Include a trip to Oregon and more-
The past 3 week's been a haze...
NOTE: I still haven't found my camera at this point. So I apologize for no pictures. We actually bought a new one, but it didn't have a memory card. So Rachel will be sending me pics of her visit...but it will be a while.
First, Father's day. We really didn't do anything much. I fixed Tom some of his favorite food, we went to Church, and Tom talked to several of our kids on the phone.
I just want to say a little bit about Tom and what makes me smile about him. I appreciate his patience when I accidently drop a corral panel on his foot and all he does is hop and say, "Ow!" I appreciate the fact that I put a dent in the truck and he just reassures me it's okay- not to worry- it will get many more... That reminded me of the time right after we were first married and I got into an accident in his otherwise unblemished car. I was so scared to call and tell him- the car was totaled and he needed to come and get me. I started out by telling him I had been in an accident and his car was totaled- He didn't even care- his first question was "Are you alright???" I was crying- not because I was hurt, but because of the car- which he never cared about for a minute. I love that Tom doesn't care about material things- that people are more important than things to him.
I also appreciate how he laughs at my weird, dry sense of humor, and always eats whatever I cook, and always says I look nice- even when I know I don't.
I love the way he serves others and stops to help people he doesn't even know! And the great teacher that he is- i have learned so much from him through his kind, gentle example.
I also want to wish my Dad a Happy Father's day- Thanks for all your help with the business and your funny sense of humor- which you gave me. :-)
Visitors from Ohio:
Rachel, the brave soul, came out from Ohio to visit relatives all by herself with her 6 kids. We had a BLAST!!! I just love my grandkids from Ohio- they are so much fun! The visit started with Mia and Jesi (first words out of their mouth) "Can we ride the pony?" We got everyone settled in a room- the older boys chose to sleep out in the "cottage", while copper was excited to sleep on the top bunk and Mia and jesi shared the bottom bunk.
Kelli drove out with Hannah (Rachel's neice and Kelli's photography assistant) and the twins, Jensen & Bradley. We had a picnic lunch, visited a bunch, and then rode horses.
Mia and Jesi started out on the pony, Jigsaw, and then the next day wanted to ride Frankie (my Thorobred mare) after seeing the boys ride her. Tate, Cooper, and Avery, and their cousin, Braiden, all rode by themselves- way to go guys!! Even Coen loved riding the pony! And Rachel did great!
Later, Tom took the kids on the 4 wheeler and explored the stream. We then had a bonfire and roasted marshmellows/made s'mores.
The next day Grandpa Tom made French Toast and then he and the kids all played in the stream- building dams and ponds, etc. I had to run a horse to Salt Lake to the vet and pick up one that was there so I missed out on all the fun! But that afternoon we rode horses again (the girls insisted!) and then everyone took naps so we wouldn't be tired at the Manti Pageant.
We picked the blanket area and had a good view of the pageant. Of course most everyone fell asleep- except, Jesi! we brought lots of snacks to eat and it was a beautiful evening.
There was so much we packed into the 2 days- and Tate even found some cool rocks! Good-byes were hard- but well see them again soon.
After the visit we had LOTS of catch up at work. The end of June was very busy. Normally the summer slows WAAAAY down- but June was very busy and July started out that way, so we'll see.
Well, here's one of the CRAZIEST things I've done in a long time. The whole story is a little long, so I won't bore you with the details, but the jist of it is I made a deal with a lady in Oregon who raises beautiful Welsh ponies. I'm training 2 of her stallions and promoting them here in Utah and taking them to the Sport Pony inspection the end of August in exchange for a registered Welsh mare.
These are large ponies- big enough for a small adult to ride without looking ridiculous. anyway- I had a window of opportunity to go and get them and that was last week. I left early Tues morning, picked up my friend Phyllis in Lindon and we headed for Boise. I dropped her off at her son's home and kept going on to Joseph, Oregon.
A picture of their ranch with ponies out in pasture.
It was a long day, but a beautiful drive the last hour as I wound through the mountains of Oregon. Kathleen put me up for the night, and we spent the evening looking at her ponies and deciding what one I was to get. The next morning was the same. Finally, we struck a deal- I actually took 2 mares- neither was my first choice- those weren't for sale. But I felt really good about the two I did take. They are so cute! So around 1 PM, we loaded up the two pony stallions (they each had their own divided space in the trailer, and put the two mares in the very back spot. It was a bit crowded, but they fit. Little did I realize that one of the mares was actually in heat! It was a rough first hour with stallions sqealing and kicking a bit- till they calmed down.
This is the Welsh pony stallion, Evan's Providence Of The Night, I'm breeding the mares to and training to present at the German sport pony stallion inspection.
This is a picture of Lil Miss Kadee- one of the mares I got.
And this is Dreamland Princess Gretchen- a real sweetheart of a pony.
Going slower, it took me nearly 5 hours to get to my brother-in-law's, Terry, house where I spent Wednesday night. He and Dana, his wife, were so helpful in putting us up for the night and getting us on our way the next morning. Terry helped me unload/load ponies and had corrals all ready for them! I stopped again in Boise to pick up Phyllis and we headed back home.
I was so grateful that Phyllis wanted to take the trip with me-we had a GREAT time chatting about everything and we also listened a bit to a book on tape. She did a great job keeping me awake while I drove!
I finally got home and unloaded the ponies late Thursday night, just before dark. They have all adjusted to their new home really well. I took the pics from Kathleen's website:
http://www.evans-welshponies.com
Tom, the ever patient soul- just looked at me and asked "when do you have time for this?" Good question. I guess the next two month will answer that. I will squeeze in training them between,guests, new babies, work, and my wonderful, supportive, husband. The stallions will go home after the inspection. So it will just be a bit crazy for the next two months.
POST NOTE- Tom found our camera that has been lost since may- waaay under the seat of the truck- it's been there all this time! So maybe the next post will have pictures again :-)
Tyler and Elli help Kelli put on the finishing touches for the party.
Brad and Jensen discover how to eat cake.
Jensen discovers a faster method.
