Good company.

Birthday celebrations should last several days.  Mine did!  I flew back to Milwaukee on the Monday after my birthday.  It was a bit of a hassle with a canceled flight, but I made it in time for drinks!  Danielle made me a lovely pink velvet cake and we met the boys at Ryan Braun's waterfront restaurant.  Ryan Bruan is an outfielder for the Milwaukee Brewer's.  We sat out on the deck and enjoy the Milwaukee River at night.  Rob, Detroit, Ramon, and Julian came out with us.  

Danielle and I at Braun's.

 Rob and Ramon

 

It had been nearly a week since I'd seen my Tyler-Rose and we got right back to prepping for Silverwood.  We rode our dressage test for the first time.  At the very least we should be accurate with our test.  I rushed home, changed, and picked Danielle up so we could go see Inception.  It was a good movie.  Rarely do I go to the theater to see a movie and Inception was worth it.   

For the second Wednesday in a row, Rob and Ramon both came up to the barn.  Rob's really catching on to how things work around the barn.  He gets Tyler out of the stall, in the cross ties, and grazes Tyler during is cool down after working.  Tyler and I did a lot more work on our test.  Then Rob rode!  I was quite impressed with Tyler and Rob.  Rob caught on quickly to steering, but not so much on how to move Tyler forward.  They walked over poles, trotted a few steps, did some simple patterns, and called it a day.   Tyler's super careful with new riders and I think it's adorable.

 Me trying to keep up with Rob and Tyler.

Thursday was my last opportunity at home to work on the test.  I wasn't thrilled with Tyler's movements, but we knew our test and I felt good about that.  Thankfully it was a peaceful evening with the work crew.  We played cards for a few hours.  So I shouldn't say it was a peaceful or quiet evening, but it was laid back.  I think 5 or 6 of us sat around.  Some drink, some don't.  We know each other well enough that we can have real fun.  It's a great dysfunctional traveling family.