He's Gonna Regret This Someday

So, Zane comes down the stairs all ready to be Captain Underpants (yes, that really is a book series). The scary thing is that he didn't mind posing for pictures as soon as I grabbed my camera. Can't you just see these photos in one of those wedding videos where they show pics of the bride and groom growing up. Well, maybe not. These might scare off any future wife.



You can thank Zane for making you smile today. Oh, I love this kid. Such personality.

Heaven for Boys

Remember that I thought heaven might look like the Farrington property (where we bought Buster). Well, I think this be more like it for the boys. Sierra's POA show lasted ALL.DAY.SATURDAY (by that I mean leave at 6:30am and return exhausted at 7:30pm). I had the two younger boys with us. Luckily, there was a mud puddle there for them. It kept them happily busy for almost the entire day. I'll have to remember that for the next show. Bring water. lots of water.

Sierra and Buster in Their First Show

Before we knew we were buying Buster, there was already a POA show scheduled for the following Saturday. Sierra had just planned to do english, jumping, and gaming on Pepper. But, now with Buster being brought home just a few days before, Sierra was dying to show Buster. She knew that she really needed more time to learn what to do and Buster needed to be gotten into shape, but yet she still wanted to just do a few western pleasure classes on Buster. And, so every afternoon that week, she headed over to Diana's to work on getting ready. We had to borrow some things to wear for the show. (Yes, we can look forward to spending more money on show tack and show clothes now that she is getting into the big league. I guess if it's not horse stuff, it's some other sport or hobby that your child gets into, right?)

She did very well considering that the partnership was new. She earned a 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th in classes of about 12 or 13. She was very happy with that. We are sure that they will only go up in place!

Buster was a perfect gentlemen, even when he was delivering girls to the bathroom. love it.
Sierra's idols...the older girls. And what I love most is how helpful and nice they are to the younger girls. They all set such a good example to her.

Off on a Whim to Navasota, Texas

We were looking for months, yes MONTHS, to find the perfect pony for Sierra. As she has gotten into showing more, we decided to buy a more competitive pony. Pepper was also getting too small for her. So, we started looking...and looking...and looking. Sierra's teacher and her daughter, Diana and Lindsey, spent a lot of time helping us. But, we were being picky. We wanted a big pony that was an all around pony, meaning that he could show western pleasure, but also do english, and jumping, and gaming, and still trail with us. Everytime we thought we found one, there was something not so perfect whether it was the way it moved, an injury, or the temperament of the pony. And, so we kept looking. When talking about how long we looked, Diana gave Sierra quite the compliment when she told me that she was being extra picky for Sierra because she sees a lot of potential in her.

Well, I showed up one Thursday morning to my lesson and Diana was all excited about an ad for a pony for sale that came in the mail the day before. She knew the pony. She knew the family. She loved the way they train their ponies. I was excited to see Diana so excited. As soon as I got home I called the owner. I talked to Cindy for about an hour. Buster sounded perfect. Within 24 hours, we were making plans to go pick up this special pony. (Yes, we are a little spontaneous.) We thought it was only going to be a 12 hour ride so we made plans to go there one day and come home the next. Unfortunately, it ended up being a much longer drive but Buster is sooooo worth it.

At first, Todd said I couldn't take a picture because he didn't want me to blog about it for the whole world to see:). I guess he thought he lost his mancard. You see...we ran out of gas at one point. Todd was a little embarrassed to say the least. But, we found out that it was a 110 mile scretch with no gas services. There was no sign stating that. When a man came froma local company to deliver us 5 gallons of gas, he proceeded to tell us that they deliver gas to people in that area THREE times a day...sometimes even FIVE!!! Maybe they are the ones who took down the sign:). jk I guess that made Todd feel more human and that it was okay he ran out of gas. Yes, Todd, you still have your mancard. Shoot. You earned an extra card just for driving us all the way to Navasota, TX (ended up being 18 hours there and 21 back).
We arrived in Navasota about 3 am. Todd got three hours of sleep because we woke up at 6:30 to meet the new pony at 7. I think we went to heaven to find him. Isn't this place gorgeous?! Acres and acres of green grass and big trees. LOVED IT.

Sierra was definitely in heaven.

Meet Buster - aka Shameless Tough Bounce. A seven year old Buckskin POA that is perfect. He does it all. He is so easy going. He's beautiful. Since I am so behind in posting, we have actually had him for about three weeks. LOVE HIM!

Meet the Farringtons - Rod, Cindy, Joel and Jason. They are a wonderful family with a beautiful home. And, like Diana told me, the boys know how to train ponies. We were lucky that they were willing to sell us Buster. Sierra will be able to go far on him. Thanks to the Farringtons for letting us buy him.
After feeding us a very yummy breakfast (what wonderful Texas hospitality, huh?!), Joel started out riding Buster and showing Sierra how to cue him. Then, he walked around with her, coaching her, as she gave it a try. (Sierra needs to learn to ride him as he is a much different pony than Pepper. And, she will be competing in classes that she has never done before. It will be a good challenge for her.)
I think it looks like a match made in heaven...especially considering the place we picked him up from:).
Buster has not competed since the 2008 Internationals so he needs to get back in shape, but he sure looks great to me.

Here a whip is being cracked right by his head, as he continues to do his job. We are excited to have Buster. We are excited for the future that lies ahead for Sierra. She is aiming for the 2010 Internationals next summer! Good luck Sierra and Thanks again to the Farringtons!

Out Staycation

We were supposed to go camping over Labor Day weekend, but with the forecast of rain our plans changed. We decided to stay here in the Valley at the the Arizona Grand Resort for some fun. Friday night we grabbed some dinner at Sweet Tomatoes. The kids loved feeding the ducks and turtles outside.
Then, we headed to the resort to hit the pool with Jason and Kelly's family. They had a dive in movie that night. Unfortunately, the wind put a stop to it half way through, but we got to watch the rest of Shrek in our rooms.
The only girls in families of boys. Sydney and Sierra stuck it out together.
The next morning we had a yummy breakfast at Mimi's where the kids got gummi worm desserts that came with their meals. What a great way to start the day. Zane and Cole really enjoyed theirs.

Weston and Sydney were a little side tracked playing a game on the cell phone. We were rained out in the morning. But, just when we were ready to call it and head home, the rain cleared. We spent the next couple of hours back at the pool. They had a fun lazy river, a couple of great slides, a wave pool, etc. The kids had a great time even though we never left the valley.

Happy 4th Birthday Weston

Being the loser mother that I am, I forgot to charge my camera before we went out to dinner on Wes' birthday. Way back when....September 1st.....(yes, once again, I am doing a marathon post as I try to catch up on our family blog. Anyways.) Twenty five days ago, Weston turned four. We let the kids choose where they would like to go eat on their birthday. Since Wes doesn't quite get that, we chose for him. And, what kid doesn't love Chuck E Cheese ....you can't beat pizza and games. Our family had a great time overall. Todd's dad and stepmom joined us in the fun. Although I do need to be honest. Poor Wes freaked out a little....well, A LOT....at the Chuck E Cheese character when he walked out into the restaurant. (Good going Todd and Catherine....when you have a kid scared of costumes...go to a restaurant with a big mouse for his bday) Luckily, we convinced Wes that Chuck was cool. He was even going to pose for a picture....that's when I realized my battery was dead. Oh, and there was the incident where he got lost in the tunnel maze and was crying. (aren't I such a good mommy?!)

Then, I was planning on letting him have a friend party also, but I was in the middle of running the big fundraiser at the elementary school. I thought maybe I'd postpone that until I was done. Well, Wes didn't even understand what I was talking about and pretty soon the two week fundraiser ended and the birthday party was forgotten about. What a loser mother! I'll have to make it up for him and give him an extra good one for his 5th birthday. Sorry Wes. Hopefully, he'll remember the fun he had dancing in front of the camera at Chuck E Cheeses. Hopefully, he'll remember the toys he got for presents - legos, a bank, a big truck, a new game for his Leapster. Hopefully, he'll remember his yummy cupcakes. Not the Chuck scare or the feeling of being lost in a tunnel forever. Poor Kid. But, here's four reasons why we love you on your Fourth Birthday.
1. We love our Weston cause he loves to "nuggle" with us. When he's tired, he just starts asking to nuggle.

2. We love our Weston cause he can be so dang cute and silly. He's a mini Zane when it comes to performing.

3. We love our Weston cause he loves to go with you wherever you go. He likes to be with those he loves.

4. And, last but not least....We love our Weston cause he is our baby. Always will be. That's what happens when you're the youngest.

Color Outside The Lines

...that's the name of Miss Ranelle's preschool that Weston started last week. I was so worried about how he would do. Remember how we'd take a Mom n tot class and he'd love it...and love the teacher. But, when I tried the same class with the same teacher but kids only, Wes didn't like it. He's a mommy's boy. Luckily, Wes took some swim lessons with Miss Ranelle's boys at the end of the summer in our backyard pool. The boys would all play together at our house or theirs after swimming lessons also. So, Wes got to know Cade, Keegan, and Miss Ranelle some in advance.

Miss Ranelle was Zane's preschool teacher a few years ago. She's got the magic touch. She is truly a natural with little ones. I should have known it would be okay. When the big day came....the first day of preschool, I drove the carpool since I didn't think Wes would go in very easily. Long story, short....he walked right in not even looking back at me. That's the magic touch of Miss Ranelle. He loves preschool. He loves having snacks at preschool:). And, he loves to see Cade, too:)

Getting ready to go for the first time! ...he was hesitant that morning saying that he didn't want to go. But, it all changed when we got there and were met by Miss Ranelle at the door.
The catch was that he'd only let me take his "first day of preshool" picture if he could take mine in return.

He did have it pointed to low at first (you're welcome - I knew you didn't want a tummy roll shot) so I had to remind him to make sure that he saw my face in the screen. Wha-la. I think he did pretty good considering the subject:). Don't ask me about my hair either. And, no I don't look that old in person. :)