4th and Surrounding

It was hot, so we went to Nana and Papa's to swim. S had her first swim, with Nana assisting.

Vigorous swimming tuckered both her and J out...

J tried to ride a Breyer horse. And actually succeeded a few times, but this once the sucker bucked out from underneath him and I got an action shot.

I have to show my garden, because it was the beginning of July and it was WEEDED. For anyone who knows me, they know this was a BIG deal.

Here S is keeping the corn company:

And here's the Green Peppers (to date we've harvested 3, and 2 Jalepenos)

Green Beans, Soup Beans, and Snap Peas

And a health Raspberry crop that is still taking root:

T recently got new haying equipment, so we can make our own hay. Our neighbor allowed us to hay his field and we (this being a Trav-we) cut the field, raked it, and then baled it on the 4th.

Here's T bush hogging:

Our cow's pasture was right next door. Say 'hi' to Cowie (on the left) and Fella (right):

S and I went out there to supervise:

Raking:

Short respite to participate in the 4th of July parade:

(my mom was behind me with her fingers on the side of her mouth trying to get J to smile. so he was imitating her, minus the smile)

S, my mom, and I sat on the parade route. Thought the loud sirens might have been a bit much for the newbie.

Look closely to see Nana and J:

T and his lil guy:

...and back to work baling!

Hmmm, handsome guy working hard!

Papa and Nana graciously lent their assistance picking up the bales out of the field. It's not a 'fun' job, and we were so very thankful for their help. So. Very. Thankful.

Also over the 4th my dear daughters and mom searched our woods for wild blackberries. The girls said they wanted a pie out of it (oddly, I'm not sure why, I have NEVER made a pie before in my life nor have they often ate one), but since they went to all the effort I felt compelled to bake a pie. So bake a pie I did. And it was a good one, I tell ya.

Hope everyone had a great 4th!

Cherry Fest and Beyond...

Got on the Grimster yesterday. He's a fun colt. Wish I had more time to ride him, but he's doing good.

The kids and I went up to Traverse City to hang out for a bit. Ryan came up, here's the first time he met Sadie:

S's first snooze on the beach:

We went up to the Cherry Connection:

A few selfies and not at the Sleeping Bear Dunes:

The next day was COOOOLLDDD and we went downtown:

Eating at Bubbas...

A few rides on the Midway...

And later that night biking (in the sprinkling rain!!) to Moomer's for dinner and ice cream:

(yes, she rides a 2-wheeler now!)

I tried to get J to share with his sisters, but he was pretty adamant that he have his own "Cow Moo!!". Who am I to deprive the kiddo?

I think they were sufficiently worn out!

Our Weekend

Us girls went to the first horse show...ever! that the girls rode on Saturday. We took Sonic and Grimmie...the girls are hooked!

They each rode Sonic in 6 'speed' events. I walked beside 'lead line style', except for once when Adalynn busted Sonic into a trot, which evolved into a lope...out the arena gate. Thank goodness for the good soul that caught them on the way out! And Adalynn, while a bit scared for a moment, was soon ready to hop back up. My brave girl!

Sunday Sadie was dedicated at church. It was a very awesome and God-filled time at our church and home with close friends and family. 

May 23 to now...

I prefer to believe in 'God things' over coincidences myself, and the week after Memorial Day a God thing certainly happened! Over the course of time, especially since we've had the kids, I would occasionally google my old horse's registered name to see if anything came up. She was an awesome 1996 mare, rock solid, that I sold somewhere around 2003. She was a horse I compared other horses to, and let me tell ya, it's hard for them to measure up. I thought when we bought Mel that maybe we had found one, only to be disappointed again, as Mel is a bit hotter than I like for the kiddos.

But alas.

On Wednesday I googled her name and a Dreamhorse ad popped up. I couldn't believe it! Posted in April, no picture, but definitely her registered name and even the seller's name looked familiar. I yelled to T that I thought I found Sonic, and he responded that he would call. He does not appreciate my negotiating skills...which basically would have consisted of "I think you have my old horse and I want her back! Any price will be fine!". So, I'm sure groaning inwardly, he said he would call. And on Sunday that weekend we drove to pick her up. 

We are so ecstatic to have her back. The same owner had her that I had sold her to, and she had done well for them. I like to think Sonic remembers me, she turns her head and comes when I send out my trademark whistle.

K's Kindy Picture: