Glorious Sunday

It's hard to come up with new adjectives for our Sundays! Is there anything here on earth that possibly could be better? Spending the first part of our day worshiping our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with our amazing church family then enjoying a delicious meal and the beautiful weather with our physical family is like icing on the cake. We arrived home from church to find Karin working mares in the outdoor arena while Steven was working the stallions in the front yard.

Only one picture was snapped of Steven working Valiant before heading in to start dinner. Karin came in and was so thrilled with how each of the mares she is working is responding to her method. After a delicious dinner of chicken stir fry with lots of crunchy vegetables we headed to the playground for the usual volley ball games. Below are pictures of the evening.

Of course the fourth generation has just as much fun as the third generation assuming our age is the second generation as mom is still living. (although Karin always tells her, you should be thankful you are at the dropping off point and won't have to go through the coming tribulation)

The games were long and closely matched, the volleys were amazing. The lights needed to be turned on to finish the last game, finally the big kids got off the court so the little kids could play in the sand.

It was hard to see this treasure of a day end.

Gorgeous Day to Cut the Hay

Bunni, Sally and Holly were teased today but none of them are showing. It's hard to wait when we want them bred and back to Middle Grove. Philip brought Braelyn over to play with grandma while he was helping Mark hook up the ice maker in the new fridge, convert the new gas dryer to propane and set up the new woodburner stove. Braelyn and I were over at the cabin checking on the 4 foals when we heard a big tractor coming up the drive. She ran as fast as her little legs could go to the end of the lane to see that huge machine pulling the mower conditioner. What perfect drying weather for haying. Bright sunshine for the next 5 days, supposedly no chance of rain and a nice breeze. Karin came over to work horses starting with Indy, then Holly. Holly was the horse I was interested in watching, she was so much improved over yesterday. Each day we make huge strides in her attitude. She is trusting us enough now that we don't have to leave a lead rope attached to her halter. She still backs up and wants to run but doesn't.

Today she just moved a bit when Karin put the saddle on and no bucking.

Rhoda arrived in time to get Bunni and Sally out and tacked up for her special company Haley Stratton.

Haley wanted to go riding for her birthday, her mom Lori brought her out along with a big jar of special honey from her father. Rhoda took Haley on the 'death trails' before coming out to the arena for some barrel racing instructions.

Haley and Bunni make a good pair, Haley was able to tell Bunni what to do and Bunni did it!

Karin finished with Killian and brought Ciera out for some under saddle work.

Ciera is gorgeous and wants to please her rider, she is one of the easiest horses we have ever trained. Of course she is a Raven daughter! Unfortunately she ripped off most of her mane while at Middle Grove. Rachel brought Sandy over, she is still in and covered by Valiant. Rhoda put Bunni and Sally away and brought out Bonnie pony so Haley could try a few tricks. Bonnie went up on the pedestal with her, all 4 feet and bowed. Lori thinks Bonnie is the perfect size, not too far to fall from.

Rhoda had to take off, she is one of the servers at the Berean banquet tonight. We picked up 2 Gil's chicken dinners and split them 3 ways. It is plenty of food for 3 people and delicious too.

Too Much Sunshine

The bright sunshine today washed out the color on the pictures. When Karin arrived to work horses Rachel's camera was taken out for a few shots. Below is Indy wearing a saddle for the first time.

After she was done Karin took her in the barn to measure her. She sticks at 15.1 hands at 2 years of age. She will easily make 16 hands when full grown. Holly was taken out next, she was much improved until it came time to place the saddle on her back.

Did she ever run and buck. I was sitting down when she started and missed all the action with the camera. Studly and Emma sure had fun today.

Bunni and Sally were teased tonight but no one is showing. The sun was heading below the edge when these few pictures were taken. I thought it interesting how the colors ran together as the boys were running.

Above is Evan and below is Valiant

Above is Evan and below is Valiant

Below is Evan.

Rachel got some amazing pictures this morning of both boys in action, they are now on her website but none I felt would be good on a new business card. Just nothing that even comes close to the picture she took of Raven years ago which I posted below.

Perhaps it isn't fair to compare, after all what could possibly compete with Raven.

Dog Food

Yesterday I was at my local Kroger buying a large bag of Purina Dog Chow for my loyal pet, Emma, the Wonder Dog, and was in the check-out line when a woman behind me asked if I had a dog. What did she think...I had an elephant? So because I'm kind of weird on impulse I told her that no, I didn't have a dog, I was starting the Purina Diet again. I added that I probably shouldn't, because I ended up in the hospital last time, but that I'd lost 50 pounds before I awakened in an intensive care ward with tubes coming out of most of my orifices and IVs in both arms. I told her that it was essentially a perfect diet and that the way that it works is, to load your pants pockets with Purina Nuggets and simply eat one or two every time you feel hungry. The food is nutritionally complete so it works well and I was going to try it again. (I have to mention here that practically everyone in line was now enthralled with my story.) Horrified, she asked if I ended up in intensive care because the dog food poisoned me. I told her no, I stopped to pee on a fire hydrant and a car hit me. I thought the guy behind her was going to have a heart attack he was laughing so hard. Kroger won't let me shop there anymore. Disclaimer...it didn't really happen to me...but it could have! Rachel of momentscapturedbyrachel.com is coming today to photograph the boys. Now that Raven is gone we must have a new business card to hand out. Rachel took the pictures and designed the last card, which we loved. Hope the boys will be full of energy this morning and will show off a bit. They aren't as photogenic as Raven was. Man we miss that stallion.

On Their Way

Almost 300 Bibles were sent out today, they are on their way to Maryland, Kansas, Florida and Texas. Once that was done Walmart was next on the list where fresh crunchy vegetables were purchased along with chicken breast for a stir fry dinner planned for Sunday. Once back at the farm Bunni, Sally and Holly were all teased with none of them showing. Steven Marchal arrived to get the boys ready for their training session. Rhoda showed up just as he was starting and got a great lesson on Evan and Valiant. Steven rode Evan first then Rhoda popped on.

Then it was time to work on tricks, below is Steven asking for the Spanish Walk from Evan.

Then Rhoda asked Evan to bow, lay down and get back up.

Next both boys were worked together Steven on Valiant and Rhoda on Evan.

Above is Steven working Valiant. Steven had Rhoda ride Valiant next while he gave her pointers from Evan's back.

It was actually great training for Evan to have to stand quietly while Valiant was worked.

By the time the kids were done with the boys the camera card was full. Rhoda loaded up Ciera and Bonnie pony, drove them to Jubilee state park for a trail ride. She reported both were excellent on the trails. She started with riding Bonnie and ponying Ciera, but that didn't work too well, Bonnie was a bit spooky. Then Ciera led while she ponied Bonnie and that worked great. She switched a bit later and did a lot of canter work on Bonnie. By that time Bonnie was great. At the end she rode Ciera and just left Bonnie loose knowing there was no way Bonnie would be left behind. What great training. After dinner Rachel & Dave brought Sandy over to be covered by Valiant. Rhoda arrived back from Jubilee, put the 2 mares away and got Holly out. She worked on tying her, grooming her, asking her to walk on the bridge and even put a saddle pad on her.