Lilja's first jump ..kind of

This will be lilja's last week probably...the weather is getting pretty chilly . So this week lilja is riding as much as possible ..today she did the nest of all.. going faster, posting, keeping her heels down and trying to keep her arms down .I feel so proud of her and told her that next year is going to be so much fun.. in 4 months she has come such a long way..can't wait to see a whole year of lessons results .

Riding and bribing !!

So dana , lilja's trainer was working on balance and keeping her hands down today. Suddenly she pulled out a 10 dollar bill ( would have been 1 dollar if she had one ) and told lilja if she can keep this 10 dollar bill in her hands and the other pieces of paper ( under her boots) she was allowed to keep the money .. well, lilja was very focused and almost giggly..plus she did it ! Lilja is 10 dollars richer !! This video is when she had to keep her balance with the money on her back

Horse back riding update

Lilja is still just loving to ride . Today was a huge leap in mastering riding . They focused on balance today and by the end of the lesson lilja just got it and ended up balancing on her own using her legs instead of holding on to the mane . While chatting away instead of a tight lip she followed dana while she was on another horse . Lilja just got it today . Maybe because she could now see dana ride or the three months suddenly added up.. but she really got it. So fun to see as a mom !!so proud !!

Holding one hand on top of her head she had to trot !!and post ..

What a huge smile while putting one arm to the side ..She just loves challenges 

At the end they usually ride through the forest . Lilja's favorite part .

Opa and oma fun !

Visits from our families always go way too fast , especially this time as we had lilja's birthday, halloween and school. I did not get to take a lot of photos but luckily a rollerblading day gave plenty of opportunities

Lilja loves the elves lego set.. she is collecting all the dragons and the elves. Hekp from Opa was very much appreciated as this set had 800 pieces !!

Lots of help from Oma and opa too when she was rollerblading 

Such a fun visit 

Oma acting like a spring chicken this day 

Love this photo !!

Cheese !!

Every night lilja and Opa had their own little play time that ended in a kiss on his head . 

Jumping on opa like Baby from dirty dancing 

Almost a perfect 10 ..not !!

Halloween

Lilja wanted to be Evie from the movie the Desendants this year . The daughter of the evil stepmother of snow white . Her friend violet was Mal.. Maleficent's daughter . Both made their own costumes and they looked amazing. We even straightened lilja's hair for this special occasion. She loved it but though it tool way too long . I am so glad..

5 girls trick or treating here in forest lakes. I have never seen so much candy in my life !!

Evie and Mal

There was a halloween party at her school here they had to see who can make a mummy the fastest 

Lilja abd her friend jessi 

Lilja, jessi and dorothy. Fun friends 

She loved all her props . An apple, necklace and mirror and ofcourse her blue fake streaks of hair ..

Lilja's birthday party

So lilja wanted a glow in the dark dance party for her 8th birthday . The kids made glow in the dark jewelry, hookah oops and balls, were in awe when we surprised them with a disco ball and danced to the music of the Disney movie The Desendants . All this after A Unicorn Cake AND Before A Unicorn Pinata .. Yep We Were tired. But we all had a blast !!

Glow in the dark balloons were everywhere. But the disco lights made the scene !!

8 of lilja's girlfriends, past and present 

Yes that is oma, not sure who had more fun...

Mother of the year?? Well actually Oma of the year. Let's call it a collaborative effort :)

Happy birthday lilja !!

Lilja just turned 8!! Just can't believe it .. it seems like yesterday that we met that tiny curly haired girl that looked at us so intently.. her determination is impressive, her laugh is contagious, her sillyness, smarty pants comments , her imaginary friends and her amazing imagination all make this little young lady a little gem to have as a daughter . We are so proud of her and feel so lucky o be her parents. Hapoy birthday lilja, may that laugh of your be heard all across America and bring a smile on each and everyone's face.

Family photo shoot 2017

We had so much fun doing our new family photos, even pip had fun !!

Horse back riding

Lilja has really taken to horse back riding . We have upped the classes to twice a week and she is just learning with leaps and bounds.. we might be broke by the end of the year, but seeing her so happy ..priceless!!

This is Chingy.. he will be going with lilja to her first horse show .. yep, her first one and she is so excited !! You see what I mean about going broke ..

But then you see this and you forget about the money ..

Love this photo.. great form and so confident . She changed to an English saddle and that seemed to be the change in her balance .

Love, love, love 

No more lead line ..all by herself !! Trying to steer this big horse..all by herself. Yes mam is impressed .

Love this shirt..again !! 

Catching up on lots of fun times !!

Fall is just gorgeous here in durango co. So we are doing a lot of hikes. Plus it is fun to finally have a dog again that loves and is able to go on walks .. Pip is loving it !! He turned one a couple of weeks ago and we can say honestly that he has become a very good dog and a great buddy for lilja !!

Happy birthday pipster.  Thanks fir being such a great dog..you are everything we wanted in a dog for lilja.  Her buddy, playmate, trouble maker and laugh maker !! Thanks , you are such a good boy !!

He loved his new toys,!!

Great hike in the golden leaves with our little friend Aubri.. here they are laying on the ground looking at the leaves.  

Hi everyone !!

Love this t-shirt !! Fits her to a T

Great friends that hike together..