The Old Schoolhouse

Next to the driving range was the old 1870's Round Valley Schoolhouse. It's been somewhat restored. I had just a second to take pictures- I'll have to go again and take more time.

I'm a sucker for old stone buildings like this.

At The Driving Range

 For fun last week we went up to a driving range in Morgan to hit a few buckets of balls.

 Everyone was in fine form.

 Since golf is a sport I have no skill in, I amused myself by taking pictures of the golfers, the weeds and trying to get a good sun flare through the pine trees.

 Towards the bottom of the buckets, the guys switched to trying a Happy Gilmore shot, best described as hitting the ball by running and attacking. Bruce did not disappoint.

 Yeah.

It was a fun way to cool off a bit in the great outdoors!

Creamy Pesto Salad Dressing

Yum! This is excellent salad dressing! It tastes like Pesto Ranch, and what could be better than that?

Creamy Pesto Salad Dressing- 2 1/2 cups
1 c. mayonnaise
1 1/4 c. buttermilk
2 tsp. prepared pesto
1 tsp. crushed or minced garlic
1/8 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
1/4 c. shredded Parmesan cheese
Combine all ingredients and refrigerated at least 1 hour to develop flavors.

A Change In Our Horse World

Did you know that Shannon has started the Utah State Human Resources online master's course? Yep- she started the first of July. Here's the official student potrait:

That means she has less time to ride. So, we have leased Rocko to a really nice college girl from Sun Valley who's going to school in Salt Lake. She is taking excellent care of Rocko, rides him well, and he gets to stay at our barn.

In turn, I'm leasing a cute little guy named Snoopy who belongs to our trainer.. I know, Snoopy is a terrible name. If it were up to me. I'd give him a more noble name. He's part Arabian and I'm having lots of fun riding him.

Shannon and I have flip-flopped our riding days so I'm riding a bit more. Then Shannon comes to ride Snoopy and fixes all the mistakes I make with the little guy. I have to say that I'm a bit proud of the fact that I'm jumping again- even the occasional 2 foot high fence!

(Look at those green poop stains! Snoopy thinks there is no better pillow that a pile of fresh poop!)

Snoopy and I have become friends- I have won him over in my usual horse care style- with pampering and treats. :)

A Cat Party

Gus, wake up! It's time for your birthday party!

Mmmph. (Readjust to a new sleeping position.)

Gus! Really- you need to wake up!

(Opens one eye.) I'm sleeping, woman.

 Alright. I can tell you'll keep bothering me unless I wake up.

 Look Gussie! Here's a birthday treat for you!
What on earth is that. I think it's on fire. What is that un-earthly singing?

 I want nothing to do with this party business.

 Wait a minute- this flaming contraption smells like fish. I love fish.

 Alrightly then! I will eat this- as long as you feed me off the burning stick.

 Or I'll eat it off the ground. I'm delirious with deliciousness.

 Now, rub my belly. It will help me digest.

 I will lick my face for the next 3 hours.

 This birthday thing was an acceptable activity after all!

Baby R

I had fun doing a photo shoot with 5-day-old Baby R last week.

She was a sweet little thing.

She ate and fell into a milk-induced coma.

She's a chubby little thing for being so new.

 We even took her picture with a cupcake. Babies and cupcakes- cuteness overload.

Her sisters came after we were done with the baby. Her toddler sister was a bit of a cyclone, but her older sister knew just was I wanted.

 Cute baby girl.

A New Lens!

When Bruce asks me what I want for Christmas or my birthday or Mother's Day, I usually say, "A gift card to the camera store would be great..." After my birthday I had enough to get the lens I've been eyeing for a while:

It has a shorter focus length for closer pictures. Now I won't have to stand on a chair to get a shot from above of something I'm making in the kitchen! I also bought myself a backdrop kit- since I'm taking some newborn pictures this week. Fun new toys!

Happy Birthday, Gus!

Gus is one year old today!

On his first day with us he looked like this:

 Now he looks like this:

All grown up!

Gus loves:
- Food
- Lindsey's blankets
- Walking with people around the pool.
- His kitchen water dish.
- Stalking people's legs.
- Chasing bugs.
- Having his shoulder blades rubbed.
- Catching mice and birds. Not eating, just catching.
- Following Bruce around outside.

Gus hates:
- The Pool
- Being spun on the wood floor by Peter.
- Anything tied to his tail.
- When his people take vacations.

Happy Birthday, Gus!

Cabin 4th

On the 4th of July, we joined some other Stratfords at Grandma's cabin for dinner.Bruce and I drove the Jeep. :)

 There were cute cousins at the cabin.

 Peter Tidied up a bit,

 And we played horseshoes.

 My kids have a new favorite pose-

After Dinner, while the Stratfords did Stratford stuff, I took a walk down the road. I took some pictures of the local cabin flora.

 I eventually made it back to the cabin gate.

 Lisa took a pictures with her iPhone. IPhones are really handy for stiff like that.

Then we hopped back in the Jeep and made our way home in time to save Gus from the scary neighborhood fireworks!

 It was a fun 4th!