Harses Harses Harses

We love harses around here. We have pictures of them, childhood and adulthood memories of them, and sincere wishes to pass our love of them to our children. We decided that this was the year. When I was in the eighth grade, some very beloved family friends gave us a filly for Christmas. When she was little she truly looked like a calf and we all had a few laughs at her expense. Now she is an amazing horse, both for children and adults. My younger sister and I spent some considerable time getting her to be the horse that she is, and we are so proud of the reliable mare that she has become.

A few years ago we decided to stop boarding her here in Coeur d'Alene because she wasn't getting enough attention and exercise due to our pregnant/busy conditions throughout the family. But since children are getting older and husbands hopefully a bit less allergic, Santa brought Cooper the horse back for Christmas.

Christmas we told the children that Santa had brought them a surprise and we went to our new boarding location in Hayden Lake. It's open and big and beautiful, plus it has numerous other horses for riding and education. We couldn't have been happier, and neither could the kids.

I love this shot because it truly shows how much each person in this family loves these darn kids. 3 photographers, a baby holder, a horse leader, and two side walkers. Can't get much more surrounded then this!

Well, as you can see, Blythe didn't enjoy her turn all that much. I think it was mostly because I had to rip her out of her Aunt Ginny's arms to put her on the horse, and she had to stare at Aunt Liz the whole time she was there. She loves those two Aunties a bit too much, so it truly was salt in an open wound.

This was Abby's turn. When we pulled into the ranch we saw Grandpa Davis first. He was wearing all red and Abby said, "What a surprise, Grandpa is Santa!"

I was so pleased that Abby had such wonderful reaction, she has been talking about horses forever, and I was so glad to see that she loved them in person.

Is something special happening here? Cooper rode as if he had been doing it every single day and that we were all making a big old fuss for nothing. I couldn't have been more pleased.

And Blythe recovered. (Only because I told her Ginny and Liz were coming over for pizza)

Here's to Harses!