Celebrating Shaina’s 30th birthday

Today marks the actual birthdays of Renn and Shaina, and the celebrations for both continue. Happy milestone birthdays sweet girls. S and I rose early as usual, savoring our coffee while catching up with the news. Unfortunately, I still have a headache from last night that necessitated medication. I prepared crepes for the birthday girl, after which she and Matt busied themselves with sorting her remaining belongings.

Renn's 1st birthday started with Mickey Mouse pancakes XOXO

Our next endeavor was house cleaning. I took on dusting, S handled the vacuuming, and then I mopped the floors. I was feeling unwell, experiencing a cough, nausea, and the like, possibly due to my headache. However, I conducted a COVID test which, fortunately, came back negative.

Kaylin and the little birthday girl made their arrival at around 12:30, with Chuck and Deb arriving shortly thereafter.

Britt took a day off work and was able to join us after lunch. She went out and blade-harrowed the two unoccupied paddocks. Deb had a lab test in town and left at 1:30. Amanda and Aislyn came over for a visit, with Mom arriving in the yard shortly after.

Amanda had to leave at 3 to pick up the kids from school and take Ada to her ball game. Aislyn stayed behind with us.

She loved playing with Renn, the new toys and winning at war.

Debby and Chuck were back from town around 3 to continue the festivities. And snap a few photos ;)

Kaylin attempted to put Renn down for a nap here, but it was unsuccessful. She left before 4 to continue celebrating her birthday with Nate and his family. Matt had the chance to try riding with Britt's assistance on Roo, while Shaina took to riding Switch. The dark skies eventually ushered in some wind and a light rain, prompting them to call it a day.

Back inside Ashlyn challenged Matt to a war game. Dave arrived to join in on the fun and he too was defeated by the war queen.

The Paetz family returned around 6 PM, and the barbecue began. Visiting, games and birthday cake were enjoyed. 

Aislyn's airship was open and below Ada opened her birthday gift from Kaylin

After enjoying the evening, the Paetz family packed up and left after 9 PM, with Mom leaving shortly thereafter.

The rain fell later in the evening. Chuck and Deb retired early, worn out from several days of travel. We played cards, with Matt bowing out at 11 PM having to work early. The games concluded at midnight, with Britt and Dave saying their farewells to Shaina before heading home.

Celebrating Renn turning 1 - loads of pics

The morning was splendid, filled with sunshine and the sound of birds. We wrapped up the cancer in pets webinar over our morning coffees and prepared for Renn's birthday party. So hard to believe she is 1 already!

We transferred items from the car to the truck since we were riding alone. I watered the planters and put Switch's muzzle on before leaving after 10. At Kaylin's, she and Shanice were busy inflating balloons with helium and getting ready for the party. I washed berries, arranged them artistically, and prepared a charcuterie tray. Sheldon assembled the water table we purchased for her. He attempted to set up a new umbrella, but there was no table available with the required hole.

Guests began arriving at noon, bringing an abundance gifts. Beverages and tasty snacks were enjoyed while visiting. The birthday girl was ready for her nap by 3 PM, prompting the guests to depart. Subsequently, we made our way to the ranch as well.

Amanda L gave her her first car

Shaina gave her a ball pit

cutest family of 3

here comes the sweetest smash cake made by Shanice

Time for a bath and a party dress for the gift opening 

Kaylin bought Renn a wagon which Lexi may enjoy too

Returning to the ranch after 4 PM, Britt, Dave, and Mom arrived shortly after us, having picked up some Subway sandwiches. S and I prepared dumplings and a tuna sandwich. Meanwhile, Britt took Roo out for a ride as the boys settled in to watch the golf finale. Mom spent some time in the garden and observed B's riding session before retiring to Amanda's for the evening.

finally I have grown radishes in my raised beds

Shaina and Matt arrived at 6, having stopped for supper on their way home. The Oilers were playing in the final western conference game. After the first period, we played cards intermittently checking on the game. They ultimately won the Western finals, much to Sheldon and Dave's dismay. Matt remained neutral, rooting for Canada. We enjoyed plenty of snacks and laughter before the locals left before 11, and then Shaina, Matt, Sheldon and I went to bed.

Rental is officially empty

It was a glorious day outside, with brilliant sunshine and not a breath of wind. S rose early, just past 7:30, and went out to treat the hot tub and clean the filters, clad only in his underwear. After starting the coffee, he brought a cup to me in bed and then spent some time on his phone.

We noticed a fox in the paddock that had caught a gopher, which confirmed it could stay a bit longer. S topped up the fireball with fuel as I tended to the planters. At 10, we went into town to inspect the rental property. It seems one project may lead to another. The question is, should we sell it as it is? Perhaps just apply a fresh coat of paint and new baseboards? Or should we undertake a complete renovation? This will require some thorough research.

Our next destination was the grand opening of a new home store. We browsed around, purchased some scratch mitts, and enjoyed a burger. Before departing, we had a brief chat with the owners, whom we knew. Next, I picked up the herbs I had ordered from the library. Then, we returned to the rental to close the windows we had left open. A quick stop at Tim's rewarded us with iced coffees for our leisurely drive around town in the vibrant fireball. On our final check of the rental, we found another open window, which we closed before heading home.

The weather was so delightful that I felt compelled to spend time in the yard. S began moving soil in the pit shortly after Shaina and Matt arrived at around 1:30. She survived her party last night (go back a day to see the added photos). They retreated to her room for a movie and a nap following her grand birthday celebration the previous night. B, along with her pets, joined outside soon after. She unearthed and handed me all her tulips, roughly 30, which I planted in the back bed. S, feeling queasy from his IT work, decided to rest in the big brown chair. B took off for a ride while I set out to plant my herbs. She also tended to her feeding chores and prepared to shoe Roo. Once S awoke, he assisted me with weeding the yard. He tackled the dandelions and then carried the bucket to the horses. In an attempt to stuff some feed into the grazing muzzle I had placed on Switch the night before, he stumbled, and she managed to remove it. Despite his efforts, B ultimately had to secure it. Shaina emerged onto the deck, soon joined by Matt for a brief chat. I divided my chives, giving half to B, and replanted my share alongside the tomatoes.

After enjoying a bowl of cereal and a soda, Shaina began to unload the truck. I pointed out where to place things and then went inside to start dinner. B returned home with her pets in tow. Shaina's Jeep was emptied and parked. We savored spaghetti with a side of hockey on TV. A brief rain shower occurred as Shaina and Matt dashed to town for a snow shovel at 7:30, but it was merely a sprinkle.

Upon their return, we indulged in a hot tub session. The skyline wasn't as stunning, and mosquitoes were present, yet it was still pleasant. Rain fell towards the end of our soak, but shortly after, everyone went inside to shower and prepare for bed. S and I began watching a new webinar on pet cancer, but within an hour, S had fallen asleep.