Roasting Marshmellows in the front yard

It was another cold December evening in Ennis, TX. Nick and mommy had spent the day baking Christmas cookies and Mimi's homemade fudge. Once we were done, daddy and Nick made a warm bondfire. So we all bundled up in our hats, mittens and scarves and roasted our left over marshmellows. Of course Nick and Gracie K. took advantage of the warm fire to play outside and run around the yard. Four more days until Christmas. We can't wait!!

I love this horse! (Excuse my sloppy riding here)

Aside from the fact that I am not at all riding how my trainer wants me to yet, my horse is just awesome and is getting all this stuff much faster than I am! I am just going to take a moment to bragg on him here. He was just a diamond in the rough when I got him. These pictures were taken by my trainers daughter, Rebekka Scott. She has a great eye for pictures and took some great ones of Sam. Look at how big a beautiful he is! He has the cutest face. (You would never know he plans to kill me someday.) I just love this horse and have never owned one this nice before. Well, aside from Hannah, but that is like comparing apples and oranges. Hannah just wants to prance around looking pretty, Sam wants to perform.

Nick makes he plea to Santa, Gracie K. still weary of the big guy in red!

Nick and Gracie K. had a great time at the KJT Christmas party. Decked out in their Santa hats, Nick tried to explain who this big guy in red is and why you should get on his good side. Gracie did not buy it however, and refused to sit on his lap for even a second!


Nick on the other hand wasted no time. He quickly jumped up there in no time and got right to the point. A Batman computer is a must along with a Coast Guard helicopter. As you can see, he was very serious, since this is a very serious situation. He had a bad false alarm already this year. He was a little confused the morning after putting lights up and thought it was Christmas day and Santa had forgot to leave anything for him and Gracie! That was a major event and now we have an advent tree to help keep track of the days until the big day! But no fears everyone, Nick and Santa got it all worked out and Nick is pretty confident he will be rewarded for his good efforts throughout the year.

Our New Home in the Country!

Gracie K. and Nick are happy to report that the Strunc family has got the heck out of Dodge and have settled out in the country. Nick loves the 2.5 acres or freedom away from any traffic and strangers. Gracie loves to give an endless supply of carrots to the horses who have learned to run to the fence when they see her. She parades around in her horse boots and says "wow! horsie!"

Marci is having a blast riding her horses. Mia, my trainer, has helped me so much with my riding and Sam transition from a race horse to a pleasure/dressage horse. I have some bad riding habits from my "cowgirl" days that are hard to break, but I am improving. Ken says Hannah is now his horse, but everyone knows Hannah and I were destined to grow old together. I know Ken is just enjoying her while I am busy with Sam. Nick is riding all by himself now. By next summer I bet Nick and Ken will be going out on trail rides together. His horse Shy is old and kind of ugly, but worth his weight in gold because I can trust him with children. "Pretty is as pretty does" when it comes to Shy and his place in our family. He has a home with us until his last days.