Kid in the Black Hat

Yes, there is a new kid on the farm 

wearing a black hat.

Love these expressions.

I was whistling to get him to smile,

and instead he tried to whistle.

"Okay....had enough"!

Gracie Loves Horses

Last weekend we were able to meet up with Rudy and family at Gracie's
first riding event. There is a couple who offers their ranch to teach
interested 4-H members how to care for horses. They teach proper grooming, how to handle the horse, saddling up and riding.

The couple does all of this for free, just because
they like it. What a neat experience for the kids. Gracie completed all of the "book work"
and lessons and was able to take her first ride alone on this very tall horse.
They don't skip steps - she brushed the horse and cleaned under the horse's feet first.
We were so glad to get to be there for Gracie's first ride.

Then came the saddle pad, and saddle.

Then the bridle. Okay, she did have a little
help getting the saddle on and tightening
everything up.

Almost time to ride.

And, there she goes. Gracie was very serious
and listened carefully to instructions from the leader.

She looked like a seasoned rider from the beginning,
and soon she was allowed to trot the horse a little.
Please see the video in the last frame.
Do yourself a favor and slide the volume all the
way down, to miss the croaking camera/video again.

Flowers or Weeds?

When I mow the lawn, I experience some strange, wondering of the mind.
I think on many things. It is usually a time of relaxation and many
random thoughts.....not worrisome thoughts, just wondering thoughts.
As I mowed for the first time this season there really were only weeds.
You know the kind, the dreaded dandelions, and more. I found no
beauty in the lawn as I mowed down the weeds. Mostly because we
have Bermuda grass and it does not green up until there is more heat.
But, the tiny blue, white, pink, and purple flowers, and yes even those
golden dandelions, and green clover just reminded me of the freshness of spring. I thought of my
childhood and how I used to pick bundles of these wild weeds. I played, pretended, and even sucked nectar, or something from those little horn shaped purple flowers. You can't really see each one easily in these pictures, but they were there.I admired them and thought as I mowed....I couldn't stand it any longer, I ran quickly for my camera and continued to mow, stop and and snap a few shots.
Beauty, if only for a moment! "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder", as they say.

Gracie's Back Flips

Okay Gracie girl, you wanted to see your video.
I finally was able to get it loaded. Enjoy!

They Are Here - Little Robin Red Breasts

But, they are not so little..........

I just had to post one more time today.

This snow is so unbelievable....I keep looking

out the windows and doors.

At different times today there have been these

birds hovering next to the brick wall.

The robins look bewildered....so am I.

I heard on the radio recently about the signs of spring,

and how when the robins start to appear....spring is here.

If robins think, and I am sure David would say, "NO,

they do not", I believe they would be saying...

"Man, what have we gotten ourselves in to"?

"Thought it was spring here....where are the worms" ?

"Why does that lady keep snapping that light through

the window at us" ?

"Burr, cold and hungry"

Spring Break 2010

These three helped make the cookies.

We always make chocolate chip cookies!

We probably have more pictures of kids

eating chocolate chip cookies than any

other photos.

Josh got home from his church field trip

in time to get in on the Gambino's  pizza.

And, of course we had brownies later in the week.

I guess Gillan and Nathan were having a stare down.

Gillan requested a tour of Webbers Falls, so

we were gone about 15 minutes...just joking,

but, really it does not take long to see the place.

Needless to say, the school grounds and the

local park were the highlights...only ones.

Every kid should get to sit on the "wall".

And, below is the memorial to the 

victims of the I-40 Arkansas River bridge collapse.

It is still so sad to think about that horrible 

accident and loss of those people.

The following pictures were all taken at

Honor Heights Park after lunch at Braums.

This was a great afternoon trip with sunshine.  

Little did we know that the next two days

would bring a winter blizzard in the spring.

Katie took this picture of Gracie, and

I love, love, love it!

We did many things this week: visited Papa,

rode/drove the Kubota; jumped on hay bales;

helped grandpa fix the trampoline, and then 

jumped on it, plus MORE.

We had a great week.....I love my grandkids

and I enjoyed every minute of their visit.

Thanks kids...you complete my life.  You are the

frosting on the cake.  The Lord has blessed me

with much.