Halloween Horse Show 2011

A few weeks ago, the kids got to participate in the annual Halloween fundraising horse show.  Their horse club puts it on every year as a fun day for the kids and their horses.  All the class entry fees go towards a purchase for the arena.  This year it was for an electronic score clock. 

Ally chose to be a jockey.  Sonny was not so thrilled about it but he seemed to tolerate it for the day!  At least he didn't play the part of a race horse and take off with her and for that we are thankful!

The kids do a costume class and then all sorts of fun contests like the pumpkin race, the keyhole race, and the ribbon race.  They have a great time and don't even realize they are improving their riding skills at the same time! 

Nate was a mounted policeman.  He was in charge of security at the fairgrounds.  He took his job very seriously.

Here are just a few of the creative costumes... a World War II fighter pilot, an angel, my cop, a 90's hip hop dancer, and Jessie off of Toy Story.  Hats off to the many creative kids and their parents who make this such a fun day!!

Apparently the jockey got into some trouble with the law.  Luckily the cop was there to keep the situation under control for public safety.  Thanks Mr.Cop.

Pumpkin Carving

Fall means all sorts of great things but one of my favorites is pumpkins.  We generally don't carve many beacause they last so much longer when you set them out whole, but this year was different.  A friend of ours invited us to their annual pumpkin carving party!

Here is the before with most of the kids and their pumpkin of choice!  You should have seen their excitement!!

The only requirements were to bring your own pumpkins and to have FUN!  The kids really got into the cleaning part.  What could be more fun than sticking your hands in gooey, slimey, sticky stuff?

After looking at the pictures, it is beyond me why we gave all these little kids knives to play with but they were under close supervision at all times!  And I think the host was prepared with a very large first aid kit!!

I'm happy to report no children were harmed in the filming of this activity.  However, I can't say the same for the pumpkins!!

And the best part... the AFTER pictures!!  They were so proud of their pumpkins!  I don't know who was cuter... the kids or the pumpkins!

Gotta have a "crazy" photo!  Thanks so much to Kelsey & family for hosting such a fun day!  And yes... we did this before Halloween but I'm a little behind on my blog.  They were too cute not to share even if I'm late!!  Besides... pumpkins never go out of style in my book!!

The Indian and the Hunter ride again...

As our adventures in the horse club continue, we had the opportunity to participate in the annual Halloween Horse Show at the fairgrounds this year. It's more of a fun day for the kids and the proceeds go toward a fundraising event that the kids choose.

Being our first year, we weren't sure what to expect, other than a fun day. Let's just say it exceeded our expectations. The kids had a great time, both sets of grandparents, one Aunt & Uncle, and a couple of neighbors all came to support our kids. I think we collectively made up about 40% of the audience but everybody had a good time.

They did a pumpkin race, the hula hoop lead back race, a ribbon race, the keyhole race, and of course the costume contest. There are some pretty creative people out there and some VERY tolerant horses! Here's a kid who came as "spider man". Behind him is a "Southern Bride". Her "bridesmaid" came in an a pony right behind her!

We turned our bay horse into an Appaloosa "Cuz that's the kind of horse an Indian should ride!". And of course she had to ride bareback and barefoot because "the Indians didn't have fancy shoes and saddles way back then!"

The Hunter costume was pretty easy and since it just happened to be opening weekend of pheasant hunting, he got to tag along with the big boys and learn all about it. I think they spent more time snacking and driving then actually doing any hunting!

We completed the night with about 5 trick-or-treating stops and the kids were ready to crash... which is always a sign of the end to a GREAT day!