All we do is run...

School started and all I do is run - run here, run there, pick this kid up, drop this kid off, go to work, come home, go to the farm, get parts, return and get different parts... (yes, that is about the only "running" I do).

This post however is a catch up post and so we'll start off with Jake's running.  He is in Cross Country again this year and loves it.  He's been doing really well.  I have a few pics from several different meets.  Last Friday however was the Windsor meet and it was COLD and WINDY - like 45 degrees and 25-30 mph winds. I took pictures of the start and then sat in the car until I could see the kids coming in.  I got out and took pictures of the kids finishing. The kids were running in sweatshirts and hats with gloves... it was cold!

What? A running Duck?

YES!  Its' Jake.  (Told you it was cold)

Next running is for this and that.  It always seems like I'm going to town to pick up something. Saturday mornings are for laundry and errands. Steve is always in need of something for the farm.  The big project for this summer and while daddy was here was the well.  If the thought of drilling your own water well seems like a huge project (take my word - it is).  If it makes you say to yourself "Self - who in the world would do that" - you now know someone who did!

Drilling
(before the plate that keeps the rod from falling fell in the hole... don't ask)

Got Water?
Cows, Horses, Pigs, Goats do!

Back to "real running" - do you know the symptoms of Kawasaki Disease?  I had no idea what it was and had never heard of it until a little boy (Copper) in our ward was diagnosed with it.  In order to raise money and awareness for the disease, Cooper's parents organized a 5K and fun run.  MaKenna and Jake really wanted to do the 5K, so I signed us all up for it.  I thought Kyler and I would just hang back and take it easy.  It shouldn't be a big deal, I would run and walk based on what Kyler wanted to do.  That's what I get for thinking.  Honestly, I think Kyler could have kept up with MaKenna and Jake.  He had to keep waiting for me - the little bugger kept running - he wasn't walking...  We all did it though!

Last run - Steve and I went to Denver for a friend's wedding.  Steve agreed to go with me before I told him it was Cocktail Attire and that he would have to ear a suit. :)  We had a good time and he looked very nice.  He now owns a suit (and 2 white suit shirts).  We had to "run" by Macy's on the way out of town to get a new shirt (and have them steam it) because the dry cleaners lost his new white shirt!

Steve - in a suit!

Ok, I think that about does it.  I am caught up (except for tomorrow's post of the Duck game).

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Dang! I did it again.  Life got away from me and here we are - over a month since my last post.  Well, several things have happened.  Yes, I had another birthday, but most importantly, SCHOOL STARTED again. 

The kids decorated for me and picked out my cake.

Steve surprised me with a Fathead wall sticker of Autzen Stadium.  It's huge and I have no idea where it will go.  He thinks it's his way of getting out of going to the CU vs. Oregon game (I bought the family tickets for my birthday). Steve also bought me Oregon sunglasses - I think I'll let him use them during the game so the sun won't get in his eyes.

Now to the important things and why ya'll are reading this post.  They kids are back in school.  What a lovely day it was.  We've actually completed the 1st week.  They all love it and are having a great time.  Here are the details...

JAKE - he's no longer the little kid at the school.  He's moved from 6th to 7th grade.  Not the top dog, but who needs that pressure.  He can have fun for another year before being in charge of the school. 

MAKENNA is 5th grade and rules the school this year.  She has two teachers (they split time in the classroom).  They are awesome!  They were Jake's teacher and really push the kids and have high standards and expectations.  I'm really expecting great things for MaKenna this year.

KYLER is not a baby anymore.  He is in 2nd grade.  Unfortunately, he is like I was as a child - nervous.  He doesn't care for new places and people and especially doesn't like chaos (well other then the chaos at home).  I found that giving him a couple pieces of candy on Sunday that he can only eat while I'm not around helps him go to Primary. I used this same technique and filled a Altoids tin full of candy and put a family picture on the lid.  It was his "nervous tin" - it worked great!  He was able to eat a piece of candy eat time he got nervous.  I wasn't specific in the rules and he ate ALL of it in one day. 

They did great and survived the 1st day!

What does every farmer need?

If you ask a Farmer what they need - they may say more rain, more time, or even, a dollar.  Well, our hobby farm keeps us busy and we're no different.  We could use more rain, more time and a dollar...

Tonight though, we were able to get 2 of the three - it's been raining, and we got a dollar...



Wait for it... you know its coming...

"Dollar"

Jake leading him into the pen

Kyler riding with Papa leading

MaKenna's turn

Dollar is an old feedlot horse.  He is very gentle and easy going.  He's the family horse.  Although we started talking about horses around MaKenna's birthday - it isn't her horse.  She got a riding helmet from Nana and Papa, and we'll get her some horse stuff of her own - but we'll all share the horse.

We'll keep you posted on how things go. For now he's new and exciting.  Hopefully the kids continue to want to help and take care of him.  (I'm hoping for at least through the weekend while we build more pens and another loafing shed.)

Double Digits...

Who would have thought... MaKenna made it to the double digits.  She is such a spirited child, that at times I wondered if we would make it.  She's awesome! We love her and are so thankful that she is part of our family.  There is never a dull (or quiet) moment around here.

MaKenna couldn't decide what she wanted for her birthday.  She knew she wanted it to be the "perfect gift" this year.  She still hasn't gotten anything because she can't decided - a horse, ears pierced, a mule, a paddle boat, etc.  Yes, all realistic 10 year old presents of course. She has her daddy wrapped around her finger, so I'm sure she'll get something outrageous and unexpected.

10 Years old - look at that flame!

Luckily, I did have some PJs and shirts hidden away. I pulled those out so she could get something on her birthday - the "rest" will have to wait. 

 
It was Nana's birthday the day before.  Happy Birthday Nana - the title still applies, although Nana has been in double digits a few decades longer...

The kids got Nana a digital picture frame to take on her mission.  This will same room in the 5th wheel and still let her have all of her favorite pictures.  I grabbed some of all the kids and grandkids for now. Joleane, Laurie, Meilanie - Email me some more and we'll get them added too. 

12 - already?

 I can't believe Jake is 12.  I'm not sure where the time went. He is turning into a fine young man and I'm so proud of him.  He's a great example to our family.

Since Jake's birthday was on Saturday, he got to plan the day, dinner, and dessert. I wasn't surprised when he decided he wanted to spend the day at the lake.

We  were finally able to take the boat out (thanks Daddy).  The kids had a blast jumping off and swimming around.

  Mom and Dad brought an old yellow rubber raft from Grandpa's.  We tied a rope to it and then around the tree. The kids played in it for hours!

It reminded me of this time... Joleane and I rowing Grandpa around.

For dinner, we had smoked ribs, baked potatoes, and French bread.  Followed by ice cream cake for dessert.

Then it was present time - A fishing pole with a camera!

First day... Last day

Finally - the last day of school. For those still interested - here are the first day and last day pics.
We'll start with Jake:

1st Day - 6th Grade

Last day - 6th Grade

On to MaKenna:

1st Day - 4th Grade

Last day - 4th Grade

Perfect Attendance award, and Student Council Certificate

 Last, but not least - Kyler:

1st Day - 1st Grade

Last day - 1st Grade

Perfect Attendance award

The kids together:

1st Day

Last Day

Last Day of School - umm, maybe not

Here is the obligatory Last Day of School post to compare the 1st Day of School.

Just when I was finally getting around to post the end of the year pics, Steve called and said he needed some "help" at the farm.  He was quiet, stumbling over his words and not quite sure what he needed or was asking for.  Finally, he spit it out - Copper was about to have a calf.  Yes, this is the same cow that surprised us this time last year.

I called the vet, he told us what to do ("wait and see"), then I headed up there.  As things seem to go for us, a storm was blowing in.  Steve and I sat in the car, hid behind the truck, anything we could do to get out of the wind and waited.  We didn't actually have to wait too long.  within 45 minutes, Copper had delivered (unassisted) a healthy heifer.  Soon after, it started pouring buckets of rain, hail, and whatever else blew in.

To go along with Roscoe, Moonshine, Dipstick, Daisy, and Cooter - we named the calf LuLu.  She is healthy, happy, and very cute.  The kids can't wait to start playing with her.  She is just about a week old now.

Now, back to the the Last Day of School - wait, phone is ringing... it is the neighbors... they just bought 8 little pigs at the auction.

Wednesday after Steve's work meetings (8pm) we headed to the farm and rearranged animals.  Copper and Lulu needed their pen fixed (diesel had push his way through to get to the "good" hay), Goats got the boot out of the kennel, kennel walls were moved to make a temporary pig pen, and then a new goat pen was built.  

The Leschinsky clan helped out - Sasha is quite the builder.  She is faster with the hammer then Steve's reflexes!

Last Day of School: To be continued...