Friend Birthday Party - Kara (3) & Logan (1) 4-16-2016

We also decided to through a friend party for Kara and Logan. We invited some of our friends that had been over in the past that had played with Kara. We also rented a bounce house just for kicks. We wanted to have a fun bash and for the kids to be able to do something fun. They came and set up the bounce house at 9am. Party wasn't until 1pm, so Kara and Matt played on it all morning. It didn't appeal to me very much and Logan thought it was okay.

Logan went down for his morning nap and did great while we finished up prepping for the party. Kara just played in the bounce house. It also had a slide, so that made it even better.

We had a BBQ and attempted to eat outside, but it was a bit too cold and windy. So we ate inside while the kids played outside. 

As we left the family birthday party, Kara stated to me "mom we didn't have birthday hats." Its one of the things she wanted for the birthday party, so I of course got them. We had hamburgers, hot dogs, fruit, chips, drinks, and for dessert we had strawberry shortcake. It tasted so summery.

Video - Singing Happy Birthday to Logan and Kara.

Kara had fun opening her presents, while I helped out Logan. 

Kids - Hannah, Levi, Catia, Robbie, Gracie holding Logan, Miles, Katie, Kara.
Daxton and Parker are on the floor,

We partied late into the evening. Most friends left at 4:30 or 5 ish. Elswoods stayed and played and chatted till about 7. We had a quick dinner of quesadillas with them. Kali, Shawn, Leili, and Kyla came over about 6:30 to come and play on the bounce house since we were suppose to have it until 8pm. 

We played outside afterwards just our little family until I put Logan to bed. I told Kara she could wait up and play in the bounce house until they picked it up. I was thinking it would be any minute. Turned out to be 9:30 when they finally arrived. We sure did get out monies worth out of it though.

I think this is my favorite picture of the day as Kara sat watching while Matt help the bounce house people take down the bounce house. 

Kara rides Bubbles 4-9-2016

Kara's first ride for the year. I took Kara out to ride Bubbles as I was planning to on her birthday but it rained so the next good weather day I did. It was quite windy when we went out though since we had to wait for Matt to wake up and watch Logan. Kara stood outside the corral while I went in and haltered Bubbles. 

Kara helped me brush Bubbles to get her ready to be saddled.

We decided to take Kara into the arena to ride, so it wouldn't be as windy, which was great, but the wind shook the chains for the door and for a single second I let go of Kara's leg and she ended up falling from her horse. It was the weirdest thing.
It still happens in slow motion to this day in my mind.

• We stopped Bubbles to lead her back the other direction.
• I momentarily took my hand off Kara's leg to look back at the door. 
• Terri was leading Bubbles and I heard her say "you should catch her"
• Next moment, I am watching Kara slowly fall to the ground. 
• She hits the dirt and gets up spitting it out of her mouth. 
• She didn't cry and she wasn't hurt.
• She told me that she didn't want to ride anymore but I explained to her that if we fall off a horse we need to get back on. 
• She said okay and preceded to ride for another 15 minutes.

This is our picture being taken at the end of Kara's ride.

Video - Kara feeding Bubble her treat after we finished taking off the saddle. 

I took Kara out for dinner after riding, so she could continue to have a positive experience. She ended up giving herself a bruise from getting her leg stuck on the table.

I learned my lesson with Kara after thinking about her experience on Bubbles. I had brought her bike helmet for her to wear, but left it in the car. I always do ground work with any horse I ride before getting on their back, but didn't with Bubbles this one time. I shouldn't have gotten distract while Kara was on Bubbles back. 

Lesson learned to listen to the Holy Ghost and not put it off that everything is going to be alright.