Missing Him

A couple of weeks ago, both Azule and Lee got out of the yard and decided to go take a stroll. This has been, unfortunately, a regular event with Azule-husky's love to run and his grandma taught him well. For those of you who knew Azule, he was the biggest baby you'd ever see. He looked very intimidating but that was it-there was nothing there to back it up. He would never take off by himself, he always had to have someone with him otherwise he just hung around but if he had another dog with him and I wasn't around, they'd be gone. Most of their adventures took them down to the river area; we've dealt with skunk, lots of cockle burs, lots of ticks and one time they were gone for 3 days and came back with wounds all over from tangling with something that had some sharp teeth. That particular adventure took its toll of them and on our check book.
So anyhow, when they got a couple week ago, Lee came back that evening but Azule did not. This was not normal because they were always together-I new something was wrong but I hoped that maybe, just maybe he would make it home or someone would find him. After a few days we put of 'missing' signs around town and of course had made tons of phone calls.
After 2wks I new he was gone but the thought of not really knowing can drive you nuts-I am one of those that wants to know what happened; it puts my mind at ease. Well, this afternoon, Bryan called me with the news that I new deep down; Azule had been found out by the airport-he had been hit by a car, managed to make to one of the out buildings before succumbing to his injuries.
Despite his love to go run he was a great dog, my pal and he will be missed dearly.

After a trail ride with me last year.

Awe...the sun fills good on the underside.

He was always very camera shy-

Green Broke

If you have kept up on my posts than you would know that this horse is not mine. Her name is Ziva and she belongs to my sister, Sara. I have been helping her with this horse as she is green broke but thankfully coming along quite well. Green broke means that she has barely been started and doesn't have a lot of experience with the saddle and riding thing.

Saddled up and waiting-patience is a good thing.

We were getting ready for our 4th ride.

These were taken a week ago when the weather was nice; when training horses, its better be be consistent with them-work with them 4-5 days a week but with the current weather that has been a bit challenging but as a I said in my last post, "this too shall pass."

Dreaming of Better Days

The spring weather of Northern Nevada, and a lot of other areas too, definitely tests ones patience. Its not like you can do anything to change it either so there really isn't any point in getting yourself upset. Think of it as an opportunity to practice spontaneity; to work on unfinished projects around the house or the ones that never end and that you've been putting off or making a list of the things that we are going to do when the weather cooperates.
In the mean time, while we are 'changing our plans for the day' its always nice to 'day dream'....

nice, sunny, warm days......

perfect for laying out and catching some rays.........

Dream of these things.......

And then reality hits.....like a 2x4 along side the head, like a wet towel snapped on your backside, like the sound of one of the cats wretching up a........never mind.........

Point being.....its spring and it has its extremes.

It was in the 60's the day before.

Cold, wet reality...........

"Riata, I don't think that the shelter is going to do you much good now."

Needless to say, the animals get a little 'bogged' down from the weather too-even depressed, there have been days that they really don't want to eat much. That was not the case with this last storm as they were all quite chilled since they have shed out the majority of their winter coats so in order to stay warm, they got lots of extra hay which they were very grateful for.

Ziva was hoping that the camera was edible too.

So in light of the current storm system that is blowing in, remember 'this too shall pass'.

7 Years!!

I can't believe that its been 7yrs since she was born-time is flying by! Thankfully the weather was nice so the kids were able to play outside-they had a water balloon fight. We had originally planned to rent the indoor pool at the Super 8 but due to Marisa's broken arm that wasn't going to work. They all still had a lot of fun with the water balloons, cake and ice cream and just enjoying each others company.

Time to open the gifts!

Can't go wrong with Polly Pockets!

yeah! she loves to read!

ooohhh........fairies!

and more fairies,

and the barbie mermaid...........

and.........

Hopscotch.........it may be another week before she is playing this one to its full potential-we see the Dr. next week for a check up on her arm.

its a new........

Bible with a leather cover.

Ha! cool! the caterpillar from one of her favorite books!

Spring Snow Storm

This morning we woke up to snow! It had rained some during the night and come morning had turned to snow. Very wet, large flaked snow! If it had been colder so that all of the snow had accumulated, I'm sure there would of been a few inches. In the places that it did 'pile' up, there is an inch, maybe a bit more. Other places just turned into big mud puddles and at this very moment, you wouldn't know that it had snowed-its all melted-just left the mud behind. On the up side, the moisture was really needed and I'm sure that as the weather warms up after today, things are going to really start growing. I'm sure I will be mowing my lawns this week!

As you can kind of see, things are starting to turn green!

The current bushes are loaded with little yellow flowers already and most of their leaves.

Out back it looked really desolate!

The juniper trees love this moisture!

About an inch

Lots a Legos!

What better thing is there to do on a snowy, wet spring day than let your imagination go wild with Legos and friends. Marisa got these for her birthday and there couldn't of been better timing considering the weather.
Our close friends Whitney, Connor and Kiera came to visit from Wyoming on Sunday and are going to be here for the week. Whitney had to make a quick trip up to Oregon to see her sister who is was having a baby so I have all the kids for a couple days. They have been having a blast from riding 4 wheelers around and around the house, to playing with Silly String, playing in the tree house, Wii, Nintendo DS's, balloons, fairies, My Little Ponies, the kitten, movies and now Legos! When the weather warms up we are going to try to get a little riding in too. Talk about a fun filled spring break!!


Jessie, Kiera and Marisa

Connor and Jessie

Imaginations turned loose! Its Super!