Trick Rider

Halfpint has decided to try some trick riding from her pony saddle.  She is "only in the practice at home stage", but she loves to try new things.  She can stand in her redneck, rope, trick rider saddle for 20 steps.  She flips off the saddle, spin in the saddle, and she made up her own dance moves in the saddle.  Maybe she will even get some professional training one of these days... just for safety!

Sunday afternoon...

Sunday afternoon, this was my view.  Shelling peas, from our garden, while the girls played in the pond.  I shelled for a few hours, they swam, jumped off the bridge, and played with cousins... perfect Sunday afternoon! 

The peas and potatoes we eat for supper were perfect also!  Well worth my time of planting, picking, and shelling.

Ponies

We recently had an FBFR meeting and the kiddos saddles up their ponies and hit the trail.  I would have liked to be a fly on one of the rumps to hear the conversations on their ride.  Silliness, giggles, and independence buzzed in the air... what fun!  As always, we enjoyed the company at the meeting and truly love being part of this awesome group.

Piano Lessons

The girls started piano lessons today. Halfpint has been wanting to learn to play for about a year now.  Some of Penelope's friend play so she wants to learn also.  So we will try this new adventure for the next month, practicing on Grandma Chuck's piano.

Update!

I feel as if I have not blogged for weeks, sorry, just been a little busy here on the ranch!  Over the last few weeks we have...

been to "Pink Fusion" softball practice twice a week, (sliding is her favorite)

studied for and took an Art Praxis Test, (maybe a career opportunity, maybe not?)

participated in a spring rodeo, (successfully drove truck and trailer with Mom, 3 ponies, 2 girls)

visited a few greenhouses, (went to a greenhouse on the way home from the rodeo, my mom always pushes me the extra mile)

created the Rocky Mountains, IN LANDRY, (folding party at 2:00)

babysat my littlest nephew, (such a sweet little "Guy" that slept ALL evening)

planted corn, (all 16 acres)

moved the cows to more grass, (opened the gate to the back pasture, BL fixed fence)

planted the garden, (it looks great right now, with the rain will come weeds, sharpen your hoes)

completely charred 2 nights' suppers, (stop multi-tasking!)

taught Sunday School, (new record with 22 kiddos; whoop, whoop!)

And most of all we enjoy the spring weather, being outside, counting down 13 more days, and looking forward to summer and our first Ditch Diva camping trip!

Birthday Parties

We celebrated in style last weekend with double birthday parties.  First we had a party for Miss Brett and Cousin Clara.  We enjoyed homemade ice cream, thanks Grandma Suzy, hamburgers and hot dogs, and a cupcake bar.  Linds made cupcakes and the kiddos put their own toppings on them, what a fun, creative twist to the party.  Of course, there were lots of kids, running and playing, never mind that the above picture has many closed eyes.  Sorry, poor photography!  Next, we celebrated Grandma Chuck's 82nd birthday.  She is truly and incredible lady that we ALL love and admire.  We feasted on delectable smoked turkey, side salads, and runny deviled eggs (it was the LaPlata recipe).  It is also so wonderful to spend time with the family even though sometimes we do overreact when things happen, sorry grandpa!

10

Happy Birthday

Remembering the day of her birth and I can't believe it was 10 years ago. 

New days, new challenges, we love to watch her grow!