January 2025

 We started off 2025 with a bang. It was an exciting fun-filled month. We started out the month with Sophia home for her winter break. She went back on Jan 5th for her mandatory January term. All of us love having Sophia at home. Otto loves it too. 

Sophia also went to a fun event at the barn on New Year's Day. They had a chute clinic and Wren had fun too! 

Wren got a warmer blanket and is now ready for the COLD weather we have been having.

We got some measurable snow on January 5th- 6th. We haven't gotten a good snow storm in a while so this one was fun. Loki had fun in the snow. I also loved being out in the snow. Super fun. 

One of the biggest events of the month was Nick and Mari's wedding. They got married on January 11th at their house in a parent's only ceremony. They created their own ceremony and vows and it was really beautiful. We were thrilled to share in this day with them. 

On January 12th I helped Sophia get settled in her new dorm room. Sophia met a friend, Gabby, during summer orientation but she already had a roommate. They hung out all fall semester with a few other friends and talked about moving in together next year. Gabby's roommate moved out at the end of the semester. Sophia and Gabby immediately reached out to the college to see if they could move in together. They said Sophia could join Gabby during the January term. Sophia and another friend moved all her stuff on Friday after class. She had the room set up with the exception of a few final touches, like getting her picture wall up again. The room looks great and I know Sophia and Gabby are going to have a much better semester sharing the room.

We celebrated Steve's birthday this month. Loki's and Ottos too but they didn't get cake!

Sophia and her friend Gretchen wanted to see Dancing with the Stars. Peggy and I decided we would join them. We got tickets at the National Harbor. We had dinner together before heading there. The show was AMAZING. The dancers were so talented. It was a fun evening, Peggy and I even played the slots for a few minutes (that is all $20 lasted!) The four of us have done a lot together but it is often around horse events. It was nice to spend the evening together outside of a horse event.

Sophia and her friend Emma went to a local ski resort and did some snow boarding. They had a great day, despite falling a bunch! Unfortunately at the end of the night Sophia realized she lost her keys. Emma and her looked every where, following her air tag and came up empty. She called us and Steve ended up driving up to give her the spare key, a 3 hour round trip. A week later the ski resort called to say they found her keys, thankfully. 

Our furry family is also doing well. 

Til next month. 

Finishing out 2024

 I  can’t believe 2024 is already over! It’s been such an exciting year, full of fun events and changes. December flew by way too fast, but we still managed to have some great times with family and friends.

At the start of the month, Steve and I went to McDaniel’s Out of the Darkeness event. Sophia met us there, and afterward, we took her and her friend out for dinner. The event was amazing—it celebrated winter traditions from different cultures and religions around the world. The campus was covered in over 25,000 lights, and there were hands-on activities, cookies, hot chocolate, and all kinds of cool displays and booths. It was a cold night, but totally worth it!

We kept our tradition of cutting down a Christmas tree. Sophia was at college for most of December, so Steve and I handled the decorating on our own. Thankfully, she was able to join us for the tree hunt, which made it extra special.

I also got to take my nieces to the airport for their Christmas trip. It was great seeing them, and we enjoyed a yummy dinner before I dropped them off.

On Christmas Eve, Steve, Sophia, and I went to Winter City, a walk-through light display. The displays were gorgeous, and we loved being outside to take it all in. 

Nick and Mari joined us for Christmas Day, and honestly, spending time with family is the best gift of all. That’s what the holidays are really about! We had a fantastic Italian dinner with a delicious meat sauce—it was a hit.

Wren had a tick-borne infection early in the month but thankfully it was caught and treated quickly. He is doing well. He loves everything he does with Sophia. They are a good pair and really coming together as a pair. 

Our pets are doing great, and we love hanging out with them—they’re such a big part of our lives. In case you are wondering, no one was a fan of the Christmas hat.

To wrap up the year, the three of us had our usual New Year’s Eve fondue night. We stayed up to watch the ball drop and rang in the new year together. It was the perfect way to end 2024.

November 2024

You celebrated your birthday at college. We took you and your friends out the week before because your birthday felled on homecoming weekend.

We went to the PVDA Fall show. You had some amazing rides. Your last ride of the weekend was a First Level, test three ride and you scored an amazing 70.471. You both looked great together. I love these show weekends. It is so nice to see you ride and all the work you put into this sport. 

We also saw you at Parents Weekend at college. It was nice to meet more of your friends and have dinner with you. 

You and I helped out the weekend of the IEA show. It was a fun weekend back at the barn. You spent Saturday night home which is always a treat. On Sunday of the same weekend you had your first choral concert at college. The chorus is actually quite talented. We loved watching you and enjoyed the concert.

 

We had a full house for Thanksgiving. The pets were thrilled to have you home again, especially Otto. Nick and Mari came down for the day. Mari's parents also joined us for dinner. Aiden and Lindsey spent a couple days in town. The food was great but being with family was the best part.

On the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend we went on a trail ride up at Fair Hill. You and G found out about all the trails earlier this summer. Peggy trailered Wren and Macy and her mom joined us. It was a COLD weekend but you all had a blast. On Saturday you were out for over three hours and on Sunday about an hour and a half. The moms sat by the fire all weekend. We went shopping at Fair Hill on Saturday, out to dinner and you and the girls went to see Wicked. It is so nice to have these relaxing weekends.

 

The pets are all doing well. I know I said it before but I am thrilled that the cats get along with Loki. They really do love each other.