Ansel

Shawn's beautiful trailer and Chevy F 350 Diesel truck...very nice!  

The man.

He's so big!  

Very gentle

Now can you see why I can't get on without a mounting block?

Ansel arrived May 21st.  My friend Shawn had an awful fall and broke his shoulder and fibula.  I ended up meeting him, helping him hook up his trailer and loading and driving Ansel home with his help.  Ansel was a perfect gentleman.  Loads like a dream!  (Not like someone else I know, depending on her mood)  It also helped that he had a gorgeous trailer, extra large and tall to accomodate his size.  Kacee was definitely attracted to him...lot's of squealing, kicking and striking like a typical mare.  Now he rules the roost.  We've ridden several times.  His size is very intimidating at first, but we are getting used to each other.  We went on a couple of trail rides.  He was very good, a bit out of sorts when he saw several beef cows on Cumming's farm.  I don't think he had ever seen a cow.  I got off, then had to assist Molly's help getting back on.  (No mounting blocks in the boonies)  Ended up heading back to Cummings and hearing Molly shout, "get off now", popped down in time to see 5 miniature goats loose and running toward us.  He didn't mind, ? I think maybe he thought they were dogs.  They came right up to him.  It was really neat to see this 15oo lb horse lumbering over these tiny goats.  We rode again today in Robin's meadow.  Molly ended up riding Ansel as I couldn't get on without the mounting block.  (I ordered another one to keep down there and something called a stirrup extender to try.  We'll see!

I'm Back!!

our departure!

the hotel in Manchester.

Breakfast bagel and coffee at the airport!

One of our scenic drives.

Rich and Nancy

Our ponies..they arrived on an open trailer all tacked up and ready to go.  We had an awesome 2 hour ride in the desert.  Lots of great scenery, open range cattle, cactus.

Nancy

Rich

My horse was Brownie.

Las Vegas

Our very comfy room.

Rich and Nancy's pool and beautiful back yard.

Tuck

Rich and Nancy and Molly

Hot tub and drinks!

Our first dinner was rack of lamb on the grill...so delicious!

Sorry it's been so long since I've posted on the blog!  I've got a lot of catching up to do.  Molly and I had a great trip to Arizona in May.  It was her first time flying.  We left from Manchester, NH (stayed in a motel the night before and took the shuttle to the airport).  Our flight stopped in Las Vegas for about an hour and a half and then directly to Tucson.  Rich and Nancy met us at the airport and we had a wonderful time visiting with them and catching up with Mom.  It was a great trip!  Enjoyed the desert museum, trailriding in the desert and great food everyday.  Beautiful country and gorgeous weather.  So refreshing to have 4 days of sunshine.

Molly's home for the summer!

Well we headed over to NH today and picked up Molly after her last final.  I can't believe her freshman year is complete!  She did great and we are soooo proud of her!  She got the word the other day that she got the job in the OR!  She's very excited!  Hospital orientation is only twice a month and the first is when we'll be in Arizona so she will start on May 23rd.  It's per diem but she will train full time over the summer.  Good starting pay also and great experience and a foot in the door if she is interested in OR nursing.

The malibu was inspected but just barely the other day.  Apparently the frame is very rusted and worn underneath.  John went to Alderman's the next day after work and drove a 3 year old impala and it was cherry.  He worked out a deal with them and brought it home the next day.  It's got lots of safety factors, side airbags, 3 years full warranty left and only 26000 miles.  It's got 6 months of onstar and xm radio for free!  Drives like a dream, very quiet, good mileage and like I said before SAFE!  I feel much better about her going back and forth over the mountain in a newer car and it will be more reliable when she starts her clinical rotation.  I want one now!  My truck has 132,000 miles and is 7 years old!  Still going strong though, hopefully for another year at least.  Vermont winters are very hard on vehicles.

Next week will start getting packed for our trip.  Getting excited!  Here are some pictures of Easter dinner at Carol's.  The kids had a great time doing a scavenger hunt.