Pony Camp

Last week the girls went to Pony Camp at Nottingham Equestrian Center. They learned all about ponies, like what a “barrel” is and the difference between the first cutting (more yellow) and second cutting (more grassy) of hay.  And of course they got to ride a lot, including some cool on-pony gymnastics called “vaultege” (pretty sure that’s missspelled- corrections anyone?)

A few more pictures of the girls on horses after the break

Frankie with Buzzy

Barbara with Jasper

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Yes, it is hot

The number of days with high temperatures over 90 and under 20 at Lansing Airport (LAN) for the years since we moved to Lansing. We only lived here for the second half of 2006, and 2012 if of course partial.

How hot has this summer been?  Well, we’ve had a window air conditioner sitting in the basement ever since we moved into this house in 2006.  Last summer, we slept in the basement for a few nights, but didn’t even think of getting the AC out.  This summer, we got the job done on Independence Day.  (More like Dependence Day if you ask me.)

I became so frustrated with the weather that I needed to prove how hot it was.  Here is the data for the Lansing Airport (LAN), from Weather Underground.

I think this can be described as a warming trend.  I’m pretty sure there was a La Niña event in 2007-2008 that might explain some of that cooler weather. It turns out that last years number of days over 90 was equal to the 43-year average, but I’m a little nervous to see how high that red line will go this year.

Don’t get me started about days over average temperature and months below average rainfall.

Happy Fourth of July!

Here are some natural fireworks for y’all…

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Guaranteed not to cause brush fires!  We can probably credit this beautiful iris (at least we think it’s an iris) to accidentally watering the front yard for four hours Monday morning.  

Lansing Marathon

 

Last Sunday was the inaugural Lansing Marathon and Angie ran the full race while I ran the half marathon with Chocho. It was a cold, windy day which slowed down the runners, but Angie ran so well she won the women’s masters’ division.  Go Ang!  Chocho won the dog division by being the only dog in the race as far as we know.  I enjoyed all the attention lavished on Chocho, including a big round of applause as we crossed the finish line.

These pics are from a professional web site, and suitably framed copies are just a click away…

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Our friend Shari and daughter Gracie look for us and daddy Patrick at the finish line, with Bee and Frankie

A couple more photos after the jump…

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Soccer Season!

Bee’s soccer season has already started, but here is the game schedule.  Most of the games are at 11:30, so you can make it and still sleep in! You can find maps to all the fields here.

April 21, 11:30 am, EL Stars at Okemos

Location: Okemos Hartick E

 

April 28, 9 am EL Stars vs. Williamston

Location: EL Complex 5


May 5, 11:30 am, EL Stars vs. Mason

Location: EL Complex 4


May 12, 11:30 am, EL Stars at Haslett

Location: Haslett Fields Ralya


May 19, 11:30 am, EL Stars vs. Williamston

Location: EL Complex 4


 

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