A spring day at horseback riding lessons

The boys and I just enjoyed a beautiful day while the girls rode. What's not to like ~ horses, dogs, cats and wonderful scenery and sunshine. And if you're a boy they also have lots of dirt, grass and hills to roll down.

Watching their sisters ride around.

Playing with the dog, Neptune. This was so funny because Aaron was trying to hug Neptune, but I was sure that wasn't going to happen. What do I know?

Some short video of the girls riding.

Nature Trail

There is a new nature trail next to our house, that leads to a lake. It's an easy and beautiful walk through the forest. Doesn't it look inviting?




We've enjoyed many walks and have had fun watching spring arrive.




Beautiful example of shelf fungus. Yes, fungus can be beautiful when found in nature as it should be.



Garlic Mustard plant





Pasture roses blanket the ground



Wild strawberries

?????


Buttercups

The path ends at Shenandoah Lake. You can take a path around the lake to a dock, where you can rent row boats and canoes. Fishing is also allowed on the lake.

Off the lake there are several creeks, fun for future exploring.

We are really enjoying this new edition to our neighborhood and it's right next to our house.

A Captivated Boy

This boy is crazy about trucks, of all kinds. So this was a happy day for him... window seating at


the repaving of our street. This kept him still and happy for quite a long time.


We also have some work going on right next to our driveway for a nature trail for our neighborhood, so he loves to watch the work and keep a close eye on.......

this digger truck. The landscaper is keeping it here, so Caleb gets to get excited about it everyday. Apparently, the thrill just doesn't go away.

YDI Camp for the Day

A family in our homeschool co-op runs this Christian Youth Camp in the Allegheny Mountains, called Y.D. I. and invited the co-op to come for the day to try out their activities and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Ken took off work to go with us, but since Caleb hurt his arm, he and the girls went themselves, while the boys and I stayed home.


The camp is 280 acres of wildlife, with a meeting hall, cabins and the usual camp stuff. It's in Highland county, which is just beautiful.

A swing just off the path

One of the activities is a ropes course, you can see here the lines going among the trees. Neither of the girls had ever done this kinda thing.

First you get attached to safety wires and a harness.
Then you walk on a wire going up to a platform in the trees.

Once to the platform, you get attached to a wire suspended from the crossing wire and you let go and go for a quick ride down the mountain to a stopping platform. Lauren thought this was great fun. No fear.


Ken went next. He said the walking on the wire was the hardest and most heart thumping part.

They also did a little hiking, finding a winding creek and a dried up bed, full of interesting rocks and rock layers.

Another activity, that was a first for the girls was wall climbing. Again you get attached to safety ropes and have to climb up the wall and then walk yourself back down. Both girls gave this a try. Though one really had fun, the other well.......she was able to say she did it.

They also enjoyed a picnic, games and time with their friends. They had a good time and enjoyed getting to hang out with Daddy.

Co-Op Picnic (early May)

Our homeschool c0-op finished the year with a picnic at a local park. Just some fun pictures of our day. Though not obvious by the pictures, the girls were there, just running around with their friends while the boys and I enjoyed the playground and the icecream treats.