Working together

Unfortunately my camera broke so I have to use my phone camera....it really does not take very good pictures.  :-/

Austin is cutting up fruit and Sarah and Jacob are de-stemming grapes.

We are using up all the fruit that has not been eaten: pears, apples, plums, grapes

We simmered the fruit in a bit of water.

All the grapes are de-stemmed.  We put them in the vita-mix and then strained the juice off.

That we drank.  Yummy.  Then we added the pulp to the fruit.

I poured the first batch on a plastic wrap lined tray and dried it over night.  I had forgetten to put honey or spices in it.  After I tasted it, it was really good without all of that.  I unfortunately have never made this so I put honey and cinnamon in the last 2 batches.  They all turned out, but we all liked the natural better.

Today I made banana bread with the banana's Sarah mashed.  Great job kids!  Thanks for all your help!!



2nd Snow Fall of the Season

The first snow we got a couple of weeks ago melted as quick as it fell - about 2 inches.  Todays snow - the first 3-4 inches melted and then it decided to stick and it is still snowing.

Halloween

- Before School -

Kids went trick or treating with friends.  Austin has changed his costume to go do this....he became black mail....put a stamp on his dark shirt.



Sarah's Birthday

Yep - Only 'one' present....she was so sad.  :-/

Go figure - that 'one' present was over $200....

Sarah Being the Primary Chorister

Too Relaxed

I took Red out for the first real ride today.  He has been trained before, but needs some work.  He is not soft at all and needs some serious miles.  He spooked at a bug coming out of a bush.  Did not want to go through water, but we got past that.  We took him through town and he did pretty well.  After 6 miles we were loping home.  He was shying away from a barn way out to the right.  As I was ready for him to shy to the left I was thinking about what would happen if he shyed into the reflector (on the left).  So my weight is positioned to the left to offset a shy...but next thing I know he shy's away from the reflector to the right - go figure.  Well all my weight is on the left and my saddle isnt made very well and always has you sitting forward, so off the left I go.  I land right at the horses feet as he is running. (thank goodness I didn't land right on the reflector post) Sarah says I have grass stains on my shirt.  I watch his feet run over me and I pull the rein toward me to stop him.  Sarah thought he stepped on my stomach, but he cleared everything except my left elbow as I held the rein.  Then I feel the reins pull through my hand.  Ouch, talk about burn.  i didn't wear my gloves....I love my gloves...why did I not have them on.  This is why I always wear them.  I have no idea why I thought I wouldn't need them.  Well Sarah is my hero.  She runs past, stops Yama, jumps off and grabs my horse.  Good job Sarah!  We get back on and pick up right where we left off...running and all.  I hope I dont feel it tomorrow because I have to go on a 4-5 hour cattle drive.

Take me out the the.....

                                                                            

Nice Hit!

Waiting.....Waiting....

Outta here!

Stealin' Home!

**SAFE**

Waiting for the out on 1st....

Pitcher's mound - Going after those balls...

Catcher

End of the Year

Good Job - Games well played!

Ward Party

Sarah is deciding whether or not she wants to do the games....

Jacob and his friend thought they would try out the team
 work thing...

 

I think Jacob was in a hurry.  :-)

Wheel barrow race..Dave is Not competitive at all....
Honey - you are racing against kids....Sheesh.

TUG OF WAR

HORSE SHOES