Racking Day!

Every year we have a "racking day" at my grandpa's property (The Property) in eastern Oregon. The land has a ton of pine trees and once spring comes the ground is covered in pine needles. The needles are very acidic and if you don't pick them up the acid will start to kill the grass. So my family heads over on a Saturday when the snow season is over and we spend the day racking up and burning the pine needles.

This last weekend Robert was in New York on business so I got to go over by myself with three kids. I took Caden along because he's really not that much work and my girls love to play with him.

Going over the mountain pass at 9 am, snow on the trees but nothing on the road. The forcast for the weekend was not looking good. We thought it was going to rain and be cold but it turned out to just be cold with no rain. It was perfect.

After a 3 hour drive the kids were excited to get out of the car and help "work".

Dad opened up the water gate and the creek started to fill up.

Waiting for the water to come out from under the bridge.

Playing in the dirt/mud/red clay is a big thrill. Bennett, Caden, Bailey.

Accumulation of dirt on the face at medium level.

Moving the front law with grandma is a big thrill.

So happy to be helping!

Caden giving a little love to Addison.

Dirt/snot accumulation- medium level.

Best buddies.

Do you think we had fun???

The day was great and it wasn't hard having three kids to tend until we got in the car to drive home. By then I was physically exhausted, my wrists hurt from racking and my shoulders were sore. My patients was extremely low but we made it home in one peace. I got home at 10pm, got the kids to bed and then talked to Robert on the phone who was still awake at 1am NY time. He'd been having a great night at a Mets baseball game. How nice for him . . .