The Show(men)

 So Handsome this one is!

 All contestants lining up for Ribbon ceremonies

Can I just start this post by saying how much I adore my Ryder?!  He is 8 going on 64 and LOVES life!  He aspires to be just like his dad and shoots for the moon every day.  Some of the things he is working on right now are 1) A book...hes writing about his life experiences as a cattleman. 2) His vision board...if you've never heard of one, Google it.  Every wish/dream goes on his. 3) His horses....getting them ready & in shape for next show season.  Which brings us to this post.  He entered his first show at the Eastern Idaho State Fair.  He was SO excited and did really well despite his horses acting like babies! They were whinnying for each other the whole time as they were in the arena at different times. *Sigh*  Nonetheless he did VERY well, taking 2nd place ribbon in a Walk/Trot class on "Junior" (the greyish horse), and a 4th place finish in Western Pleasure on "Chloe" (the brown one), despite all their shenanigans!  I was the proudest mom in the world!

P.S. Ridge also showed in a 6 & under Costume Lead line class and was so proud of himself....I think I took those pictures on Grandmas camera because I don't have em'.  Chase and I were married on our horses by the river and did a photo op afterwards with a Just Married sign clipped onto my horses tail and cans dragging...you get the picture right? So we recreated that for Ridges costume...he had a little wife on his horse and everything!

P.S.S. Chase also showed 2 horses in a Reining class and got 1st & 2nd place. Oh Snap.

Just Horsin' Around

Field trip

We visited the Blackfoot Fire Department this week to learn about fire safety.  The boys had a great time and learned much more than I could have ever taught out of a book!  So fun!

Ryders first fish

Try as I may, try as I might....I could stinkin' try all night! But I would still not catch a fish!  Which comes as a shock to me because growing up, fishing was kinda a big deal.  In fact it still is with my brother.  You know that thing everyone has/does that they love? You know the thing that if you have an hour or two to spare, THAT is the thing you do?  Well that is fishing for my brother Joe and thankfully he was able to make a trip to Idaho this year and took my sweet boys fishing and this was the result....(After like 20 minutes. Amazing.)

After our hour or so of fishing, we (Joe) had enough to feed everyone and we had grilled Citrus/Cilantro marinated Rainbow Trout for dinner. Perfect.

Swim Camp 2011

Ryder

Ridge

Maddi

Ridge & Maddi

Ridge with his class & instructor

Maddi, Ridge & Benton

We love going to Swim Camp at Green Canyon Hot Springs in Newdale, ID. They have a fantastic swim lesson program and the boys love going every year! This was the first year that Ridge was able to participate. He was extremely tired by the end of the week (2-1 hour lessons per day for 5 days in a row, and swimming in our free time too!) but he said he would do it again! We went with our awesome neighbors/friends Brandi, Maddi & baby Dually and met some new friends as well!

Vaca to LA!!!

We took our first family vacation ever this summer to Los Angeles! It was an awesome experience for all. We rented a house right on the beach! Our family picture above was taken on the back porch...see the ocean!! Lots of beach volleyball, relaxing and hanging out with much missed extended family! On our way home, we made a brief jaunt down to Tucson to see Grandma Angie and pick up our new (old & much used but new to us!) 5-horse Gooseneck trailer. Thanks to Grandma Angie doing the leg work for us, we were able to get the right trailer at the right price! Love ya mom :)

Jensen's Grove in July

We have this wonderful little place in Blackfoot to go swimming, biking, fishing, or play on the "beach"! During the hottest part of our summer, we were probably here at least twice a week! On this particular day we invited our good friends The Adams' family.

Noah and his floaty

Emyrie & Ry

Ridge & Darby

Ryder & his sand corral :)

Ridge & Darby posing