Meister Christmas 2015

Today was the much anticipated Christmas party for the Meister family but before that is written about the rest of the day must be detailed.
We awoke to heavy rain with lightning and thunder so no walk. Emily and I went to Berean leaving at 8:00 am and finishing by 11:00 am. From there it was straight home to wrap gifts except Mitchel arrived and of course if there is horse training going on I want to be up at the barn instead of down in the house. Emily brought Rosaleigh out first. After a quick round pen session she was ready.

 Above Emily had been mounting from each side just hanging on the saddle. Below she is up on the saddle and we were thrilled how well Rosaleigh is accepting a rider.

 Next Mitchel worked with her. He is doing what he calls the human curry comb. He is hanging off her side, swinging his legs front and back then swings up on her back,

 He finishes by sitting up on her bareback. This is a wonderful training method to get the horse used to not just weight but a person on board without a saddle.

We never would have thought it was a problem going from a saddle to bareback except we had one horse at Bridlewood that just couldn't tolerate someone on his back without a saddle as Rachel knows. She jumped on him bareback and he violently threw her.
Rosaleigh was very good. Next out was Roxanne. The same routine was done with her with the same results, both mares were great. I am so so thrilled with how their training is coming along. I'm sure Emily and Rhoda will be riding them this coming year.

I finally went down to the house to down load the pictures, turned on the stall monitor and saw Hadassah's filly try to jump out of the stall. She took three tries, the first try she knocked one board down, the second try she knocked another down and by this time she could see over the stall. She gave one more big jump, cleared it with her front legs but got hung up with her back legs and was left hanging upside down unable to free herself. I jumped on the golf cart, flew to the stall and with adrenaline only was able to pick up her back end and flip her into the next stall. She was fine and led back into her stall, the boards were put back on and then I waited in the other stall behind the wall she tried to jump.  The next time she tried I was right there yelling at her. She tried a few times then realized each time I go over there something really scary pops out, I think I'll stay on the other side. I'm thankful we have the stalls monitored both at the house and on the phone. I was able to check on her during the evening. She settled down and is fine. Mark and I left to pick up mom for the Meister Christmas at 5:20 pm. When we arrived at the fellowship hall that place was buzzing with the sound of excited children. Below are a few pictures of the evening.

After the meal comes the favorite part of the evening for the kids. Truly this is even more anticipated than the gifts. The kids get to perform with the microphone. Below the crowd is watching and waiting to applaud.

Our first performers were singers, starring Mercy, Tess, Mae, Ava, Willow and Ariya.

Taegan took a couple of turns.

Even Israel sang a song for us.

Below is Spark reading the Christmas story and every mistake he makes in this reading is caught by half a dozen kids are more. 

Then comes the traditional singing of Heirlooms by the nieces. 

Nolan was the newest inlaw and was coerced into playing Santa. 

Below mom is opening her first gift of the night, a salad spinner. Every wedding shower she attended this year the bride was given one of these and at every one mom would state, "I used to have one of these and lost a part." 

The rest of the pictures of the party are placed on Mark's facebook page. If you would like to see them click HERE.
Brian and Rebekah announced they are expecting in August. Kari is due in 2 weeks. The family just keeps growing. There are now 130 direct descendants from our parents Paul and Rhoda Meister which don't include the 3 in heaven and three more babies coming in 2016.
It is just amazing to us how the years are flying by. Another Meister Christmas is now in the past.