Mud season

So a couple weeks ago we all of a sudden received nice sunny weather and it felt like over night
all of our snow melted. We were pretty exciting until we realized the huge
 mess all the water was going to make.

 The river under this bridge flooded.

All these trees are in the water now.

This is one of the summer pastures. You can see the cows accross the flooded field.

There was no water access for the cows in this pasture so they decided to dig down to find some.

The surrounding area was so muddy the equipment got stuck.

 Luckily this excavator was able to use its bucket to pull it self out.

 Even one of the cows fell victim to the mud and had to be rescued.

 We also got stuck and had to be pulled out.

Luckily this tractor driver was close by.

 Waiting to get out of the mud I noticed all of these holes in the grass.
We are hoping they are from mice and not snakes.

 Zac checking out the river across the valley.

 

 

Getting Gas

 This is our closest gas station. Its about ten minuets from our house.

 

 The pickup has a tank on both sides but one side is really small.

 

 The pumps only have one nozzel so I usually stay to guard it so no

one uses it while Zac is inside activating the gas card. The ladies that work here not always paying attention and you have to be careful they don't let someone else use the company account.

 

It shows how many liters we got and how many Rubles is cost.

After driving around in the slushy snow there was cool ice buildup on one of the wheels.

Old buildings and a flat tire

 

 Alot of the little roads that connect towns are still closed for winter but we did find a small road that lead to an old collective farm not far from our house.

 

 It looks like someone has been living in it.

 

 There was this main hall way and little rooms off to the side.

 

 We are not sure what this building would have been used for when it was originally built.

There were other buildings that look like they are still being used as storage or maybe a dairy.

 

 We got our first flat tire but luckily we were not to far from the ranch and right after

 we pulled over security drove by and sent one of our mechanics.

 

 This guy did the fastest roadside tire changes I have ever seen (outside of nascar)

and he didn't even have any power tools.

 

 He had the tools spinning so fast it came out as a blur.

 

 These pickups come with the tiniest little jacks.

 

What's great is the spare is a normal tire not just a doughnut. 

Eagle Project

We took a day to help Jasper with his Eagle project.

It was really nice weather and fun to do some painting.

 

So cute! These little old ladies were headed into town.

They were staring at us painting their monuments and we were staring at them riding in a little cart.

 Jasper starting to cover up the tank top.

 

Zac helping on the new shirt. 

 

 This wood latter looked homemade and some branches had

 to be cut to reach the back of this guy.

 

 The girls starting on the lady.

 

These statues were really tall so I was impressed the kids got the very top painted. 

Sariah testing out our custom made yellow.

 



Before

After

It took all day but they turned out really nice.

 

 We also built a snow man. Such a fun day!

 



They used spray paint for the buttons, eyes and mouth.