Category Livestock
It’s that time of year when we start breeding fall cows. Last week Josh and the kids worked cattle together. It reminded me of the cow work we did in the spring. Basically, it was all the same routine, just a different season. The cows were sorted into different breeding groups and the calves separated from them. It’s much easier …
While we may be a long way from Texas, the Longhorn breed reminiscent of cattle drives and western movies has found a home in the Gem State. “I had always wanted some Longhorns,” says Nick Noyes of Running N Longhorns in Fruitland. “I kept seeing a herd along the highway in Rigby and finally decided to buy some. Our family …
It’s that time of year when lots of families are thinking about scheduling fall family portraits. I think if 2020 has taught us anything—as if we didn’t know it before—it is that life is unpredictable. We truly never know what tomorrow brings, and capturing your family at this particular time in your life will become more valuable over time. And …
We’re excited to be headed out this week to another Idaho Junior Beef Expo! Especially after the year we’ve had with so many events and activities cancelled, this is a happy day for the family. We’ve created so many memories at this show through the years. Better late than never to post last year’s! LOL!
It’s hard to say I have a favorite kind of photography session because each one offers me a unique opportunity to work as an artist, create memories for my clients, and capture their unique and personal stories. I enter each YOURStory session with this goal in mind, and this is why I specialize in these sessions and make them the …
Our boy had wanted to show a pig in 4-H ever since he was six years old. Jayten talked about pigs all the time. His first oral presentation contest talk was on the cuts of pork when he was a Cloverbud (not old enough to compete, but could do projects for display). He loved helping his friend with his pigs …
We feel very blessed with our life and raising our kids on a cattle ranch. We are able to have a rural lifestyle that allows for lots of time outdoors in the fresh air, running around, doing outside chores, learning responsibility by taking care of animals and the land in our care. Other life lessons that just come naturally with …
This is my favorite season! Not only is it time for pumpkin spice everything, apple cider and fall foliage, it’s fall calving time! Our cattle herd is divided into two breeding groups—the spring cows calve January through March. The fall cows calve August through October. And while anytime a new calf is born is cause for celebration, the fall calves …
“The Lord’s unfailing love and mercy still continue, fresh as the morning, as sure as the sunrise. The Lord is all I have and so I put my hope in Him.” Lamentations 3:22-24 Sunrises and sunsets remind me of my friend, Julie. Even before she passed away, if I saw a great one, she would come to mind because I …
It’s calving time! (Cue the Semisonic lyrics. Anyone else think of It’s Closing Time? Just me? Mkay.) Thankfully it’s been a mild winter so calving this year hasn’t been that hard on the cattle or the guys. Last year there was so much snow and we had to bring many pairs into the barn to calve or right after calving, …
Welcome to the world, little one! “Duke,” nicknamed Lil’ dude by my youngest, made his appearance Jan. 22. He has been a highly talked about and much anticipated addition to our animal family. My oldest purchased and showed his mother, Olive, last year. She was bred in the fall, then after a five month gestation, became a mom! Of course …
The months of January through March are usually known as the “season of muck” around here. Now last year, we were covered in snow, but it’s more typical to have a winter and spring like this year. We may get a few snowstorms, but it doesn’t last long. If the ground doesn’t freeze, then things get mucky. The ground is …
When you live on a ranch and photograph cows a lot sometimes they all start looking the same. I admit, they aren’t super exciting, albeit I still find something beautiful about where we live and work. Lots of wide open spaces around here. I’m always asking myself how can I make the same scene look different? Just like when I’m …
What’s on your Christmas list? If you like to stay organized or know someone who does, a 2018 planner would be a great idea! I learned about the Heart of the Farm Planner in 2016 on Instagram. Late in the year I purchased my first HOTF planner and really liked the design and layout. Cory has a really neat shop …
Currently it’s raining…a far cry from the winter scenes I’m posting here. All the snow is gone and with all the moisture we’ve had lately, everything is green, green, green. Yay! But, it wasn’t that long ago that we didn’t think we’d ever see spring or green grass again. I was asked to submit some photos for a couple different …
It’s always a team effort to get the cattle fit and looking their best on show day. The Hereford Bull show was going on from the other side of the area. Angus on Parade! Love those fluffy ears! This was the last show for this heifer. The pair had a successful show season, but now it’s time for her to …
We spent another fun, family weekend on the road at a junior livestock show. It’s a lot of work, but so worth it to see the kids compete, hang out with friends, and have fun. E showed her heifer and two sheep this weekend. She had some tough competition and did a good job. Each time she goes into the …
Another Idaho Junior Beef Expo has come and gone. It was such a great weekend with family and friends! Jayten was so excited to show “Lily” in the PeeWee Hereford showmanship. Thanks to our friend Emilee for letting him use her heifer. So very proud of these girls! They did a great job in showmanship. MJ won her class and …
At first I titled this post Little Cowboy, but my boy is less little and more kid. Sure, he’ll always be my little boy, but I can see some growth over last year. He was excited to have some updated birthday pictures done this year. One thing I’ve found when photographing my own kids is to let less of my …
Usually by April we are seeing more signs of spring around the ranch. The grass has greened up, flowers start blooming and the weather gets warmer. My little miss loves helping water the flowers and I couldn’t help capture her trying to wrangle that big ol’ watering can. She was very determined to get it done by herself. I also love …
Leaving the Interstate, the exit sign read Paradise Valley. And as I reached the ranch where I was photographing, there was no denying that was an accurate description of the place where my clients live and work. Not being an Idaho native, I am still struck by the beauty of this state I now call home. Even after living here 13 …
It’s been a couple weeks since our county fair and as I go through the photos, the memories come flooding back. The whole week was exciting and exhausting, but well-worth all the hard work and effort. Fair week is the culmination of a whole year of work. This was our oldest’s fourth year and our second daughter’s first year in 4-H. …
Our second daughter is showing sheep this year for the first time. It’s her first year in 4-H and she has been hooked from the beginning. In fact, the new 4-H year started in October, and she asked almost weekly when she would be getting her sheep. We picked them out in April and brought them home in May. Needless …
This was the first summer we attended the Idaho Junior Hereford State Show. We had a great time! Besides the show, they have lots of contests and activities to enjoy like team fitting, team marketing, photography, judging contest, speech. The kids did their best and learned a lot. Both girls learned more about fitting and had the chance to practice …
One of the activities we enjoy as a family is showing cattle. Our kids are starting to get more involved in junior breed associations and 4-H events so several weekends from May through August are usually spent at a livestock show. It’s a lot of hard work, not only the day of, but also at home in preparation. However, it’s …
These photos represent lots of family memories for us. Each year our family heads to the Idaho Junior Beef Expo show in Filer, Idaho. My husband, his brothers and sister, used to show there, and now our kids have the opportunity to compete and enjoy the youth activities they have planned each year. It’s a great show with a family-friendly …
Last weekend we loaded up our family and headed down to Reno, Nev., to attend the Western National Angus Futurity. Our oldest daughter would be showing Angus cattle there for the first time and our ranch also had several animals to exhibit. We raise registered seedstock cattle and show them at fairs and national shows to advertise the genetics we …
One of our family’s summer traditions is heading to the Idaho Junior Beef Expo in Filer, Idaho. This is our fourth year attending with one of our own kids showing, but we’ve been going for many years as my husband and all his siblings grew up showing there. It’s a great family-friendly atmosphere. We get to see other cattle friends …
The reason I do this; the reason I love photography is the opportunity to tell stories. Stories of hope. Kyle’s story is definitely one of hope. Last summer, 17-year-old Kyle decided to use his upcoming senior project to give back to an organization that helped he and his family through a difficult time as he faced a …