Horseback Riding

Toward the end of summer, we were looking for some incentive to get the kids doing math flash cards in preparation for beginning the school year. We settled on a sticker chart to keep track of how many times they did their flash cards without any complaining. Each time they did them (with a good attitude) they got a sticker. Before they began, we agreed once they got a set number of stickers we'd do something fun (like Craig's Cruisers or something). Well, they both got the required number of stickers and we were planning on going to Craig's Cruisers to ride go-carts.... that was until the Camp Bob Rodeo (see earlier post). While there, a guy named Mike Jones (a different Mike Jones) had pony rides and gave us a card for his nearby farm where they have horse trail rides. The kids decided right then to trade in their Craig's Cruiser special treat to go horseback riding instead. So yesterday, we went. Scott & Val, Zach, and Nick came along for the fun. Turned out the youth firearm deer season was this weekend so we couldn't ride any of the public trails. But we did ride all over the 180 acre farm including one trail through the woods. They had 36 horses, 20-something cows, and lots of open space on the farm. This was Allison's first time on a "real" horseback ride. And Nathan got to have his own horse. Controlling it was a little tricky for him at first. Allison rode with me and constantly wanted to make the horse trot. Needless to say, my backside was tender today. After we were done, we got to go through the giant hay maze made out of those huge round hay bales. Anyway, here are some pictures of our adventure. Enjoy...

Heidi and the kids waiting for the horses to be readied...

Nathan on Shadow (who doesn't like to follow commands)...
Dad and Allison on Fancy. Could Ally have gotten a more perfectly named horse!?
Scott and Nick riding Buttercup...
Val and Zach riding Mariah...

Let the craziness begin...

Sorry for the delay in posting. But we've been trying to get back into the school groove and everything that comes along with it. The kids are back at school now. Nathan is in 4th grade and Allison is in 1st grade at Bauerwood Elementary. They both really like their teachers and are getting off to a good start in class. In addition to school, Allison is in dance at Body Language Dance Company and Nathan is playing hockey for HAWK.

Allison is doing a tap, jazz, and hip-hop routine and will get to compete at a few competitions this year. She definitely loves to dance! We don't have specifics on any of the competitions yet but one may be in Grand Rapids, one in Kalamazoo, and possibly one in Detroit or Chicago. I know nothing about dance but I did get to help teach her how to do "the worm" for her hip-hop class. How funny! Who would have thought that would come in handy after the breakdance craze of the 80's fizzled out!?

After the draft/tryout skates a couple weeks ago, Nathan got to meet his coaches and team. He's on the HAWK Squirt #1 team. Home rink is Walker Ice & Fitness. This is considered a "house" team but they'll be travelling around the west side of the state playing quite a few games. It sounds like he'll be playing from Holland to Lansing, from Kalamazoo to Cadillac to Ludington. Practices have started and there are even a few home games slotted on the schedule so far. You can view the latest schedule here (just make sure you're looking at the Squirt #1 Team schedule). The schedule and opponents are in the process of being put together right now. But the game on October 4th is coming up quickly.

It should be a busy (but fun) winter with all the activities going on....

Camp Bob Rodeo

Labor Day marked a long weekend of R&R up at Pettibone Lake. And like every other year, the Camp Bob Rodeo was going on right around the corner from the lake. What was different this year is we decided what the heck...let's check it out. We've been up there 2 or 3 years in a row and have never gone to the rodeo. It ended up being pretty fun. The kids loved seeing all the animals (mostly the horses and bulls). Nathan even went down into the arena for a kids "shoe" race. Allison was too slow and indecisive to do it. We ended up getting some can coolers, a poster, and an interesting night of people watching. Both kids got to ride a pony (and lobbied for going horseback riding down the road this fall). And, believe it or not, Pammeoke was there (the lady from our karaoke party...see post below from July 12). Here are a few pictures from the evening festivities.




Nice Hat!