It occurred to me last night that in all my posts about working cattle, weaning calves, preg-testing cows and sorting steers, I've never once included information about the most challenging aspect of having a working cattle ranch: Getting everyone up, dressed, and out the door. So in the interest of providing you with the highest level of up-to-the-minute reporting, here's how our morning has gone so far:
At 5 a.m., we all roll out of bed, feeling only partially human:
Some are a little peppier...
...than others...
Everyone gets dressed and puts on their boots...
...and eats a doughnut. I'd make bacon and eggs, but...I just don't want to. 
Then we all go down to the barn...
...and feed the horses...
...even though some of us might rather be in bed.
After the horses eat, we saddle them. Marlboro Man can't wait for the day when the kids can saddle his horse for him. It's the main reason he chose to procreate. Seems I wasn't really part of the decision-making process.
L.B. had some burrs in his mane, so M.M. had to pick them out, one by one...
...before he laid the tiniest saddle in the barn upon his back.
Oh, how I absolutely love L.B.
Marlboro Man hooks up the trailer and we load the horses. We make it back to the house just as the sun is coming up. 
Then Marlboro Man and the kids head off to work while Pioneer Woman leisurely works on her post and sips coffee before meeting them at the working a little later. Much later. Whenever I want. Yawn.
You know, your kids are beautiful, even when they're all puffy-eyed and grumpy. Hey, can you pass me one of them doughnuts? Mmmm...
Posted by: Chrissy | Dec 16, 2006 at 08:32 AM
It's just amazing how much your babies look like you. I want to pinch their little cheeks and say, "Ree, ree!"
Posted by: Beth | Dec 16, 2006 at 08:34 AM
So who got up extra early and got the Krispy Kreme's? I can't beleive there is no Starbucks but you've got a krispy kreme. I don't even have one of those.
Posted by: cecedon | Dec 16, 2006 at 08:37 AM
I really like getting up at 7 am. Whenever I think it's too early I think about getting up at 5:30 or 6 to help with chores...
I do think your kids are getting a good life, even if the poor things take an hour to wake up after they start moving!!
Actually I'm kinda jealous. I woke up to pigs.
LB is great, Ree. There's nothing like a good horse that you can trust with your kids- he's a real treasure!!!!
Posted by: Heidi | Dec 16, 2006 at 08:40 AM
I'm showing this to my kids as soon as I get their lazy butts out of bed. And they complain about how they have to get up at 7 and feed just 4 horses, 3 dogs, a goat, and a handful of cats. (They do have an excuse for sleeping in this morning.)
I love these glimpses at your life. Tell us more! What does everyone do when they come back home? Do they get a nap? What's your school schedule like if they do this during the week? Note that I don't have a *schedule*. It's fly by the seat of your pants around here:o)
Posted by: Jenni in KS | Dec 16, 2006 at 08:46 AM
so where did you get the donuts? :)
Posted by: DAJ | Dec 16, 2006 at 09:05 AM
I smile
Posted by: Pamela | Dec 16, 2006 at 10:08 AM
About the Krispy Kremes: our tiny local grocery store carries 'em! 'Course, they're about five months old, but...they're still Krispy Kremes.
Beggars can't be choosers.
Posted by: Ree | Dec 16, 2006 at 10:40 AM
My question was going to be about the Krispy Kreme's, but about a 100 other people had the same question. And, then you answered it. And, just how many miles is it to that tiny little grocery store from your house? What a wonderful education your chillins are receiving. Were your eyes open when you took those photos? They were wonderful, as usual.
Posted by: swampwitch | Dec 16, 2006 at 10:57 AM
P.S. I'll bet if you ask that tiny little grocery store person, he would put in a Starbuck's cappuchino (sp?) machine for you.
Posted by: swampwitch | Dec 16, 2006 at 10:59 AM
First of all I adore your photos! Your kids are just amazing and I love the education they are getting about life, hard work, what their daddy does to earn a living and all of it. It's REAL. It's SOLID. It's great. wow.
Posted by: Lisa | Dec 16, 2006 at 11:35 AM
5am??? YAAAAAWN!!! that is harsh!! What time do you go to bed? 8 or 9pm? I'd be an accident waiting to happen that early.
Posted by: claudia | Dec 16, 2006 at 11:39 AM
i agree with cecedon, who got up to get the donuts?!
Posted by: islaygirl | Dec 16, 2006 at 11:55 AM
Hmm, yeah, I guess I can't be a rancher after all, since I AM NOT a morning person! 5am-8am is when I would do my best sleeping if the rest of the world would allow it.
Your little boy's smile is so darn cute.
Posted by: momto3cubs | Dec 16, 2006 at 12:06 PM
I think the need for extra hands around the barn is an excellent reason to procreate. They saddle up, I get extra donut time.
Posted by: Remuda Mom | Dec 16, 2006 at 12:16 PM
What a scrumptious idea for a post, Ree!! I am drooling over every photo....not the doughnuts, the KIDS!! And...I know you have to hang around there because one little cowboy is still in bed!
Posted by: Gee | Dec 16, 2006 at 01:33 PM
Your photography is STUNNING! Your people shots are absolutely FAB! SOMEDAY....I want to take photos like that. My people shots just don't come out that great.
Awesome post!
Stacie
Posted by: Stacie | Dec 16, 2006 at 02:50 PM
I'm sorry Ree, it was a well written piece with great photos, but I just lost all focus when I got to the doughnut pcture. Let me know how it ends will ya?
Posted by: willowtree | Dec 16, 2006 at 03:15 PM
What kind of digital camera do you have? It takes great low-light photos!
Great post. :) Your kids are the cutest.
Posted by: Lane | Dec 16, 2006 at 04:11 PM
MMMM, Krispy Kremes. Yum. Love the family pics as always.
Staying home with baby cowboy sounds good to me! And the baby says, 'ha.'--
Posted by: Jess | Dec 16, 2006 at 04:57 PM
Oh, I was in TOWN yesterday and picked up the doughnuts in anticipation of our getting up early. We DO also have a delicious FRESH doughnut shop in town, but we wouldn't have time to drive the 45 minute round trip. So we settle for several-day-old K.K.'s.
Lane, it's a Nikon D70. I had on a 50 mm lens, and was able to get the aperture really big. (I didn't even know what an aperture was nine months ago.) Still, the light was lowwwwwww, as you can tell from the dark pics! :)
Posted by: Ree | Dec 16, 2006 at 08:29 PM
I think whenever I want to go back home to the ranch... I will just browse back here and look at those puffy eyed kids of yours and remember one of the things I hated about ranching. I love your Blog - very nice.
Posted by: Ryan | Dec 16, 2006 at 08:45 PM
Rynnie, Rynnie, Rynnie. Why do you do that to those babies. i remember one grumpy little buckaroo or two at the Coyote lake Ranch, who hated those 5:00 am mornings. And I know there were no donuts and goodies. Maybe a chew and cuppa coffe.....
Loved the pic's hon. Let Shiela know from me that she has darling babies.
Posted by: Your other Mom | Dec 16, 2006 at 09:03 PM
Ree,
Very enjoyable post. I'm just curious, is this a daily routine for y'all? I'm hoping not. I feel like crawling into bed just thinking about it.
Posted by: Denise | Dec 16, 2006 at 10:37 PM
Okay Ree, I want to know why there are no pictures of you in all of your 5 a.m. glory?! I know that camera has a self timer!
Posted by: Faith | Dec 17, 2006 at 01:03 AM