More of Christmas At the Farm

Merry Christmas from the farm!

On Christmas Eve, we had our family party at the farm. Wow what a great time we had. Dad was able to come and relax along with everyone of the family. Mom, Dad, Kim, Bobby, Taylor, Kelli, Jeff and the boys, Lauren, Matt, Casey, Ben and Tyler. We ate, opened gifts and had a blast watching Alex and Owen enjoy their Power Wheel from Bob and I. Looks like Owen took over from the beginning. Alex was great as he knew when they got home and brother was in bed, he would have it all to himself! Yea!!

Bob and I had some wonderful quiet time early in the morning as I was awake at 4:30. He smelled the coffee at 5am, came down and we talked for 2 1/2 hours. How wonderful just to sit, drink coffee and reminisce about all we have been through together and what might lie ahead for 2010. None of know what God has in his hands for us, we can only hope for the best. I hope to earn my Judges Card to judge horse shows, I will also be competing in a "Cowgirl Rodeo" in February, in of all places.....TEXAS! I think Bob is using me to get there. This was my Christmas gift from him..ah ha. Tyler and I hope to show the Palomino Circuit with Goldie to complete her Open ROM and to begin Peanut both novice and youth. No Casey, it won't be a full summer, just 2 show since she only needs 3 points. Most of all My Rooner and her Ben will be married on October 23. Wow, I will then have the 3 most wonderful son-in-laws anyone could ask for. Jeff, Matt and Ben are 3 of the best!!

As the New Year is just around the corner, Bob and I wish everyone our love and best wishes for 2010.

Britton Auction / Fa'ilte Feirm Christmas Party

As we do every year for Christmas, Bob and I like to thank everyone that helps us throughout the year. This includes his auctions, making hay, repairing anything and everything that might need done, watching animals while we might be away, whatever anyone would do to help us. Our thank yous are not enough, so we host a party at the airport each year. This our 4th year, was a success, but some were not able to attend. Due to the bad weather the previous weekend, we had to reschedule our party to the 20th.

A Lot Can Happen In One Day...Santa & PUPPIES!!

Yesterday I began to clean and do laundry since I haven't done either for a week. You know cookies needed baked, gifts needed bought and wrapped. The usual stuff. At 12:57pm, Kelli calls in a panic asking if I can go to Alex's school because Santa was coming at 1:30. She then went on to tell me because the white dog had begun to have her puppies. So I ran up, changed my pants, grabbed my coat, camera and headed out the door to Punxy. Made in time to see all of the excitement.

I showed Alex the video that Mommy had sent and he was amazed. After he had told Santa he wanted a 4-wheeler for Christmas, he came over to me and said,"Lets Go". Made our usual stop at Sheetz for gas and a SQUISHY, on the pick up Aunt Kim and home to see Lucky and the puppies! By the time we made it home there were 7 puppies. 5 males and 2 females and as we were coming through the door, Kelli had the runt in a towel because she had just revived it back to life. WOW, you go ob nurse Kelli! Alex preceded to name the Shaggy, Scooby, Fred, Thelma and Daphne. What about the other boys? Well when Lucky was all done, she had 9 all together, 7 males and 2 females. What a dog.

Aunt Kim Moves North !!

On November 15th I was to fly to Key West, FL. to meet Kim in a u-haul truck to move north.....we all know why, but that is besides the point. I never made it to Key West because she called me mid flight to leave a message that she was picking me up in Miami. That she did and we headed north through FL and stayed in Lake City. The next day we drove to Linda and Allen's and stayed there for the night. She had things for Matt, since he had just moved into a new apartment and needed furniture. Tuesday we started home and was at 9732 Knoxdale Rd around 7pm. Wow, what a drive! Here are some of the scenes.

Our Capitol

In August, Tyler and I took a 4 day trip to Washington D.C. I will have to say we had a great time. After we both figured out which way the Metro was running, it was a breeze to get around the whole city. One of the most important places Tyler wanted to go was the Holocaust Museum. Since this was our vacation, I let him decide where, when and how long we would stay at each place. We toured the Holocaust Museum, Museum of Natural History, Space and Aeronautic Museum, we walked from the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Monument, only to walk past the Washington all the way to the Capitol Building. Took a tour of it and on to the Library of Congress by way of the tunnel. Oh and stood under scaffolding during a freak thunderstorm while trying to find the White House. A highlight of the day was watching Marine 1 come over and land on the White House Lawn, right over our heads. I thought Tyler was going to lay a gold egg......On the day we headed home, we went to Mt. Vernon, Washington's home. Tyler really enjoyed this since he had seen it in the movie "National Treasure II". We were too late for that tour, but maybe the next time.

My Daddy

My Dad is the most wonderful person in the world! He is loving, caring, giving, takes a lot from many people & and is the best husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. On October 21st, he was diagnosed with colon/liver cancer, WOW, what a blow that was for all of us. He had surgery on the 9th of November to remove a cancer tumor from his colon only to have a few problems post-op. He made it home to visit with Linda's family from GA, over Thanksgiving,only to end up back in the hospital for 2 more weeks. Needless to say when he came home the second time he was very week, but has come a long way in the 2 weeks he has been home. He will begin chemo when he is strong enough and we need all of your prayers for his speedy recovery and treatment. I will have to say, he is looking forward to that big fat 27 pound turkey thawing as I type. God Bless you all and Merry Christmas!

Katie McAndrew

For all of you that don't know Katie, here she is at her finest hour! She was the Outstanding 4-H Member of the year 2009. Hats off to Katie for many years of fine accomplishments in 4-H.

Updating my life.....

Well as you all know, I have not blogged since the late summer. September was busy getting ready for the State 4-H Horse Show. Trying to keep winter hair off of horses is quite a job and most of you already know that. The day before we left for Harrisburg, Dad was diagnosed with Colon, Liver Cancer.....wow what a blow for such a healthy 83 year old! I was devistated, but kept my mind set on what had to be done that weekend. Don't get me wrong, it was very hard and I shed many tears along the way. But, the kids had a good time and it was a great learning experience for many. Tyler helped with Peanut while Katie was in the ring with her other horses she was showing. Peanut was great and Tyler does well with her and may show her next year. She was Champion in her class once again. Michaela had Mary Ann with her,(her trainer), to help her with Goldie. Goldie was herself and behaved like a QUEEN. After all, she has done this ....how many times? She was beautiful!

2008-2009 Outstanding 4-H Person of the Year

Well for all of you that follow my blog, this is Katie McAndrew. She has been showing mine and Bob's foals for the past 4 years, with outstanding results, if I do say so myself. In 2006, she began with my Star. She took her to the All American Quarter Horse Congress and took 7th place. That year she also qualified for the 4-H production show in Harrisberg, Pa, where she took 1st place.
The next year, she and her sister Liz, each took one of Bob's foals. They exposed them both to life off the farm and did well with them. The 2 foals were just learning and had a late start with the Katie and Liz, so they each took 2nd place at the production show that year. Star did not show this year as she had an injury, that was not healed by time of production.
In 2008, Katie showed Star again as a 2yr old, and her half sister, Peanut. As before, she did an outstanding job with both of them. They qualified again for the production show in Harrisburg, where they both took 1st in their classes. A job well done Katie!
This year, Katie is showing Peanut once again. Peanut is a yearling and under Katie's training, is doing a fine job. She will be at the Production Show again in Harrisburg, Pa. I am sure Katie will do a great job as she has done in the past.
Now, on to the award.....Katie has been chosen the "Outstanding 4-H Person of the Year" in the state of Pennsylvania! Wow, what an honor and well deserved! She will be reconized at the State 4-H Horse Show in Harrisburg, Pa. on October 24, 2009. Katie, thank you for all you have done for us and we just wish you the best.
Now for the sad news. This is Katie's last year in 4-H, as she is now a freshman at Cal U. But her talents continue there. She is now riding on their equestrian team and doing fabulous from what her Mom says. We have no doubt that she will be a shining star there also.
HATS OFF TO KATIE McANDREW

We can't leave Liz out....here she is with Nickel, one of Chris Mitterer's foals. Liz has been showing her since she was a foal and this will be her 3rd year,(I think). Anyway Liz will be at the Production Show right along with her sister, Katie. Good Luck Lizzie!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KELLI ! THE BIG 30

September 17, 1979- September 17,2009

Boy does time fly by. It seems you were just born a few years ago and now you are going to be 30 years old. Look at what a wonderful family you have. Jeff, Alex and Owen are the best thing in your life so......Don't freat it, those birthdays come faster than you can imagine, so enjoy the day and your time with Melanie. You both deserve it.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KELLI

Julie's Update

A few weeks ago, Julie began her chemotherapy. The expected began to happen with her hair. Well thanks again to Becky Booser, our hairdresser and very good friend, Julie now has a beautiful wig. When Bob and I go to Ga. next month, I will be sure to get pictures. Julie is a fighter, great mother, friend, daughter, sister and look out because she will become one of the strongest people you will ever meet.

District 4-H Horse Show

On the 27th, we headed up to Smethport for the District 4-H Horse Show. Tyler is getting Barley settled in for the night as we were staying with Lauren and Matt.

Michaela in Grooming & Showmanship and here is the 2nd place picture.

Tyler and Barley looking really good before the race that took place in the ring. Boy those ponies go fast. If you follow the post the next one will tell you how the day went.........

Tyler's new baby!

In a moment of weakness, and we all have them, Tyler came home with "Muffy". She is a Pembroke Welsh Corgi and 7 weeks old. He had been showing at his 4-H district horse show over the weekend and it was disastrous to say the least and very emotional to boot. When you cry with your children, you feel their pain and hurt and will do what you can to make it better. Well along came a woman with Corgi pups and that was all it took. I am a sucker for their faces.

Tyler McKinney hits the nation's capitol-Washington DC

Tyler and I took a vacation to Washington D.C. this summer at his request. I was surprised, since most kids would rather take a vacation doing active things. The only activity we had was walking and walking and walking......well, you get the picture. He wanted to go to the Holocost Museum and the Smithsonian. I talked him into going to a few other places too. After we mastered the Metro, we were on our way. The first day we went to the Holocost Museum, walked the Mall to the Lincoln Monument by way of the Washington Monument. Saw all of the war monuments along the way.

One of Tyler's most exciting moments was seeing "Marine One" going to the White House to pick up the O'Bamas for their vacation on Martha's Vineyard. He loved it!

This is him in the Capitol during our tour. The second day we took a tour of the Capitol, Library of Congress, Air and Space Museum and the Museum of Natural History.

When he walked into the Air and Space Museum I cought this of him in awe of all of the airplanes in one building. He couldn't get enough of it and we had to go into every plane and see everyone of them. Oh, he did find a McDonalds in this museum......go figure.

On Sunday morning we headed for Mt. Vernon. This is him in a walk-in fireplace at Mt. Vernon. For all of you that know me, this is what I want to put in my house someday............

On Saturday, the 8th of August, Tyler and Michaela had their County 4-H show. They had a very long day, 12 hours to be exact. Tyler is much like Kelli as he doesn't like Grooming and Showmanship at all, but will try once he gets in the class. He didn't have the right clothes, which didn't matter too much, but Barley didn't like the judge to walk around him, so he moved every time the judge tried to walk around him. That's ok, because Tyler didn't want to go any further in that class. After 2 lunging periods, Barley still wanted to go to the races in his class. Notice the picture in the middle on the right. Poor Tyler actually did the best in the class and came out with a first. He knows there will be lots of work for the next 3 weeks before districts.
Michaela received a 2nd in Grooming and Showmanship out of 34, 3rd in Equitation, 4th in Open Trail, 4th in Western Pleasure and a 1st in County Team. So both she and Tyler had a long , but good day. Districts are the 28th and 29th of August in Smethport, Pa. We will see Lauren and Matt then and hopefully the rest too.