Thanksgiving: Not just a day, but a way of life.

Our traditional home cooked Thanksgiving feast:

includes roasted turkey, sage dressing, mashed garlic potatoes,

candied carrots, steamed broccoli, roasted sweet potatoes 

and Nana's famous dinner rolls...

AJ's "special menu" request:

frozen Tyson chicken patty and

homemade fries.

We have much to be thankful for not just today

but for always.

How in the WORLD?

Yes, the frog on my sidebar is real.

It was found in the kids bathroom

suctioned to the trim board.

As my trusty Boy Scout manhandled him

with an empty toilet paper roll,

he began leaping around the bathroom,

eventually ending up perched on the comode lid.

Just like a prince on his throne.

For real.

The. End.

I know it is coming. Michigan weather is so deceptive. I didn't want to feel as though I missed my last opportunity to enjoy the Lake; letting The Weather fool me into thinking I had endless days to take that last walk. What a day to climb Mt. Pisgah and enjoy the warmer air up there. I'm sure you can guess who the first one up was. NOT me.

The signs didn't mention anything about not hanging ABOVE the boardwalk...

And NOTHING about not doing splits on the railing.

Or throwing your brother over..

**BLOG NOTE: Adrianna does not enjoy being photographed.

I make no distinction between my children

and do not keep track of who is posted how often

I would rather not post the emotional reaction on her face

to a camera.

I shall hold those for her wedding slide show.

Sentences

photo from today at Mt. Pisgah

So I asked Solomon to read some words and use them in a sentence.

"Scrubbed....um. Ok, yeah: I scrubbed really hard on your panties"

When he saw the look of horror on my face

he fell into that uncontrolable fit of raging laughter

and then continued using the word on other notable things like underwear, etc.

I have NO IDEA where he came up with that

but it sure did feel good to laugh.

I Dreamed A Dream

The little girl

lives inside

no matter the age

nor stature

nor station in life.

Wrestling

with what was

and is

and is to come.

Stunned

to realize her

childhood longing

come to fruition

at last.

The missing piece

now found,

grateful all the more

from the wait.

My horse: River

"A lovely horse is always an experience..

It is an emotional experience of the kind

that is spoiled by words".

-Beryl Markham

Lots of ribbons came home from Allegan this year!

These two girls have come a LONG way in the last six months!

We'll be back Allegan County Fair!

More Fair 2010

English and bareback too

This is her favorite event

Good job Suz, even with a bag leg


That braid took all morning and a bottle of hair spray

Our 4-h leader pressured AJ to do this trail class

and what do you know? She liked it and did well

Fair 2010

Rainy Day 1: Gymkhana

Western

AJ was in tears after being disqualified because her horse was limping.

Grabbed a new mount and took 1st.

So much more relaxed and fun than day 1

The setup

The judges were so encouraging and kind

Adoption Day

Some really cool friends

let us borrow their boat

for a day of sun and fun

to celebrate.

Doug's goal was to pitch Nathan.

He did.

Day Away Part II

Favorite Place, Favorite People

Day Away

Holding on to summer (clinging)

We miss you Misty! You are the best!

Life slips away just like hourglass sand..