Horseback Riding Date

Brendon and I had a great date today.  For our anniversary he contacted Blue Bird Farms and set up a trail ride for us.  We went to the farm at 8:00 a.m. for some pre-ride lessons and safety.  Wally put me up first on Dakota a walking horse.  He gave me some simple lessons about how to turn the horse, stop the horse, and back the horse up.  Then I got to practice on Dakota.  We walked all over the place.  I took horse back riding lessons when I was younger so a lot of those skills helped and came back.  Brendon finally got up on his horse Super Red Voltage (we think).  Oh boy... was he in for a ride.  Even in the small ring she was not happy.  Then when he took her into the big ring then she was not happy at all.  She took off into a canter....I admit I got scared for Brendon.  He even yelled that he might fall off.  finally Wally got back into the ring and helped stop the horse.  They did some more training and tried again. This time Brendon did fall off...but it was a gentle fall...it was quite graceful.  Finally they did some more training and Brendon was able to get her under control.  We then got the horses cooled off and into the trailer.  Then Wally drove us to Harbins Park and off we went on our trail ride.  We did a 4 mile trail ride with Wally and it was great.  We took the horses into a little stream and even saw a deer.  It was so much fun and we hope to do it again some time.  Wally said we could even bring Olivia to see the horses. 

Grandma and Grandpa did a great job babysitting.  They said they had a lot of fun with Olivia.  But when Olivia was napping...they went for a nap too (I guess it was too much fun!). After dinner we went for ice cream.  It was such a nice treat.  Then Olivia was not happy with taking her bath and after her bath either.  I am hoping it is some teeth....

Pre- ride

Getting to know Dakota

Other horses poking their heads out of the barn

On the horse trailer

Deer on the trail

Babysitting fun

Ice cream!

A little post ice cream walk

4th of July

4th of July started early at 3:15 a.m.  I got up ate and showered and got ready for the Peachtree Road Race.  I picked up my friends Kim and Dean for our annual tradition of running the Peachtree.  This was my 5th Peachtree.  I ran it last year after having Olivia just 3 months before.  We had a smooth ride in to Atlanta on Marta and met our friends Joan and Tina at their hotel.  We chatted with them and they got us into their hotel to use the bathroom (super extra bonus! Thank you!!!) We then went to our separate corrals and shortly after the race began.  I felt good the first 3 miles and at the 3 mile marker I was at about 25 minutes.  But then the 3 H's hit... heat, hills, and humidity.  The rest of the race was not my best.  But I finished with the time of 59:10.  I knew that I could do better but I gave it my best.  I admit I was disappointed in my time but thankful to be finished!

Before the race- me, Kim, Joan, and Tina

Kim and I

Found Brendon's friend Mike after the race...talk about being sweaty!

After the race I came home and I showered and we had lunch.  Then Olivia went swimming with Brendon.  Then it was nap time! Getting up at 3:15 is tiring.  After napping Brendon started cooking...we decided NOT to grill...WHAT?!?! He wanted to make Fried Chicken! So that is what we had.  It was so yummy.  We even had corn bread, fried green tomatoes, pasta salad, and cupcakes for dessert! We did go to fireworks too! We had to walk Olivia around a bit.  She mostly sat on our laps during the fireworks and got a little antsy at the end...but it was 2 hours past her bed time.  She did hang in there though!

Playing in her dress

Yummy dinner

Festive dessert

Waiting for fireworks and reading her books

Bubbles

Going for a walk

A little out of order but Brendon putting the chicken in

cupcake! Yummmm

Gymboree, Pigtails, and Fussy at the Restaurant

Yesterday (Tuesday) we went to Gymboree since out usual class would be on the 4th and we would be celebrating the holiday.  It was a lot of fun.  Grandma couldn't believe how much fun I was having.  After class we saw Nikki get her ears pierced and then we went on a hunt for some pigtail holders.  The ones I have are too big to hold her hair so we needed small ones.  We found them at Claires and tried them out.  We decided to go out to dinner last night.  It was another disaster...as soon as we tried to put her in the high chair she started fussing.  So then she sat on my lap for a bit and when her food came we tried to put her back in the chair...no go. So she sat on my lap and ate which was not fun because I ended up with mac and cheese all over me.  I know that she is in a stage that she doesn't want to be confined and wants to explore.  Hopefully it will improve.  I ordered a travel booster seat today and we will see if that works....

Pigtails

Trying to be entertained at Summits

No blog tonight =(

Sorry getting up early for the Peachtree tomorrow! Will post 2 tomorrow!

Hanging with G.P. and Grandma

Today we hung out at home.  I got up early and met some friends for running and walking (some of us run and some walk).  It was gorgeous this morning.  When I got home I got greeted by fussy Miss Olivia.  She did not want to eat breakfast! Then Brendon left and went for a bike ride with his friend Mike.  Grandma got her to eat some Cheerios while I showered.  After getting ready we went to a few stores to get some stuff for the 4th of July.  Then we had lunch and hung out at home.  Olivia, grandma, grandpa, and I all took a good nap!  It was one of the longest naps I have taken since Olivia was born.  Then when Olivia woke up we did some swimming and ate dinner.  We made some yummy kabobs and Olivia ate pretty well.  After dinner we were watching some Olympics and Olivia kept watching the women's gymnastics and was memorized by it.  Maybe she will be a future gymnast!

Finally warming up to grandpa. I like to sit in his lap now.

Watching gymnastics

We were trying to get her picture as she was being the incredible Hulk lifting this up.

Playing with her play food

Peyton's Baptism

Today we celebrated Peyton's Baptism.  We went to church and Olivia was such a monkey again.  Along with being a monkey, all she wanted to do was talk during the mass.  She loves the lights of church and all the people.  I guess it is just being a toddler but I admit sometimes it is cute but sometimes it is a bit embarrassing.  After the mass we went back to Dawn and Steve's to celebrate Peyton.  There was lots of good foods and Olivia loved playing and aw some of her friends.  She loved to chase around Dawn's dog and yell dog.  It was such a nice day to celebrate Peyton and we feel blessed to get the chance to share it with her and her family.

Olivia prebaptism

Baptism Ceremony

Peyton and her mom

Peyton getting her dress on

Family photos