Best Dad

Here is the best Dad in Ontario (Did I step on any toes???) He had fun getting his gifts on Father's Day, but as you can see he is VERY easy to buy for. Glad he has a giving heart and is willing to share, we enjoy chocolate too!

Barney

Andrew recently bought a dirtbike with the money he has been making at McDonalds. It is a RT100 and the people who sold it to him said the bike's name was Barney. A condition of the sale was they had to keep the bike's name. Sooooo. . . meet Barney!

Summer camping

Since Mom and Dad are not campers, and our kids think they are, we have decided to set up a tent (another auction goodie) in the back yard. The kids (Daniel, Leah, Julia) have spent a few night out in it. They also bring in the dogs (maybe the pony is next!) for extra company. This is a treat for Hannah and Andrew because they get a room to themselves! A win/win I do say.

Barn Reno

The youth group from church have been looking for ways to raise money for their mission's trip. We "invited" them over for a day of "fun" renovating Grandma's barn. I don't think most of them knew what they were getting into! It was a dirty, messy job but we are half way done. Above, Jim and Dove (a youth leader) are pouring some concrete they have mixed up.

One of the walls in the barn was in need of repair. So, they pulled it all down and started over. It really looks nice and clean now and we are hoping the snow drifts won't come in this winter. We have enough shovelling to do OUTSIDE the barn!

These last 2 photos are of us painting. The beauty of painting in an old barn is you don't have to be fussy. You spilled? No problem, just pick out the straw and continue painting. Got some lint on the roller? The horses won't care; just carry on! It WAS a very messy, smelly job as you can see by Leah's expression.

4-H Club

Leah getting Sierra ready for the 4-H precision riding show. Notice our new (1972) trailer she is tied up to. She looks pretty content, so it must have been a smooth ride!

Leah warming up before the show.

Leah is the vice president of the club and she is seen here giving a speech beside her friend, Angie.

This 4-H club has a beginner and an advanced class. Here Leah is leading one of the beginners around on Sierra.

Piano Exam

Since she can't get enough of exams in June (ha, ha!), Hannah is seen here practicing for her Jun. 21 piano exam. She has been working hard and now that the piano is down in the basement, she can practice anytime, not just 5:5:30pm. Good work, girl!

Back to Blogging

Just some updates on our last week (or so):

Andrew just finished the Amazing Race his youth group at church put on. They had 27 challenges all over Kitchener/Waterloo and had to take the bus to some of them. He had a team of 3 and they came in 4th overall. He was VERY tired when he got home that evening.

Hannah finally got the remaining accessories for her graduation outfit. We can all relax now! She also spent her $50 birthday gift card to the mall. She will be our next bargain hunter, though, and got some good deals!

Leah is busy riding her horses. Blaze's knee is still swollen and we had the vet X-ray it. Nothing showed up, so she is able to ride him gently. Grampa Baxter gave her some infrared lights to put on them to help with the circulation and she has been doing that daily for the last week. Thankfully, she has other horses to do some training/practicing on.

Daniel and Jim have been having a great time riding at the Heidelberg mx track. They do come home dirty, tired, and HUNGRY! Sounds like boys to me!

Julia is trying it all. She rides horses with Mom and Leah, rides her bike with Daniel, Andrew and Jim at the track, and does her gymnastic classes with great gusto. She was invited (you have to get an invitation to join) to be on the competitive team last week, but I am not sure she will be doing lessons in the summer. Her coach is very nice.