Being Neighborly

Since Justice and Hunter had come to visit us last week, it seemed only fair that we return the favor.  So on Sunday morning, Laura, Mike, Emily and Dana dropped by the Hemler farm just as they were getting ready for a trail ride.  Actually that wasn't a coincidence.  Lynette Hemler had invited the girls to come riding with them and they were just saddling the horses as Laura, Emily and Dana arrived.

Trail riders at the Hemler corral.
Lynette is riding Clint, Dana is riding Justice, Emily is on Apple, Allison (6 years old) is riding Jewel and
Laura is riding Sunny.  

Nathan helping Emily get ready.  

The plan was to start at the Hemler's property, do a bit of riding and then head over to the Peterson pond and check out the trails there.  Emily took the lead when they got to the pond.  She was a good host as she and Apple had to knock down all the cobwebs on the Durr timber trail so the others could ride with no problems.  Since Justice and Jewel had to be kept away from each other (otherwise they misbehaved), Laura and Allison rode together to keep the peace.

Crossing the Peterson property heading towards the dam.  

Crossing the dam and heading toward the Durr timber paths.  

In the meantime, Mike and Hunter and later Nathan came over to the Peterson property to lock up the dogs so they wouldn't spook the horses.  Apparently, something like this had been Hunter's plan all along because when Mike said he was heading to the pond, Hunter said he would come too.  We think Hunter had a good time as Mike fed him as many double stuffed Oreos as his tummy could hold (and that was a lot) and taught him to howl with Mabel.  This took a little while as his mouth was full of Oreos and he couldn't stop giggling at Mabel.  Hunter also found time to create a trash pile in our yard to make further clean up easier.  Moving the metal pipe that was as big as his 3 year old self was very hard work.  

Hunter checking on Mabel.  

A good time was had by all, although, horseback riding caused Emily to renew the Team Horse campaign.   The Team Horse campaign calls for Mike and I to get our own horse.  In fact, after the ride, they now think we should get two horses.  At least so says Emily, Dana, Laura, Mike and Caitlyn (Suzanne's roommate who checked in on Instagram) who are on Team Horse.  Only Nana and I are on Team No Horse.   So I just might have to reconsider being so friendly with the neighbors.