I feel like it’s a little old-fashioned, but I love when folks send “Christmas letters” with their Christmas cards and it’s a recap of their year. However, as much as I love it, we didn’t even send Christmas cards this year so obviously there was no Christmas letter, either.
Thank goodness for a blog, where a modern-day Christmas Letter can be written and posted all in the same day!
January started with a bang for us, we had the amazing opportunity to shoot a campaign for Stetson and, although it was chilly, we had a blast doing it! Another high point was Flea Bag Poopy Pants joining our family.
In February we made a quick visit back to my Dad’s in Montana to play in the snow, and then we brought it back with us! It was so much fun to have some REAL snow at home and to get some photos of our horses playing in it.
In March we started the breeding process for our mares, Sandra Dee and Mama June. We quickly learned that Sandra was going to need some time to warm up to Steele!
We also got our newest family members, Smalls and Flea Bag spayed and they were the CUTEST little coneheads ever.
You probably already know that we tend to celebrate holidays with all the critters here at Piper’s Zoo, and St. Patrick’s Day was no exception. Everyone loves dressing up! (At least, I pretend like they do.)
In April I turned 30 (“why, God, why?!”), and a few days later we got to welcome the first baby to our herd. Trisha was born on April 10, 2019.
I will spare you the gory photos but April was also the month Steele, our stud horse, gravely injured himself. I’m writing this in December and we are still doing some minor doctoring on his leg.
In May, I said goodbye to my childhood home in Montana and we helped my Dad move some of his larger things to his new property, in the same general area where I grew up but on less acreage and in the foothills/woods rather than open farmland.
May also kicked off our riding season and I’m sharing one of my favorite “crazy cat lady” photos because I want to.
In June I started my “Operation Pony Project” because I knew I wanted to be able to safely pony another horse from Spur either to have a backup horse or a pack horse. It turns out this wasn’t as big of a deal for him as I thought it would be… story of my life.
I also had my first mountain ride of the year in north Idaho with my dear friend, Jenny.
July was a HUGE month for me, financially. On July 8th, I paid off my pickup!
I also officially started my “Operation Shirt Project” (which was also a big financial moment for me, but in the opposite direction HAHA). This was a huge test in patience because although I officially started the project in July (meaning I put actual money toward it), I didn’t get to actually launch my first shirts until the end of November.
Horse-wise, I got a ride in Eastern Washington in with Jenny and a ride in Southern Idaho in with Brie. With every outing I could feel my confidence improving and it’s so exciting to be getting back to how horses used to make me feel… competent and free.
In August Kelly and I finally got to do some riding together! We started the month in Eastern Oregon and ended the month in Western-ish Washington on the Pacific Crest Trail. Somewhere in there I also went on a successful solo trail ride, which was another confidence booster.
I honestly don’t even know where to start when it comes to September. September is always a busy month for us and this year was no exception.
First, we were super blessed to have our Instagram friends from Wisconsin come out and visit us for the Pendleton Round Up! We had an absolute blast with them and the only thing that stinks about the situation is now we’re mad that Wisconsin is so far away from Washington.
Then my Dad married his long-time girlfriend so my brother and I made a trip back to Montana celebrate with him.
And Kelly’s birthday is at the end of September so we loaded up and went on an adventure! We drove (a long ways) to central Oregon to see if we could find some mustangs. And find them, we did! It was such an awesome experience.
On the flip side, October was weirdly quiet for us. We got hit with an early cold snap which made travel impossible with all the critters at home.
I really wanted to get some Fall photos with the beautiful colors but, of course, my pickup broke down on the day I had scheduled to meet up with a friend so I had to get creative closer to home, in a pinch. I’m pleased with how the photos turned out so I can’t complain too much!
We also did a little Halloween celebration with the doggos.
November was another busy month for us. I participated in some of the “No Stirrup November” fun (on my own) which was super rewarding. At least for me, Wrangler may feel differently.
Early in the month I got to visit my Mama on the west side of Washington and be there for my cousin’s baby shower.
Then Kelly’s sister held a wedding ceremony for her American family (she married an Italian) so we got to spend a fun and family-filled day in Kelly’s hometown for that.
I officially launched my graphic tee line on Black Friday!
Then, over Thanksgiving weekend we lost a huge member of our family when Skipper coliced. It was, and continues to be, very difficult for us, especially for Kelly.
And that brings us to December.
A month for Christmas lights, Santa costumes, and quality time spent together.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Piper’s Zoo to you!
