Baby Moo's

We have two new additions to our hereford herd as of this afternoon!

They look to be healthy as they lounge in the nice 70 degree afternoon sun!

Early Spring- Break!

I discovered that I have a week spring break from my online courses. Typically they run right over each other but due to this calendar year there happens to be a break this week.

What to do????

When I was in college we traveled to Myrtle Beach or Panama City and took in some sun, drank some corona's and danced the night away at foam parties and such....

I had decided to take a last minute road trip to Ohio, but I wasn't well planned and decided to just postpone it to its regularly schedule time in mid-March and stick to flying.

Guess I'll be staying put in the Fort Collins area. Dad told me I can watch the cows as they begin calving but I'm not really interested in that :)

The Coasters

Boarder Babes!

We piled the Yukon XL with all our gear and 7 passengers and headed west for the mountains again on Saturday~ an absolutely perfect day to be out on the slopes!



I decided to try boarding once again because I really like it. It is a challenge to me and I want to get really good at it. I even looked at buying a board but maybe at the next Sniagrab sale this fall.

I am learning how to carve and use my edges. I was scared at first again to use my toe edge but I got it figured out. I was cruising along at one point and I fell causing my board to give me a face wash. As I did I fell right next to a ski school instructor who told me that I make beautiful carves and that she was about to have her class watch me. Impressive, huh?!

Kristine's ankle hurt so we shipped her off to the bunny hill on the other side of the mountain with the snowmobile taxi. I think that was her favorite part of the day!!!

Dr. Love & Mexico

Dr. Love (The Hot Montana Cowboy) truly is an asset to have an insider look into the simple minds of men.

I have to say thank you for thinking about me when considering who to take to Mexico for the Montana Silversmith company trip. I fell so special especially considering I'm sure a hot cowboy who is a social as yourself probably has several other lady friends who would be in line before myself.

So as I told him; my bags are packed and I was born ready for fun especially when it entails a trip to Mexico. Just let me know how it works out and to continue keeping in touch!

My bikini is packed!

The Graduate

Cinch is officially a beginner graduate from Petsmart Puppy School.

He's still got some moves to work out but he's got a quick whit about him~ he's a fast learner and ambitious! He's looking forward to agility training this summer ;)

Whiskey for my Men & Beer for my Horses

Skeeter's Whiskey Creek

From Wisconsin to Nebraska~
Dad, Mom & I took off for Kearney, NE on Monday for yet another cattle sale.
Gosh it is good to be HOME again! (for now)

WISCONSIN

I really love my family!
We are the "weirdest herd I've ever seen" (Ice Age)
But I love my family because they are a lot of fun!

Best quote of the weekend...
"So how long does these Craig wedding receptions last?"- asked by Amy's boyfriend Brandon.
LOL, they last as long as we can hang! Let me see, we've been known to be kicked out of reception halls around 2:30 a.m. (Uncle Gregg) -that's much later than the typical mid-night closer. We just know how to have a good time!

I realized that in the last 7 years my orignially rather larger family has trippled!!! As we all age, there are more marriages and now babies and life is grand!

Family Bonding

Steve & Jessica joined us Saturday afternoon for lunch at the Clauda Irish Pub (see a trend in culture here?)
Where we tried to drink off our German hang over from the night before! For some reason I had these two songs stuck in my head; Roll out the Barrel & "the chicken dance".

We spent the afternoon hanging together and the story telling began....

I just love this picture.

Brandon was showing us something on the internet so we all piled around the computer- we're a close knit family!

Essen Haus & Polka Dancing

Copper Box Polka Band
another live band experience, how could you not love live music?

We landed in Milwaukee and before my mother & I even picked up the rental car I had purchased a ticket on the Badger Bus and we split ways. Mom stayed the night in Big Bend/Mukwanago area and I stayed with Cousin Amy in Madison!

I had dinner with Brandon & Amy at Angelic's which is slightly Mediterranean and enjoyed some Spotted Cow beer- something we can't get locally in Colorado.

Then we headed off for some authentic Wisconsin fun to the German Brew Pub Essen Haus for some traditional Polka dancing!!!

It was a great time!!!


The band guy in a Liederhousen, yes a Liederhousen!!!

Wedding Reception

Bellini's Italian Restaurante

The Groom- My youngest cousin!

The unusual part about my family is that we are probably one the the most culturally diverse farm families out there.

The wedding took place a month ago in Panama, where the bride is from and where the couple met five years ago while Evan was studying abroad. Her parents were present for this celebration!

Some of my most favorite people on earth are my family members pictured below!

My mother, she looked beautiful that night!

Amy & Brandon

Amy swishing listerine and looking cute!

Jessica & I

Stevie & I

The mid-adult table

Kathy & I

Gregg & Brandon

Steve & Jessica

Post Party @ Paul's Place & State Street

The clock struck mid-night and us wild kids ventured out to State Street to unwind at Paul's Place; a campus bar in which has withstood the test of time because apparently my mother has a story or two from this particular establishment from her college days @ Madison.

The boys planted the flowers in the snow- they are so creative!

Family Time

It is hard when you live so far away from home and you realize that you are just meeting your cousin's children for the first time and they are almost THREE!

But they are adorable and they look just like my cousins; Scott, Dan & Steve when they were boys!

It was so nice spending the afternoon with these cutie pies! Steve & Jessica are trying next! Oh boy our family is growing!

Happy Birthday Jimmy!

FIVE YEARS ~ 100,000 miles!!!

I made the last payment on my Jimmy and I now own my first asset!
Sure it is a '99 with 108,000 miles on it, but it's ALL MINE!!!

Five years ago I aquired Jimmy because someone T-boned my
baby blue Mercury Topaz.

My dad asked me if I knew what I wanted to replace it and I told him I had found something, but he wanted to look at it first.

So I came home from work one Wednesday night and there in my driveway
with a HUGE red bow on the top was my new baby!

We've been tooling around the country together ever since!

We have officially gone 100,000 miles together- that's my longest relationship!!!

And we're looking at another 100,000!!!

(as my brother will aquire it when he drives)

Sports Illistrated 2006 Swimsuit Issue

This issue will have something everyone can appreciate;

Beautiful women -with barely nothing on and Diamonds, a girls best friend.

Actress Molly Sims is shown wearing a $30 million diamond bikini in this publicity photograph released February 14, 2006. The bikini, designed by Susan Rosen is made up of over 150 carats of D flawless diamonds. The bikini is featured in the 2006 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue which is being released February 14.

Hot Date!?!?!?!

Not this single chicky!
But I did get some pretty PINK flowers!!!

I also got a phone call from just about every guy I know wishing me happy valentines day! How sweet guys can be when they are told to be :P (I'm actually finding out my standards were just too low)

I'm not cynical about love. In fact I'm more or less a hopeless romantic who would do anything for love. I believe its out there and that something great is waiting for me, but I am not a huge fan about valentines day. Why??? I value randomness! I don't particularly appreciate gifts that were given to me because Hallmark told someone that they'd better get me something to let me know I'm special. And regardless of what anyone thinks I wouldn't hold it against my boyfriend if they didn't get me something because it was V-day. I just prefer to brag about something someone got me on June 12th instead- it is more meaningful!

I much more appreciate a nice gesture on any random Wednesday. A card. Dinner. Flowers. Jewelry etc. Wednesdays are great days to get those things. Anniversary's and holidays are expected and when you expect something you are more likely to be let down. I hate being let down particularly because I don't tend to let others down thus I don't expect to be let down.

Ok, but I'm a romantic- I have been told it was born innately into me that I do random acts of love. I have been known to stop by a friends office with flowers, lunch and cards. I have been known to shower my lover with notes in their lunchbox, car, or even cowboy boots before on random occasions.

Ok....blah, blah blah ramble ramble ramble.... I know most of you are here for the pictures- well I got none! So I'm going to step off my soap box and talk to you some more....

Thanks for thinking about me on valentines day- it made my day that you called or I at least crossed your mind.

I do believe in Valentines day in the respect that it is sort of like the "Christmas Season" where it is a time to spread & share the love in your heart. Be kind to your fellow neighbors and tell the people in your life that you love or care about them or reconnect with long lost friends.

Therefore I sent out Snoopy Valentines this year to my near and dear friends who I don't get a chance to let them know I appreciate them. I hope it made their day and brought a smile to their face!

All my LOVE,
Melissa Jean

Happy Valentines Day!!!!

http://www.americangreetings.com/view.pd?i=403520058&m=6529&rr=y&source=ag999

Thank you to everyone for sending me valentines!!!
I have rec'd more valentines this year than any year besides kindergarten!
Thank You! I feel very special!

This valentine (from Jason) says it so well!
Jennie always tells me- you've got to kiss a lot of toads to find the prince.

Boarder Chick!

I learned how to Snowboard!

after skiing & racing for the last 24 years...I decided to try to cross over

It was a mountain fun filled weekend!

After I visited Steamboat Springs I headed up to Copper Mountain where I met up with Kristine for some snowboarding.

We also met up with my siblings; Stephanie & Kevin and my friends
Sarah & Sean from Wyoming.

I left Clark, Colorado at 8:00 a.m. with the tempature reading -22 degrees!!!

But it warmed up to 0 by the time I parked my car and it kept climbing to where it was a very nice day for boarding!

Kristine & I bought a half day lesson but it was worthless- the guy was like "dude" and I ended up ditching her on the bunny hill because I was an instant pro! I caught up with Sarah at the American Flyer and headed to the top of the mountain but stuck to green/blue runs. Sarah actually taught me more than the lesson guy but I had snowboarded 10 years ago so it was familiar.

I just needed some courage because I was afraid of turning on my toe edge, but she taught me a great way to turn and I ended up sailing past her on the slopes a few times.

I didn't fall too often, but my knees hurt from when I did- ugh! The pain!!!!

I know Sarah & Kevin are up for taking me more often!