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.

To all of you that met Col. Bobs Skipa Penut when I started blogging, aka "Peanut", well here she is 1 1/2 years later. Katie has shown mine and Bob's babies at the 4-H production shows for years now. Last year she began with Peanut. Took her all the way to the state horse show in Harrisburg, Pa. and on to Weanling Fillies of 2008 Champion. On Thursday she was at the 2009 production show and is on her way to Harrisburg again for the 2009 State Show. Way to go Katie and Peanut. Folks, isn't she the most beautiful filly you have seen, oh and Katie is cute too!

I think the judge liked her......

Invasion at Kiasutha Camp Grounds

Friday, July 31, Bob, Tyler and I, loaded up and met Lauren and Matt in Kane. We had a weekend planned at the Kiasutha Camp Grounds that Lauren and Matt have frequented this summer. It was absolutely beautiful and the sun was SHINNING! We set up camp and had a relaxing night. On Saturday Casey, Kelli and the boys were up to spend the day with us. We went to the beach, swam, walked, and cooked all kinds of great fire food. The girls celebrated Tyler's 14th birthday with a lot of good gag gifts. Note the Hannah Montana cards.......you go Tyler.

Yoda on the camping trip

OK, so everyone remember the pics of Yoda hiding his bread at Tyler's bedroom door, well here he is again. Pancake in mouth, Tyler making sure he has it, and here it is buried in the dirt! It was too funny to watch him while he was doing this.

Here are a few pics from our camping trip with the rest of the crew. Friday night and breakfast Saturday morning.

Happy 14th Birthday Tyler !!

Today is Tyler's 14th Birthday and he got breakfast in bed with a few friends.....we are going to be remodeling his room so he is at their level for a while. Woof it down before they get too close. Have a great day Tyler, we all love you and only hope the best for you as you grow to be a young adult. Lots of love from all of the critters her on the farm, oh and Mom and Bob.