We had this horse hidden in a back paddock for a week or two before Christmas. Russell never noticed her. She’s a Halfling. Halflings are a draft breed but they’re small. Now we have Shires and a Halfling. It’s a bit ironic for us LOTR fans. Her name was Robbie, but Russell changed it to Sandy. He just felt too wierd having a horse with the same name as his younger brother.

For Russell’s birthday in February, he got a forecart for her to pull and the necessary harness. He couldn’t have been more thrilled.

She can be ridden or driven. She’s a real sweet horse and a hard worker. Russell loves her.

It was Robbie’s first pinewood derby this year. He made a real cool looking car. I figure I will help make about 24 pinewood derby cars between my 6 boys. Man, it doesn’t get any better than that! That’s nothing compared to the Duggars. Have you heard about that family?? Wow!! They are something else — what an inspiration!

One of our goals for the year 2005 was to get a milk cow. Well a few weeks before Christmas we went to visit the Godfrey’s down in Bryan, TX to look at a horse for Russell and we found not only the horse we were looking for but this sweet Jersey cow. We decided she’d be a great Christmas present for Rebecca. The cow’s name is Sugar.

We got some instruction when we picked her up, but then it came time to milk her ourselves. We struggled for a while, but got the hang of it eventually.

Robbie and Peter look on hoping to get in there and participate.

Ryan tried his hand at it.

Russell has been one of the better milkers.

Everyone that comes for a visit gets a chance to milk her. She’s so patient with all the different inexperienced handlers. Here, Adam Jones is getting some milk to flow. Adam is a frequent milker.

Sugar gives us about 2 gallons milking her once a day in the mornings. She makes about a pint of heavy cream. We drink it unpasteurized and unhomogenized. We do drink it cold. Man is it good!

Lacey get’s her chance to shine.

Jacquie is enjoying her opportunity.

The Boy Scouts had their annual winter camp here again this year. They upgrade their attractions each year. This is their new and improved zip line. It starts at the top of this deer stand and goes across the lake to another tree on the other side. No one got hurt too bad this year! That’s good!

The rope bridge (over the dried up lake this year) is always a big attraction. Here’s Korey Hughes making his way across.

We did participate in the Waxahachie Christmas parade this year. We took Sky and Sapphire and the wagonette and plenty of family. That was a blast. If Katie had been home by then, we could have used this for our Christmas letter picture.

We’re at the staging area getting ready. It wasn’t easy finding a place to park with the 40 ft. horse trailer which was towing the 16 footer all towed by the Dodge Dually, but obviously we made it. Ryan and Rebecca are harnessing the horses in preparation for the parade. Of course, it took us about 2 hours just to get them bright and shiny white like this.

Russell and Rebecca hook them up to the wagonette.

Can you see these jingle bells? We got these in the day before the parade. Surprisingly, they make a very joyful noise. We got these from Jim and Katie Dingman of the Lignite Carriage Company in Fredonia, WI. They make a wonderful product and they’re great to work with. But you gotta see the bells Diane got for me from them for Christmas: That’s a whole ‘nother level.

Once all the prep work (that I’ve feverishly slaved at photgraphing), I climb up into the driver’s seat.

We met our friends the Corbrans at the parade. That’s Rebecca with Katie (the Corsicana Central Quarterhorse Association English High Point champion for 2005 — we just call her “Champ”). Notice the fine belt buckle. I think Katie and Rebecca were neck and neck in that competition and Katie won it at the wire. Good job Katie! Katie’s dad Wally is looking on.

We’re out on the parade route now. I’ve got Robbie and Russell up front with me and a full load of family and cousins and Grandma and a few Aunts and Uncles in the back. My goodness!

I didn’t get any more pics than this. It takes way too much concentration to be messing around with a camera :-)

The parade wasn’t without incident. It’s nerve-wracking driving a rig like that with these huge animals pulling it. Hauling the rig to the parade route with two trailers in two and about 80 total feet of equipment rolling down the freeway was nothing in comparison. The animals behaved so well. There were times when the route took us through some narrow streets with people stacked 3 and four deep watching and making all kinds of noises and flashing their cameras. Once when we were going up a hill and then stopped, I stepped on the brake and didn’t feel it stopping well enough so I stepped even harder. Well, next thing I know, the brake pedal gave way and it was pedal to the medal, but not in a good way. Yikes!

Thank goodness the horses are so well mannered and didn’t panic, or that could have been some trouble. They just stood there and bore the load and stayed right with the parade. All in all, it was great fun.

 
Aubrey South popped over for a visit on Thanksgiving day. Naturally, the trampoline beckoned. 

Time to make the Piece de Resistance on the Johnson Ranch. We start with this uninviting stand of brush and bramble. Then we bring in Ken Cheatham with his bulldozer/loader. Ken’s been a good neighbor over the years.

Ken Cheatham clears all the bramble and starts making the dam.

This is Ken with his loader. If this dam holds the water (if we ever get any more rain), then this will be a beautiful lake in a beautiful setting.

President Eric Johnson in the middle with Wyatt as First Counselor, Zack as 2nd Counselor and Josh as Secretary.

We got a whole bunch of sand delivered to the indoor arena. Hopefully it will be less dusty in there and better on the horses. But before we spread out all the piles, it’s time to get out the trucks and enjoy all the sand dunes!

The indoor arena is about 200×75, so now we have a giant sand box. Actually, we moved the portable volleyball standards in there and have played some good Vball in there a few times. We’ve also played Ultimate Frisbee in there. That deep sand will tax a body, let me tell you.

Ryan had a get together with some friends at the ranch. They played Ultimate Frisbee in the indoor arena then headed out on a hayride to cook some ‘Smores. This is Jordan’s team. With Tommy, Dani, Marlee, Dana, Jordan, Sabrina, Aaron and Holly.

This is Ryan’s team with Kris, Kelsey,Melissa, Ryan, Mackenzie, Trinity, Talisa and Adam.

OK, so we don’t get a lot of the fall colors tourists’ dollars here in Texas, but there is the occasional tree that makes a good show.
We don’t get a lot of color, but we appreciate the effort by this tree.

This was an unusually colorful year for us. Maybe because of so little rain or the timing of the very little rain we did get.