Horseback Riding

For Claire's birthday this past summer, Grammy bought a horseback riding lesson for her and Anna got to come along for the fun as well! The girls thoroughly enjoyed their time with Thumper the horse! We are even contemplating letting the girls take lessons consistently. I love the combination of learning a skill and caring for an animal. Plus, it's something they can do for the rest of their lives! This picture got out of order, but the girls had to groom Thumper before riding him by brushing him and cleaning his hooves.

Grammy had horse shirts made for the girls!

Listening intently as Miss Dawn gives them important instructions.

Claire really got into cleaning Thumper's hooves!

Sweet Thumper


Heading out of the stable. Claire loved that she was able to do this by herself!

So excited!

Claire was learning to use the reigns to control the horse. She picked this up so quickly!

Anna's turn!

Everyone thought it was so cute to see such a little girl on this ginormous horse. She had no fear!

It's hard to tell, but Anna is using her feet to get Thumper to go!

After the lesson, the girls got to give Thumper a treat!

For Claire it was a toss up whether she liked the horses or the barn cats the best! Look at this cat giving Claire a hug!

They had so much fun! We will definitely be back!

We will ALWAYS love you, Sally

So today, after almost six weeks, we had to say goodbye to our sweet Sally. When I got the email asking if I could take her in to nurse her back to health, there were several things I didn't anticipate. #1- That we would have her for so long (it was supposed to be just a week). #2- That I would fall instantly in love with her. And, #3- That giving her up would be so difficult.

I wouldn't trade the time that we've had with her for anything. She has been a blessing to us and she's taught us so many lessons. The biggest thing that she's taught me and my girls is that it's okay to love and let go. I want to teach my girls that it is good to help out an animal or anyone in need knowing full well that you won't "get"anything in return. I want them to do things without award or recognition. Our society is all about self-gratification. We are always giving out trophies, awards, certificates and so on. It's all about what we can get out of it. Sally taught me and hopefully my girls that the best rewards in life are not always tangible.

My reward has been seeing Sally blossom from a scared, skinny greyhound in pain to a happy, healthy, trusting and playful dog that God intended her to be! It is amazing in six weeks how much she changed. Physically with almost 9 pounds of fat she added and emotionally from a timid, scared dog to a loving and trusting dog. I guess initially I thought my reward would be to keep Sally for myself, but the Lord is teaching me that my reward is actually letting her go. It's definitely not easy, I am bawling my eyes out as I type, but I know it's what is right! Sally found a wonderful new home with a sweet and loving girl. I know she will take good care of her and she has promised to keep me updated on how Sally is doing and we may even get together every so often so we can visit with Sally! Seriously, how could you not fall in love with this sweet girl!?!?

Sophie & Sally... they love each other!

The girls playing in the leaves with Sally! One of our last days with her.

The girls LOVE Sally!

Just in the last several days, we were allowed to let Sally run and play! She had great fun chasing after a tennis ball!

She is so playful!

I love this pic! No words are needed...

Sally and her new mommy, Kristy! They are so cute together!

We will always love you, Sally. You gave us more than we could've ever given you. Be a good girl!

Beggar's Night

After we left Shawn & Kristen's house, we went back to our neighborhood to do a little trick-or-treating! What a great evening to be outdoors!

Gotta love our neighbor Kimmy and her friends, Jessica & John Ross. They really got into the Halloween spirit with their costumes!

Our sweet new neighbor, Allie, giving the girls candy!

Our next stop was to Grammy & Papa's house! The girls enjoyed getting some candy from Grammy's neighbors!

Dr. Anna enjoying some of her loot!

Pre Trick-or-Treat Celebration

My parents have made it a tradition to have a pre trick-or-treat get together every year! This year we had it at Shawn & Kristen's house. My mom made a ton of delicious fall food and we all had fun hanging out and getting the kids dressed in their costumes. My mom usually dresses up, but she somehow managed to get my dad in a Halloween costume. It was so funny! Love my parents!

Our family! Claire & Anna dressed up as a patient and a doctor!

Zorro & Cat Woman with all their grandchildren!


Gotta love it!

Connor holding Claire upside down!

Lauren with her friends as they head out to get candy!

Jillian with her friends. I am fairly certain that my parents sufficiently embarrassed Jilli! It was hilarious to see her response to them!

The little girls! They are so cute! Caroline went as Dorothy and Catherine was a Munchkin!

Dr. Anna... you're needed STAT!

This photo makes me laugh!

We are still debating whether Claire looked like an injured patient or a mental patient! Haha!

We had so much fun!

PUMPKINS!

Carving pumpkins is a highlight of the fall season! Ben outdid himself with his creations this year and the girls loved their pumpkins!Ewww, pumpkin guts!

While Ben worked on his masterpieces, I let the girls decorate the pumpkins that they picked at the hayride!

Claire decided they should make "Princess Pumpkins" and they used princess stickers and markers to decorate their special pumpkins. It was too cute!

Anna showing off her Princess Pumpkin!

Claire's creation! She found special spots on our back patio for them. Sadly, the squirrels thought the Princess Pumpkins looked delicious!

The finished Jack-O-Lanterns! Great job, Daddy!

Our Jack-O-Lanterns all lit up!

Windmill Farms

The girls and I went on a fun hayride at Windmill Farms last week with some friends! It was a chilly and windy afternoon, but we had fun despite the cold!

Aunt Heather, Caroline & Catherine were able to join in on the fall fun!

Anna has been asking to go on a hayride for weeks! As you can see from this pic... she was very excited!

These two are too cute! Kind of reminds me of the photo I posted of them playing in the leaves a couple weeks ago!

I think this is hysterical! Watch out, Anna!

Grammy and the girls!

Brittney & Grant

Landon & Claire. Claire was passing out Wikki Sticks to all her friends instead of candy!

Good friends!