Last week, back when it was warmer. Maddy  and Durango went on a nice ride.

Up the hill. I have video, but I would like to shorten it a little before placing in here.

When they were done with the ride, they took a little dip into the water.

He sure seems to enjoy it.

Later on, Maddy brought the rest of the horses out to play in the water. They sure had a good time. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to take pictures.

Back for more.

Duke had a good time trying to chase the geese.

Some day he’ll learn that wings beat legs.

Maddy is having a good time with Durango. She’s turned our driveway into a small cross country course.

She is riding down the driveway and goes up and around the barn, down the road and back around again.

There is a hill that goes between the house and the barn, which Maddy and Durango ride up.

And she’s a flyin’.

Back around again.

I did miss them going to a pond that has developed on part of the property and swimming with the geese. Next time.

Here’s Ashley and Aaron, mom and son. They traveled with me to meet Aaron’s great grandmother.

Here is greatgrandma, protecting the air from her cold germs, feeding baby Aaron.

Aaron’s great Uncle Claude and great Aunt Sandy came to visit and meet him.

Aunt Nancy couldn’t get enough of the baby. Perhaps she needs to spend more time being a co-grandma.

Here’s Aaron looking at him mom.

Good night baby Aaron.

Meet Durango. Maddy thought she’d take him for a ride, even though the weather isn’t the greatest. Durango is a 16.3, 12 year old, Russian Warmblood. I mentioned this before, but it is worth mentioning again—Durango comes from Rolling Rock Rescue. .

Maddy has a lot of work to do to get him back in shape, but he is a beautiful horse.

It is the second cold, rainy, miserable day of the weekend. We brought Durango home yesterday (pictures to follow). The horses are in their stalls because of the cold rain, so Maddy and Tory decided to give them a spa day.

Here is Durango with a cooler on, after his spa treatment. He is adjusting to his stall and new friends, but he would prefer to be outside.

Ginger had some serious mane and tail work — look at how beautiful her tail is becoming. Maddy is practicing a little bit of showmanship.

Ginger is checking out Maddy as she braids and and wraps her tail.

Now it is Athena’s turn, Tori started with the curry comb on this curly girl.

Monty is getting ready to go to camp. He gets to hang out at a new barn for the next six months and meet lots of new friends.

Maddy was explaining all of the camp rules to him.

He responded by sticking out his tongue.

But she got him ready for the trip and we took a few pictures. If you really want the full versions of any of these posts, you’ll have to come visit.

Good bye Monty, have a great time. We will see you often.

Here he is in his new home outside of Oshkosh. It didn’t take him long to start munching away. But we will see him soon. They hope to bring him to Little I for his first show. We hope to be there too!

After the rain and wild rivers ran, this is what was left behind.

It almost looks like a bunch of broken glass following nature’s fury.

The ice art really is quite beautiful, but I was thinking about why it is so difficult for me to create blog posts and I realized I take too many photos. The time consuming part is getting the photos ready. So I really did some serious editing.

If you look carefully you can see how high the water was. When the water levels went down and the cold temperatures moved in, ice blankets were created on to p of the grasses.

This is a branch from a tree hanging over the river. I love the little piece of ice lace left behind.

Duke was pretty amazed by it all and wasn’t quite sure how to navigate.

But he found his way around.

Chuck and Duke enjoying the winter canvas.

Such a picturesque Wisconsin farm.