Driver's Ed

 Emily finished all of her driver's ed computer based lessons over winter break.  Today was the first of three drives with the instructor.  This kid is about to turn the road into her own coming-of-age adventure! 

Christmas 2023

 I failed to take pictures of Christmas morning! 

Her big gift was a Vudoo gun which will allow her to shoot in a different division in the upcoming shooting season.

Which she was happy to go shoot before Christmas dinner! 

We also had a visit from the Christmoose! 

A Few Holiday Traditions Remain

the holiday puzzle all complete

one more handprint on the tree skirt

girls' ornaments

Two weeks before Christmas we had to say goodbye to Millie.  She starting having seizures due to a suspected brain tumor - the loss of her cast a somber shadow over the holiday season.  

Another Shooting Trip

 Aaron and Emily were in Arizona in mid November for another shooting trip.  The only evidence of the trip is this photo from Medieval Times in Scottsdale.  

 Emily recently participated in a two day Landsafe Equestrian Clinic meant to teach a safe way to land when falling off the horse.  Ironically, this clinic was 5 days too late considering she fell off Flint five days prior and landed on her head.  Luckily, the helmet worked and she was fine! It did cost us a new helmet, however.  

Danny, a former steeplechase jockey, and Keli, a gymnastics coach, traveled from Maryland giving these clinics across the country.  After learning the technique on mats, participants practice from a simulator (think mechanical bull in the shape of a horse). 

The fall weather continues to be amazing!

We spent a day down in Twin at Tubb's pumpkin patch and then the Haunted Swamp.  Kaitlyn and Emily had a great time shooting paintballs and the apple cannon, wandering the hay maze (a pig was the design), and we were even able to pick raspberries this year.  

 

Emily finally got her ears pierced! 

The fall weather has been beautiful.  She loves "working" at Picabo Ranch with Meghan ... but work usually turns out to be a trail ride on a horse that needs some exercise.  This property is a beautiful place to ride.  920 acres of it is part of a conservation easement and it neighbors a nature preserve, Silver Creek,  where many people fish and float.  There's a volcano crater as well, which is where they typically ride.  So it's not a bad place to volunteer for a few hours a week.  She ends with a lesson, which this past week was jumping 2.5' on Smokey.  

 

 August flew by with more shooting matches for Aaron and Emily.  There were a few horseback riding lessons and a week of "horse sitting" when her instructor Meghan was out of town.  

She started online classes on the 21st, her freshman year.  But on the 31st Aaron and Emily left for two weeks to shoot a match in Utah before flying to Alabama to compete at nationals in Talladega.  

Emily finished 262 out of 431 overall, 178th out of 275 in open class, 15th out of 60 in b class, and 5th lady. Really great for a 14 year old on a national level! 

There aren't many big matches left for the year, but school is keeping her busy.  She is also working as a gymnastics coach two days a week for the young kids' rec classes. She'll continue riding once a week, but in addition to her lesson, she will also be putting in some work hours on the ranch.  

Sint Maarten

Day 5 was on Saint Martin.  Our excursion took us to Maho Beach. This beach is on the Dutch side of this Caribbean island and is famous for being adjacent to the Princess Juliana International Airport.  It's popular with tourists as you can watch aircraft on their final approach just above your head or feel the jet blast at take off.  

Emi is bottom left in the sunhat and blue sun shirt. 

June 22, 2015

July 19, 2023

St. Thomas

 Day 4 was in St. Thomas, a port that we have visited in the past.  We skipped the excursions and spent the day shopping.