Another Kind of Horsepower

We're lucky enough to live in a small community that puts on many social events during the year. The Annual Car Show is just one example. This year all proceeds benefited our veterans. The very first truck I saw was this beautiful 1956 Ford just like my Grandfather had and then sold to my Dad.  My dad still owns the old green thing and has it stored in the barn.

I totally understand boys and their toys now. Who wouldn't appreciate these vehicles. I wonder what Henry Ford would think about all this.

 

 I consider these the first Tahoe's and Suburbans. Yesterdays SUV's.

Notice the bed of the truck has a toy replica of the vehicle and then on top of that it has a smaller one.

 

There were cars and motorcycles everywhere and the owners were willing to talk about the work and money they had put into their prize vehicles.

Mike and Mikey kept the crowd fortified with hamburgers and bratwurst hot off the grill.

I learned to drive in this type of car.  A good ol' Ford Ranchero. My Dad still has it in storage. Now it might be too sentimental to ever sell.

 

 These little trucks are awesome.

My dream car. A little roadster. I don't care what color. Notice the "For Sale" sign in the window.  My brother-in-law said that's what charge cards and lines of credit are for. I am going to go buy a lottery ticket right now instead. Wish me luck! 

 

"O, for a horse with wings"!

"O, for a horse with wings"! (Willy Shakespeare).

Shakespeare must have seen jumpers. He must have seen the beauty, he must have seen the grace, he must have seen them fly.

Chuck and Gina invited us to the Scottsdale Grand Prix. The Grand Prix of jumpers from arounf the country. These animals are beautiful.

Not only are they big in stature, they weigh 1300 lbs.  Try lifting that off all fours.

It's not that they don't have fear, they just do what is asked of them out of respect for their rider. Sometimes they hesitate if they think it's the wrong decision. That's probably best for both horse and rider. Must be what you call Horse Sense.

The jumps are almost 5' tall and even taller in Olympic Jumping.

Every time their legs would hit or knock down a pole I would think of how it feels when you hit your shin. #%&* ouch!

 

What a beautiful sport.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Family Game Night

This is one of the few years that we will not be together for Thanksgiving so Anisha hosted a Family Game Night so we could all be together before the holiday.  It started out with dinner from one of our family's favorite restaurants to help fortify competitors.

Look at me!

Look at me!

Look at me now!

It is fun to have fun

But you have to know how. Dr. Seuss 

Anisha started a friendly game of Headbanz. We looked silly with the bands on our heads but its a great game of "what am I".

How ironic that the guy who drinks several gallons of milk a week would be given that card.

Casey asks "can you eat it"? We said yeah, I guess in some places, not in this family.

Mikey and Seth went dove hunting a few months back and decided to cook up some dove appetizers for us wrapped in bacon. Yum!

After several different game challenges the highly awaited ping-pong competition began. The pressure was on. The competitive gene came out in everyone.

Rob and Rhi put the husband and wife thing aside. They were in it to win!

Brian was wondering how Ryker had picked up this new skill, apparently he was practicing all summer at Auntie Anisha's to prepare for this day.

 

Then everyone acted all surprised when the oldest woman in the room actually kicked some butt.

Hailey kept the fresh popcorn and snacks coming all night long.

In between showing us how youth and flexibility still go together. I think Dakota is yelling "ouch" in the background just thinking about it.

Dakota took a break to play Petshop.

 

Then it was dessert and time to gather around the fire. The kids tried to stay warm while the adults discussed world issues.

All in all it was a time for family, enjoying each other's company and making some memories.  Can't wait till next time.