Me & My Man

How can a girl be any more delighted? All Thanksgivings are wonderful, but this one was the best ever. I have never felt so honored, so cherished, so valued and so much at home. I am so grateful.

Thanksgiving 2009 at Bentley

What a day! It began with a turkey trot, included an excellent feast, a lovely walk through the fields of Bentley, a calf feeding session at Middlevale Farm and then a talent show featuring Mark & Jeff's rendition of Hamlet and Mom & Joanne's star performance of the Chiquita Banana theme song! What a day!

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Turkey Trot 2009

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When Cloudy Was the Weather (Minnewaska State Park)

Life on an Oil Rig

Life on an oil rig is a little far from glamorous, but we sure are proud of Nate for persevering with the challenges of life far from civilization. When Nate is on the oil rig, he is about 100 miles from his base in Reynosa, MX. He is with a small team of guys who all live in a crowded trailer 24-hours a day. They are working on taking fairly tedious measurements of land conditions that would be indicators of an oil crop. It is long work, the desert kicks up a lot of sand and dust into the air, and there is no transportation to escape at night for a relaxing dinner or concert. Nate never quite knows when his work will be done and so life on the oil rig is very challenging.

You Are My Portion

I cry to you, O LORD; I say, "You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living."
- Psalm 142:5

You Are My Portion - Darrel Evans

Happy Birthday, Junior!

Today, my "twin" brother turned 20!

Decorating Luke's cake with his favorite candy, Reese's!

Happy Birthday, dear Luke!

Working on blowing out the candles...

...and almost successful :)

Off to go bowling!

The scorekeepers.

The new style of shoes.

The whole gang!

Posted by Hannah.

Junior Surgery

Putting the books aside for a moment, the third year veterinary students have started surgery! Isaac and his two buddies, Stephen and Nate, are a team when it comes to spaying cats. Every week, they each have a different role in surgery. This week, Isaac was the surgeon with Stephen as his assistant and Nate was the anesthesiologist. - Hannah

Nate, Stephen and Isaac.

Sunsets from the Pastureland

Brace Mountain - Finally to the Top!

I have tried to hike Brace Mountain (highest peak in Dutchess County) at least four times, and many times I came down thinking that I successfully had reached the top. Every time I came down and talked to people and realized that I hadn't quite made it to the top. Today, though, I made it. How did I know? The top of the mountain, I had finally heard, was marked with a pile of stones and a flag! I found it! Becca and Mom joined me for this adventure and we really struggled with the very steep descent because of the very dry and plentiful autumn leaves. If it is possible to sled on leaves, we did it!

Jacob the Apprentice

Jacob really loves learning new things and has spent a lot of time in the recent year picking up quite a bit of construction know-how. Today I caught him on the back of a four-wheeler with Lawrence. They were working on winterizing the farm.

Ferncliff Forest

Caleb has been asking to climb Ferncliff's Tower for the last several weeks and today was the perfect day. Mom, Caleb and I took Bentley the dog and, conquering all fear of heights, headed up the many-storied tower! We were rewarded with absolutely picturesque views of the Hudson River and the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge.

Enjoying the Gorgeous Ithaca Weather!

Isaac, Allie and I were able to avoid the books for just a few more extra hours this afternoon by going on a lovely hike at the Treman State Park. - Hannah

Cornell's Beef Sale

Well, Luke has officially completed one of his classes at Cornell! The "final" for this class was the beef sale. On the day of the sale, Luke found out that he was the announcer and accompanied the auctioneer in the box, giving a brief description of each cow as it was brought into the ring!

Posted by Hannah

(Thanks to Caitlin for the pictures!)