Through the Ringer

Poor Chase has been put through the ringer lately. He finally got his tooth replaced (the one he knocked out last year) and that has really changed his appearance. He will also be getting glasses next week (they are in; we just need to pick them up). And last week he got the “spot” removed off of his face. It is like we are getting a whole new kid!

Earlier this week I got the news that the “spot” on his face was a Spitz Nevus. That didn’t mean much to me but the Dr. informed me they would like to go in and do an excision to get the rest out (they just shaved it off in the office) so surgery was set for this morning.

No photos please (notice the crooked pinkey)



I think I told him he looked like a girl in this one.



Finally broke down and told him if he didn't smile I was selling his chickens!



And here we are "after" surgery.



He was dazed and confused! He just shook his head yes/no and sometimes yo (yes/no combined). Sometimes his "nods" were even delayed a minute or two. He didn't get to eat before hand so he was going to have Grandma take him to DQ for lunch but when I asked him if he wanted DQ still he shook his head no. He was pretty dizzy and out of it but I am told he is recovering well (he is with Grandma Janet for his spoiling - I mean recovery).

All I want for Christmas..........................

We finally got our tree up. We decided this year to pull the big tree out. That was a task! We (I) had to rearrange the entire living room so that it would fit.

We'd like to give a special thanks to Val & Phyllis. If it wasn't for you we'd have no Christmas decorations.

The boys decorated the tree (notice all of the ornaments are clumped down low) and they are very excited. Here are a few short clips of them giving their Christmas list.

**I had issues uploading the videos so you'll have to click on the links below to view them**

Ty's first take

Notice that Chase has things written down so he won't forget anything?

Chase's Christmas Wishes

I had Ty sit down so I could get more information from him on what he wanted from Santa.

Ty's second take

Enjoy!

Redfield Saddle Club High Point - 8 & Under

This past weekend the Redfield Saddle Club had their annual awards banquet. This is a time for memberst to gather and reflect on the year. This is also a time for the club to present awards.

Our family was in Cherry, IL for a family vacation so we were unable to attend. Chase was surprised last night with the news that he had been awarded the High Point trophy for the 8 & under age group.

As you can see by his face he was thrilled!

Along with his award he also recieved $25. I know what he'll be spending that on!

I'm hoping this award will give him a goal to work towards next year.

School Time!

Can you belive it? Chase started school last week! Seems like our summer just flew by!

Why do they always have to have such a goofy smile when you tell them to smile?



Chase Hutcheson - 3rd Grade

What’s Red & Blue?

The inside of our trailer! Why? Because MIL and Chase had a great show on Saturday! Chase started off with walk/trot. He looked great (yes I am biased)! He’s still having a hard time knowing what to do with his “free” hand but he kept it off of the reins so I was proud of him. He did a fabulous job and came out with a 1st place blue.

Next it was MIL’s turn. She looked great as well and had a nice ride. Sis was a bit fast for my liking but the judge must have liked her as she placed 2nd (1st place horse was very nice & would have been my choice as well).

Then MIL moved on to WP (Chase is still to young for that). I didn’t get to watch because I was in the class with her (on Abby lol) but they ended up winning the class so she must have had a nice ride. Abby didn’t do too badly. I figured at the beginning we’d be sitting in the middle of the ring before the class was over but the most she did was chomp at the bit. She got both leads well and while I had to push her to keep a trot she was more then happy to lope.

Next it was time for the games! Chase didn’t want to do poles because he always forgets the pattern. I told him to do them anyways and he did and won! He did the pattern perfectly and did most of it at a lope!

MIL and I took Abby in for shit and giggles and that little pony can turn! I ended up getting 5th on her which is sad because she wasn’t even trying (hmmmmm the wheels are turning – just kidding).

Next it was time for barrels. Chase got 2nd in this class but he did great! MIL and I didn’t place but we had a blast. Abby wasn’t as thrilled with it but it was good for her.

Here are a few pictures of “the man”. Doesn’t he look sharp?

Busy, Busy, Busy

I haven’t updated lately but lately it seems like we never get a chance to slow down.

Two weeks ago Ty was hospitalized for 3 days. He had a fever, he was having a difficult time breathing and he was very lethargic. Of course the day after they released him he was bouncing off of the walls. He did have one set back last Friday (high temps again) but for the most part he seems to be back to “normal”.

Luckily the week he was gone Chase was with his great grandparents so he was occupied. During his visit with Papa Don and Grandma Bea he made me this “beautiful” bird feeder out of their scrap pile and an entire roll of duct tape!



I placed it in my flower bed (behind the tall flowers) and the birds do enjoy it.



As you probably already know Papa Bob and Grandma Candy have a few “critters” at their house now. Ty’s favorites are Grandma Candy’s “monkeys”.



I have to say they are quite humorous to watch when they get to playing. This one is trying to learn how to sleep on the log. I’m sure he’d do better if the camera wasn’t flashing on him.



Then Papa Bob has his baby deer. He has 3 of them now and they range in sizes and personalities. The deer have been very good for Chase and his outlook on wildlife.



At the beginning of the month Brandon and Janet rode in the Van Meter Kid’s Day parade. They had a lot of fun (not sure who had more fun, Janet or Brandon).

The horse that Brandon is riding is 24 yrs. old.



Janet all decked out with Sis.



And of course we can’t forget Chase. He’s still enjoying Dozer.



Dozer says “feed me now!”



He will show at the fair on July 19th and I’m very excited for him. He has been very responsible for Dozer since he has gotten him.

Meet Dozer

Dozer (short for Bull Dozer) is Chase's 4-H project this year. Pappa Don was kind enough to let Chase use one of his bottle claves to show at the county fair.

Saturday we went and picked up the not so little guy.



He needs some lessons in leading.



But he already knows where to find his food.



I think everyone on the farm is enjoying him so far.

All I want for Christmas..................

Is my two front teeth!


Unfortunately this song now rings true for Chase.

Last Sunday after returning from drill practice Chase and his cousins decided to play ball. Pappa Bob had taken away all of the bats so he decided to use an old banister railing instead. Of course it would have taken too much time for him to take off his glove so he propped the railing in the glove.

Hey batter, batter, batter…………swing!

That’s when I got the call to come to the house. As Chase swung the banister it popped out of the glove and into his mouth. Needless to say I wasn’t a very sympathetic mother when I learned how this all happened.

Brady, Mason and I spent some time looking for his teeth. We found his baby tooth and part of his permanent tooth but not all of it as it had been broken in more then one piece.



The front tooth was a permanent tooth. The one next to it was a baby tooth.

We went to the dentist the following day and they put some paint on the tooth to keep the exposed nerve from bothering Chase until the swelling goes down. In about 3 weeks we go back to see if the tooth has grown out enough for them to try to put a cap on it.

Iowa Deer Classic

This past weekend was the Iowa Deer Classic. Brandon took his buck in for the “Big Buck” contest and both Brandon and Chase participated in an archery tournament on Sunday.


Brandon’s Buck

Brandon’s buck received a ribbon stating he was a true trophy buck. Brandon said this qualified him to be listed in the Pope & Young Record Book. I’m really not sure what all of that means but I’m sure if someone wants to know Brandon would be happy to explain it to them.


His Score Card


Here is a picture of Brandon’s buck amongst the competition

I learned that archery tournaments last longer then 15 minutes. I about died when Brandon said it would take nearly two hours. It was fun watching at first but quickly reminded me of watching paint dry. Chase tends to show off in public and not do as well as he does at home so I was very proud of him when he shot better at the tournament then he did at home.


Chase on the line


Chase’s target (top left)

Brandon on the line

Unfortunately that kid draws kids that get him into trouble like a magnet. He somehow befriended a little boy during the shoot. This little boy decided to go up to the line with Chase and talk to him while he was shooting. He even went as far as patting Chase on the head while he shot. This happened during 3 rounds and those where the worst three rounds Chase had. I finally said something to Brandon who asked one of the officials to remove the boy from the line and after that Chase’s shooting went back up.


Ty and Grandma (Ty was about as bored as I was)

He shot a 196 out of 300 and Brandon shot a 285. I don’t think Brandon was too proud of that number as he says he normally shots around 295.


Chase smiling with his target (I told him if he smiled I’d buy him a four wheeler – that didn’t happened)


Ty trying to carry the bow cases so we could get out of there.

As soon as we know the results we’ll be sure to let everyone know.

A Super Star is Born!

Well as many of you probably already know Chase is a “super star” (so he thinks). He was featured in Clinton Anderson’s No Worries Club Winter Journal and he was very excited about it.

Clinton Anderson is a world redound clinician that I started following a few years back. Chase started watching him with me and picked up on the techniques. Everyone thinks he looks like a young Clinton but I’ll let you be the judge of that.

Here he is at a show last year.



And here is Clinton with Chase at the Des Moines Wahl Walkabout Tour last year.



Here is the article. I know it is kind of hard to read because it is so small but if you would like to read it let me know and I will try to send you an e-mailed version of the article.



These pictures might help explain why Chase is standing on Nikki’s back. It is a “signature” move of Clintons. He can usually do this after just a few hours of work with a young horse. These are from the Road to the Horse competition that he won.





So if you see Chase don’t ask for his autograph. He’s already gotten a big head out of the deal! He informed Grandma Candy and Grandma Janet that HE made their horses famous.

This & That

I have some random pictures that I wanted to post.

This is Chase & Ty playing with Ty's new truck/trailer combo that dad bought him.



I sure hope it's not in their stars to be behind bars!



Psycho Kitty! This is a nightly occurance between my dog and cat. The cat (Bang) ususally starts it and the dog (Cy Cy) usually gets the brunt of it.

It's Birthday Time

Chase is 8! Can you believe it? Time sure does fly.

Chase was able to celebrate his birthday with his family. Aunt Heather made him a wonderful monster truck cake with a ring of fire just like he wanted.







He received lots of gifts!





And had lots of fun with his cousins.