Horse Show Update: 1st Show of the Season!

The Little Brat and I headed over to Silver Star Farm this weekend for our fist show of the season...this is LB's first year in a w/t division! At this particular show, her division was for ages 12&under....we knew she'd have some good competition, so she was challenged to do her best....the day started with Showmanship...this was her first SMS class EVER! We were running a bit late, so there was no time to practice or even adjust that ill fitting halter he's sporting, but she put on her big girl pants and cowgirled up! Literally....we went 'cowgirl for this schooling show. Straw hat, wild rag, denim jacket....too cute! She hit all her markers and did well enough to place 3 out of 5 and was obviously the youngest punk in this class....
Next up was her English classes....a pleasure (judged on horse), equitation (judged on rider), and a hunter hack (judged on horse and rider going over small jumps).....she was super excited as she waited for her class to enter the ring...

LB has been practicing her posting technique all spring and I could not be more proud....although sheer luck, she even hit her diagonals correct!

Her placings were middle of the pack again, which was about as good as we could have hoped for in this age division....Her favorite class of the day had to be hunter hack tho...they lowered the poles to ground poles for us....THANK YOU! Not sure we were ready for legitimate 'jumping' just yet....still, she sported her best 2-point position over those poles and rocked it....yeehaw!

...and I just couldn't get enough of her precious posting...thanks for pluggin' along Bo.

It wasn't all 'firsts' just for Randi tho....this was also Tuff's first show! He found it to be exhausting....and this wasn't even halfway thru the day! He'll make a fine show dog yet....

Love our Bo...and Tuff pup too....

After a short lunch break, we came back for the western division....Bo would have preferred to long trot as he did in the earlier english classes, but LB got him bumped up and slowed down...

My pretty little cowgirl....

Even with minor speed corrections, she brought home a blue in the pleasure class....the judge was very forgiving ;)

For the equitation class, the kids ran a pattern....other than misinterpreting my instructions and going to the wring side of the cone, she nailed it!

..and I believe did well enough for a 2nd place finish if I recall correctly...was more focused on her performance than her placings. She did win the reserve championship for the western 12&under division tho....this was much more than we anticipated!

It was a great way to start the season....thank you Silver Star Farm for hosting this show and Lucas Cash for judging!

Here are some video clips of her go's...enjoy!

ENGLISH PLEASURE: http://youtu.be/k-cayMlRwT8

HUNTER HACK: http://youtu.be/bLXVItwSXM0

WESTERN PLEASURE:http://youtu.be/yHHvud5CC1E

Happy Trails....

Leah

Warm Easter Wishes!

The hunt is on (....and best executed first thing in the morning while still clad in jammies)!

After loading up our bellies on the sweet goodness the Easter Bunny left behind, we decided to go outside and enjoy this glorious weather! I tossed some eggs around for the kids and they trampled happily about picking them all back up....now, if only I could get them to pick up after themselves in the HOUSE so effectively!
All in all we've had a great Easter Sunday....the Easter Bunny was good to the kids....Peter Rabbit turned 1 year old....the old man and I celebrated 8 yrs of wedded bliss....and I still have time to go out for a ride before the sun goes down....
Happy Easter!

The Virginia Roehls

Goodbye, Friend....

1995 ~ 2012

BOOMER

Born a dog. Died a gentleman.

To call him a dog doesn't do him justice, though he had four legs, a tail, and barked. To those who knew him well, he was a perfect gentleman. In attempting to explain to Randi the harsh reality of death amongst pets, I told her that if you have a pet, you will most likely outlive it; to get any pet is to open yourself to profound joy and to equally profound sadness. Today is a day of great sadness in our family.

I couldn't have asked for a better best good friend in you, Boomer....thank you for all the good times and endless golden memories...you are carrying away with you so many years of my life...of our life together. I can't thank you enough for the unconditional love you gave to me and the family we built together....we'll see you in heaven, buddy...I can picture you now; running fast, pain free....

Twice Upon A Time....2 Years Gone By!!

Sophie & CJ turned 2 years old on this April Fools Day.....hard to believe how much time has gone by! Seems like just yesterday they were lumps of bumps in their cribs....look at them now! All toddler-y and learning to golf and stuff! We took the family to Massanutten Resort for the weekend to celebrate their Birthday and this was just one of many super cool things we were able to enjoy together....

CJ was actually quite good! With mommy's assistance, he made 3 holes-in-one! Sophie, not so much...she doesn't want my help...she doesn't want ANYONE's help!

The kids went to the parks on the resort to play inthe dirt...and water...

CJ especially loved the dirt....and water.

Call me terrible mom, but I didn't even pack shoes for the punks....let them barefoot it up! It's good to feel the earth between your toes now and then....

There were presents, of course....Gma Kathy brought over some trycycles that have already gotten a dozen miles on them....as does mommy...that driveway is much longer when you walk it than when you drive!

Happy Birthday, sweet babies.....looking forward to what your future holds for us all :)

Here's to more memorable moments over the next year....

Happy Trails,

Mommy....

Fiddle Faddle....

Our minivan is multi-purpose. Today it is a livestock AND family hauler.

This is what happens at our home when you turn your back for 5 min and leave your doors open.

You have been forewarned!

Meet Waldo....

After losing Spooky last year after 16 yrs of companionship, our home has been without a feline friend....we decided to change that last weekend....after several trips to our local SPCA, we picked Waldo. Or I should say, Waldo picked us...every time Randi walked into his room, he would run to her. The other cats kept their distance, but not Waldo. We knew right off the bat that he would be a fun and friendly addition to our family....

That said, his integration has not gone seamless....he lived up to his name for the first 3 days after we brought him home. The house was a buzz with the question, "Where's Waldo?"....on day 4, howver, things started to change....he started to adjust to the hustle and bustle of being a family cat and now he plays and snuggles with us all day long.....we are so happy to have him.


If you or someone you know is interested in adopting a wonderful cat of their own, I have two excellent recommendations....we've spent a lot of time at the SPCA with the cats recently, and had a hard time leaving these two there....they are sweet, loving, and kind hearted souls that need families of their own too...please take a look and pass the word:
Snookie is very affectionate and social. He likes chasing a laser light and being groomed. Good with adults; Good with kids; Likes being groomed; Good with cats

Tracy is a very energetic boy who loves to play, roam around, and explore his surroundings. Good with adults; Good with kids; Likes being groomed; Good with cats

Happy Pets,

Leah

Spring Pics on the Farm....

I say "Farewell to you cold and frosty winter..." Let the spring time in! This weekend was a wonderful sneak peak of the season that lies ahead....although Fall is my absolute favorite time of year, Spring has to be a very close second....

What I love most about Spring are birds chirping in the trees, flowers blooming in the meadows, and the warm refreshing breeze.

What I love most about Spring are butterflies fluttering around, bees buzzing from flower to flower, and no snow lying on the ground.

What I love most about Spring are family picnics in the park, scenic drives in the mountains, sitting on my porch after dark.

Spring is the season of rebirth. The trees leaves are sprouting. The sun shines warm and bright. It's perfect for a fun family outing.

~Gma Kathy surrounded by punks~

Happy Trails,

Leah

Pedro and Randi on a ride....

Randi and I headed over to our friend Ms. Vickie's barn this weekend....we got to catch up on life and the rest while Randi got to catch ride for her.....Pedro hadn't been under saddle for quite some time, but he was still the perfect gentleman....

Pedro is the largest horse Randi has ever ridden....I can't say for sure, but I think he's about equal in height to an elephant! He's a tall drink of water, that's for sure...

Thank you Ms. Vickie for sharing your pony with us! Had a great time and hope to see you and Pedro again soon....

Happy Trails,

Leah

Her First Lost Tooth.....

The Little Brat lost her first tooth today at the age of 6 years and 10 months.....she's one of the last in her 1st grade class to lose a tooth....it fell out at school, which broke her Daddy's heart. He was anticipating a manual extraction. Oh well, he has 19 more opportunities for that! Randi was ecstatic to finally have it come out, and proudly shows off her little gap above.

When I picked her up from school, she had a small plastic treasure chest on a string hanging around her neck. They have little containers in the nurse's office for just this type of a situation. How cool is that??!!!

We placed her pearly white in a little heart shaped pillow overnight and lo-and-behold, the Tooth Fairy left her a crispy dollar bill in exchange! That's a pretty good rate for such a tiny baby tooth, IMHO. She was very pleased.

This rite of passage left me in a more melancholy state...my first born lost her first tooth! She’s loosing her baby teeth! My little girl isn’t a baby anymore! She is growing up.....she's getting 'adult' teeth.....someone get me a tissue! I can't go on.....

Snowmagedon 2012......

...NOT!

Apparently this is all the snowfall we are going to get this winter, so let the snow man building begin!

....my little snow bunnies got to go sledding for the first time under the awesome supervision of their big sis!

Then, it was time for a maiden voyage on their own....Sophie wasn't so keen on it all...but she endured.

...and my little man did great as well!

I couldn't let the kids have all the fun though....so we piled on for a family run. We actually made is all the way to the bottom without wiping out!

The Little Brat sure was cutting it up....she'd sled upside down if it were possible!

....Daddy joined in before too long....Can you sense Sophie's excitement??? Weeeeeeee!

CJ is such a cool kid...just kicking back and taking it all in....

I told the Little Brat that if she HAD to eat the snow, it should be up off the ground....we have dogs, you know...and a goat....a goat who loves to urinate at the most opportune times and in the most inopportune places at that (see pic below).

So she grabbed a branch....good girl :)

It was so much fun to see the little ones react to the snow for the first time....it would have been a sad thing if they had to wait until next year to experience it.

Better late than never!

Happy Trails,

Leah