November 9, 2010
Bernard and the great pumpkin
Posted by Morning Bray under Donkeys | Tags: Bernard, donkey, pumpkin |[21] Comments
November 7, 2010
Bernard’s excellent adventure
Posted by Morning Bray under Burros, Donkeys, Friends and Family, Horses | Tags: Alan, Bernard, burros, Carson, donkey, George, Hank, The 7MSN Ranch |[23] Comments
I think yesterday was one of the best days of young Bernard’s life. While his brothers were contentedly eating breakfast, Bernard wanted a part of whatever was going on as soon as Don started backing up the trailer.
It was a perfect New Mexico day as we drove to The 7MSN Ranch.
As soon as we arrived, Bernard expressed his excitement by letting out a big, loud bray. George and Alan were so excited, they floated on air.
I simply loved seeing Bernard in this environment.
After a delicious lunch on the porch – while watching the burro brothers and Bernard gallop past in single file – we all took a walk in the pasture. Bernard made himself completely at home and led the way.
George, Alan, Carson and Hank were right behind us.
And when it was time to head back to the barn, Bernard led the way once again.
At the end of the afternoon, parting was such sweet sorrow. By the time we arrived home, the sun was beginning to set as we crossed the Rio Grande, and the only thing Bernard could talk about was the next time he visits The 7MSN, Ellsworth will be along for the ride. ♥
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November 6, 2010
Saturday Stuff – Places to go, people to see
Posted by Morning Bray under Donkeys, Saturday Parts & Stuff | Tags: Bernard, Bernard's excellent adventure, donkey, road trip |[11] Comments
We’re heading out on an excellent adventure with Bernard today. I’m sure the scene before we leave will go a little something like this:
Bernard: Mamma, do you have to brush my hair? I hate it!
Me: Yes, Bernard. Remember you only get one chance to make a first impression, and I won’t have you looking like a vagabond when we get there.
Bernard has his first play date today. I’m so excited I can’t stand it. ♥
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October 26, 2010
The boys wish Don a happy birthday
Posted by Morning Bray under Burros, Donkeys, Friends and Family | Tags: Bernard, Don, donkeys playing, Ellsworth, Fergus, Nigel |[15] Comments
After the football game on Sunday afternoon, Don and I parked our camp chairs out in the pasture so we could spend time with the boys.
While Fergus and Nigel were right there with us, their preference is still not to get too close when we’re sitting in chairs.
However, because it was Don’s birthday, Bernard and Ellsworth were in a celebratory mood.
There were lots of hugs…
…high fives…
…cheers…
…and the customary shenanigans.
All in all, it was a beautiful afternoon…
…with beautiful boys…
…Fergus and Nigel included. ♥
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October 10, 2010
Great family, great food and great fun
Posted by Morning Bray under Burros, Donkeys, Friends and Family | Tags: Bernard, Debbie, Derek, Don, Ellsworth, Fergus, Nigel |[16] Comments
We just wrapped up a wonderful visit with Don’s sister, Debbie, and her boyfriend, Derek. Great family, great food and great fun made for a fantastic couple of days.
Debbie was smitten with Nigel, and Nigel with Debbie.
They spent a lot of time together, which was wonderful for Nigel.
Not to worry, though. There was plenty of love, attention and affection for everyone.
Ellsworth and his Aunt Debbie shared some laughs.
Debbie was so at ease with the boys. They knew they had it good with her here visiting. She’s a beautiful person, inside and out.
Just look at the smile on Ellsworth’s face.
His ears are another pretty good indicator of his happiness.
There aren’t too many things better in Ellsworth’s book than a good ear scratch.
Thank you, Aunt Debbie.
Bernard gave out lots of hugs…
… and had fun playing his donkey games with Derek.
It warmed my heart to see Fergus showing affection to both Debbie…
… and Derek. Fergus has come such a long way in such a short amount of time.
By the way, Derek is a phenomenal chef, a masterful bartender and an incredibly fun person to be with.
Before they left for the airport, Derek and Debbie presented us with this process flow map for dog barking at Morning Bray Farm. It’s spot on. ♥
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October 7, 2010
So, what was he thinking?
Posted by Morning Bray under Donkeys | Tags: Bernard, donkey, donkeys playing, Ellsworth, Fergus, playing |[42] Comments
When you last saw Bernard, he was mulling things over.
Because he was in a playful mood, he was contemplating what to do next. The sure sign that Bernard is in a playful mood is ears pinned back.
Another sure sign is donkey stink eye.
If he makes his ears disappear completely, you can be really sure he’s in a playful mood.
Stirring up the dirt is fun.
Look at how cute his nose is… covered with dirt.
Aggravating his brothers is great fun.
Even Fergus isn’t immune to Bernard’s antics.
Neither am I.
So much fun makes a donkey boy tired. Drop and roll is an excellent relaxation technique.
So is showing the world how incredibly cute and adorable he is.
Still LOVE the curled feet.
His ten-second power nap allowed me to take an aww photo. I’m not kidding about the ten seconds.
Like any two-year old, Bernard loves to draw. I’m not kidding about this either. He loves to pick up sticks and drag them around the corral. I think this is more to hear the sound of the stick dragging on the ground… same principle as the poop rake dragging the ground.
Right about now is when Bernard paused to mull things over yesterday. After contemplating for at least 30 seconds, he turned to me to ask, “Mamma, am I cute?”
Me: Of course you are, Bernard. Everyone knows you’re the cutest ass in the universe. ♥
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October 6, 2010
Bernard was mulling things over yesterday afternoon. Just look at that concentration.
If you even remotely know Barnyard, you have a guess. What do you suppose he was contemplating?
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September 28, 2010
Really, Bernard?
Posted by Morning Bray under Donkeys | Tags: Bernard, donkey, donkey chewing, Jolly Ball, tractor tire, traffic cone |[19] Comments
Back in June, we took the boys’ Jolly Ball away after we discovered Bernard stepping on and shredding it. Naturally, we were terrified that Bernard would eventually swallow a piece of it.
The following week, we brought home a brand new Jolly Ball for the boys. Blue Jolly Ball wound up with the same fate – in the trash can – after only one day. Just like that, Mister Bernard had shredded it.
Fast forward several weeks. Guess what happened to neon orange traffic cone? If you guessed trash can, you’re right. Poor, poor traffic cone… chewed to bits by Bernard. Note: This picture is obviously not from July of this year, but it is the cutest picture ever of Barnyard with the traffic cone. It may also be the reason Bernard felt it was necessary to shred traffic cone.
So, imagine our surprise yesterday evening when we looked out the window to see something that looked a bit like this. Really, Bernard?
Don had obviously parked the tractor too close to the corral and Bernard was sucking/chewing on the tractor tire. Really, Bernard? ♥ ♥ ♥
Note: Tractor is not in trash. Tractor was moved.
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September 25, 2010
Saturday Stuff – Nigel’s weakness
Posted by Morning Bray under Burros, Saturday Parts & Stuff | Tags: Bernard, Nigel |[17] Comments
You know that one thing each of us has that can make us go weak in the knees? Turns out, Nigel’s weakness is weeping willow leaves.
(By the way, if you click on the picture below, you’ll see that not only is Bernard smiling, he has green lips.)
My goodness. Look at the unwavering concentration on Nigel’s face, and the cute pattern of color that travels up from his lips to his nostrils. Another discovery. I noticed this for the first time yesterday.
In any case, I’ve never seen Nigel so animated and excited… more proof he really is getting more comfortable here. Love it. ♥
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September 24, 2010
It’s a good thing she loves them
Posted by Morning Bray under Burros, Donkeys, Friends and Family | Tags: Bernard, Carson, Clara, custom egg cartons, eggs, Ellsworth, Fergus, fresh eggs, Lorena, Nigel, Peach |[48] Comments
It’s a good thing Carson loves the boys, because they sure do love her. There was practically a riot here when she showed up yesterday morning.
Carson had the honor of being the third two-legged to touch Nigel. We think that’s quite appropriate because if she hadn’t come into our lives, our beloved boys probably wouldn’t have either.
Carson was there with us on day one for Ellsworth. It appears he hasn’t forgotten that.
Once the ruckus quieted down, Carson was able to spend some time with Nigel. Pretty cool.
For Don and me… one of the highlights of our day… fresh eggs from 7MSN.
And wait, there’s more. In true Carson fashion (this lady never does anything half-assed), look at the 7MSN egg carton. Morning Bray Farm officially has the coolest egg carton ever in our refrigerator. Ever. ♥
9/24 Note from Carson: Click here for the source of the egg cartons – they come with label sheets and the vendor also has a Word template for the labels that you can download.
Morning Bray Farm 
