Training in Southern Utah

 There is a training technique to get a horse to submit totally to you and to trust you.  It is pretty tricky, but I asked Gregg to help me lay Velvet down after a long ride.  We hoped that she would be tired enough to not fight too much.  Wish Dad had the camera for the first time down.  She and Gregg were both sweating big drops and holding on to their own wills.  Gregg was skilled enough and patient enough to win out in the end.

 When you get them to this point, you pull them all the way over

 then love them up all over

 Then invite them to get up.

 Then I like to sit on her for awhile and love on her some more because she is not quite so frightened at this posture.

 Then, less than a minute later, we did it again.  Less fight, but not much less fright.  Down,

 over

 more assurance that I'm not the enemy

 relaxed again.

 Then, I like to stay on her while she gets back up.  It is quite a rush.

 After this, she should trust me more and bond more to me.  Dad and I did it again when we got home to Idaho.  Almost no fight and not very much fright.

More Southern Utah

 I took my camera so I got a few good shots of Dad.  We had so much fun together!

 The beard looks so great with his western attire.  I'm not so sure about it with a Sunday suit.

 Thanks again, Carlianne, for loaning Moondance.  Dad LOVES her!  We just felt that this ride would be too much for Shilo.  She is not "seasoned" to the big rides.  Hopefully by April!

 Dad and Me, Gregg and Hannah

 Opie is awesome on these rides.  He gets enough exercise that he calms down and he is so good to stay with us and to stay with the tent at night.  He about walked his little feet off so when we stopped for lunch, he actually lay (laid?) quietly beside us.

February in a nutshell

 We had a great time going down to our handsome dentist!  He did a crown for me and had his assistant clean my teeth.  We LOVE our time down there with Michael, Brinn and the kids!  Just hope they can come closer some day.

 Katie came for a visit and we had so much fun.  The children are doing an aerobic video for children while the Moms are downstairs doing a Latin dance video.

 

 Alex was my little apple juice maker.  He has a great attention span for something this interesting!  He loved putting the apple in and then watching the juice come out.  And...........he loved drinking it!

 

 Little Esther is such a sweet, happy baby.  She just sits among the confusion and entertains herself.

 

 We had HUGE windstorms all week.  Look who the wind blew in!

Austin's Wedding

 I am posting these for those of you who couldn't come.  I am sorry that the eyes are closed and I caught Austin kind of funny in the first one, but you get the idea.  His bride is a very sweet girl.  They looked like Barbie and Ken.  Stunning couple!

 They got married in the old Montesorri school by Aunt Cathie's house where Barrett and Audrey had their reception.  You CAN'T believe how beautifully they have restored that old building!  Amazing!  A very fun place for weddings.

 The past few days have been windy, rainy and just plain misserable.  All but for about an hour during pictures after the wedding.

 Austin Lee and Jamie Lee Smith

Mitzi

 All of us have thought Mom should have a dog.  She has always loved them so much and has said many times, "I have never had my own dog and I sure would like to have one".  We have tried a few times in the past but Dad doesn't like little dogs and Mom couldn't handle the larger ones we tried.  Damian and Paula have one of these and Mom was just loving on it so Damian took her over to the place where this dog was.  The owners were trying to find a home for her and Mom and Mitzi fell in love with each other right away.  She is full grown and sweet as can be and has bonded with Mom.  She is a 5 year old Pomeranian.

 It is so cute watching her walking her dog and the dog stays right with her.  It makes me smile all over.

 Don't they match so cute?

Playing around at horse Butte

 Amazing stuff!

 

 

 Janelle Thueson

 Gordon Allen

 Hannah Montana :)

 Dave Thueson Hebgen mama

 Trail boss. Don't know how we missed Helen and Randy in these.

CAmp at Wild Horse

 Randy and his artsy pictures.

 fixing dinner in our kitchen tent.  We all took turns planning and bringing ingredients for 2 meals and then everyone helped put it on and clean it up.  We had so much fun in the meal preparation. This is what we went to bed looking at.  Talk about romantic!