A photo dump to remember our blessings

 So summers long gone n falls fading fast.
Before we rush into the holidaze I wanted to make sure I documented our many blessings.
As we become busier I often neglect blogging, but this is our family journal and we all love looking back at our life events.

We are THANKFUL for these memories.

As is our tradition we begin the celebrations on the last day of school with a summer fun goodie bag and trip to Baughers for ice cream. We were so proud of our kids who had gotten perfect report cards n test results as they closed out the 2012 school year! They'd had my favoritest teachers, Mrs. Luckenbaugh for Kindergarten and Burrows for 3rd grade!



This year we also drove down to buy another new pool on the last day of school as the one we'd bought last year became torn when we tried to cram it in the shed with the bobcat carefully rolled n stored it. This one was a bit bigger too and we could all play together in it!

We knew we'd soon need it for some fantastic (Jack's new word as he can write it himself (and did in a note to teachers describing his summer experiences) family gatherings.

Father's Day 2013

On Father's day we went to deadly, decadent delicious Dutch's Daughter restaurant for brunch. They must buy up all the lump crabmeat that the Chesapeake Bay produces! Their crab soup could be eaten with a fork! It's always nice for my little heathens farm kids to practice up on their best manners too and DD inspires us all.

We went from there to Hanover PA to gather with The Farmer's family for a huge 60th party for his Aunt Mary. It was so nice to catch up with that side of the family! We all took turns holding the newest bitsy baby in the family, Kelsey's darling "Brooke"(and gave her a farm n pony themed gift bag).

The next day we drove across the Bay Bridge to visit our cousins from Seattle and tube!

There may or may not be some serious hero worshiping now!

After that, we cleaned our farm house for the city folk. Remember my posts on various critters in the house? This time there was a TOAD sunning himself in the middle of my living room (ON my vacuum hose)!? And no, a little boy did not bring him inside. I'm guessing he likes our open door policy! (Guess it was slightly less bizarre than the groundhog under Sarah's bed!)

Again we enjoyed too much food much water play with cousins and porch time with Aunts n Uncles.
This was also when we began discussing my baby brother's big news!
***A move to VIENNA and a BABY!!!***
Later we had another goodbye get together.

We also FINALLY got to making hay after a very wet start.

Can't believe that I caught the shot of the bale kicking up into the wagon at sunset!

Then, the poor Farmer's newest tractor had a major sickness right in the middle of the road as he drove equipment between farms. TWICE!
Thank God for the kindness of strangers who helped and/or allowed a tractor to sit in their yard.

This summer was the season of little hay and LOTS of equipment breakdowns.
NOT a blessing for the balance sheets.

In June the kids were excited to attend VBS and see their preschool teacher (and friends).

We still really miss our preschool days but feel blessed to have the best possible school for us where the amazing Principal is also a horse lover and show judge!

Mrs Townsend judging at Lehigh n giving Sarah blues!

 We enjoyed the library's DIG into Reading program (my little boy is now a big reader)!
His favorite books so far have been Farmer Boy, Sounder, My Side of the Mountain, The Boxcar Children and Paddle To the Sea. He likes to read himself the vintage cowboy book "Johny Littlejohn."

Still, he'd rather do this kinda digging as he helped his Daddy fix a broken pipe in a stall.

(I am THANKFUL for a husband who can fix all that breaks in our lives!)

Speaking of my little boy. He's clearly growing up and is now SEVEN!!!

We had our friends the Mosko family over to share the celebrations.

Jack's still climbing, but looking more n more like a young man.

And already having beautiful young lady friends over!

The goat eating watermelon is still the center of attention tho!

The kids have had some fun getaways with both Grandmas.
Camping n fishing at Breezy Point with Nanny was a blast!

And YMCA camp at JoJo's where they loved learning tennis!

We've really enjoyed playing tennis as a family.

Jojo's taken them on many adventures, but rock wall climbing is a favorite!

 We had fun with our Carrollton Hounds friends too - walking hounds, trail riding, and naming puppies in honor of a long time friend, Joe, at a party.

Sarah got her ears pierced AGAIN.

(Last years holes closed before she could wear the treasured horsey ear-rings Mrs. Townsend gave her)

So as school and fall began we've been busy with more horse fun.

Sarah was Champion and Bella Reserve at Country Hill's show

Cleaned, clipped, braided and ready!

Opening Day with Carrollton Hounds

Pony playdate with Powells!

As I write this we're hoping to foxhunt on Thanksgiving morning, before hosting in the evening!

My Wedgwood china reflects our theme!

But most important now we're waiting for Ben and Casey's baby boy to arrive!!!
Clearly Uncle Ben's had great practice and will be a fun Dad!

Ben plays dress up much to kids delight!

I'll sign off as we say every night at Dinner ~
"Thank you God for our food, our farm, our friends and our family."

Blessings to you all this 
Thanksgiving!

Bugs n Kisses

It's that time, ready or not!

The beginning of the holiday rush!

Ever consistent, I'm not ready!

The farm n horse biz have kept us hopping...

More broken equipment and much horse clipping n braiding last weekend so...

Costumes aren't exactly refined yet.

Thank goodness for Union Bridge's Fire Hall costume contest!

That's our dress rehearsal (kick in the pants).

This year Sarah was determined to wear her Grandma's beautiful old prom dress.

The one she's been wearing all over the farm.

Um, yeah. 

Looks about as tattered n torn as you're imagining!

What to do?

Convince her to partner with her brother and wear a brocade cape over top.

As you can see, she's not thrilled with my idea.

I give you Robin Hood & Maid Marian!

(And my Merry Band of Thieves, cause they're almost cuter)

Now that there's no more preschool parades, Halloween's just not the same!

But this link found on Pinterest is my new fave!

The Crazy Cat Lady !!!!!!!

Designed and sewed by Bridget Keith, age 12!

Sarah wore a spider in her hair, much to Jack's surprise

 Oh well, we got in the spirit this morning with pumpkin pancakes!

Lunch was packed with creepy treats too!

Pumpkin fingers (carrots), witches claws (sliced almonds)

A sandwich with a jack o lantern cut out to reveal orange cheese

and a bag of spider rings n chocolate with tag ~

One more evil scheme...  shhhh

I'm secretly hoping Trick or Treating gets rained out 

and we can just enjoy a festive dinner with our own spooky decor.

Favor please n thank you

Hi friends, I have a favor to ask all of you who stop in this week...

I know I haven't posted in a while but this is why!

We've finally been getting out to a bunch of horse shows with my own kids and my students.

There have been many wonderful ribbons won but this was Jack's first time winning.

He beat all the bigger kids and ADULTS in a little jumping class! ;-0

Unfortunately there was so much going on at the show that I never got his picture. 

He was so quietly thrilled and amazed and proud of his pony it melted everyones heart.

He asked me if I'd take a picture of his pony with her ribbons the next day and this shot was my favorite. A friend suggested I enter it in a photo contest so now I'm asking for your help.

Would you pretty please use this link to help Jack n his pony Merit win a gift card to Dover Saddlery?

They are hosting a photo contest and will use the best photo in next years catalog.

http://www.doversaddlery.com/PhotoContestGallery.aspx#view/17807/1627577

Voting closes on the 20th

Here are a few more shots taken at the same time.

Jack is crazy about his pony and has asked if he can make a bed for her to sleep beside him like the dogs! awwwww

Thank you friends!

Hope your world is full of love n hugs too!

The 5 times Happy horse show!

Can I get a Hallelujah for a HaPpY horseshow?!

My 4 yo little buddy John even got a ribbon at his first show.

(Too bad he's generally UNhappy about having his picture taken so we didn't get any great ones of him and his adorable Betty Boop together.)

His big sister Bella also started with me when she was four.

She had so much fun here on her new pony Mystery and got several great ribbons.

The awesome judge Robin Townsend made her smile even bigger by giving her a blue ribbon!

Bella n John's mommy n daddy both worked extra hard preparing for their first family show. 

They even repainted their horse trailer (DIY!) and Elizabeth got her craft on using her cricut to make a snazzy farm name across their trailer! Wow! I feel lazy next to Elizabeth!

Will you do my trailer next please Elizabeth? xo

A big congratulations also to my newest student Riley ~

She'd just bought her pretty pony three days before the show!

They made a beautiful pair and got a pink ribbon (Riley's favorite color). YaY!

Jack and Merit had another great show!

I'm so proud of my sweet boy. He's brave and loves his pony.

They were a whirling dervish in the warm-up ring tho as Jack practiced cantering and begged to jump!

Jack's only complaint was that he was beaten by his sister. It was her turn though. She'd really earned it.

Of course, I was thrilled for my dear daughter to finally feel like a success on her pony.

Sarah got so many compliments on her riding and attitude... Yes, Piggy still dumped her twice, but immediately after the first time in the warm-up, she went right into the ring and got a blue ribbon!

Later, after schooling our new student Riley's cute pony over jumps, Sarah decided to jump Piggy. 

He dumped her again. AGAIN she got right back on with nary a whimper.

xoxo My girl is tough and talented. xoxo

Congratulations Bear!!!

Throughout all our horsey activities The Farmer/Daddy works hard behind the scenes.

Not only does he have big muscles (brain and biceps!) and a soft touch with kids n horses, but equally priceless during these events... he has the best sense of humor n always keeps me sane!

Thank you honey for always coming and lending support!!!

Thanks to all my friends who said a prayer for a peaceful day!

Hope you're all happy as a bird with a french fry!

The 1/2 way Happy Horse Show

Has it really been a year?

Once again we went to the Howard County Fair horse show in August.

It's our favorite due to the shade and rides and nice people who work the show.

Plus, they award money with their ribbons!

Jack LOVES that part.

In fact, the sweet announcer began saying that every time he got a ribbon to make him feel better!

"In third place, with more money, It's Jack and his pony Brookside Merit."

So Jack's 1/2 of the show was very happy!

These pics were taken by our #1 horse show mom "Miss Diane."
She's all heart and takes better care of my family than I do!
At one point she noticed that Sarah had lost a pigtail holder.
She quickly yanked out her own and put Sarah back together.
All day she shared her own water bottle and hugs.
She made it a very happy day for us all.
One day soon I hope she gets to help her own daughter at a show or even show herself!

Sarah, Daddy, Miss Diane n Jack 

I must stop and tell tales on Jack now.

After all, that's why I keep this blog, to remember these blessings! 

Jack practiced his best equitation in the warm up ring.

I was so proud to see him concentrating on so many things at once.

He even cantered!

Once in the actual show ring, Jack lost his focus as he navigated 'round the jumps and other ponies.

We haven't had much practice with all this.

Soooo, at one point he was going in the opposite direction of the other riders.

And when they were asked to line-up (shoulder to shoulder), he put Merit head to tail behind the pony beside him (a big no-no due to biting or kicking).

When I asked, he said he lined up "like in Kindergarten."

Once, the judge asked each of the kids about pony care.

I was a bit too smug.

I'm an ex Pony Club instructor and am big on teaching my kids horse management.

They both work hard caring for their ponies.

So I was unprepared for this:

When asked to name one thing that a pony must get every day (hay, water, maybe grooming)

My son answered loud n proud "medicine."

I cringed imagining the judge thinking we drug our show ponies!

But it was my fault. 

Jack was just repeating what I said every day.

Merit's had Lyme disease, and I'd remind him when it was time to deliver her feed w/doxcy that it was very important that he not get distracted and forget to give it to her.

Then it was Sarah's turn and she was not quite as happy.

I'm a glass half full kinda girl (well, most days of the month anyway)... 

So, despite the fact that Sarah's pony dumped her again, I thought it was a great day.

You see, Piglet cantered in the warm up ring like a pro, and dumped her less than years past!

He just drops a shoulder n shies when folks along the show ring rail start opening their umbrellas, sneeze, breathe etc.! teehee

Piggy soo wants to touch everyone he meets with his nose! Very sweet + why we bought him

Truly, to be fair, Piglet's had virtually no show experience and all the other horses, fancy jumps and squawking speakers are a lot for him to handle.
Another trainer at the show was extra kind to Sarah and went out of her way to compliment Sarah many times for being such a strong and determined rider.
In fact, several people said similar things to her.
Most pros have stories of the naughty ponies that made them better riders!
Remember wee  "Naughty Ed?"

Piglet really is getting better though.
And I am so proud of Sarah's riding and her attitude!
She always gets back on and (eventually) forgives Piggy.
Piglet hadn't turned 5 yrs yet, and Sarah'd just turned 7 yrs when we bought him as a green pony.
Since then they've shown, schooled X-country, done hunter paces and group trail rides, ridden in a parade and foxhunted.

Time flies! This was 2 1/2 yrs ago. Jack was 4! Either kids grew or ponies shrunk!

Each year I say I'll get them to more shows. This year I mean it.
Maybe they'll even try a starter horse trial.

In fact we'll be going out again very soon.

Say a prayer friends that he doesn't dump her!!!

Okay, now I get to tell you the very best part of the show!
A stranger walked up to me at the ingate and asked if Jack was my son.
She wanted to tell me that he'd made her day!
She said he was the happiest (& youngest) kid at the show.
She'd stopped to talk with him earlier and told him he looked very happy.
He said of course he was happy.
His pony was happy, so he was happy!

That made all of us happy!

Hope you have a happy day friends!