The Launching of the Bo-Regard

This is Bo's raft which he built with Daddy.  It is made out of four 30 gal. plastic drums (given to him by Cousin Frank), 2 X 4's, and pressure- treated decking boards.  We plan to use it both as a raft and as a floating dock.  On Saturday (Farrah's birthday) Evan fixed a pool ladder and slide to it so that we can slide down into the lake.  On Farrah's birthday everyone went down the slide except Mama, who was on shore taking photos, Russel, who was too small, and maybe Emaline and Justice.

(And yes, I did consider having Emaline break (well, pour) a glass of juice over it, and thus formally christen it, but not being down at the lake when it was launched, we didn't do that.)

Farrah's Birthday

Daddy, Farrah, Savy, Bo, and LilyAnn standing in front of "Emily", Savana's horse.

Saturday, May 28th, 2011 we celebrated Farrah's 14th birthday.  It was a wonderful day even though we were teetering on the edge of sickness, and Farrah came down with it that evening.  The week before we'd attended the Barberville Farmers' Market (or the farm swap as we call it) and at a free drawing had won two passes, each for two people, to go trail riding at a local horse rescue.  We decided to use the passes on Farrah's birthday.  Usually they only allow one pass at a time, but graciously allowed us to use both, so Daddy took Farrah, Savana, Bo, LilyAnn and I trailing.  Of course, we had to pay a little extra because of the extra people.  Bo and LilyAnn doubled with Daddy and I, respectively.

Farrah and LilyAnn in the round pen.

We had a great time.  Farrah got a big flea- bitten gray Arab mare, and that horse wanted to "go" the whole time we were out.  They weren't too strict about staying in line, or what speed we went, so Farrah and I got to canter several times (my first time ever doing that!), and afterward they let Farrah, Bo and LilyAnn ride by themselves in a large round pen.  Here are some photos and a short video I took there. The owners of the rescue also posted some photos of us on their website here.  The last three pictures under the heading "Our Customer Rides" are of us (Daddy and Bo, a photo of us on the trail, and another of us after the ride) and there is another of LilyAnn in the round pen under the heading of "Our Riding Lessons".  It is the last picture under that heading.
This was Farrah's first time ever riding a full- sized horse without anybody leading it.  The only other animals she'd ridden before were our heifer Honey, and the neighbor's pony.

LilyAnn on "Lucy".  Bo got to ride her too, but unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures of him.

After we got home, we all went swimming in the lake, using Bo's new raft, the Bo- Regard as a floating dock.  It was great fun.  Daddy took the little guys in close to the shore after a few minutes, where they played in the water alongside Kep, who was trying to catch minnows (as usual).  We had grilled chicken legs, corn on the cob, and salad for supper, and chocolate cake and ice cream for desert.

William going down the slide.  The others in the background are trying to push the boat.

Daddy going down the slide (I love this shot!)

A very much overloaded raft.  I had just sent Kep back to shore because he tried to climb on too.

It was a wonderful day to celebrate a wonderful sister (for us children) and daughter (for Daddy and Mama).