summer update

Well, the summer is flying by and we still have so much to accomplish before the winter weather returns :)
The barn is complete and paid for (ouch!) and we are happy to have a sheltered place to take care of the boys. We still have quite a bit of work to do inside the barn (no-chew, paint, gates, etc) but we will work on that as time and money allow. Our top priority now is getting the grass growing strong on the hills around the barn before the horses return (They are currently down the street a ways "mowing" our neighbors backyard (about 3 acres of grass :) We do most of our pasture development and maintenance in the morning and evenings when it is cool. I have started composting the horse manure and am looking forward to using it next season in my garden :)

The garden is going well. The potatoes are growing strong as are the onions. I have been fighting with a few pests (lately grasshoppers by the thousands) and am looking forward to having chickens next year!! My carrots and radishes are going well in my herb garden on the patio. However, the carrots and radishes in my garden where consumed before they could sprout well. But, for my first garden, it is progressing well.

They kids are in Germany visiting Oma and Opa. Jamie has been there a week and is having a splendid time playing outside with friends and eating sweets!! Auri just arrived today and is very tired, of course!! Jamie is already planning on returning to Germany as an exchange student next year. I guess we will be learning German and speaking at home this year!! Yea, maybe I will finally learn the language :) Jamie will be returning to Vegas the 31st to spend another week with his father before returning to Montana with his sister Aug. 8th.

I am healing well. Much faster then anticipated (Yea!!) I rode my motorcycle for the first time Sat. It was great! We are tentatively planning a horseback ride this evening (my first since the accidents). I will probably start working with Mave this week to see if we can turn him into a horse that is enjoyable to ride and safe to be around. Sypreme has gotten a bit ornery with me being down for most of the last 7 months; luckily he snaps back into line really easy.

Mom is settling in well. She sounds happier then I have heard her in several years. They have just about finished the Major Overhaul of the apt in WSS. Jan and I will be heading over this weekend to join in the painting party :). Her stuff is scheduled to arrive from Vegas in a couple of weeks. John missed his lifestyle in Vegas and decided to return to Vegas on July 4th. He was in a car accident outside of Cedar City and has whiplash but is otherwise OK.