Family brunch

Here we are, minus a bunch of folks, but it was good to see you all. The focus isn't great on the photo, but it's the better of the two.

All is well here, hot and humid. Oh wait...it's July in Kansas! We were out very early this morning getting stuff done before the heat index went off the charts. Jenna was with us for 2 days and is on her way back to the Netherlands. After being home for one day, she'll take off for Israel to visit a friend before school starts. Next week we have Maddy(11) and Kate(9) coming for 5 days of Horse Camp at Camp Nelson. This will be interesting...Gene went to Brody's 4th birthday party, Wednesday evening. His actual b'day isn't until Aug. 3 and he's very concerned that nobody will know when his real birthday is! The things a 4 year old worries about!

Joan

Dad's Riverside Hall of Fame

Hydrangas

These are mom's hydrangas in bloom about 3 weeks ago. Mighty spectacular!

Almost Done

Roof trusses up...and then white metal roof goes on. And of course, the pictures are in the wrong order! Anyway, Gene got home last night and was very pleased with the barn. He was also happy to see me. Boaz's hoof is improving, he's now sporting a "hoof boot" which is blue rubber and fastens around his ankle. I then pour medication into the boot so he soaks all day. He doesn't mind the antibiotic and anti-inflammatory mixed into applesauce, so he's been a pretty good patient.

Gene has decided that all teenagers are crazy.

Joan

Progress

The concrete footings are curing and I suspect the roof trusses will go up today. By the time Gene gets home, Sunday evening, it's going to look like a barn!

Boaz has re-injured his foot, so the vet is coming out this afternoon. He and I had a bit of an accident yesterday, he got spooked while tied (my first mistake), I got knocked down and tumbled about, scared the both of us! This morning, I'm finding some bruises and ouchy spots. It's a good thing I love those horses!

One of the guys from the band Steve, and I are singing in a wedding tomorrow afternoon, so the rehearsal is tonight. Sunday morning, he and I will sing at my church, since we've got some appropriate music still fresh in our minds.

Joan

Graduation

Hi Everyone! Here are a few pictures from Paige and Sydney's graduations.

Hope all is well. Love you all!

Janelle

Barn on a truck

Our new barn just arrived, from Oklahoma. Gene is so bummed that he's missing this, while he's in New Orleans with our church's youth mission. So I promised to take pictures for him. Our friend Sam is going to build the barn for us, with Gene and Sam's family all helping. The barn will be located on the 20 acres that we've moved the horses to, it's right behind the mailboxes, up on top. It's going to be 30 x 50 feet, mostly to store hay, tractors and trailers. The plan is to dismantle the little barn and move it to this new location and rebuild it. The fun never ends!

Joan

High Water

Our lake is now 27' above normal pool, which is the highest I've ever seen. In the photo, you can see the boat docks out in the distance. The water is actually higher than what the picture shows, as it is continuing to rise. Sort of squashes any holiday plans for boating and swimming...

Gene is leaving Saturday for New Orleans. He'll be gone 9 days with our church's youth group, on a mission trip. They'll be working in the Lower 9th Ward, on houses as part of the St. Bernard Project. Hope the current hurricane doesn't affect their trip... So I'll be holding the fort down with the dogs and horses.

While Gene is gone, our new barn should arrive. It's a 30 x 50' barn kit, being trucked in from OK. A neighbor is going to build it for us. We're in the process of moving from our existing barn, down the road to the new acreage. We've got stuff scattered all over!

Have a fun 4th of July, God bless America!

Joan