Horseback Riding at the Smiths

Our friend, Melinda Smith, was so nice and invited us over to ride her horses. She has an amazing place! I believe she gives lessons, but also has a program for handicapped individuals to come out and ride the horses as part of their therapy. She has some big ramps that help those in wheelchairs get on the horses. Pretty cool!

She spent a lot of time teaching the kids about safety and how to care for a horse. Then the real fun bagan, as they all got to get on the horses. I was amazed at how comfortable the kids were. Even Ian and Katelyn were totally at ease and not scared at all!

I got a close up of each and then an 'action shot'. Here's Ian!

Ian loved it! They were very proud of him because he was comfortable enough to let go with his hands. They would play games of having him reach to touch the horses ears or tail. He used his legs to hold on and balance.

The 'Whoo hoo!" below is after they led the horse in a trot. He loved it!

Katelyn was next. She had such a good time and fell in love with the animals! She especially loved a little miniature horse that Melinda had. She was SO MAD at me that I wouldn't buy the horse from Melinda and take it home. When asked how exactly I was supposed to do that...she replied that the horse would fit in the back of Grandma's van. She said we could keep it at Grandma's for the rest of our trip and then take it to our house.

She was in total tear mode as I tried to explain how this wouldn't work! She just couldn't believe that I would say no!

Katelyn did such a good job, they let her lead the horse on her own. She was so cute how she would put her whole body into guiding the horse. She didn't just pull to the right and turn her head. She'd lean her entire body to the right! :)

Erin took to horseriding like she does everything...full determination and success. Melinda said she was a natural. She listened to commands and could easily follow directions given. She sat back in the sattle and had great posture. She loved it.

The white horse you see the kids riding is Pasha. He was a circus horse that Melinda had just bought. Evidently, his legs couldn't handle the stress of the circus anymore. He was a HUGE horse and the kids loved riding him!

I loved watching all the kids ride, but I was thrilled with the joy I saw in Emily! Emily is our more quite, content, bookworm. Not many things get her excited outside of books or music, but SHE LOVED THIS!!!

Below is Emily trying to get Pasha to trot. I hope you can see, but when Emily is especially excited she doesn't want to give a huge, silly grin. So she pushes her lips together! I saw this on her many times that morning! And I believe her exact words to tell her dad about the day where that it was " SO FREAKINGLY FANTASTIC"!!! Melinda told me that Emily has the build of a horserider (like you say someone has the build of a dancer).

Main thing: Everyone had a wonderful morning...one we won't ever forget!

THANK YOU, MELINDA!!!

Mini Reunion with Friends

I have come to really love Facebook. I'm not on there all the time, but it has enabled me to catch up with friends I'd lost touch with since High School. It helped me to very easily arrange a little get together with some dear friends during my visit to Arkansas. It was so fun to see you all and to catch up. Next time, maybe I'll just get a hotel room-people can come and go, but those of us who feel the need-and you know who you are-can just stay up all night chatting. (We're not too old for that yet, are we???) I truly wasn't ready to go as those poor teenage workers were cleaning and closing up all around us! :) It was a great evening and I look forward to more visits!

Front: Jason Dare, Kris Nichols Smith, Amanda Whitehead Hemphill

Second: Amy Matthews Scaccia, Amy Shirley, Mayme Claire Gillham Eans, me

Back: Jeff Scaccia, Devin Shirley, and Mike Wells

Claire, Amy, me and Amanda--Dearest friends a girl could have! I've known Claire and Amy since 1st grade! Amanda in 7th! Pretty amazing that we were so close, when you think of our different interests back then. Claire was into art , Amy - journalism, I was the choir girl, and Amanda was awesome in Band. We had many main courses together though. Somehow we just fit! ;) You always supported me in what was important to me-even when it had to do with my church and you didn't quite understand it. You knew that it was important to me and that was enough for you. THANK YOU SO MUCH for always being such wonderful friends to me.

More fun with Moline Cousins

We had dinner with my brother, Corey's family on Friday night and had a sleepover. Saturday morning, we went swimming together at my sis-in-law, Rebekkah's sister's house. (is that a tongue twister??) Michelle was so sweet to let us use her pool. She has an amazing back yard and the kids had a great time together!!

Kendon, Erin, Preston, Ian, and Katelyn after swimming.

Ian LOVES his life jacket--therefore LOVED the slide and diving board!

Ian and Kendon with the Water guns.

Katelyn and Kendon playing legos.

Saturday Night was a special Adult Meeting at our Church in North Little Rock. Both my dad and my brother, Corey spoke. (EXCELLENT, by the way). We left Emily and Maddie home in charge. When we got home, they acted/lip synched performed about 4 different songs from the musical, "Annie". It was so cute. Maddie is quite the ring leader of fun! The younger ones LOVED following her around and doing anything she asked!

Ian, Erin, Emily, Maddie, Katelyn, and Preston Freezing at the end of their "Annie" performance.

Fun with Grandma & Grandpa Moline

One thing that Kate and Ian wanted to do was go fishing with Grandpa while we were in Arkansas. Our dear friends, the Spradlins, invited us over to fish in their pond. Ian wanted to show me the BIG worms they were using. Brother Spradlin was taking loads of pictures and my battery died before I could get them with the fish. So, when I get copies of his pictures, I'll add them to these.

Boys are so gross with worms!

Ian loved the Spradlin's dogs!

Erin did, too!!

On Friday, July 10th, Dad got off early and met us at the Conway Library. They had this cool "Aztec" type, hands on display that the kids really enjoyed. We then went to the Conway Bowling Alley. I think that Emily and Erin were the only ones who had bowled before. They all had a good time and Katelyn and Ian really picked it up quick! :)

Katelyn, Erin, and Ian at the library.

Grandma and Grandpa Moline watching the kids bowl.

Erin lining it up.

Ian really liked his green ball.

Emily did really well!

Katelyn was hilarious! She kept letting the ball go in funny ways. She do it in 'slow motion', then she'd run up to the line and stop just in time to let the ball go. She was great!

Arkansas visit with Chelsie and the Boys

On July 7th, the kids and I left for Arkansas! After a very tearful goodbye at the Security Checkpoint we made it down to catch our plane. The kids were good, especially for having to get up at 4am! We made it to Mom and Dad's for dinner and Chuck and Chelsie brought the kids over! It was so good to see them. I'm sad though, because I didn't know that it would be the only time I saw Chuck and I didn't even get a picture with him. :( (He had been sick and was making up lots of work before they left on their own family vacation.)

We were happy to get to go out to their house the next day in Ward and play! We brought water balloons to add to their slip 'n slide and the kids had so much fun together! Grandma even got a little silly and was "accidentally" squirting people as she tried to knot the balloons.

We had so much fun and Chelsie made us a YUMMY dinner of Roast and "Loaded " Potato Salad. (The kids want me to get that recipe by the way!) It was a really fun afternoon! Thanks, Chelsie!!

Chelsie and Katelyn filling balloons.

Erin ready to squeeze!

Aim and FIRE!!!

I love this picture of Katelyn. Finally a 'natural' smile!

Tyler on the slip 'n slide.

The Big ATTACK!!!

Misc. pictures of us in Hawaii

Just to end my posts about Hawaii, I thought I'd share some Misc. pictures of us. We had a wonderful time together and we can see why so many people go back year after year.

On the beach with a gorgeous sunset.

At dinner with Spencer. We had some good food while we were there. Just ask me abou the delicious Seafood Chowder!!!

At Nuuanu Pali Lookout.

On our balcony, all dressed up to go out.

View of where we stayed from the Airplane. Goodbye, Hawaii!!

Laiae and the Polynesian Cultural Center

Hawaii Temple

BYU Hawaii

We had a wonderful time at the Polynesian Cultural Center. First we rode on this boat for an all around tour of the place.

At the Hawaiian Village, I learned how to do the Hula Dance.

This is in a Moiri House of Learning. They sang songs to teach us about their people.

The funniest spot was the Samoan Villiage. The guy at the mic was cracking jokes constantly. It was hilarious.

Trying to teach two audience members to make fire.

Samoan climbing the Coconut tree.

Spence and I at the Luau that night. Great day!

Dole Plantation

On our way up to the Polynesian Cultural Center, we stopped at the Dole Pineapple Plantation. It was a fun place with a Pineapple Maze, a Train ride, and a huge Gift/Snack Shop. I didn't know that there were 5 or 6 different varieties of Pineapple. We had some Pineapple Ice Cream and walked around the gift shop. Fun little stop.

Byodo 'In Temple

This temple is an exact replica of one in Japan. It was built in honor of the first Japanese settlers in Hawaii. Beautiful grounds and outside. The only room we were allowed in was the main room with the statue of the Buddha. To get to the temple we drove through this huge cemetary that had beautiful carved headstones. It had a section for different religions. Very interesting.