Getting the water lines up

Getting the water lines up

There are 26 acres of hay on Grandpa's property here.  The fields in this high desert are irrigated by the Tumalo Irrigation District which sends ice-cold snow run-off, from their reservoir, down the miles of irrigation canals

 ... to us!

The water is "turned on" at the end of April each year.  Once this water is on, it fills the ponds and can be pumped out to water the fields.  

The metal pipes have to be put out, the pump has to be repaired, primed, and started.  Valves need to be fixed, seals repaired, and lots of other little maintenance issues.

Burnell and Dwight working on the lines ... father and son...

... while the next generation puts out the pipes.

Orin - the Hurdler

Me and my photography, again ...

Wyatt's gotta lean the ropes, too.  

Dwight and Chance - having a blast, as usual!

Burnell - the veteran - teaching Orin how to operate the motor that moves the entire wheel line.  This is serious business!

Ty watching from a distance ... can they do it?

And the water is UP!

Now it's time to PLAY!

The pond overflowed and made a shallow little pool for Vienna to play in!  She loved wading around in the sun-warmed water.

Earthworm hunting!

There's always time for hugs and kisses!

Big brother Orin helping Vienna around the field.

Chance takes his turn at the wheel ... imaging he's on a racetrack no doubt!

Love this shot

Work's done ... 

Yes, this happens 'round here ... and she LOVES it!

Spring has arrived! Dragging the field

Springtime 'round these parts means getting the fields ready ... and playing OUTSIDE!!!  Yeah for sunshine and the warmth it brings.

Burnell (our soon-to-be 10-yr-old) gets to start off the prep by dragging the hay fields.  After the horses have been on the fields "fertilizing" all winter, we then have to help spread the organic fertilizer around. :-)

I remember when I used to drive our tractor in NY.  So fun!

 Picture-perfect days.  Looks like a couple of geese have decided that our pond is the perfect place for nesting.

Dirt + Water = MUD

I guess I can't keep her clean forever. :-)  

 Quint finds some eggs in the haybarn.

I love that Grandpa & Gram's place here has a sandbox!  The children play for hours.  One of THE best "toys" you can give a child. That and a trampoline.  Hours of fun ...

 Time for some water on these hot spring days.  And since the pond is still ice cold, we'll revert to the hose on the slide.

 The master-minds at work.

Practicing my photography ... 

And there Ty goes!

Oooohhh ... it's still COLD! :-)