China update

For an update since the guys' trip to China, go here.

Happy Birthday, Aleks!!!!

Today is my sister Aleks' 9th birthday!! For two posts about her to go our family blog and her blog (which I hacked!!)

Horses!!

Horses are my absolute favorite animal - I've wanted one for as long as I can remember! I don't get a chance to ride much, but when I do I LOVE it!!

Today I went to my friend Dana's house, and her, her brother Noah and I went riding. Dana rode Embur (her 3 year old gelding she is currently working on training), Noah was on Storm and I rode Vergo. Vergo was supposedly the "old, slow horse" - HA!! If one of the other horses was trotting, Vergo had to canter to get ahead of them! Dana wasn't quite ready to let Embur run, so we mainly walked. But if Noah started trotting Storm, Vergo would have to canter, and no matter how hard I tried, I could not stop him!

Twice he cantered - the first time was just to get ahead of Storm. The second time was when Embur was really wanting to run, so Dana let him canter. He wasn't bucking, so she let him start loping. Well, he got ahead of us and Vergo wasn't about to let that happen. What did he do? HE started loping (gallop), passed Embur and kept right on going. Who knows how long he would've gone before he stopped, except there was a really muddy part of the field he got into, and then had to slow down. My heart was going wild!! For all I know, he could've bucked me off! (he started bucking once before, but I was able to get him calmed down) But after I stopped him, I realized how fun it is to ride really fast!!

It was soooo much fun!!! We're hoping to ride again, and if Dana uses a different horse, then we can run more!!

P.S. I didn't have any pictures from when we were riding, but I COULDN'T post without a picture!! So I just found one somewhere.

Sarah's visit

On Saturday night, we met Mr. Gumness, Ben, Nate and Sarah at Dad's work. We said our good-byes, and then Sarah came with us and the guys went to the airport. Sarah stayed until Monday afternoon, when I brought her to play practice (Sarah is helping with make-up, and I am helping with hair for the play "A Mid-Summer Night's Dream" which is being put on by a homeschool drama group).

Sarah and I

Me, Sarah and Aleks playing a game

Sarah and Mom

We played lots of games, and watched "girly" movies all weekend! It was so much fun.

Thanks Sarah, for coming!!