Riding in a {Two} Horse, Open Sleigh

What a beautiful Christmas!

On Christmas Eve, my family celebrated with an old-fashioned sleigh ride.  What tremendous fun it was!

This old sleigh was how we used to feed all of our livestock when I was growing up.  We spent many days cutting the twine around the rectangular bales of hay, then knocking them off in chunks as the horses moved forward.  Then all the cows would come running.  We would always tie a few small sleds behind for a ride, and we had great fun pushing each other off into the snow.

I now realize how unique & special it was to grow up how/where I did.  You’ll see what I mean.

This is the driveway leading to my parent’s home….cars lined up clear to the road.  I love the wreath that hangs on the shed next to the house during Christmas!  It’s so picturesque.

That bike would be my brother’s “fat bike”?  I think that’s what he calls it.  Yes, it’s for riding in the snow.

The horses have arrived! Meet Goliath (we call him Goley.  He’s the Belgian) and…..not sure of the name of the other horse (the Paint).  What shall we call her?

Goley felt the need to scratch his nose.

Hello, you two.

Goley isn’t sure he likes the camera. He’s giving me “the look”.

The passengers starting to hop on…..

More people!

The Paint sending a message to Goley with her lips….”we’ve got a lot to pull, buddy!”

That might be an understatement….

 

Did I mention I have eight other siblings?  And we’re all married now?  Lots of us have kids.

You’re not wondering why there’s so many people now, are you.

The horses anticipating their cue to go…….

I love this pic. I got the horses and the shed with the wreath.

 

The view as we start our ride.

Around we go.  The little ones took turns being pulled on the smaller sleds.

And the pushing, pulling, running begins.  There were even a few bets to see who might go first.

I ran ahead to snap the action.

That’s my daddy driving the team.

Going by…..

See that white house? Half of it is an original home built on the farm, back when it was homesteaded by my great-grandfather. It was added onto.  My sweet grandma still lives there.

Stopping to let everyone back on.

Buddy making sure Sissy had a good time….

She had a great time.

We all did.

What was your favorite memory of the holidays?