My husband's family had a big reunion in southern Oregon. We went by Crater Lake on the way there...

and came home via Portland...

Rose Garden

OMSI

Farmer's Market
In The Pasture
One of the most exciting things that happened this summer is we adopted a horse! I still can't quite believe it. My niece had read in our local paper about a group of young horses that had been rescued from an Indian reservation in northern Idaho. The horses were originally purchased for a rehabilitation program on the reservation, but because of circumstances out of their control, they lost their funding and the horses were about to be sold for slaughter. You can read about them and see the other horses on their website. We went a few times a week to help groom the horses and muck out the pasture. Prior to arriving here in town, the horses hadn't been treated well and were underweight and generally looked pretty ragged. They were naturally shy of humans, but the more we went, the more they warmed up to us and their sweet personalities started to emerge. It wasn't long before we fell in love!

Her full name is Pocahontas, but we call her Poco for short. She's a two-year old registered Paint. My niece also adopted a horse and we took them to their new boarding place at the beginning of September. She has kept us very busy! I've immersed myself in horse-training books and gotten some help from a local trainer. We're also learning about horse nutrition, hoof care, safety, health care and the list goes on.

She's very affectionate, mellow, a bit stubborn and makes these facial expressions that seem to reflect a sense of humor - a good fit for our family :)

saw your horse we have two paint colts and
2 more on the way
Posted by: nell | December 09, 2008 at 08:26 AM
found you via the homeschool post nominations. your blog is refreshingly non-religious, I like it! And I love that photo of the horse belly - what great color. Fun to have found you.
Posted by: renee @ FIMBY | November 15, 2008 at 12:21 PM
Oh, I'm glad you all think Poco is as beautiful as we do!
Kate, I think we have just enough room for a tent in the backyard, so you're welcome anytime ;). I bet our hubbies would get along well and of course Anna would have a whole passel of kids and animals to play with!
Shea, I envy you your horses AND donkeys, lucky girl! Someday... someday... someday...;)
Posted by: Cami | October 29, 2008 at 10:51 AM
She is absolutely gorgeous. How wonderful!
Posted by: Denise | October 28, 2008 at 12:27 PM
Oh, she is absolutely beautiful. I'm so glad you rescured her.
Posted by: Heidi | October 27, 2008 at 03:12 PM
You got a HORSE??? I didn't see that one coming. She's sooo pretty and glad you got a funny one!
Love the summer photos! Must get to Crater Lake!
Posted by: Paper Dolls for Boys | October 26, 2008 at 07:28 AM
Wow, you adopted a horse! That is awesome. Poco is one lucky lady.
Posted by: Emily | October 24, 2008 at 09:43 PM
Oh my god, just when I thought I couldn't envy you more, you go and adopt a Paint.
Will you adopt ME?? Of course, I come with a husband, an 8yo girl, 2 dogs, 1 rabbit and 7 fish. But you'd hardly notice us, and we don't eat much....
Posted by: kate | October 24, 2008 at 10:57 AM
I have horses and donkeys (6 of each) and they are a hoot! Their personalities really come out in their facial expressions. We have one that's Queen of the Pasture, one that's the Jester, one that's the Addict (she's a windsucker), one with a Napolean Complex (that would be the pony) and well... they all have their little issues and idiosyncrases. I love them.
Congrats on adopting a beautiful girl :)
Posted by: Shea | October 24, 2008 at 08:30 AM