58yo mom + 11 yo TB = great first ride ever!

Those who know my mom will never believe that she willingly got on a horse. Not any horse but the tallest horse we have on the property. I know it was only because her 10 yo grand daughter was looking at her expectantly, she would have never done it for me.

Dover/Drover

First let me explain the name change. Drover is Zach's horse and his name when he came to us was Drover. The rest of us wanted to shorten it to Dover but since he is Zach's horse Drover it is.

It has been almost exactly one month since we got him. He was only getting a few flakes of local grass hay then and now we have him on grain, oil, hay, black sunflower seeds, flax and msn. He still has a long way to go but it is nice to see the progress.

Before (Nov 21)

Here his hair would not even lay down when brushed.

After (Dec 20th)

Here you can see his hair lays flat, he is much thicker through the ribs and shoulders

Before (Nov 21st)

His top line is so bony :(

After (Dec 20th)

Still looking pretty sad but there is not such a shelf on the top of his ribs

Santa

I don't think he looks like Santa, do you?

Dirty Henry

They joy of winter in Oregon.

siblings

Just try not to smile Jess!

Stepping back in time

"You are about to enter another dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound but of mind. A journey into a wondrous land of imagination. Next stop, the Twillight Zone!"

Street Level

As we descended below ground and under the skylights we found ourselves in 1809.

Skylights from below

Jessie underneath some metal building decoration

Even Georgia was mysteriously transported to another time and place

City water pipe made of wood

Trina, Jessie and Georgia trying to navigate the maze and find themselves in the 21st century.

  One person's maze another person's underground tour. Remember we all find ourselves at times in  the Twilight Zone. 

__________________________________________________________________

We did eventually find our way out and This was the view that we found at the top of the stairs....

The Smith tower

Just outside of Seattle on our way home to Portland Jessie captured this beautiful Sunset. I was sad to leave after such a perfect day.

Georgia and some other people

 Jessie and I went to Seattle on Friday so Jess could meet Georgia. I noticed after looking at the pictures of the trip that Trina was there too....

Here is Georgia in all her chubby cheeked glory.

Jessie was to scared to hold Georgia at first. She actually asked Trina what would happen if she dropped Georgia and killed her!!?!?! What an active imagination. I assured Jessie that I had dropped her several times and she wasn't dead. After she held Georgia once she wouldn't let her go so Trina better be careful next time we come up to Canada we may have a large item to declare.

 This was the position Georgia was for most of the day, passed out COLD!

Hmmmm I wonder what it would be like to move to the states?
Must talk to Ryan about that.

As you can see from the back ground we did do other things besides stare at Georgia. We also toured the underground, Pikes place and the Pioneer Square area. More about that next time but here are three of my favorite girls enjoying the beautiful Seattle day.

Fun at the Arena

The winter is wet yucky weather in these parts so we haul out to a local arena. It is not as fun as trail riding but it keeps us out of the rain!

Rachel's sister Michelle came out with us and rode Turbo even though she thought he was very slow and lazy.

What a fat belly! He needs to visit the arena more often.

Tango's first ride after about 2 months of being lame. I think Rachel felt really good to be on her own horse.  Look at how hot steamy he is after a short work out. :)

Nostalgia

As I sit inside wishing it was warmer outside I find myself reflecting on past summers. This always leads me down the rabbit hole, past summers to past years to WOW the kids have grown so much!

2006

2010

This was such a beautiful day. We were at the kite festival in Longview Washington. I sat for hours watching the kids play in the water.

Lesson Time!

"Jessie, chest out, hips back, keep him going through the corner..."

"Like this?"

"No Jessie, Hey why did you stop in the corner? ANTICIPATE Brownies moves!"

"What?????"

"Jessie! move forward, kick him!"

"What? Wait mom take my picture. hehehe, giggle, giggle"

"JESSIE???? GET BACK TO THE LESSON!"

"How about this? Is this my good side?"

"Wow, These lessons are so painful..."

Dover Con't

Here is another picture of Dover. It makes me so sad but I am glad we were able to bring him home and care for him.

Popcorn

Introducing Popcorn.....

            He is our crazy, silly, spastic, new addition.