This holiday season I had the opportunity to go back to the place I love, almost as much sewing, Wyoming.
I have lived in Minnesota now for almost 15 years. We have have raised our children, made a home, gotten wonderful jobs, joined a church, and became well established. Still part of me misses the wide open plains and sunrises back there. Most of you don’t know that I was raised on a very large cattle ranch in northeast corner in Wyoming with my two sisters and my parents. Growing up we spent our days doing typical ranch kid chores like ridding horse, feeding cattle and other animals, moving hay, fixing fences, branding cattle and sheep, helping the neighbors and the list goes on and on. Me being a very dramatic child, made sure my parents knew how “abused “ I was for being made to do such things as to which they would reply “someday you will miss this”. I knew they were wrong, at the time, but little did I know how true those words were. Now as an adult I find myself telling stories to my kids about all the wonderful the things I did on that ranch where and all the great adventures I had , wishing I could show them what I was talking about. Well seasons change and people pass and my family ranch has been divided and sold, but my father still runs his cattle on the neighbors place right next door.
Our journey didn’t start off the best as we piled two grouchy boys, my husband and myself in our car and headed down I90 for 730 miles. It was a long enough trip when a blizzard slowed us down but ended up putting us there just in time for another wonderful family tradition. Our Barton Christmas. A time when cousins gather each year for as long as I can remember.
The faces have changed but the love and laughter was still the same. 
Then we were off to the ranch where the boy got to help feed the cows,
Chop the ice then, steer the pickup while grandpa supervised,
Hunt the rabbits and go explore the building out and around the place.
My boys spent their days wandering and playing with their cousins doing thing I am sure I don’t even want to know about!
It was such an amazing adventure for all of them. We shared laughs and meals and most of all precious memories that will live on forever. 
This was truly a holiday to remember! 
Here's to another new year with fond memories of the past, looking forward to more family fun and memory making trips.
Comments will be approved before showing up.
Barbara Yoder
January 11, 2022
I’ve only been through Wyoming twice on our way to national parks further west. I thought it was the most beautiful state, amazed by how much sky and country to be seen. I’m sure seeing it from the interstate did not do it justice. I thought how hardy the people must be to farm there, but how they must love their ranches. I’m glad you were able to be there with family to celebrate the holidays and I’m sure your boys will have great memories of the trip even though the journey was long. Thanks for sharing!