Max's First Ride on a Horse

It all started at the Comal County Fair.  We went to visit the animals, but we were too late & the animals were closed.  But there was one horse that Max was able to see up close.  We had a conversation that ended in me promising him I would take him to ride a horse after he turned three (and became a big boy).  Well that was back in September.  I am a firm believer that if you promise or tell your children you are going to do something, then you better move mountains to get it done.  I went to my friend Kristin for help in finding out where I could take him.  I knew her daughter Randi rode horses & had taken lessons & I wanted to see if she had a recommendation of where I could take Max.  She offered me something that was absolutely amazing- she offered to take me to her father in law's home & help Max ride.  

So, over Christmas break Max got his first ride on the horse.  When we first got there Max was very hesitant and nervous about being around the horse.  He held onto me tighter than I think he ever has before and I really wasn't sure if there was even a possibility that he would ever get up on the horse.  But after watching Kristin & Randi he let me take him up to the horse and brush her.  And even more amazing he actually decided to go for a ride on the horse after watching Kristin do it. Earlier in the day when I told him that we were going to ride a horse he told me that the horse needed to go slow so he wouldn't fall off, well by the end of the afternoon he was telling Kristin he was ready to go fast!  I was so very proud watching him be so brave & of course he talked non-stop the entire ride. 

Dean had a great time crawling on some John Deere & taking a ride on a 4-wheeler with Kristin's husband Mike & her son Ryan.  Once Dean had taken his first ride anytime the 4-wheeler would come into view he would point & scream to get on.  Max went on a 4-wheeler ride also.  Kristin asked Max which one he liked to ride better- the horse or the 4-wheeler- Max chose the horse! 

A very big thank you to Kristin & Mike for inviting us over & helping entertain my boys!  I can't express my thanks...

very nervous...

warming up

Christmas!

We had such a fun long Christmas weekend.  It started with Barrett helping Mitchell & Stephanie find out they are having a boy!  So we will have a little nephew & a little cousin to play with in May.  On Christmas Eve we went to San Antonio to spend time with Barrett's parents.  We got there in the morning & had fun celebrating all day & the boys opened their presents from Grandma & Grandpa that night.  

Christmas morning was so magical & fun with both of the boys having the best time & being so happy with what Santa brought them.  Max got a bike & a bazooka from Santa and Dean got a big wheel tricycle & a jackhammer.  After we had breakfast and got the explosion of Christmas cleaned up we headed over to the lake to celebrate with my family.  

Christmas Festivities

Wow- it's been quite awhile since our last blog post.  Most of that is attributed to how busy we were with fun activities the month of December.  I was lucky enough to get all of my shopping & decorating done before Thanksgiving, so we were able to relax and enjoy all the fun family activities that our area has to offer. 

Below are pictures of a fun little Christmas village that Canyon Lake rec center puts on.  We went last year & it was a whole new experience this year chasing both of the boys around.  There are several little "stops"- including a post office (to mail a letter to Santa), a petting zoo (that had some cute little puppies), an "adoption stop" (where each child gets to pick out a stuffed animal to bring home, a cookie decorating room, a nativity room (where someone is explaining the Christmas story), a "library" (where you can pick out a book to bring home), face painting, a few games, & of course a visit with Santa.  It was a fun night, but Barrett & I were exhausted after chasing our two boys around to all the fun stops.  

Eating the icing is more fun than decorating the cookie:

Dancing with the snowman

exhausted after the fun night (you'll notice Max is holding a new "hippo" he chose at the adoption room, so now we have "old hippo" & "new hippo" that he sleeps with, along with baby woof woof)