Friday, December 27, 2024

Just a Few More Things.

I got my dad a range membership for his birthday.  He has been enjoying it so much.  He got a little 22 like the one I have.  It has been fun having him join me.  I did not realize that my 22 had a sight adjustment.  My dad was able to make the adjustment, and I am shooting so much more accurate as a result.


Oh boy.  The girls let these dogs get away with everything.  There is no way they would be laying on my bed!

Sidney got about a foot of hair taken off.  It is adorable and SO healthy.

Sidney, Jayde and Hannah had their annual gift exchange an party.  This year they went to Indian Creek for the evening.

I made myself this sign.  Yes, I was a bit embarrassed that I might be channeling my inner 12 year old girl, but hey, why not???

Just a cute picture.  Nothing else.

Thursday, December 26, 2024

Christmas at Camp Bow Wow.

Sidney worked on Christmas afternoon.  They do not have daycare on Christmas, but the overnight campers needed to be fed and exercised.  She volunteered for every snuggle time, of course. 



Wednesday, December 25, 2024

Christmas 2024.

We started our Christmas celebration with a beautiful candlelight service at church.  It was very beautiful and meaningful.



This picture was not taken on Christmas day, but is the one time we got the dogs to sit perfectly still in front of the tree.

The girls and I received a soda stream for Christmas.  It has been fun (and chaotic) experimenting with the different concoctions.  We have had one Gatorade mishap, but it was minor.

The girls and I bought matching pajama's this year.  They were ones that we all found very comfy and have definitely gotten our mileage out of them.  I fear they will continue to be worn after Christmas.

Bailey having a conversation with my dad.

Dani and Bella taking a rest between play sessions.

My mom got each of the dogs, bear that match their fur color.  

Here Bella is trying to sneak away with Bailey's bear.

The dogs did SO good with the presents this year, right up until Christmas Eve.  I do have to mention the incident when Kristin was over.  Kristin brought us a plate of cookies.  Kristin, my mom and I were sitting at the kitchen table.  We had left the gate open.  We heard some rustling in the dining room.  Then Bella came running in with tissue paper in her mouth.  Right behind her came Bailey with the gift bag in his mouth.  We were able to snag the gift before they got to far along. 

However, Christmas Eve morning I went into the dining room to find the remains of Kendall's envelope from Terrell.  They had eaten the card, the check and most of the envelope.  

If that was not enough, a few hours later I walked in to find the remains of my sisters gift to Kendall.  It was the same aforementioned bag that they had tried to snag a week earlier.  I am not sure what it was about that bag.  It was hard to rest easy knowing that one of them had ingested a plastic gift card.  I googled it and it said as long as there are no signs of distress, make sure they have plenty of water.  Of course, my mind kept thinking of Pam's dog that ingested the little plastic squeaker inside dog toys.  Her dog had to have a major surgery, a week at the vet and thousands of dollars in medical bills to get through that one.  I am grateful to report that we are now 72 hours post event, and I think we are in the clear.  I have now deduced that it was Bella that ate the card,  Needless to say, I was monitoring them closely.

We had a fabulous night of Bingo.  We each drew categories this year, and the girls participated in the gift buying.  I think that made it so much more fun for them.  They categories made for a nice variety of fun gifts.  We managed to take no pictures.  Kendall did have this one in her snapchat.  Phew!

My sister got me this stunning Christmas bouquet.  It is thriving so nicely.  I keep refreshing the water, trying to get the most lift out of them.


Sidney took these cute Christmas present pictures of the horses.  


These dogs sure were menaces this year, but we love them anyways.

The girls and I took in a late night Christmas movie, in our Christmas PJ's, of course.  The theater was packed.  It was a lot of fun.

Sunday, December 22, 2024

Snow Season.

 Sidney has contracted a serious case of snow fever.  She and Hannah headed up the mountain for their first run of the season.


Sidney has been wanting to give skiing a try as well.  Claire works at Bogus and was able to hook Sid up with some rentals to try.


They skied until Sid's legs were wobbly, which basically meant they closed the place down.  No worries that she could barely walk the next day.  She is young!


Sidney fell in love with skiing.  So, we hit up Play It Again Sports and she found a great little used setup for an amazing price.

Saturday, December 21, 2024

Extreme Gingerbread Houses.

Kendall joined the Nelson's this year for their annual gingerbread house making.  Mind you, this is not for amateurs.  Apparently they draw themes, go to Winco and have 15 minutes and $20 to buy their supplies.  Then...game on! 



Asher's was coming along so nicely up until the point that it didn't!  UGH!


Eli and Sophia's creation.

Rebecca's creation.

Kendall and Hannah's creation.

Of course, Kendall ran an informal instagram poll and the log cabin took the prize!  Rebecca want the whole Strong family to join in next year.  I better start practicing now:)!

Friday, December 20, 2024

Cheers to the Indoor Arena!

 We have had such rainy days and the dark comes way to soon.  Thankfully, the ranch has an indoor arena.  We have been taking the horses in there to get them used to it.  The sounds in the indoor are so much louder and echo.  Noel set up this great little round pen in the corner of the arena, which is perfect for working the horses (aka Levi).  


I got to hang out with Levi for a bit, while Sid walked Levi over.  


Yep, I wear so many layers that it is a wonder I can even move, but I stay nice and comfy.  Pigeon hates this ball, and he really hates it when we bounce up and down on it, but he puts up with it.

Sabrina put up her Christmas blowups.  Levi does not seem to mind them in the least.  Pigeon on the other hand, is not a fan.

Sidney has been taking advantage of the nice days and the time off from school to enjoy a few extra rides on Pigeon.

I was taking a peaceful selfie with the horses, when they decided to engage in horse play.

Thursday, December 19, 2024

December at Dutch.

 First of all, a cute shot of my favorite bro-ista!


Kendall and her co-workers always seem to be having a good time, though I know that is not always the case.

One of Kendall's co-workers decorated reindeer cups for each of the bro-istas on shift.  They did a cute video taking dubs to the Christmas song.

On the bottom of each cup was a picture of each person.  I think they nailed it!

Dutch has a great view of the sunrises, and Kendall is often at work early enough to catch these.  We marvel how this night owl daughter of mine manages to make it on time to work at 5am.

Kendall loves when customers bring their little pets through.  Kendall got to hold this little kitty for a few minutes.  She was quick to thoroughly wash her hands immediately as she is allergic, but thought it was so worth it!

Saturday, December 14, 2024

Jump Show Twins.

I was not able to make it to the December jump show, as I started dog training lessons with Bella.  My mom sent me the videos from each round.  Sidney sent me this picture.  My first question was whether or not Sidney and Jayde had planned to dress alike.  Apparently they did not.  When they met at the ranch to load up the horses, they had on the same color breeches.  Jayde instantly said "You are not going to believe what top I have on."  Sure enough, they were pretty close.  I love these girls!


Sidney said Pigeon was having a bit of an off day.  However, they still did remarkably well.  He is such a sweet boy.  You can just see their bond in this picture.