Carbonate Mountain

 A few weeks ago, back when the weather was spring like and sunny, Aaron suggested we go on a family hike.  At the moment, Emily decided that she was going to climb Carbonate AND make it all the way to the top.

She had made a few attempts last summer, but never quite made it to the top.  She was quite proud this trip because she finally made it.

And I'm pretty sure she doesn't see a reason to go back up there again for awhile.

With first grade coming to an end in less than two months, I can say it has been a great year for Emily.  Here's some evidence -

Last weekend while Dad was away in Arizona, Emily and I started tackling the yard work.  We did get away for the afternoon and took Gerda to the dog park in Ketchum.  However, we were the only ones there.  Emily and I managed to wear Gerda out by throwing sticks.

And here is Emily's newest ride at Swiftsure, Joe.  Emily loved the fact she had the purple saddle and pad to match her purple coat and helmet.  

As the weather warms up, it means outside trail rides.  Last Monday they cut the ride short so that Emily could paint Joe, the paint horse.  

On Tuesday there was a competitive jump rope team that came to school and did a demo for the kids.  It didn't matter that it was a rainy day, Emily came home and practiced for over half an hour that afternoon. 

And with Aaron gone again this weekend, Emily and I have enjoyed a girls' only time.  We met friends for pizza, went to open gym where Emily worked on cartwheels on the balance beam, and then she had fun at a birthday party while Gerda and I continued the spring clean up.  Gerda has been the great vole hunter.  So far, she's caught three!

her lookout post

Zeus, the mini pony

Meet Zeus.

Last Monday was a cold, windy day so that meant her riding lesson was inside the barn.  However, there was a woodpecker that took up residence that day, and after all day of listening to the rain on the metal roof and the pecking bird, the horses' nerves were rattled.  So, that meant out came the mini ponies (there's also Moose, who is a brown version of Zeus).  Nothing upsets these ponies!  The kids set up an obstacle course to complete, and Emily really loved it.

Hughston Shooting School

It's shooting season at the Hughston house, and HSS is keeping busy.  With two full Saturday classes in a row, it might be time for Aaron to consider paying his personal assistant.

Emily loves helping out.  She sets up chairs and puts out the materials for everyone.  Then once class starts, she likes to supervise.  After about an hour, her chauffeur (that's me) takes her home, only to deliver her to the gun range in the afternoon for her to assume her evaluator role of each student's gun handling skills.  She also loves the dinners out afterwards with all our friends that help out during class.