New Chairs

Here is a picture of two of the four chairs we bought recently for our table. We had bought a new table several months ago but it didn't come with chairs. These were at a local auction (brand new) and we were able to get them for $10 apiece.

I am done with my youth center job on Dec. 10. I am unable to do both the post office and youth center together and keep up with the family. I will miss the work and kids but not the evening hours.

Hannah is now working at the Crosshill store. She has been training for the last two weeks. She is excited to be making some money at something besides babysitting.

Happy Birthday, Daniel

Last week, Daniel had his 11th birthday. He asked for a camera, so that is why his is so happy with just a few candy bars and cards seen in the photo. The rest of the money went towards the camera. Thank you G'ma and G'pa Siebenthal and A. Jane for some contributions to that gift. Hard to believe he is actually 11 already!

Winter Has Arrived!

These past two days, we have had some very wintry weather. I think we have already gotten about 5 inches and it is still snowing and blowing. Julia and Daniel took advantage of the snow this afternoon and did some sledding. (Missed you David!) It is too EARLY to have to get all the snowsuits/boots/gloves/scarves/hot chocolate out of storage! But it sure is beautiful when the sun comes out! I am sooooo thankful to live where it snows at least some during the year. There is nothing like being outside on a cold, sunny day after a fresh snowfall.

Music Award

Hannah recently received a letter from the Canadian National Conservatory of Music informing her she was the recipient of the Silver Medal for earning the highest mark in Canada for Grade Two Piano during the 2007-08 year. Her award will be presented on July 14, 2009 at the CNCM convocation in Palmerston, ON.

This is a very high achievement because she was the best in her level in all of Canada. We are very happy for her. Even though she is happy about it, too, she still does not want to continue piano at this time. Congratulations, Hannah, we are proud of you!

What to do on your day off???

Go for a trail ride, of course. Today the kids had off from school and I took the afternoon/ evening off work, so we went for a trail ride. Marlene, our neighbor and friend, rode Doc and I rode Dixie. All went well and we even got home before the rain came. Dixie is really quiet and I am amazed at how well she is doing.

Employee of the Month

Andrew was recently awarded McDonald's Employee of the Month. He recieved a plaque and a nice wrist watch. Good job, Andrew!

This Weekend. . .

. . .we have been playing ranchers and have been stringing up our arena fence. I bought a white, vinyl coated, high tensile fence and Leah and Julia (and Jim at times) helped me put it up. We still have a ways to go, but good weather is coming this week. We are learning lots about fencing, yeehaw!

. . .we went to Jim's great uncle and aunts 60th wedding anniversary open house. Uncle Elmer and Aunt Jeanette, congrats on 60 years together! It was good to see them both looking quite young. Maybe it is the dancing they do every week that keeps them so spry!

. . .we rode our new horse, Dixie. We rode her in the arena on Sat. evening and she did great. We took her out on the trail on Sun. evening and she did quite well. She was excellent along the road with the traffic and the noisy buggies. Her canter is a bit rough, but I think that will come with more work in the arena. Julia is very excited about riding her, though!

. . . the time changed and we got an extra hour of sleep before church. The good news is I will be able to walk earlier in the morning because it is light earlier. The bad news is we don't have much daylight after school to ride horses or do outdoor projects when the kids get home from school.

. . . I told my boss at WCS that I will be giving up my evening job at the Youth Center. I got a steady morning job (every morning during the week) at the Post Office. I tried doing both of them for a week and realized it will just not work. I am already missing too much time with the family and I would really like my evenings back to be home with them. I do love the work, but will just be a casual after November.