Taffy, the new pony

Hello Everyone from HOT and HUMID Iowa! Here are the highlights from today...
Earlier in the summer my dad borrowed a horse, "Lucky," from a farmer so that the grandchildren would have a horse to ride when they come out to the country for a visit. Well, the short version of Lucky's story is that he would not walk because he led a pretty "unlucky" life and his hooves had gotten too long. My dad had them shorn and he still wouldn't allow himself to be led... or rode. He only would walk if you were behind him giving him a swat on the behind. He was like 25 years old or something and a little on the big side which scared the little girls some. SOoooo.... he had to go. SOoooo my dad arranged to borrow a pony this week and was to pick him up today. He hadn't seen this pony but the Amish man said that his kids rode her all the time and she was so kind and gentle that they just rode her bare back. "Alright!" is what my dad was thinking. Madison was so excited for today to come, she could hardly contain herself. She and Quinn went with Grandpa to pick Taffy up. Well when they came driving back in with the pony in the huge trailer, I could hardly contain myself. Scroll down for your first look at Taffy!











"Look Mom, no hands!"

Isn't she the cutest LITTLE pony you've ever seen? I mean, she is darling but not exactly what Grandpa had in mind! Madison looks like she could squash her any second. The Amish man was right... she is very gentle and tame and doesn't even need a saddle to be rode!!! It actually has turned out fine because the kids can be outside with her, riding her all around, and no adult is even needed! Mikayla and Hailey have done really well with her. I don't' know how old she is but she just had a foal this summer and the foal was just recently weaned. That foal must be the size of a small dog I'm thinking.


I teased the kids that they looked like Mary and Joseph... in reverse, since Quinn is riding. Madison said, "Well since I'm going to have a baby, I'm going to be healthy and walk!" Ha!

Grandpa had planned all along to go to the horse sale in Kalona which is the first Monday of the month. He's been thinking about buying a pony/horse instead of borrowing. (He's borrowed several times over the past years for the grandkids). We all traipsed along even though you needed gills to breathe today because it was so humid and jungle-like! Here is a picture of the horse auction... The funny story from this hour was me catching Quinn out of the corner of my eye... wildly waving his arm at the auctioneer... trying to BID!!! I pulled his arm down and asked him what he was doing(!!)... and he said, "Well, I want that horse!" and yes, he thought I would just pay for it later!! Later tonight I was teasing him about almost buying himself a horse for $500 and he said, "Well, I thought that was a really good deal!!" OH MY STARS!




We ate at JW's for lunch (a tradition) and then we headed back to Grandma & Grandpa's house. Of course you can't be in Kalona without running into several people you know! Today we ran into Tony's Aunt Margaret at the Sale Barn (she was working in the office I think!). We also saw his Aunt Barb and cousin Carmen and her girls, Olivia and Mary at the sale barn. I took a picture of Barb, Carmen and the girls but she has forbidden me to post it on my blog. Let's just say we were all sweating just a tad. I honestly can't remember the last time it was this humid!
At J-Dubbs we ran into some people from Mom and Dad's church and also Linda Schweitzer's mom, Dot. SOooo, we got all those people visited after just being in town for 2 hours.

Addi- I actually run into people I know all the time in Iowa! Now you can say "Of course you know them!" like we say to you constantly! (She knows just about EVERYONE in Goshen somehow).

The kids spent the rest of their day riding the 4-wheeler that Jeff brought out to the country and riding the pony. Pretty much they rode something all the time. We also played some Monopoly and cards too. (Don't worry, Quinn had to have an adult with him for his driving!)

OK, well, that's the news from Monday! Hope you are all having a good week. WE ARE!!!! I can post some more pictures later. Amy helped get these on my blog from her house. We are staying with my parents this trip... so thanks Amy!

Love, Leah