Happy Trails To You!

Homeschool Horsemanship was filled with a lot of starts and stops as we have navigated this crazy pandemic.  Alyssa finished off the session with an amazing trail ride for the three girls in Sidney's class.  It was Sid's first time going 'off roading' with the horses and she enjoyed every moment of it.  She has asked for a trail ride for her birthday this year as well.

In addition to continuing a weekly lesson with Alyssa, we started her at a place near our house.  The trainer is Jaime.  The cool thing is that she is doing the lessons with her friend Avery.  Jaime has enjoyed working with the girls and always finished off the lesson with a little something fun.  Here she put the girls on the horse bareback together as they walked the horse back to the barn.  She has given the girls a lot of freedom to just enjoy riding.  It has been great.  We have been very fortunate to find two trainers that love horses and love kids!

Staycation 2020.

Work has been absolutely insane the past few months.  However, the work project that has earned me the title of 'workaholic' in my home, launched just before the 4th of July.  There is still a lot more to do, but the breathing room feels nice.  With work under control, some time off was in order.  The girls and I typically do a summer staycation where we go to the water park and amusement park.  Considering the current pandemic, none of us felt comfortable with those plans this year.  We pulled together a list of fun activities and took some time to get away.

We went on a great hike in the Military Reserve.  There are a ton of great trails in this gem, but we chose one that was easy and partly shady.  It is a definite do over.  We even talked my mom and dad into going with us.  Of course, ice cream was in order afterwards.

We spent a day fishing, swimming and kayaking up at Arrowrock.  Kevin loved this place.  I must admit I have never seen it so crowded before.  Typically, we have the whole place to ourselves.  I felt pretty accomplished loading all of the kayaks up and driving that precarious road on my own.  My parents were just a car length away, so that was helpful.  The girls were a huge help getting everything loaded up.  It was an amazing day.  Hannah went with us, which is always a treat.

I bought my first batch of fireworks as an adult this year.  They even threw in a couple of free ones to celebrate the occasion.  Our whole neighborhood went nuts, so it was a ton of fun.  The girls said this was their best 4th of July ever.  It reminded me of when I was a kid and we used to pull our fireworks together with other families and make a day of it.  I loved it!

I managed to get in a couple rounds of golf.  One round with my dad on the morning of the 4th.  Then Sid and I went out by ourselves one morning.  Anyone reading this should not get the idea that I am actually a good golfer.  However, I do really enjoy it.  I remember making fun of Bret and Kevin over their golf obsession.  Then Kevin took me out one day.  It was actually a lot of fun.   

The movie theaters are not showing any new movies these days.  I did see that they were showing Ferris Bueller's Day Off.  I took the girls to see it.  I was curious if they would enjoy this movie as much as I did.  It did not disappoint.  They were laughing hysterically.  Now, they will get my 'Bueller, Bueller" reference.

Road Trip with Grandma

The girls went on a road trip with Grandma Karen this weekend.  My nephew Dylan is getting married at the end of July.  The girls went up to his fiances bridal shower.  In any other time, this would be awesome.  However, this year it makes me nervous to send them anywhere.  They literally have bee confined to a very tight circle the past few months.  We weighed the risks, and they all went.  It was a small gathering in my sisters back yard.  I think they really needed the break, and it was good to honor Heather in a summer that has made planning a wedding incredibly uncertain.  It is such an uncertain year all around.  It is hard to know if one is being too conservative or not conservative enough.  UGH!

Of course, they had to stop at the mercantile for snacks.  It is our absolute favorite place to stop.  

Goofballs!

Enjoying the evening with their cousins.

Sidney dog whispering Dakota.

The girls and I had the privilege of making the cake pops for the bridal shower.  These are becoming a family favorite.  We already  have a request to make two batches for the wedding.  Yes!  Good thing I have helpers.

Horsin' Around.

More updates on Sidney's horse back riding.  She had the privilege of joining one of the local riding groups for an animal parade 'food drive'.  It was a great experience.  Her and Avery painted up the horses and helped walk them through the neighborhoods.

She attended a week long horse day camp last week.  Her trainer pushed her comfort zone and had her ride some of the more challenging horses, as the beginners needed the mellow horses.  Sidney's confidence took a huge boost as she realized that she was becoming one of the more experienced riders.

She sent me this picture of 'Mercy'.  I was pretty sure it was a picture of a horse she had pulled off the internet, until she sent me the other pictures.  Apparently, Mercy legitimately smiles for the camera. Hilarious!

The final day of camp, the kids did a demonstration.  Sidney was fearless while riding Indy.  She was flying.  Afterwards, she informed me that she was riding Indy on speed 3.  Horses have four speeds;  walk, trot, lope, gallop.  I hope I got that right.  Anyways, it was impressive and terrifying!

Happy Father's Day.

The girls and I hosted a barbecue for my Dad on Father's Day.  My parents decided to join my scooter gang.  By the way, it is a thing!

We also remembered Kevin and celebrated with his favorite dessert, pineapple upside down cake.

I flipped it over while it was still hot.  Despite the awkward shape, it was DELICIOUS!

I planted daisies and lavender in our garden last fall.  They are looking amazing.  I picked my first bouquet.  I enjoyed it for a day, and then took it up to the cemetery to share with Kevin.

I think he would be pretty impressed!

June Birthday's

The girls have been spoiling me this year with Mother's Day and then my birthday.  It was a very special day topped off with cheesecake - yes!

I can never sneak a picture of this sweet girl.  She is scowling at me from her computer screen.  She is such a thoughtful person.  She and Hannah have a very special friendship that began Day 1 for Hannah.  This year for Hannah's birthday, I asked if I could pick up a gift.  Kendall replied, "No.  I know exactly what I am going to do."

Kendall spent several days putting together this super awesome gift.

Here is to many more years of friendship!

Hiking in the Heat

We have had a very strange weather in June.  Of course, Sidney decided to pick one of the hottest evenings to hike Camel's back trails.  Well, we took our water and made a night of it.

She was so happy to show me around, as she had done this hike a number of times with Grandparents and neighbors.

Sidney has been saving her money for a GoPro.  This was the inaugural trip.

When it was all done, we recovered in the shade.  It was a great time.  There are more hikes in order for these ladies!