A. Richard Beazer Family: April 2011

When the family gets together it makes light work of a big project. Each spring they gather to get Grandmas yard into shape after a long winter. It isn't fun, but we have a great time doing it. The folks from Utah come up and the party begins.

The pictures aren't in any specific order, but they show all that was done.

Trav and John discuss what needs to be done, who has the better chainsaw and how they will outdo each other. It's all in the family.

One of the most important tasks is to get the train ready for the upcoming season. That was Patrick and Kristan's job. They tightened chains, changed the oil and checked the gauges. It started on the first try, which was a good thing as the little ones would have been devastated if riding the train wasn't part of the activities.

The field behind the house is rough from the gophers digging holes, the various vehicles that drive through, and of course winter with it's snow.

Digging out the stump of the tree that was cut down. This was important as the little ones who use the slide would probably have tripped over it.

Taking a break during the day for the first ride of the year. It goes slow so the track can be checked for any unusual bumps or clangs.

The tractor gets a good work out. It may be old but it does the job.

Holding the branches down that were trimmed off the tree that was cut down. They were hauled up to the bon fire pit.

The pine trees do their job by shedding more than enough needles. This requires some serious raking and raking and raking. With many hands it goes fast.

We load them up and haul the off to the burn pit, which is different than the bon fire pit.

Some of the trees have the nerve to grow too close to the power line, so our family electricians took on the task of taking care of this job.

Even Charlie has a job, locating and taking care of the mice. She was sure they were in the irrigation pipe. Sadly she didn't find one there but she did elsewhere, I refuse to post pictures of the dead mouse, you will just have to believe me.

This is what we call twin work. They would load and haul off the needles, then take turns pushing each other back for another load.

Digging out a start of the lilac bush. This bush has been their probably 60 + years, with many hands grabbing it as the train goes past. Oh the memories.

It's critical that the trailer be properly attached. Of course there must be several supervisors to make sure the job is done correctly.

Keeping the chainsaws filled. They were well used.

A lawn that is 80 years old is bound to be a little bumpy from all the worms. We tried using a roller to smooth some of the out. Next time we water (flood irrigate) will prove whether we wasted our time or not.

The little ones kept themselves entertained quite well. They took turns pulling each other on the putty car.

The planter boxes got a greatly needed new coat of paint.

Another load of limbs, this time it was the cottonwoods from out behind the shop. When the wind blows they scatter all over and when they fall on the tracks it causes derailments. Derailments are no fun.

what little boy can resist an opportunity to drive the tractor?

Cousins of the best kind.

Even girls like to drive the tractor.

Group shot of most of the bunch.

Burning the weeds that plug the ditches. A stinky task, but give a boy a flame and he doesn't mind the stink.

After a long day, silly faces are in order.

It's a long day, one can't help but be tires. We were all jealous of him.

It takes a lot of food to keep this crew working, thus even the little ones get recruited to cook.

Most years we cook hot dogs for our finale dinner, we decided to try something different, Grilled chicken and dutch oven potatoes. YUMMMMMMMMMMM

Remember all those leaves and needles we raked and hauled to the burn pit, well here they are in the height of their glory burning away. At one point the flames were close to 15 feet high. We forgot to call the fire department and let them know we were burning. Needless to say the county sent out an officer to investigate, he was able to call off the fire crew.

John and family came, (he's taking pictures and didn't make it into to my copy)