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!