31... already???

Today (8/22) Ed and I celebrate our 31st wedding anniversary. Where the time has gone --- I don't have a clue. But we certainly have had fun, and are EXTREMELY blessed. Last year, we went to Tenn to celebrate our 30th, but this year was a bit low keyed.

Kassy and Sadie came up with a wonderful gift for us... (the joys of the internet)... they found some old photos and had them made into a wonderful book... course you know I cried the moment I took a look at it.....they mixed old photos with new...  

 I hope we get to be one of those couples who celebrate 60 years or more.... but I treasure every day just as it is....

on a Sunday...

This afternoon, my sisters came for a visit with my niece Naomi. Abbie is really getting to the stage where she enjoys the company of other kids, and she is always delighted to see her cousin. Both the girls play well together and had a great time running about the farm. Denise then offered to saddle Honey and let the girls have a little ride... they were so excited and put their helmets on right away.

Naomi LOVES animals... she's a girl after my own heart.. and it took her all of a few seconds to climb right up on Honey. She wasn't one bit afraid, and I think, if she could... would have taken the reins and gone out for a ride on her own. Honey is very gentle with children.. so, it makes a nice experience for them.

Abbie went next. Now she is certainly used to being around the horses, but because we tend to drive more than ride.. she was as comfortable as Naomi was at first. Still though, she wasn't going to let her cousin do something and not her....

 After a few trips around, she was certainly feeling more comfortable and I think it won't be long before she'll be asking Denise when can she ride....

this photo just shows, that Honey is no mini horse... not as large as the drafts for sure, but she's a big girl!!!

The little barn that Denise bought is working out perfectly. Honey is now very comfortable on our farm and we enjoy having her here. Didn't really plan on getting into "boarding".. just goes to show... you never know what might come down the road!!!!

Our turkey babies are growing in leaps and bounds. We start out by keeping them in the tack room.. but these guys needed to get outside. So, we set up the pen and moved them... they seemed so happy with all this extra room....

but, with 15 of them.. even this pen won't be enough room for too long. We already decided that we'll buy a few extra panels and increase it's size sooner than later. No doubt in my mind that they'll be ready for the holidays.. (poor things)  right now, we'll just enjoy their cuteness....

it's 96....

Well, here it is again... the annual Firemen's Muster that is held in the old home town.. the third Saturday in August. For the department it's number 96... for me number 52... in a way, it's a silly, old fashion event.. but for me, extremely near and dear to my heart... and already, everyone is looking ahead to the 100th.

The parade as always was good, with a nice turn out of all kinds of fire trucks... from the antique to the ultra modern. Our little beetle had the honors of caring the "queen" (Miss Flame).....

and you could certainly hear all the sirens and air horns that accompany such pieces of equipment... often much too loud, but that's part of the fun.

Abbie has kept tradition, and riding for the first time this year on the trucks. She, by the way, is the fourth generation of this family to be a part of the festivities...... She told me later that " it was the best, Baby!!!"

I had Bogey with us this year. He did very well with all the noise and excitement. I'm beginning to also think of the muster as "which service dog did I have that year".....

good ol' "Protection 2".. I just love this old hand tub (as they are fondly called). Ed and I feel very proud to be the care takers of this fine piece. The "Red shirts" that own this piece are so happy that we enjoy taking care of it. She only makes this one appearance each year, but it's like bringing out an elegant lady to a grand ball.....

After the parade, it's onto the muster, where the firefighters compete in all sort of games. Bogey thought riding "topless" was pretty neat... actually all our service puppies have "gone topless" once or twice and all have enjoyed it....

So great to meet up with the people we have known (literally) all our lives. This is Bob, a very dear friend of the family... he knew Ed and I as children, and of course our girls, and now Miss Abbie.....

whom... later, got one of the best seats in the house. From her "perch" she had a bird's eye view of the entire muster....

However, the bouncy house was way more fun that sitting and watching the teams run. She spent the better part of the afternoon there... Bogey, I think would have loved to join her.

by the end of the afternoon, one little girl was beginning to run out of steam. Time to wrap it up.. go to Tee Tee's house for a nap to rest up for the evening's events...









Supper is cooking!!! In traditional style.. a "real" New England clambake...

 

The banquet is held at a local clambake. It comes with all the fixin's.. and it is very good....

Sadie and her dear friend Jenn....

this is certainly a night for taking lots of pictures and making lots of memories...

Our whole family was there for the lobster bake and celebrations. Here I am with my two sisters, Sadie and Abbie (Kass was off somewhere... and Naomi with a friend).. but for the most part, we were all together...

I was so hungry, I ate half the meal before I thought to get a photo... still though, there's lots to eat!!!!!











My Mom and Dad enjoying their meal...

Now, this is a picture worth a thousand words... this is my Dad, and Chuck... both these men have been members of the fire department and are still volunteering. Chuck received an award for 58 (!!!!) years of volunteering and my Dad for 56 (!!!!) years of volunteering... both are still very active in the fire company, and I dare say.. will hit the 60 year mark!!!!

A nice photo of the entire family... yup, it's safe to say that the firemen's muster is a real tradition in our family....

I wish you could have heard Abbie as I took this photo... she said to her Papa...


"This day was the best!!!"



I totally agree Ab!!!!