2023, February 20-26

We had a bit of wild weather mid-week and otherwise did most of the week's routines because we're just cool snow bunnies like that. 

On Monday, Eliza took her friend Lexi to their nails done. This was how Eliza chose to spend her birthday even if it was a week or two later. The girls picked some fun designs. Hannah, our nail lady, has three very fun dogs named Winston, Nico, and Penny.

Wednesday brought snow, and then more snow, and then more snow. Eliza measured 8 inches at one point. She and Hallie got school canceled. Landon had a two-hour delayed start. Mike had meetings at home and opted to do his Thursday class online. After being in winters in so many different parts of North America, Hallie finds local drivers who are not as well equipped for this type of driving a bit annoying, probably because she almost got stuck on a hill when someone in front of her couldn't quite make the grade (so to speak).

Nothing will stop working with horses, and Bridle Up Hope was still in session. As she and Mike left BUH, we saw a couple of deer treading through the snow. The following day, as they came back from taking Landon to school, another deer bounded across Center Street right in front of them a few blocks east of Main. He's had fun talking to Eliza about the drivers who do crazy fishtails on the black ice and then doing a couple of his own to bring the point home. 

Landon started back up at TKD on Wednesday too. He said he needs to workout more. Taking close to three weeks off puts your body in spot that it does not like.

Eliza made bracelets at BUH, and we saw her on Instagram. Hallie gets excited when she finds her on IG and is always ready to snap a screenshot.

Who can resist taking a picture of this sleeping beau? 

Hey! Eliza was on another BUH post. At Bridle Up Hope for every ten hours of service or classes you take you will earn a free ride. Eliza has been working hard to achieve this! So far, she's earned enough service hours at this point to get three riding lessons, and she is well on her way to a fourth. 

Here she is riding Harvey on Friday. By looking at this picture of the girl just in a T-shirt, you would not know it was super cold outside. Well, maybe the snow might give it away. But Hallie is not happy Eliza is not wearing the coat or gloves Hallie sent her with. 

Mike taught class on campus Friday night and Saturday. On Saturday, Hallie took Landon to The Fellas Chop Shop for a far-overdue haircut. Up until we left, Landon said he wanted his hair long, so Hallie believed she was taking him for a trim and to clean up his side burns and neck. Much to her surprise, on the quick five-minute drive he asked about getting his hair cut like Ted from the TV show Schitt's Creek. Hallie whole heartedly believed he could pull it off. Landon found a picture on his phone and showed Jesse the barber. The first picture below is what he wanted.

Jesse went to work. 

(If looks could kill. To be honest, this is more Landon's resting serious face than any particular emotion.)

GQ, he's ready for his close-up. Hallie is quite proud of her photography skills. 

Later, Landon hung out with friends. We are so glad that the Blas/Drew family are our friends!

Hallie's Valentine's Day gift to Mike arrived in the mail. Woo hoo! 

"What're you lookin' at?"

Eliza wondered why we didn't want her going out in this outfit. We were able to convince her to change her shoes. Ha! Ha! Ha!

Ferg got trapped in the box the A Frame came in. Poor kitty. 

We started building on Sunday and are going to take a few days to savor the experience and the tiny details like squirrel-hidden acorns below the foundation and in the rafters. Mike was awesome to let Hallie take on some of the building while he took the boys out driving. Landon and Corbin took Mike's car out on the neighborhood roads and even got up to 30 mph. It is fun and a bit crazy to see the boys growing up so fast.

Ferg found a warm lap and did not want to let Eliza go. 

Eliza is quite busy and is not fond of these more relaxing weekends. However, Hallie and Mike really enjoy the less hectic life of the weekends as of late. This coming week will be quite busy, but we are excited to see everything that the week will hold for us.