8/9 - Today was a fun filled day, full of fishing, horseback riding and a 1st birthday party for little Lydia. There's a local fishing pond that is stocked with new fish weekly, which is perfect for a group like ours with 14 children anxious to catch something. Scot - our avid fly fisherman & resident fishing guide, helped to get everyone set up with flys so they could get the party started. There was a lot of luck at the pond & the kids were thrilled with all the fish they were able to catch. It was so much fun to watch them...& Cade even had his own guide - Scot would cast the fly rod for Cade and let him reel them in. Ethan, who is more than a little obsessed with fishing, saw Cade & Scot reel in a fish for the first time. He was not quite sure what to think of the live fish (he's used to his red and yellow plastic fish that he catches with his magnetic fishing pole), and he was certainly not willing to give the fish a kiss...I can't say I blame him for that. All the kids loved fishing with Grandpa.
Photos: Jared...gettin' the party started, Grandpa Warren and David, Ethan with Scot and Cade, and my sister Camille and me.
After our family rendevous at the fishing pond, we spent the afternoon hanging out - riding the 4 wheeler, decorating Lydia's birthday cake (good job Suzanne), watching movies, playing air hockey etc. A real whirlwind of activity.
After dinner, we headed over to Sarah's friends house to let the kids ride Nike...that's the name of the horse (there's actually a swoosh on his nose - clever ay? see photo of Ethan on horse). All the kids took a turn being walked around the arena on the horse. Ethan LOVED his first horseback ride! As he was nearing the end of his ride, we could see him patting Nike on the neck & then lean to the side with the biggest grin to say "HI" (see photos below). This happened about every 5 seconds until we had to let his next cousins climb aboard for their ride. So cute. Thanks for riding with him Rachel! Thanks to you too Sarah, I wish we could offer you an award for being the best clydesdale puller, but we can't because the horse wasn't a clydesdale. Sigh. I'll keep thinking - but Sarah, a job well done - seriously.
After all the kids finished their rides, Sarah showed off some of the barrell racing skills that Courtney taught her over the past couple years. (Courtney has competed in barrell racing for many years & her parents were kind enough to open their training arena and share their horses with us). Very impressive Sarah! I'll be getting you a beltbuckle with your name on it for Christmas. ( :
After dinner, we headed over to Sarah's friends house to let the kids ride Nike...that's the name of the horse (there's actually a swoosh on his nose - clever ay? see photo of Ethan on horse). All the kids took a turn being walked around the arena on the horse. Ethan LOVED his first horseback ride! As he was nearing the end of his ride, we could see him patting Nike on the neck & then lean to the side with the biggest grin to say "HI" (see photos below). This happened about every 5 seconds until we had to let his next cousins climb aboard for their ride. So cute. Thanks for riding with him Rachel! Thanks to you too Sarah, I wish we could offer you an award for being the best clydesdale puller, but we can't because the horse wasn't a clydesdale. Sigh. I'll keep thinking - but Sarah, a job well done - seriously.
After all the kids finished their rides, Sarah showed off some of the barrell racing skills that Courtney taught her over the past couple years. (Courtney has competed in barrell racing for many years & her parents were kind enough to open their training arena and share their horses with us). Very impressive Sarah! I'll be getting you a beltbuckle with your name on it for Christmas. ( :
Photos: Sarah riding Nike, Ethan with Daddy, Ethan with Rachel & Grandpa Warren with Sage 
Ethan and Rachel on Nike & Aunt Sarah, their guide
Rachel hanging on to Ethan while he offers salutations to Nike
Angela & a very sad McKinley (check out Nike's swoosh)
Ethan in training for his first Mutton busting competition
We packed up the crew to head back for Lydia's big birthday bash. A memorable 1st birthday to be sure. Suzanne worked hard to make Lydia a lockness monster birthday cake & did a fabulous job! Not only did it look good, it tasted good too. ( ; As you can see, Lydia enjoyed her cake and ice cream from head to toe. Happy Birthday, sweetie.
Photos: Grandma Lydia and one of her 2 adorable namesakes, Lydia post cake & ice cream, my party animal - Ethan, and Matt with Lydia & Nathanial 
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