Just in the NICK of Time

So, one week before we were to set out on our first trail-riding trip of the season, I lost the use of the Riding School's horse trailer and our horse Clifford injured himself in a spectacular way.

Amazingly enough, with a large thanks to my wonderful hubby Nick, we managed to secure both a horse trailer and a second (or third??) horse. Nick found this horse trailer on Craigslist and sent me out to the Dalles to look at it. We are now the proud owners of a three-horse slant load:





Then, my best friend's mother-in-law (who is also injured in a spectacular fashion) offered to let me take her four year baby for the summer. So I'm putting miles on "Kate", who is quiet and sensible but hasn't had much riding experience under her belt. Nick has agreed to let me board Kate near our house, so for the next three months I have a project horse to work with. I like bringing along babies and Kate is very fancy, so I am thrilled.




Thank you, thank you Nick! I love you!!

-Heather

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

Simon got his new 'do for the summer. The next day someone told me you aren't supposed to clip Austrailian Shepards because their coats are made to cool them off.

Opps.

Well, I think Simon is happier anyway with his shorter hair cut!

- H

Lilah's New Favorite Game

Baby L loves her Daddy!! It's so obvious in this video! Excuse Nick's bedhead!! :)

-H

My First Mother's Day

My first Mother's Day was awesome!! I slept in, had breakfast in bed, went riding, took a long bubble-bath, talked on the phone with friends, toured a new WA state park with the family, and ate whatever I wanted for dinner. Nick got me a sapphire necklace -- it's Lilah's birthstone! And, best of all, I didn't have to change any diapers yesterday. SWEET. Can't every day be Mother's Day??

Thank you Nick!!









And this is why we're here....

love, H

Just in time for Mother's Day...

It has been an unusually long time for me not to have posted a blog. I try to post something new at least once a week, but lately I have had my hands full with a sick baby. As timing would have it, Lilah developed her first ear infection while Nick was out-of-town for business. In addition to her ears hurting, she is also teething and has a cold that set her up for red eyes with yellow discharge. Yummy. This led to a very cranky baby -- she has been alternately crying and fussy for the last 48 hours, and has been VERY CLINGY. I can hardly go to the bathroom!

I took her to the doctor yesterday and got her started on medicine. Thank god for our modern age with our modern medicine! It has sure made a difference! Nick's appearance at home again helped too. She was so happy to see her Daddy (believe me, I was too!) that Lilah managed to play happily for 30 minutes. She even went to bed fairly easily in her own crib tonight!

Ahhhhh.....

-Heather

Deep breath in... and out.... Ahhhh....

The first trail ride of the season! Finally -- this weather has been too crazy to hit the trails. Jessica and I hit the Molalla River Trail system -- a bunch of trails that intersect each other on BLM land. The horses were absolute rock stars -- both led without a fuss and Sweet P was our fearless leader when it came to the numerous bridge crossings. Jess and I determined Clifford had probably never been out on a trail ride where he has to put himself in four-wheel drive, but for the most part he did great. He even neck-reins, which my father-in-law will love.

Can't wait for the next ride... Andrea -- you're next!

Happy Riding!