And she canters......

Here is a video of Kaitlyn cantering on Twinkie!! It is so cool to see her sprout into a wonderful horse person. She really has a passion for it and loves learning all that she can. Matt and Grace were even able to come see. Kaitlyn rides later now and so after hockey they were able to come over and got there just in time to see her ride.

A canter and an assist

Well it's been a fun week here in the Halsted household. Wednesday Kaitlyn had her horse back lessons. She has been riding a different horse ( Twinkie ) because Ben, her usual horse, is hard to get into a canter. Last week she rode Twinkie, it had been since last winter that she rode him. They were getting used to each other. This week they were both more comfortable with each other and Kaitlyn was able to get Twinkie into a canter. My baby was smiling from ear to ear! She has been wanting to canter for months. She did a few circles around the arena and of course mom forgot the camera! I'm so proud of her. She really is becoming a wonderful rider and I am beginning to realize that her comfortableness on a horse comes from the interaction she has with that horse and spending time with it. I see a friendship growing between these horses and her.

On Thursday Grace had a hockey game. It was a great game. One that was very evenly matched. Grace is starting to find her place out there on the ice and getting after the puck. At one point she stopped the puck, looked up to see where her team mates were, passed it to another girl and that girl scored. It was SO exciting to see!! The funny thing was when the game was over and I went to the locker room I told Grace "Congrats on getting an assist" and she didn't even realize it!!

What a fun week!! Our girls are the BEST!!!

Horse back and Hockey

Our days have been filled with horse back lessons and hockey practices/games. Kaitlyns horse instructor moved all her horses for the winter to another barn with an indoor arena. This is a different one from last year and I have to say a much better one! The barn is attached to the arena so we don't have to walk in the blowing snow any more! All the horses are making the adjustment very well and everyone seems to like the new place. Kaitlyn has moved from riding our beloved Benny to Twinkie. Twinkie is the first horse Kaitlyn rode when she got here. She is preparing to learn how to canter on Twinkie along with getting used to riding a different horse. Something her instructor and I felt Kaitlyn needed to do. It's important to try out different horses and learn how to adjust yourself to their "quirks". We are hoping this next coming week Kaitlyn will be able to try a canter.

We have also begun our hockey season with Grace. She has had a few practices and this weekend had two games. It was so fun to see her back out on the ice and I have to say she looks GREAT out there. Her confidence this year is so high and she really is getting to understand the game. Another added bonus is Matt is helping coach her team. She is loving having her Papa on the beach next to her. Her game yesterday they got stomped. That team has been on the ice a month longer than us so they had a better "feel" then us who have only had a few practices. Today's game was SO awesome!!! The girls played so great and it was more evenly matched. Very fast paced and everyone come out with their game on! Grace played so well and is getting more aggressive out there going after the puck. We are so proud of our Pee Wee Tiverton Thunder girls!!!

Here are a few pictures and videos from this past week. As time goes on I will keep you posted on how the girls are doing. It's a busy time of year but it is also a very fun one. Who knows, you may hear about Matt and I out there playing a little pick up hockey. We are going out tonight to check it out and see if it is something I would like to do or not. Just not sure but who knows!!

18 years!

I can't believe 18 years have pasted SO quickly. I feels just like yesterday I was standing there in my grandparents church, in the dress my grandma made, getting married by the man who helped organize "Turkey Fest" ( the event where Matt and I met ) surrounded by all our friends and family.

Looking back on this journey Matt and I have been on....we have moved 10 times, had 2 beautiful girls, cared for my mom til her death, bought a trailer and took many fun camping trips, spent 10 months with Matt gone for 3+ weeks home for 4 days while he was in New Orleans, went back to work part time, then moved to another country. There are so many more adventures we have been on and many more to come.

I am so thankful to have met Matt and have him as my best friend. 23 years ago November we met at an all night church event the day after Thanksgiving. I still wonder why my parents allowed me to date a guy who was 3 years older than me and out of high school. But I am SO thankful they did. Matt has been the best thing, after Christ, that has ever happened to me.

I love you Matt with all my heart! Thank you for choosing me as your wife!

I am excited and ready to see what the next 18 years will hold for us!