Hanging and Riding at the Smith Homestead

April 16, 2014

One of our favorite things to do was to help feed the animals in the mornings.  Aunt Beth got Little Joe out so she could look him over and work with him a little before giving rides. 

Sarah Jane and Ammon

They loved playing in the sand out at the barn.

Aunt Bethany checking Little Joe's back for any tender spots that might indicate a problem.

Aunt Janna was trying to decide if they wanted to keep Little Joe, but wanted some advice from the Horse Whisperer.  :0)

Bradley and Eliza quickly traded their sandals for a pair of boots.

Eliza borrowed Aunt Janna's boots since they had pink on them.

Ammon just isn't sure what to think about his favorite Aunt Karrie.

Eliza and the boys rolled some barrels out front so that they would be ready for some barrel racing later in the day.  Abby has been practicing.

Daniel and Nathan

Nathan was a little more help than Daniel wanted.

Nathan and Sarah Jane were good buddies.

They got into all kinds of things on their own.

Luckily Aunt Bethany had plans to wash out this water trough later.

Bradley with his unique sense of style.

Daniel, Ammon, Nathan and Sarah Jane

Aunt Beth checking for any sore spots on Little Joe's head.

Sarah Jane and Ammon

Nathan and Eliza playing on the Smith's play set.

This is a picture of some of the plants growing on the tree limbs in the yard. 

They remind me of Aunt Carolyn and Grandma M.  I can just picture some little trolls or fairies.

Sarah Jane

Nathan likes to  be "dangerous".  It drives me crazy!

Aunt Janna and our sweet little Ammon boy.

Daniel and Bradley took advantage of Caden and Andrew's bikes while they were at school.  The Smith's have lots of room for racing!

Sarah Jane loved the swing.

Eliza was the first to take a ride on Little Joe.

She could get use to this.

Bradley was next up.

Nathan couldn't wait for his turn.  He kept making horsie noises.

I had to walk by Nathan since this was his first time to ride.  He was so excited!!

Aunt Janna caught some classic Nathan faces.  Below are some of my favorite.

As we were getting pictures the other kids came walking over.  

Nathan wasn't happy about it.

"No! No no no!"

"Mine! Mine!"

I guess he was afraid they were going to take "his" horsie.

Once he realized he got to ride a little longer he became more pleasant.

"Horsie mom. My horsie."

Ammon was more excited about his ride than he appears in the pictures.

He just wasn't sure what to think about everyone crowding around with cameras.  Maybe he is related to his cousin Luke.  :0)

"Really people!  Is that the best you've got?"

Daniel was up next.

"I got this.  Let's go."

Daniel's sweet and bashful smile.

Can we continue this ride?

Really people!  I just want to ride!

Yes!  We are moving!

Sarah Jane loved her ride.  You would think she was related to Bethany.

Oh yeah, she is! :0)

This girl is a character!  We just love her.

Sarah Jane is a natural!

A mother daughter moment.

Thanks Aunt Bethany for giving everyone rides.

Bradley put the tire swing to use.  He is pretty sure we need one.

Bradley just went wild!

Daniel was a little more reserved.  He was a little nervous at first.

Beating that boy's bottom as he swings by gets a pretty good smile out of him.

The boys got the barrels out front and Sarah Jane helped place them.

It was great to distract her while the other kids took turns riding Little Joe.

Aunt Janna has a LOT of lizards at her house.  The boys caught a couple.  

I believe this is the first one they caught.

Later in the day, after nap time, Nathan attacked Aunt Bethany, so naturally she had to defend herself.

Sarah Jane kept growling at her mom to get her attention.

Taylor made a scavenger hunt for Daniel for his birthday.  We didn't have time on his actual day, so they did it the next day when Andrew and Caden were home.  Here they are trying to guess the riddle for the next clue.

Finally he found his prize!

A four wheeler and rider!

Thanks so much Aunt Janna and Taylor for the fun scavenger hunt and prize!