In the Company of Dogs....

The dogs are so much fun to watch play. They get along so wonderfully and are such a treat to watch. The boys love to play with the dogs and especially like to feed and water them. Our dogs are Cy, liver/white/tri Springer; Private, black terrier mix; Mimi, black lab; Milroy, golden greyhound mix; Emily, golden retriever; and the Hoss man, black and white Springer.

Update: Our friends the Van Elders in Leawood have asked to have Emily join their family. After much thought we have agreed to let her be a city dog!!

Dogs were out enjoying some comfortable fall weather and enjoyed posing for some pictures!

Can You Say White Water Rafting

Okay, we didn't take the more challenging raft trip because the river was dry at the time of year we visited. Also, because we had a 3 and 5 year old and their parents and grandparents. We were more about enjoying the scenery along the Colorado River. It was also pretty spectacular to see a Bald Eagle. We see plenty of hawks in Kansas, but nothing compares to the wingspan of an Eagle. Incredibly beautiful.

McKechnies on Holiday ~~ Colorado

We headed out the last week in August for a week of hiking, fishing and family time in Colorado. Other than the mountains....Colorado is almost as pretty as Horse Creek! Collen and Bill spent the week with us and also joined in on a Colorado River Raft trip.

We watched the Democratic Convention every evening and cheered on our very own Kansas Governor, Kathleen Sebelius. I actually was able to read a book and relax with a nice glass of Pinot Grigio. Wow, life away from the Ranch was pretty cushy. We also had some great meals at the Condo. We certainly didn't go hungry.

The first day we took the ski lift up to the top of the mountain at Granby Ranch and hiked down the mountain. The boys thought it was awesome and made little mounds of dirt as they hiked so they wouldn't lose their way. It took us about an hour to come down the mountain, and it psyched us up to do more hiking in Rocky Mountain National Forest.

The swimming pool at the resort was a fun place for the boys to spend about an hour each day. They practiced jumping into Daddy's arms and sitting on the steps. The pool temp was very warm and cozy.

We had some great hikes in Rocky Mountain National Forest. Adams Falls was pretty cool with a steep climb to get to the top of the falls, then a more relaxed hike along the river. The Holzwarth Historic site was a beautiful valley hike with displays at the original dude ranch. The boys loved it...especially when they were allowed to practice their roping skills. Driving up to the Continental Divide and hiking to Lake Irene were also spectacular views. We did a little fishing but mostly just took time off from the bustle of our everyday lives!!

Our last day we spent the morning on a white water rafting trip down the Colorado River. The boys sat in front to begin the trip and we managed to get pretty wet as the rapids were pretty strong at the beginning. The 50 degree temp water was a reason Austin decided to move to the middle of the raft. He was the smart one because Jack and I continued to sit in the front and enjoy the spray of water. We warmed our feet halfway down the river in a small hot spring -- very nice. I need a hot spring at the barn after I ride or clean stalls!!

I guess one of the more pleasant parts of our trip was the drive to Colorado. We drove to Salina the first day out and then stopped in Hays to visit the Sternberg Museum. WOW it was cool. The boys were a little concerned the dinosaurs might come alive, then a robotic t-rex actually did start to move and make noise. Mommy and Daddy were advised to move away from the t-rex by their very concerned sons. They love us. The Kansas scenery is so beautiful with so many different colors and a beautiful blue sky. Reminds me of the Kansas state song, Home on the Range....

Carly rides Dusty....Nathan takes a nap on a pallet!

Austin and Jackson headed to bed early tonight. They were pretty tired from the day of chores and fun with their cousins. Our Cousin Nathan decided to take a small nap on the pallet outside the hay barn....sounds REAL comfy Nathan!! Carly decided she was going to show us how to run a barrel pattern! Yee haw.

Our Level 3 equestrian riders, Joel and Carly, showed us how talented they are by riding Honey and Dusty around the back yard. Carly was able to practice a barrel pattern real nice and kept Dusty on the pattern. It takes COURAGE and a positive attitude to ride a horse and our Cousins have both of these.

Meanwhile Back at the Ranch

My sister, Tracy and her beautiful children, Joel, Carly and Nathan, along with Nana Jane, came down for a visit this weekend. It finally stopped raining and although the ground is good and soggy, we all managed to spend lots of time outside playing on the barrels, riding in the tractor, feeding the horses, playing in the hay barn (and in the MUD), and petting and riding horses/ponies. Ed made a spectacular dinner on Sunday of homemade fried chicken with mashed potatoes, gravy biscuits, corn on the cob, and cake the boys made for dessert. Aunt Kristy made breakfast the next morning of pancakes with the secret ingredient and Nana Jane made lunch of macaroni and cheese, sandwiches, corn on the cob and fresh fruit.

We were really excited to see Cousins Carly and Joel riding Honey and Dusty by themselves. They picked up how to ride pretty quickly. Nathan also joined in and let me lead him around on Honey. Carly indicated she might want to show Dusty next year ~ GO Carly!

Aunt Tracy was amazed at all the dogs at the Ranch who provided as much entertainment as anything. Milroy running through the pasture like a deer, Private coming from behind as we headed up the barn driveway, Emily tasting Nathan, Cy holding onto a stuffed animal and sitting quietly with mouth wide open on the chair, Mimi sleeping in her crate and Hoss constantly tackling Emily. Jackson shared his kittens with Cousin Carly and they held them in the garage for quite a long time. They are so cute!

Joel was able to catch two tree frogs, one for himself and one for Austin. We are keeping them watered and fed in jars. All of our cousins are soo much fun. We were so glad to have them visit and will look forward to seeing them again soon.

Happy Birthday Dad!

We celebrated Dad's birthday this last Saturday in Kansas City. He doesn't look a day over 50!!! We had a great dinner at Kokopellis and cake and ice cream at the Connealy's house. The Connealys, McKechnies and Rineys all joined in for a great evening. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD ~ I hope to look as good as you do at "70"!!

Momma Sybil & Company

Sybil is the smaller bay mare in this group of 4 mares. She is 24 years young here and foaled some beautiful babies in her time. Other mares with her are Angel (brown) Leotyne (big bay), and Sage (dun). They love the boys.

Teamwork Pictures

Austin is riding Grano Chief Waggoner "CHIEF" and loves that he turns so well. I've been riding Chief everyday and he runs over to the gate when he sees me heading with the halter. He loves to work...just the way we like our horses to be.

Daddy gave Austin lots of good advice about riding Chief. Austin was very excited and gave Chief a nice pat after the ride.

Austin and Jax continue to prove how close they are and they are best friends. They both offer lots of advice to each other. Of course, Austin worries a little too much and Jax responds, "don't worry it will be okay."

The boys have been building a house with some wood in the barn and other various items they have found. We think teamwork is important and they also like to feed Sybil and company in the west pasture. Sybil thinks they often forget how much they feed her and she thinks that is a good thing! Good Ole Momma Sybil.

Blowing Bubbles

Somedays Jackson practices blowing bubbles in the bathtub...other days he blows them in his milk, but the ultimate bubble blowing bonanza occurred earlier this month at "the barn" in one of the mare pastures....tooo funny! Oh, and we do not live close to a beach.