Reasons why I love my blog:
1: It keeps a lovely record of our life and the kids growing
2: It shows progress
3: Gives me an outlet for my images.
4: I usually do it on the days that I have low energy for doing much else, and a lot of the time I feel quite justified in why I feel so exhausted when I look at all that we've been doing.
So here goes another post. We have just returned from Pony Club camp at Moranbah. We left last Thursday to go and set up camp and returned home late on Tuesday night.
Kid did all sorts of events, including campdrafting, dry work, showjumping, art, vaulting, dressage, horsemanship, mounted games, horseball and lazer shooting.
Much fun was had by all and I was very excited that my niece Hayley, was able to join us for the whole of the school holidays and she got to come along camping with us. It was her first time camping (even though we had power and toilets and showers... so kinda glamping), so it was a bit of an experience.
The kids were all separated into different groups. I had Jessica's group (The Stockhorses) for the four days and we had little Alice, with her pony Bobby and these pair were just an absolute cracking little team. We loved Alice.
Shaylee's mum Julie had Garrett's group and I was very grateful I had another mum looking out for him while I couldn't be in two places at once.
Back home and capturing some more photos. Trying to get some competition shots, but I feel like I'm missing the mark.
Grandma came out for the last week of school to teach the kids so I could get some housework done. In the afternoons they went riding together. Which they all loved.
Grandma hates this photo, but I think it's pretty cute... and her little twin below!
And I may have been in trouble for sending them through the deep water as all their boots got wet.
I had the pleasure of photographing Rochelle's formal (Julie's eldest daughter). These were a few of my favourites.
Love this one
Shaylee (Rochelle sister) looking very cute.
v
Some photos from out and about at the swamp.
Not sure why, but lately I've been liking some black and white landscapes.
I ran this past a couple of competition judge friends of mine, but they said it didn't work... I still like it.
How cool is this dude?? Probably feasting on all my plants, but he's still cool.
Spot the kayaks....
Spot the swans...
"I got a prickle mum!!!"
Justin and I ventured to Townsville for our NB2 annual gathering. And this was right outside our hotel.
From my Phone:
My garden had gotten very overgrown from all the rain we've had, so I made sure that I got in and dug them all up. It's looking far most civilised now!
We've even managed to have our first mini school for the year. Feels like such a long haul in the first term as mini school isn't until week 7. So it's a long stretch before we all get a break from each other.
Ben came for a sleep over, but I think they were all coming down with the flu, as we all left mini school (and poor grandma) with some bug.
Fairy bread on the muster.
Cooking the oysters.
Last brand for the year. YAY.. and it was even before mothers' day.
Could he have taken a worse photo!!
The two podies, that missed the memo about the branding...
Because we managed to get a rare evening to ourselves while we were in Townsville, it was essential that we had a seafood platter!!
Justin thought that my theory of not eating much all day so I could save up, wasn't going to work... but I'm pretty sure I ate more than he did!!
And had room for ice-cream!
For some reason this building really appealed to me.
Pretty cool fish tank we spotted from outside this pub.
Photographing the photographer.
Facetime with kids while we were away. I think they enjoyed having Nana for a few days.
Justin's vegetarian breakfast. With added scrambled egg.
Sheree and I. Not sure what we will do for catch ups next year. Only because of the NB2 that we actually see each other.
We walked past this beauty every morning at Townsville, but couldn't see it properly cause of a massive big fence with a tarp around it. On the last day, the gate was open, so we snuck in for a photo.
We were missing a couple from our group which was a bit sad, although it was a great session. We had a guest speak "Barry Irving" from Bega Cheese. OMG... if you've never heard of him, look him up!! His story is absolutely awe inspiring.
Back home for the last week of first term and Grandma came on the job. We had her mustering and working, so we could truck out some heifers for sale.
I left mum with the kids, while I went to town to do Rochelle's formal photos and pick up my niece Hayley for the holidays.
Max was not impressed that he had to go back to work.
The easter bunny found all three kids.
And left us girls matching PJs
My brumby was behaving like a brumby and needed some extra restraining.
Which was just as well I did because he pulled back and broke my bridle and was leaving for home before he realised he was hobbled.
Sara Lee looking very fat and pregnant. Hopefully the foal sticks... still got a few months to go.
Turning out the heifers to School Paddock.
Mustering team.
Poor Julie's buggy got unceremoniously cremated.
Packing for camp...
G man got bitten by a wasp.
Loading up.
On the road.
Kaka's stockhorse team of girls.
New friends.
We did show prep... and of course my kids were keen... me not so much.
Farrier got them to do some painting.
Paint your horse.
G man actually did really well at vaulting and I was impressed as I didn't think it was going to be his forte.
Justin was completely mortified that this flag was upside-down and would be even more-so that I shared the images on the internet!
Miss won the obstacle course. Which was surprising because she completely skipped one obstacle that he was not liking the day before so I told her to avoid it. We can recreate it at home and practise.
And I was incredibly spoilt to come home to this beautiful meal after a week away of eating pies and sausage rolls and pizza and reheated meals. Was most welcome. We all crashed as soon as our head hit the pillows and that was Tuesday night. Wednesday we unpacked the truck and did little else and I'm still wrecked today. It's all caught up with me.
Anyhow, at least I'm catching up on photo editing and blogging.
This video has a few different snippets from camp and mustering and branding and me having a rant about fencing; as well as, the tug o war... which was the best fun I have had in ages I'm still sore. The kids all started and then a heap of blokes ran in to help various sides, so I couldn't let them have all the fun. The poor ol hose they were using, may have a few stretch holes in it now.
And that's a wrap!! Like I said, I'm exhausted. The kids have gone for one final ride before Hayley has to go home tomorrow.
It's very overcast here but doesn't feel like rain.
I'm currently reading "The cry of the curlew"... wow... never have I read a more eloquent, poetic, historic novel that paints such a vivid and shocking story. Well worth a read. Definitely not a book for under 18yo, it's very graphic and at times makes your stomach churn with the depictions. It is a very good story though.
Mum is coming out next week, so I have a week off school and will be helping Justin set up the bore we had drilled last year. We shall see how that pans out, I might send mum to help with the bore and I'll stay at school.
Hope you are all well and enjoying the milder weather.
With Love.
