Hen in the Horse Barn

A hen from Dan Kramer's farm came over to the horse barn and made a nest in the last few bales of hay left after winter. One day I noticed about a dozen white "store" eggs [my family will get that one] laying on the hay and had no idea who had put them there. The next time I came the hen was sitting on the eggs and I learned they were actually hers.

A few days later she left the nest to eat and I counted 17 eggs in that nest. That's some serious eggs there!

On Friday Dan came over while I was in the barn working and asked me to watch the eggs while he was away for the weekend. He was expecting them to hatch and wanted the hen and chicks to be taken over to a safe place at his farm so cats and chicken hawks wouldn't get them. Do we have chicken hawks here? Think I'll Google that!

What was most alarming were his instructions of how to carefully lift the hen off the nest keeping the chicks underneath her while placing them all together in a bucket for transportation.

Ok, did he really think I was capable of doing that? Has he not heard the stories about me and moths...or of the little birds that fly uninvited into my house?

Thankfully they waited till he was back home to hatch, and if you look very closely at her back feathers you can see one of the newborn chicks peaking out. So cute! Of the 17 eggs sixteen survived and were taken in a bucket back to Dan's house - but not by me.

Happy Birthday Brandon!

Greta's dream was to surprise Brandon with a new barbecue for his birthday, and she pulled it off nicely.

Thinking he was helping Gary unload our barbecue at his house for a birthday/open house/housewarming party he found a new barbecue all ribboned up for him!

And in no time he was cooking up a storm for all his guests. It was so much fun!

The weather was perfect for a patio barbecue party.

Ok, my favorite card was from Britt & Shana. I really should have taken a video of this cause when you opened it up the fat lady really sings! Hilarious!! Not so good for Pookie, I guess - you old man!!

Building Standards

After Taryn's show at Bridle Trails Gary got a real vision for building jump standards for her to use at the farm. He studies several designs and then came up with a pattern to make them.

Both of them worked several nites out in the shop and the results are amazing. I think these are by far the best jumps in Whatcom County...and I'm not biased at all!

Father's Day in Little Rock

While we were here celebrating, our kids in Little Rock were celebrating as well with a trip to the River Market, rides on the Trolley, fried pickles and purple milkshakes at the Purple Cow. What fun!

Happy Father's Day Ross! We love and miss you all so much!

Father's Day

For Father's Day this year we were invited to Britt and Shana's for a salmon barbecue. Gary got some new lawn chairs and a rake from the boys.

We enjoyed the backyard and patio for most of the evening. The guys went out back where Britt has been cutting firewood to secure another load for the fire.

Both Grandma's and Kathy joined us for the celebration which made it so special for Gary.

And of course there was an amazing spread of food which we all enjoyed.

For some reason - probably because I was playing so hard - I never got any pictures of the most intense games of badminton we played that nite. I haven't had so much fun in a long time, and by the end I was playing pretty well too!

It's days like today that despite all the joy there is also a hint of sadness - that Ross, Taya, Isaiah & Elijah aren't here with us, and that both our Dad's are in Heaven. That was certainly on our hearts as we celebrated Gary.

Civic Adventure

It was time to make the move and buy a smaller car - a Civic. Once again Gary found and negotiated a great deal on eBay. [ in '06 he bot our motorhome on eBay]

The only downside was he found it too close to home - Portland. We had hoped to find one East of the Mississippi which would require a road trip to bring back home.

He found it at a Smart Car dealership and couldn't resist sitting in one. When Greta saw this picture she said "ok, that's just wrong!" which I thot was so funny!

Saturday morning, despite predictions of rain we decided to drive the Civic to the coast to see the ocean, see the waves, and get some clam chowder at Mo's. Yes!

To our delight the weather was AMAZING and we enjoyed an hour long walk on the beach out to Haystack Rock...

....followed by a wonderful bowl of clam chowder at Mo's. A road trip, the ocean, and Mo's - a day can't get much better than that!

Lake Washington Jumper Show

This weekend Taryn & Bert participated in their first official jumping show with Fox Bay - the Lake Washington Saddle Club “Jumper” Fun Show at Bridle Trails State Park in Redmond.



We decided to go down there the nite before. Gary drove the motorhome and I drove his pick-up towing the horse trailer. This was a way new experience for me - towing in Seattle traffic - but it all went well.

We were given special permission to stay overnite at the Park which was so nice.

Are we there yet?

They were setting up jumps Friday nite and allowed Taryn to practice in the warm-up arena which was great. She had the whole arena to herself!

Last minute prep on Saturday morning.

The Fox Bay team lined up and ready for the course.

Bert watching the action in the arena waiting his turn.

Jumping in a show for Fox Bay was a dream come true for Taryn, and she did really well. She entered six classes and ribboned in all six - two firsts, one seconds, one third, one fifth and one eighth. [this show ribboned to eighth place]

We were so pleased with how well they did, and her trainer Marg was very pleased as well.

This will be Taryn's only show this summer. Fox Bay scheduled their two biggest shows this year - Southlands & Maple Ridge - in July which means Taryn will be in the midst of berry season and unable to go. This was a great disappointment to all of us, but work has to be the priority.

We choose to focus on the positive - thankfully Taryn leg is healed to the point that she can once again tolerate and maintain a full training schedule, she has an amazing horse, and they make a great team!

Britt and Shana's Garden

Britt and Shana have an amazing garden and I am really enjoying watching it grow...and love the little gate!

The fence became necessary when rabbits and deer ate the first planting.

Reserve High Point

Taryn & Bert participated in the Northwest Washington Arabian Horse Association's Fun Show and won Reserve High Point!

Show jackets ready

Ready for showmanship classes

Taryn & Bert, Mackenzie & Grey Grey

Lynden's Heritage Festival

Lynden combine two traditional events - Holland Days and the Farmers Day Parade - into one calling it Lynden's Heritage Festival. Brandon & Greta made Poffertjes in a new location - across the street from Dutch Mother's - with Grandma's help.

Dan Kramer's team of horses.

Not sure what to call this team of horses! Only in Lynden!

The barrel train

Arab club rode their horses in the parade - many in traditional arab costumes.

Taryn is part of the Arab club [not quite sure how that works with her Appendix] and rode Bert in the parade. This was her first parade ride and a long time dream come true for her!

The youngest Klompen Dancers

An amazing Dutch choir from Calgary Alberta.

And wooden shoe carvers

Taryn's 8th Grade Graduation

Camille, Stephanie, Taryn, Mackenzie
Tagen, Hyong, Taryn, Ashley, Katherine, Danielle, Mackenzie, Stephanie

Class Entrance
Mr. Ogle, their janitor, was chosen by the class to speak.
Family congratulations

To celebrate after grad we had a family party on the patio and made banana splits in waffle bowls...

...to a beautiful, poetic sunset

The diploma shot.

On Wednesday nite we had an extended family/friends barbecue to celebrate!