Riding Lessons

Addison's friend Brooke started riding lessons a few months ago and gave Addison a lesson for her birthday. We finally got back-to-back lessons scheduled for the girls and they were in HEAVEN! Could she look any more thrilled? The girl has loved horses since she was old enough to walk and playing with them at Pappy and Miss Debra's. We put off lessons and have been waiting to see if the interest grew. It's clearly not going anywhere...she is hooked. Her first lesson was on a horse named Ripley. It was her first time in an English saddle and she did great. By the end of the lesson she was riding solo and trotting the horse. We have now officially bought the riding clothes and she has her second lesson coming up. The sisters love it too....they loved on horses and played in the dirt the whole time we were out there. Somehow, Addison even talked Reagan into cleaning up after her horse. Only a big sister can convince there younger siblings that being allowed to shovel animal mess is a privilege. 

King's Island

Love our summer days at King's Island. We never get tired of it! On this day, we took our favorite neighborhood 8th graders and we had so much fun! Maddy and Rachel road all the crazy stuff and I didn't have to. This trip was a week prior to the lady falling out of the Texas Giant....a roller coaster I grew up riding! Mama may be a little nervous next time we go. 

4th of July

4th of July was cloudy here with rain ALL DAY! But, we didn't let that stop our fun. We grilled burgers and ate in the shelter of garages and ran around in the rain. We finally got 2 dry hours from about 7:30 to 9:30 and we made the most of it, watching fun fireworks courtesy of the neighborhood teenage boys. We ate too much food, stayed up late and came home tired. PERFECT.

Father's Day

This year, we returned from the beach the evening before Father's Day. Tommy had asked for his gift, that he just have a few hours to hang out with each girl one-on-one. I believe a new tradition has been born in our house. We skipped church, so they would have plenty of time. The girls carefully picked their clothes and made plans for their dates with Daddy. Gracyn went first. They went out to breakfast and then played some games at an arcade. Then, per her request, they came back, locked themselves in her room and played dolls. Next was Addison's turn. They took off to Taco Bell (YUCK!!! They are the only 2 in the house who like it) and then went to play mini-golf and arcade games. They stopped for some special dessert, fried Oreos, on the way home. Finally Reagan got her turn. They went to dinner and had ice-cream then went to the arcade and finished their night playing tennis. Quiet moments alone with one child are a rare treat, so this was the perfect gift. They all enjoyed their days and I'm sure we will be doing it again next year.

Hilton Head From the Phone

Can you see Addison in the blue shirt right in the middle of the picture? That is at Shannon Tanner's annual Crazy Hair Contest. He plays music while the kids dance and do the best they can to destroy their hair. The winner gets a LOAD of prizes from the shops in the harbour. How did my child not win? It took some time getting the mess out of that hair.

One last family picture at the Crab Races.

A rare night dressed up.

After 2 years of waiting, this year Addison was finally old enough to do the 2 hour trail ride around Sea Pines Plantation. Perfect that Miss Debra, her horse riding partner, was there to go for the ride. Addison got a great horse, I got a slow and hungry horse, Addison was thrilled by it all. My buns were sore!

I am a simple girl when it comes to food. Don't care anything about all the island seafood, but I look forward all year to my Zaxby's stops driving there and home. Love me some Zaxby's...looking forward to more when we head to TX next month.

More trail ride....don't mind the order (or lack of) of my pictures.

We found a Jarvis Creek Park on the island. I have seen it every year, but this year I wanted to stop and take a few pictures. It turned out great! There was a playground, a huge walking trail and we had our first alligator sighting of the trip.

This girl can't get enough dessert.

Daddy and his alligator hunters at the park.

Trail Ride

There is that alligator I mentioned, just hanging out at the local park, not bothering anyone.

Deb and Phil on the trail ride.

The little girls got to do pony rides while we were gone.

Reagan's pony.