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Winter Storm Warnings
It was only 19 degrees outside and we were out of kindling to start the fire in the wood burner. Mark went out to cut some.
Believe me that fire was needed today and I'm thankful to have such an easy way to get it started.
Sarah and Nolan brought their girls plus Iris who spent the night down to join Kim, Tim, Allie, Strot, Mark and I for breakfast. Kim helped get the extension back on the table so it was long enough but we were short of chairs so used stools for the kids. They were almost too excited to eat the biscuits, scrambled eggs, bacon and sausage because they planned to go horse back riding right after breakfast. They were quick to head up to the barn but got distracted by playing on the haybales. 
They were quick to jump off when Missy was ready. Strot went first on Missy.
Zion rode next and showed Strot her canter. Then Iris rode to calm Missy down.
Strot wanted another turn even though it was still very cold.
Zion gave Missy a treat when she was put back then groomed the weanlings a bit. Disco was so glad to see her with that brush. He loves to be groomed.
He even moved sideways so she could do his back.
When she moved outside they all followed her and wanted her attention.
The kids made arrangements to meet downtown at the Caterpillar museum. Rhoda got some good pictures.
They ate lunch at Good Tequila's in East Peoria before coming here for a hike. Kim decided with the the winter storm warnings tonight she needed to leave for Elgin this afternoon so packed up and left around 3:00 pm. Below are more pictures from Rhoda during their hike.. As this was Strots first trip to Illinois he was excited to see everything. They stopped to pet Missy and Evan before heading to the lake.
He even got to drive the golf cart.
All of the kids came to the barn this afternoon then stayed for dinner and games. It was such a fun evening.
Below Eden and River are helping me set the dinner tables while the rest visited.
It was just so good to have the Texas Sceggels here in Illinois. He had a lot of fun getting to know his Illinois cousins this trip and our kids loved meeting him and enjoyed playing with him.
They were supposed to fly out of the Peoria airport tomorrow morning but Tim just let me know that his flight just cancelled. Amazing, the snow hasn't even started yet and they have already cancelled his flight AND Sunday lunch. Will we really get the foot of snow predicted? Bad news on mom's wheelchair van. The part came in and it was NOT the right part AGAIN! We will be another week without that oh so needed vehicle. Mark found a place we can rent one but it is a couple hours away. We have been making do with using Joan's van but it isn't the best option for mom. We may not be going anywhere for a while if this storm actually happens.
If it does snow as much as predicted Strot will get a chance to play in the snow, make a snowman and maybe even go sledding! They don't get much snow in Texas and I'm pretty sure he hasn't seem much if any in his 8 years of life.
