Fall 2016

The first day of (a new) school.  One thing that sold us on the house and may be the reason we haven't sold the dang thing, is that the elementary school (and it's playground) are right over our back fence.  It is smaller and has a much calmer vibe.  Also notable, the Middle school is a few blocks in the other direction. 

I let the girls try a riding lesson this fall.  Genna was not thrilled with having Ruben as her mount.  Maya got Malarkey.  Our instructor, Chris, seemed to notice that they had some foundation in basics.  (Ahem, thanks to their trainer back in the days of Annie).

I think Genna loves playing with the Minis more than riding.  This is her pal, Sandy, who she pretends to show in a lead line class around the pasture.  

I haven't been lessoning since school started - but I do get to ride when the girls have a vaulting lesson on Saturdays.  I've also tested my endurance being a warm-up rider for the Cedar Lodge IEA shows.  

Re-Rider

rē/rīdər/ (noun): an adult who returns to horseback riding in their twilight years.... or after college upon achieving gainful employment.... or during a mid-life crisis.    

After 20+ years, crushing it in a 2'3" Equitation Flat Class.  🥇
The worst part about the re-introduction is the bubble-helmets. 

My grooms hosing off Will after a HOT August weekend of showing at Cedar Lodge.  I came to this barn for a week of summer camp in 1991 right before I got Oprah.  Since they are a camp facility, they have a large, varied string of lesson horses, which suits me, as I do not see horse-ownership in my future.  

When the girls became jealous, I let them try the vaulting program.  Maya is interested, but Genna does not enjoy taking instruction.  Can someone just let her ride a horse whenever and however she wants!  

Mom Camping

Last year the girls and Jeff did a weekend of Dad Camping at Fort Custer.  This year we had a girls weekend at Gun Lake and Yankee Springs while Papa was on a work trip to Washington DC.  

A cool Preying Mantis on our beach shade

#ShadowSelfie

Since Mom bans campfires, we had to improvise with Nutella Smores.

Baby Toads!  Everywhere!

Myth Busters: Episode7.2016 - Home Ownership

After 6+ years of renting and looking at hundreds of homes in Kalamazoo, we finally settled on one.   We may have a little issue with "deal-breakers" vs. "realistic budget".   

But we really LOVED our rental, and the location, and the teachers at our school!  
Ugh, moving schools - who wants that???!!!   

And the girls will miss the neighbors SO MUCH!!!!

Last minute packing.  The moving truck was due 5 days after we got back from AZ.  I figured that was plenty of time to pack the entire house.  Jeff doubted!  Obviously we moved, didn't we?  The moving men remarked, and I quote, "You are one of the most organized people I ever worked for."  The key is these labels!

It seems like such an American Dream thing to do, but we find home-ownership highly over rated. 

Jeff asks to call a realtor every time he mows the grass.  

AZ 4th in the North 2016

This year we flew to AZ for a post-school-year getaway.  We spent little time in Phoenix and made a hasty retreat north to the Pines!  It was our good fortune to be able to stay at the Turco's home for the better part of a week.  Unfortunately they were vacationing at the time, so we missed them.  We enjoyed several day trips and some camping around Flagstaff and spent a lot of time visiting the Zubko's in Mund's Park. 

4th of July Parade in Mund's Park

Om on Fatman's Loop, Mt Elden, East Flag

Exploring the boulder spillway of Lake Mary

Genna working on her armpit tan while eating a burrito in the forest.

The LAVA TUBES - a success without Uncle Dan.  We camped North of the peaks a couple nights.

Genna scrambling the cliffs of Red Mountain

The West Fork Trail, Oak Creek Canyon.  A tourist highlight.

Late Spring 2016

Genna requested "decorate your own cake" for her birthday.  She also had a sleepover with BFF, Taylor.

Our Art teacher, Mr. Duncan, exhibited a piece from each girl in the Kalamazoo Institute of Art's Spring Student Show.

The end of the school year was our exit from Prairie Ridge Elementary School.  

Genna's Kindergarten Class.
Her teacher, Mrs. Garrett, retired in April, and Miss Cegielski finished the year.  Mama got to volunteer every Wednesday morning and tutored for Title I in the afternoons. 

Kinder Friends

Mrs. James was a great 2nd Grade Teacher.  Mom helped out every Monday morning.

Maya and the graduated 2nd graders. 

Last playdate with David and Alex before they moved to Amsterdam.

Genna is a ROCK STAR!

Spring 2016 Q1

Genna is helping make sushi for Papa's 40th Birthday.


Maya is still really into ice skating.  We were going once or twice every weekend until Lawson closed for the season.  Since Maya taught herself many moves and spins, she went right into level 4 when she began real lessons in March!  Genna is taking lessons, too.



The girls were granted the responsibility of owning fish.  When they realized Genna did not have enough cash to get one at the same time, Maya offered to buy Genna's pet as an early birthday present.  

Maya's fish "Oliver"

Genna's Betta, "Sky"

Dominican Republic

Here is the full length account of our trip to the Dominican Republic to see Grandpa and Babçia on Exit Strategy.  http://exitstrategylog.blogspot.com/2016/02/hola-samana.html 

Live Aboard!

The Boyan / Carrolls at El Limon.  Maya had a high fever and was so tired after the trek out, she ALMOST passed on going out to dinner.

If you are approached by a young man casually wielding a rifle in the caves at  El Parque de Los Haitises, be cool, he's probably just a ranger, no big deal!?!?!?

Guided City Tours are SO TEDIOUS!!!!!  (Says every hungry 8 year old.) 

Jose's Parents, Fior and Rafael, were such generous hosts!

Hotel Doña Elvira in the old city ~ Santo Domingo.  Maya was appalled that the room standards did not meet her Super 8 expectations.  

Last day.  Killing time before the airport at Tres Ojos Caves and the National Aquarium with "Done and Done-er".  I forgot what Maya wanted to do instead of this, probably something to do with snacks.

Spending time with Jose and Amelia in Kzoo before they moved to the DR.