A cold beginning to 2010, and an Adorable Pony!

Okay, it has officially been pretty cold here in TX! We got down into the teens several nights last week - and getting water to the horses is an issue down here! Usually, we Texans don't bother with heated buckets as it is so rare that the temps drop below freezing (and when they do, it is usually for a matter of a few hours). Everyone here has done well - I have an old tank heater that has been with me from VA that kept my trough de-iced, and we have a large pond that did not freeze. Also, I trucked fresh warm water out to the horses every morning, and made hot mashes (beet pulp/senior) for Sweetie and Arthur.

Those two are both doing great - I'm so pleased with their body condition and attitude this winter. I find it hard to believe that Arthur is now 26 and Sweetie will officially be 23 on Feb. 7! She has been with me for 20 years now! That is just amazing to me. She's been with me through all of life's major changes. I'm so glad that I am able to provide the retirement for her that she deserves.

This weekend, "Mr. Bear" visited us from Christopher's class, and Mr. Bear insisted on meeting the horses, so we took him out to the barn, and tacked up Arthur, and Christopher rode around with Mr. Bear in his lap. :) It was so cute! Christopher can steer pretty well (so long as Arthur isn't being onery about the gate) and I let him walk on his own most of the time. Then he came up behind me once and said he had asked Arthur to go faster. He was just speed-walking, but I wondered if he was ready to trot. I asked Christopher if he wanted to try going faster and he enthusiastically said, "Yeah!" so I jogged along Arthur until he broke into a trot - it was so cute. Christopher bounced around quite a bit but hung on there. Arthur was a good pony and put up with the beginner attempt at sitting a trot. :) They were adorable! Afterwards, Christopher exclaimed, "I'm Level 2 in riding now!" :) It was his first time trotting, and he was so proud! Momma was, too! I think the experience was a great one, and I look forward to more lessons with Christopher!

Christmas Photos

PRESENTS! "Pre-Sorting"


"Post-Sorting" LOL! Now that Christopher is reading - he sorted every single present into piles while we finished breakfast. :) We kind of knew what he was up to but couldn't bear to stop him. :)


Harlan delighted & surprised by the Foozball table from his parents! :)


Mandy loved her HD DVD player! Yay!


Sammie delighted about her Tinkerbelle costume!


Here is Sammie being all pretty & proper and then not able to hold in her excitement another second! :)


Getting ready to go to work! Christopher got his very own real tool set - (minus anything sharp!). He put it on his Santa list!


Sammie loved her jewelry and ballerina music box! Look closely at her expression - this is her new "look" when she is very proud and excited on the inside - and trying not to show it too much - we saw this expression several times on Christmas! :)


"Just what I wanted!" Christopher loves his big lego set from Nana & Gpa Mike - we put it together a few hours later!


Harlan was so excited about the Beatles Rock Band! Look for family "concerts" coming soon! :)


Cliff loved his new boom box/mp3 player - he was just like a teenager getting their first radio - tons of smiles and listening to it most of the afternoon! :)


So Happy! He pretend fainted after this photo was taken. He wanted something remote control, and boy, did he get it! :)


Nothing like a new Carhartt to keep you warm and cozy! My old one is nearly 10 years old, so this was quite a treat! Thanks, Mom! :)

What a Wonderful Christmas!

Wow! We had such a wonderful Christmas! Harlan and I did not get any surprise gifts for each other - instead invested in upgrading my computer so we could pass parts down to Dodie, whose computer was having regular breakdowns. It worked out great! We normally sponsor a family, but this year instead we "sponsored" a good friend of Harlan's and drove him (and his belongings) all the way to Phoenix! A 2000+ mile round trip.

Somehow, even though we attempted to not spoil each other too much, I still feel so blessed and loved and spoiled by all of my family. I guess I'm easy to buy for when you can guarantee I will love anything with horses on it! :)

And the kids, oh, my, are so spoiled yet again. I don't know how it happens every year. We always think we are cutting back, and then we forget that we have two wonderful sets of grandparents intent on making sure the kids are duly spoiled. :) They succeeded yet again, and we have been playing with everything for two days straight and still have toys we need to play with.

The Play-Doh has maximized its entertainment value and it is time for me to help clean up. :) More later! Merry Christmas, Everyone!

Christmas Eve at Grandma's

Enjoying the fire!

Early Gifts from Nana & Gpa Mike

Dressing the Tree

Thanksgiving 2009

We had a wonderful meal with family this year! Although the turkey was big enough that we had plenty extra for unexpected visitors, we made the most of it with lots of leftovers! :)