I trust them.

They were up bright and early Saturday morning to load cows.

I think this is the first time Walker has ever heard his alarm and gotten out of bed on his own.

He was obviously excited.

​And they were off...with orders to send me lots of pictures....and to be nice...and not fight...etc...

The plan was to stop and see the St. Louis Arch, but it was 97 degrees and they knew they had to keep moving to keep the cows from overheating.  

This was as close as they got.  

Isaac even got in some driving time.  

They made it to Kansas City on Saturday night and stalled the cows at the Wyandot County Fairgrounds.  

The cows finally got out of the trailer, had a little bit of cooler air and finally​ drank some water.  

They were back up early Sunday morning and finally crossed into Nebraska.

And they assured me that Isaac was not driving the speed limit!

They made it to their destination on Sunday afternoon.  

A friend of a friend was gracious enough to let these strangers stall cows at their 3,000 acre ranch for a few days. 

This is a whole new world!

They will stay here for a few days to let the cows rest, cool down and wash some of the road dirt off of them.  

Tuesday morning, they will load the trailer back up and head about an hour down the road to Kearney.

Meanwhile, I am back at home checking on Mamma cows and hoping I don't have to call Roger over here to help pull a calf.

I am enjoying the peace and quiet for now, and using the time to catch up on cleaning and  some long overdue projects.

And since my men are gone....I may be watching a little HGTV and Hallmark.

I know the boys are going to have a great week and are excited for all the new activities and experiences.  

It is hard being at home just waiting for news....but what better way to spend Father's Day than an all boys trip.  This is definitely a trip they will always remember.  

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