New Years Eve (Yesterday's News)

As yesterday was the last day of 2013 one would think we would be sitting around hashing over the good and bad times of the fast fading old year. Not so, the day was so jam packed that there really wasn't time to sit down at the computer. Not only was yesterday a Tuesday but the last Tuesday of the month makes for double work and it was the last day of the year which meant party time.
Tuesday is the day the volunteers come in for the prison ministry, it also happened to be a funeral and the call went out for funeral singers. I was pretty thrilled to find Ruth went in my place. Cousin Ellen called right before we needed to head down to work to tell us there would be no mail. Luckily it was in time to call Diane and Eva Jean to tell them they get the day off. That didn't mean I could take the day off, there were still the intermediate studies that needed to be processed as they needed to be taken to church last night.
The end of the month bills were paid along with the first of the month bills since today is a holiday.
The truck was way over due for an oil change so Mark drove that in while I drove the car in. As soon as I had a break at work I ran the truck over to Fast Lube then as soon as I made it back from that Mark and I took off for Sam's Club to buy food to take to the party in Farmington.
The food was left in the car as when I drove up there was Emily getting ready to work Sheena Mike's new mare for the very first time. She did awesome, this mare is smart and by the time Emily was done she had walked, trotted and cantered her.

Emily pulled out Hadassah next. While she was riding Hadassah we decided we'd better take a run to Middle Grove to pick up Sissy and Star. The weather is suppose to get bitterly cold and if by chance either dropped a foal that foal would not survive. Mike hooked up his truck to the trailer for the trip out.

Mark was busy using the tractor to haul huge downed logs from the tree line so they could be cut up and split as this was going on.

With Mike's huge 4 wheel drive truck we had no problem driving the trailer all the way back to where the herd was. Now all that work building a road out at Middle Grove is really paying off. That would have been a long cold hike.  Just a few pictures were snapped there. The first is Sally and her colt Phoenix. They were standing between one of the lakes and the fenced off hay.

 The horses were all checked over. I was thrilled to see that Lily is obviously pregnant. She was one I didn't ultrasound. The other mare I was ecstatic to see carrying was Prissy. Prissy is due May 6th, 2014 and she is another we didn't ultrasound. Lilypony I just couldn't tell. She is pictured below.

 She seems to be carrying, would be due mid April and is fat but ponies do get fat. Oh well I guess we will find out before too long. I have no idea who that obviously pregnant mare is in the picture below. But the Friesian in the background is Killian.

 Emily caught Star and was leading her to the trailer looked over and exclaimed, "oh no, the trailer is full." Those horses just are way to curious, if we leave the trailer door open they line up to hop in. Even Jewel and her filly jumped inside.

By the time Emily arrived with Star there were 5 horses crammed inside and 3 more waiting to get in. That is one of the reasons we never go out to load ourselves, we must have someone around to shoo all the horses out of the trailer to make room for the horses that are suppose to come back. Star was loaded and the trailer doors shut before heading back up the hill to get Sissy. Sissy didn't want to be caught and it took us about 20 minutes to convince her she should be haltered but once the halter was on she led and loaded like a pro. The other mare we needed to bring home was Ribbon, vaulting starts next week. We couldn't find her halter and no other halters fit this huge mare so I just looped a rope around her neck to lead her to the trailer. She is such a good girl. We made it home just in time to eat some supper then get ready for church. Mark checked the computer around 5:45 pm to make sure church was warm only to find out the heat hadn't been turned on. He was sure it was going to be freezing, it takes a couple of hours to warm up that big building but by the time we arrived at 6:50 pm it really wasn't too bad. Craig Stickling had the service, the theme Be Ye Holy as I am Holy. After church we dropped mom and Emily off as they were heading to Rachel's for a taffy pull and party. Beth was hosting a party at the Lake in the Sky at Norris, Ruth was hosting a party at her house but we chose to go to John and Beth's house in Farmington to Jackie and Karin's party. That was a blast. They started their party with a message from Francis Chan then after John had a prayer we moved to the other room where Jackie had set up games for minutetowinit. 

 Those were pretty challenging but everyone had a good time trying their skill. More pictures are posted on Facebook. Karin had everyone gather in a circle were we played hilarious games. I can't remember when I've laughed so much or so hard.

Just before midnight Mark had the prayer to thank God for 2013 and blessings on 2014. The entire group headed outside for the countdown and at exactly midnight the noise began. 

We didn't stay around to help clean up after the party (one great thing about not hosting). The drive back seemed to last way longer than than usual. We could hardly crash in bed quick enough. When the dogs woke us up this morning at 6:30 am it felt like the middle of the night. 

This morning we have already loaded 3 loads of wood onto the porch for the wood stove. Mark is out hauling light poles out of the back pasture and in just a few minutes I have to head out to move in a round bale.