Mahoney Family – Heartland Ranch, Lakeside

What an amazing session! I couldn’t have asked for more with two adorable girls, cute ponies, and super friendly parents! When I first met these adorable, curly-haired littel beauties, their sweet and gentle natures did not quickly give away how tough they are and how fully capable they are to handle themselves on a horse, well, pony actually. These girls love their ponies but they know how to handle them! They are amazing horse women! Strong, confident, secure, and in charge! Such a testimony to their parents’ love and hard work!

This wasn’t my first time getting to hang out with the Mahoney Family. I took their images a couple of years ago when we were both boarding our horses in Bonita. That session was so much fun as well and we were blessed to be surrounded by yellow daisies! (Check out their post here) At that time they only had Twinkie, the lighter colored mare and their oldest daughter Alexis was riding her. Now Everly is riding Twinkie and Alexis has a new pony, Pixie. Everly was basically just a toddler when we met but now she’s taking after her beloved big sister and she’s found her happy place on the back of her pony. The confidence both of these girls exude is admirable.

It is amazing what ponies can do for young children. I haven’t met many boys who ride horses but I sure have met quite a few girls, especially my own daughter. We bought Jake for Katelyn when she was in middle school and he has been such a god-send for her. He’s one of her best friends and the best listener around! We call him her “therapy horse.” Ashley and Brett see this importance for their girls too and are such fantastic parents! They drive thirty minutes or so multiple times a week so that their daughters can spend time with their ponies in Lakeside at Heartland Ranch. This ranch is so beautiful and a phenomenal place for these girls to grow up. This investment in their children is already paying off. As a teacher I interact with quite a lot of children and I have been quite concerned lately with the amount of anxiety, insecurity, and depression I have been encountering. I am not worried about these two beauties at all. Growing up outside, managing their time, working hard, and listening to advice of those who are more experienced appears to be making it’s mark and they are well on their way to becoming amazing teens and then adults!