The Muench Bunch

The weather was going to be great and Mark and I took Jacob on a trail ride at Brushy Creek. We had Alice and Grandpa meet us for a nice hour and a half ride. Alice knows the trails really well and she took us on the preserve trail. It was a very nice ride in the trees and we crossed the water a few times. Jake did great with Eagle and he had a nice time. Everyone's horses were perfect. I rode Traveler and Mark rode Tex. Apparently our relaxing ride was too boring for Mark so he had to entertain by mounting his horse backwards.We sat under a shade tree and had some sandwiches before heading home. Check that off the list for our annual Brushy Creek ride and hopefully we can get there again this fall.

8/26/16 This week Jayden started her College English Comp class at the Ogden high school. It is mostly seniors in her class. So far I think she is enjoying the thrill of being a high schooler. She has gotten noticed in class and in the hallways getting lots of looks. Of course she is the new girl, but I think a big part is the tall beautiful blonde. I am sure she is turning lots of heads. Yes, she is enjoying meeting and talking to new people. She tells me she is not being shy and trying to get to know people. I read her paper she wrote on the second day of class and I was so impressed. I think she could pass the class already. She is an exceptional writer. One thing I have noticed, getting her to write a paper at home has been like twisting her arm and she doesn’t put much effort into it. Doing a paper in the class, she does great. I am not sure what that says for me, I just know taking this class will be great for her.  On Wednesday the kids had their first youth groups. Jacob was

Jayden has been busy with riding lessons. I am so glad it is working out for her and she is able to make a little money. She has given 6 lessons to sisters that live in Ogden, Kayden and Makenzie. They are super sweet girls and are doing well. They enjoy it so much and I think they enjoy just coming out to the farm and seeing our chickens and kittens just as much. Tonight was especially cute. Kayden ran around with Luke while Makenzie was riding. She seemed extra smiley and sweet on Luke. Later she was telling her mom and I how glad she was to be taking riding lessons because she has made a new friend as she smiled at Luke. Later when she was leaving I heard her tell her mom she was so happy to make an amazing new friend. I don’t know what it is about Luke, but the girls sure like him. He doesn’t have a clue, but they sure are smitten. Every once in awhile, Luke will ride Tex during their lesson too. It gets him in the saddle and gives him a reason to ride. Jayden also gives lessons to

8/23/16 The past two days were ideal, in the 70’s. It felt a lot like fall and I had all the windows in the house open. a couple nights ago we enjoyed a nice horse ride down the road. Monday Mark sold his steers he has been feeding since last November. He butchered one of his best steers and it weighed in at 1650lbs. Jayden helped Mark work the cattle and load them in the semi. Orrie likes watching people work is always found with a video camera in hand. It took 3 semis to haul the cattle. Luke rode in one semi into Boxholm to weigh them. Mark wanted to get back into feeding cattle, but this might be where it ends. The markets were not in his favor and it was so much work. He had some bloats this summer and he recently had a steer break its back and had to be put down. With all the highs and lows of feeding cattle, I think he is going to step back and away for the time. He enjoys it so much and is sad to see them go.He has always been full of ambition. That night before dark the kid

On Friday, we took Jayden to the beginning of her fun filled weekend at the Prairie Meadows Youth Days. In the spring she filled out a detailed application and had to write a 500 word essay. 6 people in the state of Iowa were selected to participate based on accomplishments and academics. It was an honor and privilege for her to be chosen. She arrived at the hotel she would be staying in at noon on Friday. Her weekend consisted of all the behind the scenes that goes on at the Prairie Meadows race tracks. She met and followed trainers and spent hours with them daily. She met the vet, farrier, jockeys, telecast crew and got to know the horses. They ate at buffets each day and had time to swim in the pool at night. It was an amazing opportunity, one I know Jayden will never forget and she took it all in and fell in love. She learned so much and enjoyed every aspect. Even though the trainers live the life of a gypsy, she still thinks it would be the life. She told us all about every aspect

 I watch the little kittens playing. They are still at a cute age, Dakota, WallE and Skippy. I adore my kitties. Skippy John Jones is my favorite, so of course he gets lots of attention. He has such neat black and white markings, reminds me of Mikey, our first and  only house cat. Jayden calls me a crazy cat lady, maybe I am.

The Rio Summer Olympics 2016 has been playing on our television everyday. We wake up in the morning and turn the television on to the Olympics and leave it on all day long. We don't sit and watch it, but it is on in the background and when something exciting is on we stop and watch. They highlight and televise the most popular sports being gymnastics, swimming, volleyball and track. We have enjoyed watching the gymnasts dominate in every event. They took the team gold without any other team coming close. Simone Biles the new gymnast came in and stole the show. Gabby Douglas, the favorite and expected to take the all around, did'nt even make the cut. Simone took the gold all around and 4 individual events. it was fun to see the awesomeness. Then there is Usain Bolt, the fastest man in the world. I am a fan because he is from Jamaica! He is neat to watch and he signs the cross with his hands and points to heaven before his runs, he also stops in respect when he hears the American

8/16/16 Jake’s been feeling down about his friends. One friend, he doesn’t get to see very often, and his new friend, Luke just moved to Nebraska. I arranged a day to go to the Ames waterpark with his youth group friend Cademon. It worked out great. Jake and his friend had fun doing whatever they wanted from the pool, slides, and lazy river. Jake even came to me and wanted to take the swim test so he could go off the high dive and the plunge slide. He passed without any problems and I watched as the boys hit the diving boards and big drop slide. Luke hung out with me and was not having much fun. Other than the lazy river, he doesn’t like the pool. He doesn’t swim and I tried everything to convince him to go down the slides. The tube slide has an open top and you can go down on a two person slide, therefore I could go with him. I even bribed with a snack stop on the way home. When Luke doesn’t want to do something, he won’t. It made for a not fun time as he would sit at my side and whi

On Thursday this week, Mark had an appointment in Des Moines, so I joined him and we went to a movie then out to eat. When we left town the sky was lighting up with tons of lightning. Just as we pulled in to get some gas. the heavy rain and strong winds came.  Our weekend was a little quieter than most without a rodeo on the schedule. Here it is August 14 and I feel like our summer was a flash. School is just around the corner and summer will be over. Friday night the Anderlik girls surprised their parents and had an anniversary party. Matt and Libby were going to host it at their new home, but too much rain made it too muddy. The party was held at Karen and Orries. All of Tim's family and the Muench family were there to have grilled burgers and cake. Saturday Mark took the boys to Adel for a semi truck show and I went shopping in Ames with Jayden. We were all home in time for supper. After dark we got the fire pit out and threw some wood on and sat outside around the fire. I lo