My Baby is 10

How could it be ten years already? Hayden made the transition to double digits yesterday. He is nearly as tall as me and until about 2:30 this afternoon, his hair is nearly as long as mine (well, not quite, but its pretty darn long). After school the hair comes off and I am hoping just a bit that he will look like my baby again!

It's All Here!!

It's been a couple weeks, but finally getting around to this. Long story, I had a old single horse trailer that Brian left me. It was a serious pain to load Billy and that little single axle trailer didn't seem too safe. There was certainly no money for a bigger trailer. I'd priced them but the only thing that came close was a two horse straight load and that seemed like it would be hard to get the horse into also. A two horse slant load might as well have been a million. Then I get this phone call. It was incredible. I was out at the barn and my cell rings. Its the trainer. He asks how my truck is running and then asks if I have some money laying around. No. No money. But it turns out, he is hanging out with a mechanic friend (who had just fixed my Expedition which was on its last legs) and the mechanic had a horse trailer to sell. Cheap. A two horse slant load Logan that I had admired when he was working on the Expedition. I went to see it that night and the money appeared. I made a deal then and there and picked it up a week later. Could not believe my good fortune. Alas, good fortune only lasts so long. The Expedition heaved its final breath and I was forced (hee-hee!) to replace it. Got a pretty cute girls truck.... a 2010 Ford F150. I look at this and cannot believe its all MINE!
Take a look!

Billy before and after!!

We took a ride through Henry Coe State Park yesterday. Perfect weather. Billy passed the brain-bending obstacles of having to walk past a salamander (scary!) and being passed two times by a gang of 4H goats and kids out for a walk. He also braved several water crossings. Here are some before and after....that winter coat sure makes for a sweaty and dirty horse at the end of the trail.

Santa's little secrets

Well both of the kids are firm believers in Santa. We made our annual visit to Santa at Daddy's work this year. Always fun...the kids get photos with Santa and goody bags and cookies. Then we go to Christmas in the Park and follow that by stuffing ourselves silly at The Spaghetti Factory. I never ever get good Santa photos....but in this one, Santa was telling Willow something. No idea what. I am just worried what he might have promised to bring her.

Coming clean!

I think its time I came clean about Billy. I only post and send pics of me riding him. Never with me on the ground. Its because I have a dirty little secret. He's not really a horse. Nope. Measured him and he's seriously a hair shy of horse height. I guess he would technically be a pony...maybe. But I can't admit it. So I did what any pony-fearing person would do. I coughed up the big bucks for horseshoes. Now, when you measure him....he's a horse. Just don't tell anyone how I did it. Was it worth it? You bet.
Here we are together. Me and my pony horse.

Has it really been that long since I posted? Does anyone even read here anymore?
Well, looking back at my last couple posts, I can tell you this much:
Willow's front teeth finally came out.
Billy horse came home from training. He's a genius now.

In other news....Hayden got his braces on. I think he looks handsome. On a related note, I also feel broke. Silly dental insurance, why do I even pay premiums on you?
Made some major headway on the living room update. Need to get some pics of that. Which reminds me that its the time of year to start worrying about a Christmas card photo. Sheesh.

Just for kicks, the pic is Billy at the beach on September 13. The beach must be very relaxing...he is sound asleep. Yes, I know my jeans are too short. Will work on that!

Empty Nest Syndrome

On Sunday, Dad and I loaded Billy boy into his little trailer and shipped him off....
The little fellow is going to Hollister for a solid month of formal education. He should be smart when he gets back! He will be smart and I will be poor. Maybe his smarts can buy us both dinner! He was pretty freaked out when he got out of the trailer and saw a kajillion other horses that he had never met. He also looked pretty freaked out when we pulled away...without him! However, the big freak out was when dad pulled up home with the empty trailer. Billy's horse friend Major kept trying to look in the trailer....looking for his friend. He seemed concerned, but not so concerned that he didn't want a handful of hay. What will I do with my free time for a month?!?!?!