Girl + Horse = Bliss

This week we had a big milestone moment...
Abigail had her very first horseback riding lesson!

This was a very long-anticipated moment and she was just glowing...
it was wonderful.

I was a horse-crazy girl back in my day, too, and still remember how the dream --
and the fulfillment of it -- felt, and it was so much fun to watch it happen with my daughter!

Learning how to groom and tack the horse

Up on the horse for the first time!

Learning to find her seat (i.e. balance) instead of just relying on the saddle and stirrups

Hey, Abigail, you're going the wrong way! ;)

Getting brave

Learning to use the reins

Ride, Abigail, ride!!!

Back to school ~ 2014-2015

Our first day of school

David - 12 years old, seventh grade
61" tall, 85 lbs, size 10 1/2 shoe

Abigail - 10 years old, fifth grade
54" tall, 57 lbs, size 3 shoe

Our first field trip -- to Zoo Atlanta with Karen & her kids

Feeding the parakeets in the aviary is definitely a highlight of the zoo!

Our second field trip -- to the High Museum of Art

The kids' first time seeing a real Monet!

School is off to a great start!

Our summer in a nutshell ~ 2014

Our summer flew by in a flurry of busyness, but we also managed to fit in some time to enjoy being with each other and our friends.  I am finding yet more obstacles to good blogging...as the kids get older, I am doing more participating with them in activities and less watching, which means fewer pictures.  I have also graduated to a smartphone now, so it's so much easier to just snap a picture and upload it to facebook in a few seconds.  I am trying to find a good balance!

Here are just a few highlights of our summer...

We finished school and the kids were promoted to fifth and seventh grades! (gulp)

We had a wonderful week at summer camp

Abigail was chosen to participate in the silly game show!

 We played at the lake

We led our church's Backyard Bible Club

We had an absolutely wonderful time together on our end-of-school-year family outing; this year we went to Six Flags.

We celebrated the end of summer break by enjoying a day with friends at a local aquatic center...

...and Abigail overcame a major fear to conquer a waterslide all by herself (and loved it)!

Ah, summer break...you were fleeting, but wonderful while you lasted!