December Blog

 December was another good month. It pleases me to write these posts and think about all the good things we share. I feel very fortunate. I know not everyone is so blessed.

Sophia went on her first college visit with Steve this month. She went to Wilson College. They have an amazing equestrian program and a good science department but not a strong math presence. Sophia also thought the school was a little too small.

We cut down our own tree again this year. I really do love this tradition. The tree is perfect. Sophia and Steve helped decorate the tree. I love that we have the yearly ornaments that we get the Sophia each year on the tree. We gave Nick and Aiden their ornaments as they are out on their own and adulting. I am not sure I ever posted the story behind the ornaments. I was part of an online group while we were waiting to adopt Sophia. One member posted how she gives an ornament to her kids each year and writes a letter about the year and the experiences the kid has had. She then planned to give them to her kids when they got older to decorate their tree. I was immediately all over this. We started in 2006 and get an ornament each year. In the beginning we got ceramic ornaments and had the kids names and year on it. We picked an ornament based on their interest, soccer ball, iPod, ballet shoes, etc. But we ran out of ornaments that fit so for the past five years or so we get a photo ornament for them. I think the kids enjoy this tradition.

I helped Sophia decorate Brisk's stall. It was freezing that night. Our hands nearly fell off!

Brisk even got festive for the holidays.

Sophia planned the awards celebration and holiday party for her 4 H group. A few kids couldn't attend but the ones that did had a blast. Sophia did the unwrap a present with oven mitts and the Santa hat game. The kids had a blast. She had this one wrapped good. She used a whole roll of tape.

Sophia got her wisdom teeth out just before Christmas. She handled it really well. When she came out of the sleep she just cried saying she wanted her Otto.

Sophia always finds the cutest gifts. She found these design your own crocs which she gave to her coach and a couple of barn friends. She ordered a pair for herself too. 

This year Nick hosted Christmas in his new house. It was so nice to see how proud he was to do this. We had ham and side dishes. It meant a lot to see his tree decorated in the ornaments we have given him throughout the years. We also lit the menorah that night for Mari. It was a perfect celebration. 

We had tacos for dinner on New Year's Eve followed by the traditional chocolate fondue. Sophia always helps with the fondue which is nice. We all stayed awake til midnight. New Years day we had some baked ravioli lasagna because we couldn't let the holiday season go by without some Italian dishes!

And as always I will finish with our pets who are all doing well. Til next month- 2023!

November 2022

 November was another busy month.  A birthday, horse shows and Thanksgiving. The month started off with celebrating Sophia's birthday in bed. We did the traditional cupcake, balloon and gift from China delivered to Sophia in bed. Sophia wanted an apple pie this year. Her gift from China was a pretty square wall hanging made from cloth. 

We had three, count them, three horse shows in November. The first weekend we went to North Carolina for an IEA horse show. It was a LONG 7 hour drive. We drove with Peggy and Gretchen, thank goodness. We stayed at April and Matt's house. Robin, Ann and Lilia stayed there too. We had a great time hanging out with everyone but the day of the show was messy! It rained before we got there and then again when we were there. It was a mud pit. Sophia had good rides. She was the high point rider in her division. She got 1st in test and 3rd in DSE. She had enough points to qualify her for test at regionals. She is doing amazing this year.

We then went to one day of PVDA fall show. She had two amazing rides. She rode her First Level musical freestyle and got 68.733/3rd place giving her the first qualifying score for regionals in MFS and a 78 and 1st place in DSE. Brisk and Kion didn't like being separated which made Robin's ride interesting. Brisk kept calling for him even when he was in the indoor arena. 

This was followed the next weekend by the final IEA show at TREC. You drew Nicki for your test and DSE the first day. You were over the moon. You got two 1st place ribbons and was high point rider. You were so emotional when you got off her after your test. You were in tears saying how much you missed her. This qualified you for DSE in regionals The second day you got Indy for both rides. You placed 3rd in test and 1st in DSE. You will ride 4 times at regionals. Once for the individual rides and once as part of the team. Exciting, although you would be happy enough to just go down to Tryon to groom again.

Aidan and Lindsey came down for Thanksgiving. We had a good time with wonderful food. Otto loved sleeping on Lindseys shoulder.

Our pets are all doing good. They keep us busy but we love them all.