December 27, 2008. Double D Ranch, Texas.

Three girls burst into the Top House while Ken was cooking the bacon and biscuits for breakfast. They drove up on the red mule, driven by Sarah. When the girls are 8, they are allowed to learn how to drive the mule around the ranch, which means both Abigail and Sarah are able to drive both mules. We have two because Abigail backed into a tree and a part broke off, which meant a trip to the shop. As the mule belonged to Ken and we were coming to town, David bought a second mule, but one with a second seat. Now we can all go together around the ranch in the mules, which is a good thing. Abigail was not being careless, she just forgot that there was a top over her head, and branch pushed the top out of place. When the girls arrived they gave us good news. David and Abigail shot a doe this morning when hunting together. Soon Suzanne, David and Abigail would come up to join us for breakfast. While the three girls were waiting, they made themselves toast and peanut butter. They are very resourceful girls. They love to come to the Top House. They love the views and the art work on the walls, but most of all they love to play Hide and Seek. The hiding places are numerous and unusual, so after toast but before the real breakfast was ready, we four had a rousing game, with me the first one It. Those girls are very small and can hide in very little places, such as cabinets and small closets and even drawers. I on the other hand have very limited spaces to hide, due to my height and width.

After breakfast we all drive over to our friends ranch, as Robbie has wood to be hauled back to our fire pit area. Many fires are built outside at our ranch, so we are always happy to have more wood. We are especially happy to have David and Suzanne and the girls with us, as David and Suzanne do all the work while the girls play and I cheer. Ken comes over with a third vehicle just in case it is needed. Ken tries to fix the chain saw, and finally succeeds, when David tells his the information. Now that is a passing of the guard!! Finally the girls are bored with working and walk home, where they play outdoors with their bicycles. Finally, by one o'clock, the work is complete and out stack of wood is huge. This afternoon David is cutting up the branches into smaller usable sizes, then he will take the girls to practice their shooting. Allison and Samantha own BB guns, and Sarah and Abigail have 22s. Our next task is to drive home via Fredericksburg to pick up David's deer sausage, eat dinner in one of the restaurants there, then drive to San Antonio. Tomorrow Ken and I leave for Mexico.

Now this day constitutes a wonderful day for us. The weather is cool and clear and breezy, and the children are happy and busy and the adults are productive. It doesn't get any better than a day like today at the ranch!!