Red Power Round Up 2010 and Lake Michigan!

------------------------------------Red Power Round Up 2010--------------------------------

------------------------------------Pioneer Land--------------------------------

This was a little "town" that was set up at the fairgrounds where Red Power was at. It was pretty neat. They had a post office, school and a few other things. Quite cool!

----------------------------------Pine Lake and Park----------------------------------

----------------------------------Lake Michigan----------------------------------

We arrived at Red Power Round Up Monday June 21 and we were there until Monday June 26. Wednesday night we had a tornado about a mile north of us. Quite scary. If I never have to hear the tornado sirens again that would be fine with me! Sunday we went to the lake that was close by (not Lake Michigan) and spent the morning and afternoon there. It was a cloudy day and it did rain some. Then Monday we headed up to Michigan City IN to visit Lake Michigan. That was lots of fun. We got to be on the beach and see the lighthouse. We were there for a little while. Then we headed for home Tuesday night. Tuesday we stopped about 20 miles into PA and then drove home the rest of the way today. I am so glad to be home again!!

Finally Home!

Just so you know we arrived safely home today at 3 p.m. I am so glad to be home. Navajo seems to be happy that I am home as well!! I am going to spend some time with him this evening and then soon heading to bed. I am hoping to get some pictures of our trip up sometime this weekend. We shall see!

Tornadoes and Cool Weather!

On Wednesday night we had a tornado go thru here a mile away and our power was out all night and we only got it back yesterday morning around 8. So that is why I wasn't on. We were still at the show and I am guessing it was around 6:30 or so and we were already in the truck and we heard there was a tornado about 8 miles away and the sky was pretty black..so we sat there discussing weather we should put everything in the trailer to load it down because obviously it was empty and with nothing in it it would blow away (they were calling for 80 mile winds which thankfully never materiallized). So with one of our friends help we loaded up the trailer. And just as we left it started to poar and soon after it started to poar (we were driving thru town to come back to our hotel) the electricity went out along the road (and the streetlights and traffic lights). We were like great =D Then we got back to our hotel and it was dark. So we ran in and we waited out the worst of the storm. Then we heard that McDonalds still had electricity so we went their and ate around I think 9 almost 10. So that was Wednesday for us =D We got dressed in the dark Thursday morning..such fun and then last night we went out to eat with some friends which was fun but we got in late! The show has been going good so far and from what dad said we made quite a bit of money =) And the weather had been pretty wacky..Mon thru Wed were SO WARM (Wed was cool in the morning but really got warm in the afternoon because it had rained in the morning) and then yesterday..ah nice break from the swealtering heat!! So that is what happened so far here!

Elkhart IN!

Ok so you all know that we are away on a trip =D Anyway we left Thursday around 10:15 (that was after we ate breakfast and took care of last minute errans and such). We drove till around 6 or so that evening and I guess stopped somewhere close to Cleavland (sp) OH. We had a few breaks along the way and also stopped to eat but pretty much otherwise drove straight thru =) Then we got up decent time in the morning and hit the road around 9:30 Friday. We drove that day till about 4 or so. We stopped in Elkhart IN. We are here till Monday and then Monday we are going to drive to LaPorte IN which is where Red Power Round Up is going to be. That is the tractor show. We are going to be in LaPorte most likely till the next Monday although I am not positvie on that. So that is how life is going so far. I am enjoying myself for the most part. I miss Navajo though =D That is normal..hehe. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend and talk soon!

Wednesday's Ride!

Today was my last ride till we get back now. It was a wonderful ride. We rode around the big yard here for a bit and then headed down the strip. Navajo didn't really want to go but he did. We walked most of the way down and then asked for a trot. Now some of you know that I have been having trouble with Navajo doing more than a walk along this stretch..WELL HE TROTTED!! It took a bit but he did. So we trotted toward home and I turned him around and trotted the whole way down again. We did do some surpentines at a trot and he did well..also did them at a walk.This is along the main stretch of the strip right along the road. We did this like 3 or four times and then I kept going and went around the corner. We did some trotting along there and I got him to move his forquarters and hindquarters and also stop. Navajo did everything really well! I must say compared to the beginning of the spring/summer he is so much more obediant and willing than at one point. I think once I get back from IN I will do some refresher course stuff and then work on dressage a bit more..SO EXCITED =)

Tuesday's Ride!

I finally got to ride! =D It feels like it has been a while but anyway. We rode down the strip a ways and then I saw our neighbor go out to her dogs so I figured I woudl head down and talk to her a bit and also ride around their farm since I had gotten their permision. I talked to her a bit and then I rode around the barn...and I found a wonderful area that is kinda rectangular and it is going to be great to use to trot around and canter around..my own areana..hehe sort of =D So Navajo and I trotted both ways around this area. It is good sized. The one area I am not sure but he was a bit nervous about. So Etta walked us past it (etta being our neighbor)..she said it brought back memories and I can believe it. She used to ride horses at one point. So we rode around there for a while. Not sure how long we were down there but we headed back across the road and headed toward home. We didnt' go the whole way home but turned around and I asked Navajo to trot and HE DID PRETTY WELL RIGHT AWAY..I sure was proud. Then I asked for a canter and he did that too. So I finally am getting somewhere with him going away from home. I sure am really happy about that. I think once we have that down pat and a few other things then we will be ready to go whole heartedly into working on dressage =) We shall see. Hope you all have a wonderful rest of the week!!

Monday!!

I didn't ride today but I did give Navajo a bath. He was in desperate need of one =) With all the rain we have been having lately he was quite dirty from rolling. No surprise there =D I am hoping to ride tomorrow and Wednesday but after that probably not till we get home. And I am hoping we are home before the 11th of July. Guess we shall see. If I have interent while I am gone I will be sure to post pictures and such to let you know how it is going! Hope you all have a wonderful week!

Car Wash/Wax and Social with the Youth!

Well I was away for Friday night and all day Saturday with the youth. It was lots of fun!! =) Saturday morning we got to the people's place we were washing all the cars at. In case you are wondering we had a car wash with the youth. We were washing the ministery's and elderly people's cars. So we had five cars to wash and clean the inside. We got there around 9 and started washing them pretty well right away. Once the vehicles were washed us three girls (Lori, Gina, and I..there were just 5 boys some of the youth were at Musci Camp (don't know much about it) wiped down the interior, washed the windows and swept the vehicles out. Took us till a bit after 12 because once they were all done on the inside the guys waxed them. We ate lunch soon after 12. They finished the vehicle they were waxing then we went on a short hayride. The place we were at were having some kind of supper that evening and so they had a tractor and wagon to give hayrides with. It was quite a fun morning and we made plenty of memories =) Then we got home around 2.

Around 6 we headed to the social. We went to a stocked pond and the guys did some fishing before supper. After supper we headed out to do some more fishing. I even fished a bit and I decided I am going to take the fish off the hook. Which I did and it wasn't to bad =D Anyway it started to look like a thunderstorm was moving in but we didn't head in until it poured =D So once inside we played a few games (won't go into detail but they were fun =D). We also had a time of devotion. On our plates at supper there were two plates with stars, two with smileys =), and one with a heart. If you had a star you shared your favorite verse or shared your testimony, if you had one with a smiley on you picked a song for everyone to sing and if you had the heart you prayed at the end =) That is what we did then. After devotions we sat around chatting a bit till after the storm moved on. Then we headed out and did some more fishing for about a half hour or so and it rained again =D Then we came in and played games till around 10:45 =) Then everyone started clearning out. Overall it was a wonderful and funfilled day and I must say I enjoyed it quite a bit and I got to know everyone better.

Thursday's Ride!

Today I got to ride for about half an hour and then ten minutes of groundwork. I would like to ride for an hour but since we are so busy getting ready to go to a show I just don't have the time. But once we get back I have the rest of the summer to get into a routine of riding EVERY DAY for hopefully an hour =) That is my goal!

I first warmed up in the big yard for about ten minutes just walking around and such. Then Navajo and I headed down the strip. We walked the whole way down and turned the corner. Once we got to the corner I asked for a trot. He went into a trot real nice. Today we didn't do much but trot and do some surpentines. He did well with everything. We were down there for about 20 minutes. I then crossed over the road to the neighbors. I had asked the neighbor if I may ride on their property and she had said yes. So we rode over there I would say about 5 or ten minutes. Not sure exactly how long. Then I crossed the road again and cantered back. Before we got the whole way back I turned him around. Navajo wasn't to happy about this but I did it anyway =D We got some of the way down and I asked for a canter again. He hesitated a bit but for the first time in a very long time he cantered some of teh way down the strip. Tuesday it was a trot today it was a canter. Quite some progress I would say. Then we headed home. We cantered/galloped the whole way home..Then I got him off led him across teh stones and we were up in front of the hayshed for ten minutes doing groundwork. I got him to back up the hill and come when I whistle. Navajo did well with both things. Very happy with how things went today. Hope you all have a wonderful evening!

Wednesday!!

Well today started out dreary but no rain. I gave Navajo his deworming. He knew I had it so he walked away from me. I told him he can walk all he wants but once he has his halter on he can't get out of getting his dewormer =D So I put his halter on and give him the dewormer. I throw the dewormer tube away and come back and Navajo has his behind turned toward me and he is in the far corner of the pen =D I just laughed at him and said he can pout all he wants but I know better than that. So I clean up after him and he comes back to me. I just pet him and gave him a hug. He can be quite the clown at times.

Today I won't ride as it is rainy but I loved on Navajo and spent some time with him. I hope tomorrow is nice again. I have a youth car wash in the morning on Saturday and then a social with the youth in the evening. I won't be home all day because I am staying at Lori's house overnight Friday so I can be there decent time Sat =) I am really looking forward to this weekend. Hope you have a wonderful evening.

Tuesday's Ride!!

I got to ride today. Since I didn't yesterday it made me want to ride all the more. I rode for 40 minutes!! Not quite an hour but we are still working up to that. Anyway we first rode around the big yard to warm up. I did some backing, stopping, and moving Navajo's forquarters!! Then we headed down the strip. We did a lot of trotting down along the bottom of the strip. We also put in two canters while down there. I thought that was pretty awesome. We did some serpentines at a walk as well. I tried them at a trot..that will need work but it went well. We were down there for a good 25 minutes. Then we headed back. We cantered/galloped the whole way back to the big yard. I walked around the big yard a little and then I was like we are going to head back down. It only took 5 minutes to persuade him and ride down the strip. We did trot a bit on the way down. To me that was a big accomplishment because usually it takes so long to persuade him to go down the strip again and then trot yet makes it an even bigger accomplishment!!

Well we headed back after we accomplished riding down. I then got off and walked him across the stones then got on again. We rode out back for about ten minutes then I came back to the barn. I groomed him good and loved on him. I was so proud of how good the ride went. He did good with leg aides and with responding to me right away!! So it was a wonderful ride and I am so happy about it!!

Monday's Groundwork!

Yesterday I was doing a lot of outside work. We worked in the garden for a good three hours mulching it so that when we go away it won't be all weedy. Then we made supper and I asked my dad to dump some dirt by Navajo's barn so I can once again level it out =) It isn't completely done but I plan or hope to finish it today.

So since I was so tired I didn't really ride. I hopped on a bit with the halter and leadrope but I know that usually doesn't go so well because Navajo doesn't listen the best. I need to work on that =) I did some backing up and I would then tell him to stand then I would walk away whistle for him and he would come. That was really cool. I also did some in hand work walking and trotting him in circles. Going around the corners with him is getting better. At one point I practically had to push him or pull him around the corners depending which side I was on and whether we were going left or right. I think that is an improvement. I didn't do much else with him. But I do want to ride today. I shouldn't be quite as tired =D Hope you have a wonderful day!!

Sunday's Ride!

This is a picture I took yesterday =)

Sorry it took forever for me to update on this but anyway =)


Well Sunday I did get to ride. I sure missed it after being gone for 5 days and not having ridden for a bit before that! So it was wonderful. Navajo and I just rode down the strip. We

didn't do much at all. It was more of a fun ride than anything else. I groomed him before we headed out because it looked like rain (I usually do anyway) and it did rain while we were riding so both he and I were wet when we got back but it was fun =)

Then that evening we went to my aunt and uncle. They had gotten a horse the past Friday. This is my mom's side of the family and a lot of my cousins like horses and a few even have some. My one uncle has Haflingers and he buys and sells and I think he might do some breeding. So anyway the horses name is Beauty and she is as far as we can tell a paint or pinto and might have some quarter horse in her. She is almost three. It was awesome because she is a very tame horse but she does have some issues with respect so I was giving my cousins some tips on how to work with that. My uncle and aunt both have some background with horses and training so they will be supervising the training going on there =) So here is a picture of Miss Beauty.

Miss Beauty!! =)

You most likely will see more pictures of her because I am going to edit some for my cousins =)

The Rest of My Week!

Friday:
Well I had my cousin Maryrose over night Thursday night so she could help me with the flowerbeds..it was my aunt's idea =) I was glad for it though. So we got up around 7:30 and by 10 we were out doing the flowerbeds. I am so not used to having my mornings like that. Here at home my mornings include: getting up and getting dressed, some computer time then out to Navajo. There it was more like: get up and get dressed then hectic time getting everyone dressed and fed. YOu are doing one thing then you see something else before you are done with the first things so it takes twice as long. BUT I realy enjoyed myself. So that is why it took till 10 to get outside to do the flowerbeds. It took about 2 and a half hours to do them but that wasn't to bad. Then my cousin and I came in and made dinner. After dinner we took Solomon (5) to the library. Since the library is in walking distance we walked down there. Maryrose and I also got some books for ourselves. Then we hurried home so we would be in time to be there so that the person that was taking Julia to the doctor could leave her children there while she too my aunt (julia) to the doctor. So then while Julia was gone we made supper for the person that took Julia children and for us. Once we had it cleaned up Julia and her friend came back. Then my cousin and I did some upstairs cleaning then after that she left. I headed to bed not long after the children were in bed.

Saturday:
This morning I got up more like 9 being it was Saturday morning. I got up and got the children dressed then Julia and I went to the store to get a few things. By the time it was all said and done it was noon already. After lunch Ike and Solomon went to Dutch Wonderland for some quality father and son time. (he had been gone for some of the week trucking). So then Julia headed to bed and I had Josiah. That was a joy =) He slept most of the time while Julia slept and I made some food for their dinner tomorrow and also some food for the freezer. I also got the floor cleaned up before my mom came and got me. Over all it was a wonderful week. I made some memories and definitely would work for my aunt again!!

My Week So Far!

Pictures of Josiah

Tuesday:
Got up at 6:30 a.m. and was down here at my aunt by 8. Her nieces on the other side were here and we did the main work. They left at 2. I did some odds and ends then made supper =) Nothing to big went Tuesday =D

Wednesday:
I got up around 8 this morning because Solomon was talking (I have a moniter in my room). Timmy didn't get up till 9. I didn't see Ike yet because he got home around 2 (with Solomon) then left around 6. He isn't coming home till tomorrow sometime. We (Julia's nieces and I) got most of the big work done on Tuesday so today was mainly taking care of the boys and making sure the meals were made and dishes were read away. Her nieces left around 7 yesterday. Then today we went to Rita's around 7 or so to get some ice cream. That was fun. Solomon had a long nap so I guess we shall see how he settles down this evening.

Thursday:
I got up at 8 this morning. This morning was a bit hectic =D I was going from one thing to the next. It was fine but interesting! The nurse came to check on Julia and the baby around 10 or so and was here till dinner. We ate dinner then Julia layed down to rest and I had Josiah =) Then when Julia got up and it was time to make supper. We had some company for supper. We had potatoe pizza bake, salad, applesauce, corn and dessert. Very good!! So that was pretty much my day. Now my cousin MaryRose is here. Tomorrow we are going to weed the flower bed and do a few other things! So guess we shall see how the day goes!