Family Time

Ashley riding Stephan's trike...

Tim and I have made a commitment to walk together three nights a week. We've been doing really good at it. This week, we've been walking early enough that the kids have been going with us. We don't get the together time and serious talking time,but we get fun and laughs because the kids make us laugh.


When we picked up Stephan on Saturday, we brought home most of his toys. Boy did Ashley have fun!

Stephan riding his monster truck. Appropriately named, The Grave Digger.

First, on our walk, Stephan insisted on riding his monster truck. This is basically a push toy, but he can sit on it and ride it. We were hesitant about his ability to go the distance, but decided to give it a try. He can definitely cruise on this little toy. The only problem is the asphalt. He hit the ground a number of times. He was such a tough guy - he jump up and yell, "Took a digger!" We call him "Digger" now.

After his bath, Stephan modeled his elbow scratches.

When elbows meet asphalt...

By the time we got home, Ashley's adrenaline was up and she was trying out all of Stephan's ride toys. She jumped on his trike and started racing him around the truck. They were so funny! Then she attempted to ride his motorcycle. Even funnier - but with disastrous results. Ashley should never own a motorcycle.

OK - so Stephan never really had a chance at catching Ashley, but he still chased her around the truck at least 15 times. I laughed so hard!

Our walks are great fun, and a wonderful time with family.

Tools of the Trade (aka: How to Survive at a Roping)

Comfie place to take a nap.
Good attitude and plenty of toys.
Chairs, children, stroller, playpen, book, toys...
Excellent babysitter for those times you just need to get away. (Summer, Ashley's horse kept close watch on the boys.)
A place to get out of the sun, and sunglasses, of course.
Footrest...
foot rest for a different location...
Backpacks for hauling children when the stroller could be a hazard...

Kids and Horses

Aiden has decent balance. He loves the horses and loves to watch Tim rope.
Isaiah likes the horses well enough, but doesn't have the passion for them that Aiden does.
He has already figured out how to hold on.
The two boys were just giggling when we were walking around. They would grab each others hand and start squealing. It was funny.

Ashley has a natural talent for riding. She's been riding since she was 10 days old. She loves her horse, and her horse loves her. They work well together, and have gone to many competitions together.

A couple of weeks ago we headed up north for a roping. The weather was amazing and the scenery is great. The boys both helped groom before Tim had to saddle. Ashley was able to take off for a little while to ride in the mountains. Her horse threw a shoe in the rocks so she came back to read her much loved book series, Twilight.

And They Are Off!

Aiden
Isaiah

A couple of months ago I ran across a walker at a children's resale shop. Ashley just happened to be with me that day. We were discussing which one to get when she replied, "Just get them both. That way the boys can pretend they are bumper cars." I figured what the heck -

Little did I know...
"I'm just going out for a quick stroll...Little help with the door, please?"

Isaiah can chase (I use that term loosely) Ellie (my corgi) down the hallway. He can also manuver from the kitchen into the front room around the corner and into the hallway down to my room. He hasn't figured out how to make that turn yet.

Aiden can go backwards, but hasn't figured out forward motion. He really doesn't need to though because Isaiah will get beside him and just push him until he runs into something that stops them and then Isaiah is off and running again. Can you tell who my trouble maker is?

"The news is boring! We want cartoons!"