The Other Things.

It was a fun summer for sure.  Amongst other things, we saw a few musicals.

We also enjoyed a visit from Dylan and Heather, which included rounds of golf (of course) and a trip out to the ranch to meet Levi (of course).

We had a busy fair week, and were not able to make it to see Cinderella the Musical.  I was so happy when Valerie said she was available.  She took her granddaughter to the performance.  Grace was so excited and dressed up for the occasion!

Summer of a Lifetime (Kendall's version).

After Sid shared her pictures, I thought it was a great concept and asked Kendall to send me a handful of pictures that defined the summer of 2023 for her.  It was a summer of new beginnings, which can sometimes mean hard endings.  This was a summer of change for Kendall.  

Summer of a Lifetime (Sidney's version).

The girl's have seriously had the best summer ever.  It was the kind of summer that they will remember for the rest of their lives.  Some of it had to do with the stage of independence they are in, and some of it just happened to be the way the stars aligned.  

Sid was reflecting on her summer the other day, so I told her to send me a group of pictures that reminded her of this summer, and I could put them on the blog.

The trainer at the ranch, Noel, basically took Sid under her wing.  She would pick her up most mornings on the way to the ranch.  They would spend all day (and sometimes into the evenings), riding horses, training horses, feeding horses, talking about horses.  They even threw in some nail appointments and lunches among other things.  The two of them formed a friendship that will last a lifetime.  Sidney loves spending time with Noel and her daughter Emma.  As the summer came to an end and school began, I think it was hard to leave the days at the ranch behind.  It was a dream summer for sure!

These pictures were hand picked by Sid and embody the summer of 2023 for her.

Hot Air Balloons and Dog Parks.

The girls and their solo escapes.  They include lots of Dutch Bros runs.

...and trips to the dog park.

They decided to wake up early and go tot he Spirit of Boise Balloon Festival.  I think it was awesome that they went, as they have fond memories of their dad and this event.  I think it left them both happy and emotional.

Hannah joined them for the fun!

This is 15 (Sidney).

1. Describe yourself.  
funny

2. What are you thankful for?  
my horses

3. What makes you happy?  
my horses

4. What makes you sad or angry?  
getting in trouble

5. What do you want to be when you grow up?  
I don't know yet.

6. What’s important to you?  
family, friend and horses

7. What do you love most about yourself?  
that I have a good work ethic

8. What do you love most about your mom?  
she is hardworking, tough and gorgeous

9. What do you love most about your sister?  
she is pretty and an extrovert

10. If you could go anywhere, where would you want to go?  
the salt flats

11. Who do you admire? Why?  
my mom, because she is hardworking and supportive

12. What do you want to learn more about?  
horse training

13. What’s something you’d like to do to help someone else?  
anything they need

14. What are you afraid of? 
people or animals that I am close to dying

15. If you could only keep one thing, what would you keep? 
my horses

16. What’s your favorite memory? 
when dad bought me the squeaky toy

17. What are you proud of yourself for?  
training Levi

18. What are you looking forward to this year?    
getting my license

19. What do you dream about?  
having a good career when I am older and to be able to have horse of my own

20. What else do you want to say?
enjoy the little things

The Birthday Dress

 We were planning to celebrate the twin's (my mom and Sid) birthdays at Andrade's, but lo and behold, they are closed on Mondays.  How did I not know this?  We made a quick detour to Idaho Pizza Company and had an equally fun night.  They shared a cute little doggie cake.

My mom and dad played an excellent practical joke on Sidney.  About  four days before her birthday, my mom started to send her texts, asking for ideas and telling her that her and grandpa had seen some super cute dresses at the mall.  My mom kept asking me if Sidney had said anything.  Sidney had not mentioned it, so I figured the joke would fall flat.  Boy, was I wrong.  The night before her birthday, Sid told Kendall and I that she was very worried that grandma and grandpa had gotten her a dress.  She said, "You don't think grandpa would let grandma do that do you?"  I replied, "Well they have been married fifty years, I am guessing he has learned to go with the flow."  She asked what she should do, if they really did get her a dress.  I said, "Smile and say thank you."

The night of their birthday's, my mom wrapped up one of her dresses and gave it to Sid.  Sid was a mix of emotions, but did smile and say thank you.  It was hilarious!

After sufficient torture, my mom gave her the real birthday gift.

Sid was laughing so hard reflecting on the situation that she nearly started crying.  Yep, my mom got her good.

Sidney tried her hand at the crane machine.  She has not lost her touch and managed to get a stuffed emoji head out of the machine.

She tried her hand at the shooting game, with not nearly as much success.

It was a fun night celebrating Sidney and my mom.

They look pretty great for 15 and 70!

Kendall's Random Picture Post.

Here are some random pictures that Kendall wanted to be sure made the blog.  She has provided some context for each.  Enjoy!

A candid of mother in the morning, in a silly goofy mood.

Work shenanigans - part one.  Kendall's coworker.

Work shenanigans - part two. Kendall's boss falling out of a box.

Work shenanigans - part three.  Her other boss playing king of the hill.

Kendall and Sid went to get coffee for Sid's bday, then dropped her off at school.

All the Dutch workers leave each other notes on their drinks.

A cute selfie while working outside.

Post cute selfie, Kendall got sunburnt.

A customer brought two puppies through the stand and Kendall got to snuggle them.

The door handle at work broke.  Kendall used her engineering expertise that she learned from mother dearest to fix it.