Sierra's trick horse and our herd

As we were leaving the horse field we saw this amazing rainbow that went from the grain field beside our horse pasture over the highway into the next farm field. We didn't have time to look for the pot of gold though :(

Sierra decided to teach Caballero to bow. This is day one of training! Now she just taps his knee and puts the treat in position and he bows! All by herself she did this, very impressive.

From front to back in picture one: Lua (sara), Sage (Ocean), Sway (Amanda), Soppy (Amy), Lammy (Journey), Cab (Sierra), Rosie-pulling up the rear (charlotte)--And now Garron has his own horse...I'll post one of that giant later!
They all come galloping up when we arrive to feed them, such a great sight to see!

Our herd of horses...pending one more from Amy's household!

Halloween

Sorry for the blurry photo, but Amy has the good ones :) and for those of you who don't know Amy or her blog then you'll have to make due with this one...I had an angel, a ninja and a horse heading out for candy this year.

They had a blast out with John (their dad), Amy, Garron, Sol, Journey, Mike, Meagan, Logan and Emily.

I waited at Amy's house and handed out Candy and did nothing else worthy (like washing her dishes or making hot chocolate--sorry Amy) but my big belly makes much movement uncomfortable!!! Come on, take pity :)

Amanda's new life...and her helpers

Here are a couple fall photos of when the kids (Sol, Journey, Casendra) and Amy helped out at Amanda and Bob's farm garden digging potatoes. Some of those suckers were huge!! Look closely at what Journey and then she and Casendra are holding onto!! It's fun being out there and lots of changes are taking place. Amanda is a perfect farm wife as she is such a hardworker and willing and HAPPY to be doing stuff like this!! You are a lucky guy Bob.

Sierra and wonderful Caballero

Just a couple of Sierra and Cab (with one of Muddy thrown in so you can all remember what his forelock is supposed to look like!). They are doing so well together and get to continue lessons this winter (as she missed so many due to her broken arm). He is learning to collect...kind of . We need Kristy to come ride him and teach him as Sierra isn't strong enough and has quite the time trying to show him what to do (especially as she is just learning)
The first time we tried to have someone (being Sierra) ride Cab bareback he spooked and shot off in a circle around me with me holding onto Sierra and dragging her off. Now he can ride bareback, english saddle, western saddle and DOUBLE!! The first rider is Stacey who has been jumping with him. However, we've definitely decided he needs to improve his 'whoa' before he gets to continue jumping (he seems to like jumping)












Stacey with Sierra on the back and Cab going along as easily as if there was no one on him...such a great horse!!

Couple of Casendra and Ethan too

Casendra was dressed in clothes that came in a bag of kids clothes (but they were not kids clothes I later informed Sierra--who had dressed her) but she was so cute parading around in them with her little kitty.


Ethan let Casendra help him build this car, like the one Nelson had built when he lived with us (not quite the same :) but she was so happy to get to play with her big brother and even more happy to get her picture taken with him and their project.

Muddy's hair....what a chore

Poor Muddy managed to completely entagle his entire forelock in burrs. I procrastinated taking them out until mom said she'd help. Well...she did it all! And didn't even resort to cutting! It took awhile but she got it done and although he looked like Don King a few times at the end with a couple nice braids to help tame the 'fuzzy look'. He was presentable when he went home :)

















The biggest problem was that he wouldn't keep his head down, I'd tempt him with treats or just keep pressure on the halter till he lowered his head...but heck, how uncomfortable for him really. I hate having my tangles combed out and tangles didn't even begin to describe what was going on around his head!!




















They are out! But braids were needed with lots of cowboy magic (hair product that helps detangle and shine) to get it all sleek again.

Casendra and Sol...quite the pair

These two can sit for quite a long time and watch Grandma Char's village/train sets going around. They play excellently together and only occassionally have days where they just can't quite handle one another. But for the most part, they play and talk and sing and sometimes even dance around very contentedly throughout the days they get to spend together.

Sway

This is Sway. A (soon to be registered quarter horse) weanling filly that has taken Muddy's place in our lives.

Muddy was not able to convince his trainer that he would make a suitable and safe riding horse for our family. So he has been kindly accepted back to his original home where they will work with, evaluate and decide what his future is to hold. We are hoping and praying he'll come around and make someone (maybe a mountain riding cowboy) a great strong horse.

In place of him, they traded us for this little weanling filly. She is very cute and has quite an interesting demeanor. Not much really riles her and she seems to take life as it comes.
Every now and again she'll attempt to assert herself but with our gentle, passive resistance, she quickly settles and does what is asked of her. We expect to have a lot of fun with her over the winter and as she grows throughout next summer. Won't be riding her for a long time yet, but that is good for me as I'll be busy with Wiliam when he arrives!

Sierra's little Ruckkus..pics of their last day together.

A couple weeks ago, Sierra's favorite pick of Sunshines litter went to be with his new owners. A sad day for Sierra but she was happy with the home he went to and she was able to pick a new pup to pay special attention to for a little while. And John was good and said a proper good bye to the pup without trying to scare it or do some weird psycholgoical torturer of it. Way to go dad!! You can see how to get to Sierra's heart!

For David...These were caught by your brother Jon

Hey David, I was supposed to send these pics to you awhile back (well the first 2 were from today) but the other 2 were from a ways back. Jon James caught them at a nearby river. First one was a pike and these last ones were golden eyes? Anyhow, pretty impressive. Jon worked for 4 days to get that first pike but he never gave up! And it was goooood!
You should email him for the story of these guys as he had a fun night tonight :)

Pike caught after 4 days of 'hanging in there'.

The puppies!! 5 weeks old!