You can always pause the music on the player to the right and you can also view pictures larger by clicking on them :-)
. . . then Samson, a stuffed horse and a rocking horse will do. Isaac is part BibleMan (the cape) part cowboy :-)
Somehow Madison managed to get Samson all set up with a lead rope, halter and reigns! She is so funny and he is so tolerant :-)
Samson sets his pride aside to please one of his favorite people!
Samson (he is part Great Dane and part Boxer) doesn't realize he is a BIG dog :-) Not only does he sit on our laps and constantly snuggle up to us he is scared of dogs WAY smaller than himself :-) A couple years ago he even curled up into our baby bouncer seat! He cracks us up :-)
After leaving the cabin we stopped at the fish hatchery to enjoy more of the beautiful sunny day. The pond was filled with big fish - they were everywhere.
The scene at our house yesterday morning. Yes, Samson really was sitting like this and never even made a move after several pictures were taken. He is a snuggly dog who doesn't realize he is too big to be a lap dog (though he tries endlessly) or always laying/leaning on you. Thankfully, we usually don't mind his snuggles :-) He has been extra clingy lately and rarely leaves us alone, which is a bit odd. It is so cute to see Madison sitting there reading the paper. It is such a common sight! She loves reading it each morning by the fire. She only looks at the free section and the fliers. She looks at the free stuff every day and is certain that there will be a horse in there! She sure has determination and faith! :-)
These two are usually together and playing anything you could imagine. They play great together, which is awesome for me! So nice to get a break from fighting every so often :-) The other day she yelled from the another room, "Isaac, wanna play guns!?!" She can usually be found outfitted in Isaac's knights attire with a sword in her hand or with a sheriffs badge on her vest and a horse by her side or many other play things all "boy" :-) She thinks it is great. She can equally be found pushing her baby around in a stroller, changing her babies diapers or playing with her princess wand and wings. Just like Madison, Hannah is a great mix of girly girl and tom boy! 
We went to bed with drizzling rain and woke up to at least a foot of snow and it is still snowing. Hannah looked out the window and said, "It's Winter"
Samson stands on the patio deciding if he really wants to venture out into all this white stuff!
He remembered his former winter days and raced out, jumping, running and dashing through the snow. It was hilarious seeing him try to go to the bathroom in this deep snow! Hhhhmmmmm . . . . . how can I do this without putting my bottom in the snow. Samson's big question of the day!
As soon as we knew we were leaving MN and heading to MT we began praying for the transition, particularly for Madison. She has two passions - drawing and horses. In Roseau, God had provided two people/places for her to have art and riding lessons. We didn't seek this out for her, it just "happened". God is so good like that! Anyways, not only did she enjoy these lessons, she really loved her teachers. We knew it would be hard for her to leave them and the lessons behind. Once again, God has provided above and beyond what we could have expected here in MT. Through a neighbor of Brock's mom's we found a place for her to take lessons that has been awesome. She gets individual attention, a horse and a teacher that she really likes and the opportunity to use the horse she rides in 4H! We are thrilled about this additional perk and know she will LOVE doing the horse program in 4H. In addition to this, Madison's lesson just happens to be right before her new friends lesson and they get to do their cool down/warm up together. Madison has longed to ride casually with a friend here :-) The way God works out details is always amazing. We are so thankful to be in His loving care!!
Madison and Barney
Madison riding with Samantha and Sadie
Hannah and Isaac also enjoy the lessons because they get to play, play, play in the sand :-)
Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4
. . . . when stagecoaches were the mode of transportation
. . . . when cowboys were the norm and horses ran free
Although I am thankful for the time in history that God has placed me in, it would still be fun to have lived in those days :-) We were able to get a little glimpse of life one Saturday in a neighboring town. The horses are being transferred from their winter location which provided many an opportunity to witness a "wild herd" of horses. The horses were beautiful and such a variety of colors. It was fun to watch but ended much to quickly :-)
We walked to the nearby field where the horses were taken and enjoyed watching them
I am continually in awe of what beautiful creatures horses are!
It was so much fun to go out to our friends house and see their new baby bunnies. They were so tame and loved being held. We all wanted to take one home! I even called Brock and asked if we could. Thankfully he wasn't smitten by the cute little things and talked some sense into me.
Everyone had their favorite bunny and luckily there were enough to go around! A highlight for all of them was feeding time. The bunnies nibbled away at the little carrots and everyone got a kick out of it. Isn't this picture so hilarious! The bunny is sitting so perfect. It would slowly lean back farther and farther then tip over. It quickly sat right back up for more treats!
Don't tell me you wouldn't you want to bring these home for your kids too??? :-)
I love this second picture because you can see Isaac and his little sitting bunny in the background.
As you can see our little animal lover found yet another animal to LOVE
Hannah was her typical self - hesitant at first and real reserved. Eventually, she warmed up to them and enjoyed feeding them carrots. She was a bit forceful with her carrots but did great.
Sheila helping Hannah say goodbye to her furry little friends.
Hannah was very hesitent of getting too close to the bunny. Connor was very patient and helpful - slowly getting her aquainted. It was very cute!
He was so great with the bunnies and did awesome helping Hannah feed them. She was much more receptive to the bunnies once Connor was showing her the ropes.
Such a bright green - so pretty
I love how he is staring right at me :-)
. . . . when cowboys were the norm and horses ran free 
Everyone had their favorite bunny and luckily there were enough to go around! A highlight for all of them was feeding time. The bunnies nibbled away at the little carrots and everyone got a kick out of it. Isn't this picture so hilarious! The bunny is sitting so perfect. It would slowly lean back farther and farther then tip over. It quickly sat right back up for more treats!
Don't tell me you wouldn't you want to bring these home for your kids too??? :-)
