Mining ponies and duck hunters

I walked outside to put the trash cans by the curb for trash day today; it's a task I usually find to be somewhat unpleasant. This morning, however, the sun was just peaking out, the air was crisp, clean and cold, the silence outside was almost loud, and the only noise was the horses munching on their hay. Each time Wynn or Devany saw me as I walked about they let out a soft nicker. Devany has a light, more high pitched voice and Wynn has a deep guttural voice. I love it so much and it always warms me from the inside out when they talk to/with me. There was something so fresh and beautiful about this morning and it made my heart feel much joy. 

Last night the boys dressed up to go join our friends, the Loopers, in town for Halloween festivities. The three brothers dressed Lochlan as a Norman (soldier from old) with wool cloak, "sword" and shield. They did a great job getting him looking the part and he really enjoyed playing it. Madigan dressed as a soldier, sporting a wool shirt and a military dress coat that he bought at a local antique shop. He carried one of his homemade weapons which looked quite authentic. He was really entirely too handsome. Kelton dressed as a hunter, bird dog included; Bumpy was his bird dog and she wore her camo backpack with a large duck stuffed animal attached to it. He also carried one of his homemade guns. Hilarious! Declan dressed as a miner, and took his little horse, Murdock, as his mining pony. Murdock was a rock star. He was almost constantly surrounded by dozens of kids and we even encountered people dressed up like large sharks/dinosaurs which didn't phase him. He's like an old pro at this. We were all completely amazed at that horse's behavior throughout the whole evening, and Declan was absolutely beaming with pride; he loves him so so much. These will be sweet memories... 

The beautiful simple things that fill these days... I treasure them and I pray I do not forget them.