Christmas in Florida

On Christmas Eve, after celebrating with my parents, Matthew and I drove to St. George Island, FL to continue our holiday with Matthew's father and family.  We opened gifts Christmas morning and then went for a walk on the beach.

It was even warm enough for Max, Miran, and Matthew to get in the ocean.  Here Matthew is catching a wave for body surfing.

 

I went for a beach walk while everyone was warming up in the pool.

 

We enjoyed our time swimming in the heated pool, playing games, visiting with everyone, and eating delicious food.  On Friday Matthew and I visited a little nature center just off of the island.  It was very well done; we loved the museum exhibits and the boardwalks through the marsh.

 

We also spent time using some of our Christmas gifts.  Here they are playing horseshoes with the boys' new set.

 

And Matthew learning how to fly his new drone.

 

 

Here's a photo from the drone - as you can see, it requires quite a bit of concentration to fly!

Christmas in Georgia

This year we had Christmas twice and started the celebrations at our house with my parents on Christmas Eve.  We decorated the tree just a few days before but it was nice to enjoy all of the gifts under it.

My parents brought their cat, Casper, (a previous foster of ours) with them so we had to include him in our photos.

 

Family portrait, minus my brother.

 

Casper enjoyed the aftermath of Christmas presents by exploring and later napping on the wrappings.

 

During my parents' visit we also completed a much-awaited project: a new sink!  Here is the old sink and faucet with all of its scratches and leaks.

 

Old sink removed and preparing for the new one.

 

Dad working on the replacement. 

 

Viola!  A beautiful new sink makes the kitchen seem so fresh and clean.  The photo doesn't really do it justice, but this sink is much deeper and larger than the old one.  The only problem was that we can no longer use the trays in the false front drawer so I've had to think of another place for those items.  Next step, new floors...

Holiday Spirit

We're starting to get in the holiday spirit this weekend with activities and decorations.  Matthew and I did a ballroom dancing demo at Macy's yesterday with a dance club.  I might have to buy a holiday dress if we do this again next year, our matching hats and shirts weren't quite as fancy as some of the other dancers, but we had fun anyways!

True to form, last year I (finally) made stockings for us but didn't finish them until Christmas Eve and did not have time to get them embroidered.  I didn't wait as long this year and our stockings are finally finished!  All of our decorations are up now, including our tree, and it is looking quite festive.

And another silly animal photo.  The weather has been a little chilly in the morning so Mow has been very playful.  Here he is with his favorite rag.

Camping on Skidaway Island

Last weekend we went camping with some friends on Skidaway Island near Savannah.  We took our horse trailer and our friends set up tents.  We've been to this park once several years ago but camped in a different area (and had to leave early due to a tornado!).  The sites were great, the bath houses were clean, and the weather was beautiful!  We enjoyed hobo dinners on the fire and roasted marshmallows.

 

We also went for a hike around the salt marsh.  It was so warm (for December) that we should have brought our shorts and sunscreen!

 

Thanksgiving and More

This year we spent Thanksgiving in South Carolina at one of Matthew's coworker's apartment.  Tim and Katie are also from Michigan and decided to stay in the south for the holiday.  We ate lots of delicious food, of course!

 

And played LOTS of games.  These are the only two photos that I took, but we had a great time!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Matthew and I have also been keeping busy with our foster kittens and adoption events.  Here I am at one of the events at PetSmart.  The holidays are pretty busy for adoptions so we hope that we can find homes for all of our kitties.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is our current foster kitten, Moon Pie.  He's an absolute love!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And a random photo I took of our resident red-shouldered hawk when he was hunting in our garden.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Camping Trip

Last weekend we took our trailer on its first camping trip!  We headed up to South Carolina to Broxton Bridge Plantation where I rode Mow in an Endurance Ride.  I drove up on Friday morning with a friend and her horse and then Matthew joined us Friday evening.  Here is our campsite all set up.  Everything worked pretty well except that we definitely need some stairs to get up to the goose!

 

And Mow in his pen.

 

Mow and I finally moved up a distance for our ride and completed a 50 mile race this weekend.  This was the longest that I have every ridden in one day and I think that I was more tired than him! 

 

Here we are at the finish.  It took us 6 hours and 55 minutes to complete (not including the mandatory "holds" or rest breaks) and we ended up placing 10th out of about 25 riders.  Needless to say, I am very proud of both of us!

Halloween and Trailer Progress

This year when I told Matthew who I thought we should dress up as for Halloween he said "As you wish!"  So here we are, dressed as the Dread Pirate Roberts and Princess Buttercup from the Princess Bride. We went to a dance two weeks ago and another one last night and had a great time at both.

 

 

We've also done a little more work on the horse trailer in preparation for our camping trip next weekend (for real this time!).  We put in the last cupboard a few weeks ago and added the countertop this weekend.  We think it turned out really well!

 

We still need to build a custom cabinet for this awkward corner, but that probably won't happen for a while.  Until then we will just use it for storage.

 

And, after five attempts, Lowes finally sent us the correct piece for the sink cabinet and we were able to install some trays on the false drawer front.  The original drawer front had a big ugly knot in it and when we asked for a replacement they sent us the wrong size twice and an even uglier one once.  We also had to get a replacement for one of the cabinet doors due to a knot hole.  Needless to say, we will not be buying any more of these cabinets!

Dressage Show

Last weekend Mow and I competed in our first ever dressage show!  We have been taking dressage lessons for about two years now and I finally felt ready to take him to a local show.  He exceeded my expectations and we actually won two out of the three classes we entered!  Here we are warming up before the first class.

My trainer, Heather, lives nearby so she was able to come and coach.

 

Here we are during our first class, an introductory level dressage test.  (Basically, a set pattern that everyone rides and you are graded on each movement).

 

The tests are ridden in a standard-sized space that is marked off with these white fences. Someone can "call" the test for you, but these we very simple patterns so I just memorized them.

This photo is from the end of our second class (another test).  Dressage tests start and end with a salute to the judge, who is at the end of the arena.

 

Mow and I competed in one other class where we rode with other riders and were judged on our equitation (riding ability) with no set pattern.  Here we are with our ribbons, I'm one proud lady!  Next time we will be moving up a level...

Special Olympics

I spent last weekend in Gainsville, GA at the Special Olympics with a local horse therapy group called Horsin' Around.  They borrowed a horse trailer but did not have access to a truck so I volunteered to haul their horses for the five hour drive. This was my first experience with therapy horses and their riders but it was wonderful!  The kids (actually, the athletes) really enjoyed showing off their horse skills and earning ribbons and medals.  We're already planning next year's trip!

 

All of the volunteers with the three athletes and two horses.  Many family members also came to cheer them on. (And many other volunteers helped to get them here)

 

Emily riding Zantana.  She earned a gold and a silver medal!

 

Joseph with Prince.  He earned a gold medal, a silver medal, and a fourth place ribbon!

 

Ralph earned a bronze medal and a fourth place ribbon on Prince!  Safety is always number one for therapy horses so each rider has at least one, if not more, volunteers with them in case they need help.

So many smiles, such a good weekend!