Fair 2009

This past weekend we were please to have Chase participate in the county fair. He entered two photos and his bottle calf Dozer. He received a blue ribbon on one photo and a red on another (being beat out by his cousin Shari).

This was the first year for us in the bottle calf division and we can say we still don’t understand how the judges made their decisions. Yes, mom, dad, grandma and grandpa were probably biased but we all thought Chase had one of the best looking and best trained calves for his group. He just didn’t seem to have the “cutest” answers. Live and learn right? Next year we’ll know to be “cute”.

Here are a few pictures from the day.

Can I go mom pleeeease?



Getting cleaned up



Waiting for the class to start



In his class



Walking up to the judge



Posing for a picture



Chase, Papa Don and Dozer



Is it my turn yet mom?



Chase was happy and still wants to do a bottle calf next year. He’s also continuing on with his responsibility for Dozer which makes both is dad and I very proud.

Before we left for the day we let Chase enter the peddle pull. He pulled 41” which had been by far the farthest pull for the day. Unfortunately one other kid pulled 41 ½” feet & beat Chase out. He’s determined to practice for next year.

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.

Iowa Deer Classic Results

Well they finally posted the results for the archery contest on-line so I thought I'd share.

Brandon got 22nd out of 105. He shot a 283 / 5 (not sure what that means) but I though he did well.

Chase got 17th out of 22. He shot a 196 / . I was very proud of him. He was one of the only (if not the only) kids shooting without a release and this was his first competition.

He wasn't very thrilled with his placing until I told him he beat dad.

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.