Halloween 2009

We had a rather different Halloween this year. We usually make a special trip to the pumpkin patch, carve Jack-o-lanterns, then go Trick-or-Treating on Halloween night. This year, we barely had time to get to the pumpkin patch, we didn't get a chance to carve Jack-o-lanterns, and we went Trick-or-Treating on the day before Halloween in downtown Madison. It was rainy and dreary on Halloween, so we stayed in and watched movies. Not our usual traditions, but it worked for us this year. I did manage to get some cute photos!

Fall on the Farm

We knew this place was beautiful in the spring when we moved in. There were trees budding and flowers blooming (especially honeysuckles) everywhere. The farm was even more wonderful in the summer when all things turned leafy and thickly green. But fall has been the most spectacular season yet. The blazing reds, yellows, and oranges surrounding us have been amazing. The pictures below are some views from our back porch.

Letters to God, Part II

Last week we were invited to see this movie, Letters to God, as it was screened for a group of investors and supporters in Greensboro (see link below). It is an amazingly moving story. Even though there are sad parts, the film has such a message of hope. Be on the lookout for its release in the spring!

Letters to God, a Possibility Pictures Production

Letters to God, a Possibility Pictures Production

This is a new movie coming out in March 2010, produced by a client of Dan's. This company also made the very successful movies Facing the Giants and Fireproof.

Ride! Swim! Run! Shoot!

On the weekend of September 11-13, Alex and Margaux participated in their very first regional Pony Club rally--the Tetrathalon. The Tet rally is made up of four phases--stadium jumping, swimming, cross-country running, and shooting with air pistols. Our club was the host, so I learned a lot about attending a rally as well as what it takes to put on a rally. The rally was held at the Sedgefield Show Grounds, a local hunter arena. The grounds are gorgeous and we received lots of compliments on the setting. The weather was also wonderful--bright, sunny days but not too hot or humid.

Participants began arriving from all over North and South Carolina on Friday afternoon. The kids settled in the horses that were staying overnight, walked the jump course, had a pizza party, and took the written test. The jog out (vet check) began bright and early on Saturday morning. Alex and Margaux rode shortly after lunch. Alex had a perfect ride--no faults! He got second place only due to a slightly slower time. Margaux had a couple of faults, but the crowd cheered loudly as she climbed up on the fence at the slip rail to re-mount her horse. The jump course at Tet is supposed to somewhat reflect obstacles one might encounter while riding in the open. Riders have to open, go through, and close a gate. They also have to dismount, take down the top rail of a fence, walk the ponies over, replace the fence rail, and then get back on. Margaux, being vertically challenged, had to improvise, using the fence as an impromtu mounting block, when she got back on Jazz.

The kids swam Saturday evening at the local Y. On Sunday morning, everyone headed over to Hester Park to run. Afterwards, the participants completed the shooting phase. Margaux had some trouble with the swimming phase, which left her in fifth place overall. But she did win the "Pony Poop" award. Apparently she was very concerned when Jazz did not immediately poop in her stall while awaiting their turn to ride. She made sure that all of the officials knew that she was keeping a close eye on her pony and they all were very glad when Margaux reported that her pony finally did her business. Alex came in second overall, with first places in shooting and running. It was a great weekend--enjoy the pictures!