Kelley Creek Walking Trail

My Thankful 30: Day 9

This kids and I have been spending some fun time at the walking trail in town before the snow chases us away for the winter. Since I've been reflecting on things to be thankful for this month, the trail certainly comes to mind. It is so nice to go for a run or a bike ride without worrying about traffic or uneven pavement, especially when I have the kids with me. The trail also features specialized outdoor exercise equipment along the way so you can stop and do all sorts of exercises and workouts.

Demonstrating a piece of exercise equipment...

And taking a break at the park...

It doesn't get much better than that!!!

Thankful 30: Day 7&8 - the "list"

We have so many things to be thankful for... I don't know how to pick just one. So here is a random list of thoughts that popped into my head this weekend:

my sweet husband, pumkin pie, my new bike, Aunt Suzi, Lexi enjoying her new doggie bed, my best friend B, watching the kids make a big pen for the rabit so he can hop and play, a freezer full of food, children's church for my kids, Vanilla Spice Chai, running 3 miles, my sister-in-law, our neighbors, mashed potatoes and creamed corn, my washing machine, and the kids giggling together....

just to name a FEW!

Thankful 30: Day 6 - My big brother

Today it's my brother's birthday so I was thinking about him and how much fun we used to have. Growing up, we were always great friends. It seems like we seldom fought (although my parents might have another version). I remember people sometimes mistaking us for a couple because "there is no way two siblings could get along as well as you two do!". He always drove me to school before I was old enough to drive and he was my biggest fan at many events. We played in the dirt, practiced basketbal for hours on end, did all our 4-H stuff together, rode motorbikes and snowmobiles, and of course chopped wood. Time, distance, and busy lives has allowed us to drift apart over the years but deep down I know that rare connection is still there. So today... I'm thankful for having the best big brother a little girl could ask for!

Thankful 30: Day 5 - Bar stools!

Today I am thankful for my new bar stools, the tools to put them together, and my helper that made the job so fun! It has totally changed the atmosphere of the kitchen as I now have a little audience to chat with while I prepare meals. They like to pretend they are watching a cooking show and I like to take a lot of "commercial breaks!"

Thankful 30: days 1-4

I hate to be a copy cat but I've been seeing a lot of posts about November being a time to reflect on the things we have to be thankful for. I thought I would take up the challenge to both a) increase the frequency of posts on my blog and b) think of something to be thankful for each and every day. Even if you don't have a blog, I challenge you to do the same. It seems like it should be easy but we sometimes take for granted all that we have been blessed with on a daily basis. The first days are easy, but what about the end of the month? I find these exercises both reflective and inspirational, but most of all they are good at reminding me of what really matters. Why stress over dirty dishes and laundry? There are games to be played and memories to be made!

S0 today, I'm catching up....

Day 1 - I am thankful for my family. We have been so blessed with health and happiness both in our little family of four as well as our extended family of parents and siblings on both sides. As I hear of tragic accidents, illness, and broken families all around us, I am reminded just how lucky we are!

Day 2 - I am thankful for our jobs. We have been blessed with a great place to work, a kind and generous boss, the flexibility to work around our family's hectic schedule when necessary, and the financial stability to provide all the blessings we enjoy on a daily basis!

Day 3 - I am thankful for living in rural America. We may feel isolated from the rest of the world at times, but we enjoy the safety, security, and beauty of wide open spaces every day. Rural living provides an opportunity to teach our kids about ethics, an appreciation for hard work, an ability to be creative and experience nature daily, and the sometimes hard lessons about life and death. They are grounded in their roots and they will have the foundation to someday be successful and give back in their own way.

Day 4 - I am thankful that our house remodel project is nearly complete. Mainly because of reasons 1 thru 3 above, we have been able to withstand the last year or so of destruction, construction, and all out transformation. We are now living in a house that we will strive to make a home. I have learned in this long process that it's not the square footage or the ammenities that make a house a home. Rather, it's the little things like the piles of toys and games around the house, the mud on the floor after a hard day of working with the livestock, or the piles of dirty laundry we create that remind me that we are the luckiest people in the world!

And now... I'm off to play with the kids!

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!

Giggle-Fest

Since we've been under construction the past year or so, our living conditions have been less than ideal for the kids to have a friend or two over for a play date, much less for a full blown slumber party. So... after a year of "I promise when this is over you can do ______ (insert kid's wish here), I was more than happy to follow through on a few. The first and biggest was for Allison to have a group of friends over for a birthday/slumber party.

It all began Thursday after school. We decided to take advantage of no school on Friday and the 3 day weekend to recover! I offered to pick them up, but for some reason riding the bus is SOOOO much cooler when you have friends!

They played in the barn, chased the horses, rode the 4-wheeler, watched movies, played air hockey, painted pumkins, finger knitted, and much more. I didn't know those little bodies could pack so much energy!

We ended the second day with a Perfect Princess Tea Party at the historic Keystone Hotel. The girls had a wonderful time and the moms got to enjoy some down time with some pretty tasty food and a nice cup of tea!

Complete with tea and goodies, story time, craft, presents, and princess cake. What more could this group ask for?!?!

Happy Birthday to my little princess! We love you!!!