Treasure Valley Classic Fall Finale.

Sidney has been working hard taking her and Pigeon to the next level in jumping. 

 She and Caylin did a schooling show in preparation for the Treasure Valley Classic Fall Finale.

In the wee hours of the morning, the day after a late night out with Hoco, we set out for the Treasure Valley Classic.  It is a four day show plus a one day of schooling.  Sidney and Pigeon participated in four of the five days.  I liken these horse show mornings to the 'good ole days' when I used to do races.  It always fills me a nervous excitement.  We watched the sun rise, as we drove to the show.

Pigeon gets doted on once we arrive.  Sidney always gives him a little extra grain on jump show mornings.

While Sidney and Pigeon were off warming up, we watched this hot air balloon flying low near the stables.

My mom, dad and my uncle Steve joined us on Saturday morning.  We took a walk along 'duck alley' aptly named as we saw these ducks swimming along the canal.

Spurwing Stables was all decked out for Halloween.  I snapped a selfie with these fun guys.

While my mom and Steve were waiting for their $8 cups of lukewarm coffee (egads! coffee...not fancy espresso), I took a picture of them with my dad and his new friend.

The competition was pretty fierce and most of the classes were at least 15 deep.  There were several groups that had come in from out of state.  I always admire how Sidney can keep calm and laser focus.  She always has her eye on doing her best and rarely sizes up the competition.  This is a noble trait and has served her well.  She and Pigeon were magnificent.

One of the gate attendants from the Northwind Winter Jump Show recognized her and gave her very kind words of encouragement.  He told them they looked amazing and said 'You guys sure have come a long way!".  That is something considering the first show she did in a western saddle.  They walked away with two first place ribbons and a sixth place ribbon.  Some of the classes they did not get in the top 6 placement.  They did very remarkable!

HoCo 2026.

Borah had their homecoming last weekend.  Peyton came by the house and asked her to the dance.

Sidney and her friends got ready for the dance at our house.  Then they headed to the Capitol, where Keturah's mom took pictures.  The girls had gotten some flowers at Trader Joe's earlier in the week and made bouquets and boutonierres. 

Sidney and Peyton looked amazing.

They all looked amazing, really!

The whole group of them went to Bardenay for dinner before heading to the dance, which took place at Stuekle Sky Center.  The friends had a fun night dressing up and dancing the night away.

COBE Business Attire.

Kendall only has three semesters left until she graduates.  Entering college with her associates degree has made this go super fast (almost too fast)!  She is officially in COBE (College of Business and Economics).  At BSU, students do not enter COBE until their last year or two, as there is a host of pre-reqs.  As such, there is a ton of fun activities and support to get students ready to enter the professional world.  One of these things is they 'strongly encourage' students to make an appointment with the business clothing store on campus.  This is a gently used place for students to pick out a few pieces of clothing for career fairs and interviews.  

Kendall had so much fun trying things on, and there were frankly so many good options to choose from.  I believe they limit students to three items per semester.  Here are the three pieces she settle on.  Great choices!

Farewells and Hellos.

Dutch Bros is not only a job, it is a place that Kendall has made some beautiful friendships.  So, it is always a little sad when people move on.   Kendall's assistant manager is moving and will be doing something different.  The team gave her a warm sendoff.

Kendall decided to move her apartment room around a bit.  Therefore, every last piece of something found its way to the living room to be put back in due time.  It is amazing how fast one accumulates things.

Diego is quite handy in the kitchen.  At one time, he even considered being a chef.  This is something we can all appreciate!

A wee bit of a silly picture that Kendall sent me for the blog.  

Bentley and Kendall meeting up on campus.  

Kendall enjoying the ducks on one of her walks.

She managed to make it to the hot air balloon festival several times this year.  One of the days, they were not able to launch.  One of the people let her climb in their basket and light the fire.

Yep, she is cute!

Off to the Vet.

If I ever imagined that Kendall would be a super chill mom, I was totally wrong, at least if Desi is any indication. Desi managed to sneak into her roommates bedroom and 'possibly' nibble on a toxic flower.  Bear in mind, as I tell this story, that Kendall did the right thing.  I am just totally going to take this opportunity to be annoying.  She called me very upset, asking what she should do.  I told her to google what to watch out for and the window to watch.  I said that I would set a timer on her phone, so as not to get distracted or fall asleep and to keep Desi in a confined area and keep a very watchful eye on her.  Meanwhile, have the number and address to the emergency vet ready to go.  

Ten minutes later she calls me, as she is on the way to the emergency vet.  She had called them and they told her to bring Desi in.  Of course that is what they were going to say.  Poor Kendall and poor Desi.  They induced vomiting, pumped her stomach, gave her an IV and a few other things.  

Then Kendall had to bring her in the following two nights for bloodwork.  Desi was a super trooper and became the vet hospitals fan favorite.  $1,000 later, Kendall got an official clean bill of health.  Yes, she is a super awesome cat mom and will be a super awesome human mom, if she chooses, someday.  I imagine she will adopt a pause and observe a bit mentality after a few more bills like that.  Then again, maybe not.  Each person has a different comfort level with that approach.

Of course, she sent along several (hundred) pictures of Desi for the blog.  I chose a few of my personal favorites.

A Tattoo for Sid and Concerts on the Blue, Etc.

Sidney is officially 18 and really does not need my permission to get a tattoo anymore.  That being said, I was honored when she wanted to know what I thought and asked me to go along with her.  It was a quick and painless experience, at least from my vantage point.

She was pretty happy with the end result.

The 'I love you' is Kevin's handwriting from a card she had from him and the heart is my signature move.

Once a month, Sidney attends a high school worship gathering. This month they had a concert on the blue turf.

Okay, even if you don't love cats, you have to admit, she is pretty cute.

Sidney and her friends playing sunset pickleball.  She bought herself some new pink balls.

Sidney's senior picture photo shoot was postponed due to all the smoke.  We were finally able to reschedule it, and it was a glorious evening.  The weather was beautiful and the photographer had an amazing place to shoot.  We took Pigeon along for some photos as well.