Miri goes to the Pumpkin Patch

Her pick-of-a-pumpkin.


Climbing hay, with permission!

A helping hand from Teacher Nicole (whom she calls "Teacher Cole").

Peering and laughing.

The Toddlers and Preschoolers. At least, those that could be rounded up for the photo. (Special thanks to our super teachers: Nicole, Amanda, Kylie, and Ashley)

A Dream Come True

It was a very long wait, but we are happy to introduce our new equine partner, Shorty.

Thanks to Gramma Betty and her horse-finding connections, we landed upon a guy that promises to be a very important figure in our daughters' lives. He is a good ol' boy, mostly all used up. ;) He's a full-size horse, but he's on the smaller side. BTDT (been there, done that -- it's a technical term for horse people, don't ya know)

Aleaha and Shorty, on her test ride.

She had picked out a new halter and lead rope for him. She was really ready!


Feeding him carrots from the barn.

This was her asleep in the pickup on the way home. She wanted to put the horse blanket across her lap. Yeah, she's just a little bit country.

We haven't had much opportunity to take him out for some walks. But that will happen. And we're sure to put up lots of posts about this new guy.

Thank you, Gramma Betty!!!

Oh hell, let's just go out for dinner

Daddy had a business trip that took him away from home on Mommy's birthday. Wanting to have a break from cooking and doing dishes, Mom took the girls out to Pastini's for dinner. It was a hit!


Aleaha prefers plain pasta, and they delivered! They also serve her FAVORITE vegetable - broccolini. Whodathunk? She was well-satiated.


Miri scarfed mac-n-cheese and bits of a salad. Then we all split 2 giant desserts and waddled away. A large tip was left for the waitress, and we had this entertainment on the way home....

Miri is dominating the singing of Happy Birthday. She knows how to sing it properly, but was being recalcitrant - a specialty of many 2-year-olds. And she wouldn't let Aleaha have a turn.

What kids do when parents are busy

Haven't posted much lately because we've been "rilly, rilly bizzy". Late summer/early fall is a time for a lotta work to be done around here, with hay to finish putting up, pigs to finish into pork, firewood, etc. And that's just regular stuff.

During the last few times when Mom & Dad have been occupied and couldn't attend to the children's every request, Aleaha took the cue to invoke Picnic Time. She invented it.

She used their little shopping baskets to put transport the food to the backyard.

They dined on juice boxes, bagels, fruit jellies, and "Scooby Snacks" (expensive graham crackers in the shape of dog bones).


When they were forced to stay indoors, they found the picnic blanket and scrounged for nearby, countertop snacks -- goldfish crackers, fruit leather roll-ups, and a few very crumby items. FINE WITH ME. They were eating a somewhat balanced snack, they were out of harm's way, and they were getting along. Success in this mom's book!!

Ride 'Em, Cowgirl

It's Round-Up Week in Pendleton, and we aren't really in much of a celebracious mood (Aleaha;'s term) over here, unfortunately. We are wrapped up in a few other tangled projects of trees down at the barn, fences to mend, racing, re-fi, and other not-so-fun tasks.

But Miri has her sights set on fun.

Play Wif Me!

While visiting Jan's house, Miri spied the little house and coersed Aunt Kelly to get in.


And then Mommy.


No, she does NOT always get her way.

Fab Four

We gathered together to celebrate Grandpa's life. We are so lucky to have these brilliant, beautiful women (his daughters) in our family. Here's to Aunt Jeannie, Aunt Peg, Mom, and Aunt Jan. We love you!!