Horse Camp & Cousins

It was a doubly exciting week for the kids. They had 2 things that they have been looking forward to all summer happen the same week. First horse camp started Monday. They went Monday through Thursday from 9-1. We packed lunches for them and they got to spend a huge part of the day at the stable. They loved it! Then on Tuesday afternoon Dave's brother Garreth and his family arrived. We love have the kids play with their cousins. Spending precious hours after the kids fall asleep hanging out and playing the tradition Risk game. On Wednesday we went to Cherry Hill. Then got babysitters and were able to go to the MLS All Stars Game. Thursday went up to the Park City Outlets for some shopping. Again I don't have many pictures of all of us together. Erin you will have to email me some. Here is what I do have.

I love all these kids in their cowboy boots.

After we were done riding the cousins got to pet Tee the girls favorite horse. He was the calmest horse and didn't move a muscle while they were surrounding him.

My horse loving girls. The first day Leah said it was the best day of her life.

The teachers sit behind the girls and helped them learn the feel of riding on their own. They had them do balance practice by putting their arms out to the side. They learned to turn the horse, have the horse trot, and stop.

Erin with Declan and Sam.

Eva waiting her turn to ride.

Grace and Liam came to watch. The girls were so excited to have their cousins as an audience.

Leah watching as the other kids ride.

This is the classroom where the girls learned their lessons. It was pretty structured. Eva came home and told me, "they have rules." The girls learned everything from the different types and colors of horses, to the parts of the saddle, to how to lead a horse and ride.

In true Ratchford fashion Uncle Garreth built an exciting ride to keep the kids busy.