Christmas Party (All Welcome)

[Maggie]

Layla Livaland set up the last reef on the front door steps as she admired the house she stepped back to take a look. The beautiful farm house was set up with christmas lights, reefs and everything homie you can think of. Layla sighed contently as she suddenly slipped on a patch of ice and fell backwards onto the snow. She landed with a thud and looked up at the sky, a strand of hair came onto her face and she blew it away a look of amusement on her face. Layla sat up and tucked the strand behind her ear, the horses were in their stalls now. It was Christmas Eve and the party was tomorrow! Annie came out of the house with a tray of chocolate chip cookies and eggnog. Layla jumped up from the snow and brushed off the fluffy whiteness from her back and jeans. Annie eyed her in the snow and laughed, "aren't you a little to old for snow angels?" She joked as she stood on the deck that wrapped around the front to the back of the house. Layla laughed and shook her head before hurrying along up the path to the side door where Annie stood and carefully found her way over icepatches. Annie handed her a cookie before taking one for herself and they both ate up the cookies and egg nog.

"Alright." Annie said as she whiped off her mouth and set the tray down on the counter in the kitchen before retreating oustide in the dusk. There was a single light in the main barn but the others were shut off. Layla sat on the steps and tilted her head up when Annie came in, "lets go hand out the goodies for the horses." Annie said atlast and Layla got up and walked along side Annie. Conrad and hunter came out of the woods nipping playfully at eachother and the two girls laughed as the dogs spotted them and romped over to them. "Wheres Rascal?" Layla asked as she looked at the two older dogs. White could be seen on Hunter's old golden face and his hazel eyes made him seem like he knew everything. Conrad was still young and hyper and the only gaze he'd give anyone was if he came up to you with a ball and you through it, that he'd love you forever. Rascal's chirpy bark came from the barn and she trotted along side Keith who probally had just finished with Flash. Keith waved to Annie and Layla and patted Rascal on the head before turning towards his truck in the parking lot. "Happy Christmas Eve!" He called before hopping in and taking off down the road. The two girls waved back then walked in the barn where the only Conrad followed along behind.

Three hours later Layla and Annie had filled all the horses stockings with candy canes treats and either a new halter, wraps or something the horse and its rider needed. There was a present at the stall door for the boarders owners and there were presents in the tack room for the trainers, grooms and young riders at the farm. Now they sat on the sofa admiring the decorated christmas tree. Layla sighed as she looked up towards the clock that read 10:00pm. "Well I'm going to bed, see you in the morning!" Layla said before getting up and heading towards her room. "Happy Christmas Eve." She said as she tilted her head back and watched Layla head up stairs. She sighed then got up herself and went through the house finding the presents she had hidden. Layla and her had done this for three years, Layla had already put the presents in place behind the tree so that Annie couldn't see them till morning then Annie would take the presents for Layla and do them after she went to bed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Christmas morning past by in a fun exciting blur, they woke up to presents in the living room under the tree and opened them up then went out for breakfast at the diner down town. The barn was already done before they left at 7:00am and now they were back at 10:00am and preparing for the evening party. It was already 4:00pm and the guest should be arriving by now. Monte and Legacy were tacked up already with christmas decorations Layla had bought for them on and ready to go out for the Christmas Trail ride. By the time they all got back it would be dusk and perfect time for the secret santa and ornament swap.

Secret Santa
Layla has Clayton
Clayton has Layla
Keith has Brooke
Brooke has Keith
Tim M. has Annie
Annie has Tim M.
Delia has Cassidy
Cassidy has Delia
Crystal has Victoria
Victoria has Crystal
Taylor has Brian
Brian has Taylor
Tim W. has Danielle
Danielle has Tim W.
Emma has Chance
Chance has Emma
Blair has Lucas
Lucas has Blair

And just have them bring an ornament.

[ThePhantomStallion]

The snow crunched under the weight of a big blue truck that pushed through the snow with relative ease. The air was still biting cold, but today seemed less dreary. It was Christmas, after all. Tim flicked on the radio, and those old Christmas carols started to moan away as he drove. His blue-slate eyes were dancing now, a slight curl to one side of his mouth. His hands shook still, but only mildly, as his mind was on other things.

He knew where the farm was, as few days past he had visited only to be bitten by Captain. This reminded him of his injury, and he shifted uneasily in the seat. He pulled in to a gentle stop, and eased back on the brake he usually abused so, and hopped out, shaking a little, but happy to be out of his house. Spacious as it was, he could only be alone for so long.

He saw the two tacked horses, and the girls, and waved a spirited hand, smiling broadly. He really hadn't genuinely smiled since he'd arrived, and it felt nice to be able to. Both sides of his mouth curled in now, and his usually cold eyes became warm, despite their frosty color. He hopped through the snow; he still didn't like it when he was in it. Inside is where you belong when it snows.

When he got near enough, he spoke out, "Well, hello, ladies, you look a might warm on this Christmas day! How goes it?" he asked, looking out from under auburn sideswept hair.

[[oh, and it's wreaths, not reefs, Maggie, you silly XD]]

[Savina]

Crystal led the way into the bran, where her and Delia tacked up Sierra and Ebony Moon. Delia would ride the black gelding, who was rather gentle. He was eager to go, and allowed Delia to tack hhim up while he figdeted in the isle. Crystal quickly tacked Sierra, slipping the new bit Delia had given her into the mare's mouth.
Crystal loved everything Delia had gotten her, and Delia liked everything Crystal had gotte her. She slid her saddle bags onto the saddle. Inside was Cassidy's Christmas present. She had had no idea what to get for her. Crystal had helped alot though, finally helping her pick a small charm bracelet that had horseshoes, horse heads, and other horse related things on it.
Crystal led Sierra out of the barn, and Delia followed behind, leading Ebon Moon.
She closed the door, and they mounted up. They trotted down the road, the horses being careful not to slip on the icey road. Their bare hooves were a deffinite advantage, the snow didn't pack in them like it does with shoes. It also kept them from sliding as much.They reached Annie and Ellie's house quickly, their tack jingling as they trotted up the drive and arrived just after a truck." Merry Christmas!" Crystal shouted, and waved enegrgetically. Delia blushed, and rode the gelding over toward Ellie. She smiled shyly at her,and gestured to the gelding."Lesson horse, Ebony Moon." She told her, and rubbed him with her hand gently. The gelding looked around curiously,and was obviously eager to be off." He likes to work." Delia told her, her voice thick with her mexican accent.On the gelding's jet black head, sat a headband with antlers on it. It fit him well, and it staye don without budging the whole ride over.
Sierra had on a Santa hat, and it was pinend to her bridle underneath. Crystal waved to Annie, and hurried Sierra over to her."Hey, how was yoru Christmas?" She asked her, before turning to see the other arrival." hey, My name's Crystal, and that's Delia over there, she is like a daughter to me."

[chey]

Tim walked around the house kinda like a chicken with its head cut off. He didn't know why he was in a panic. Tim was all dressed in a pearl snap western shirt, vest, wrangler jeans, his boots, and a black cowboy hat. He looked around and grabed his gift for his daughter and one for crystal. He was friend with crystal and delia, but dani said she would get one for delia for the both or them. He walked along the house with lola.
Dani was in her room getting dressed wearing jeans and a western shirt just like her father. She grabed lola and put her new red colar on her. She smiled and grabed her gift for delia and her father. She smiled and followed her dad out the door and into the truck. She put on her seat pelt on and lola was sitting in the middle of tim and her.

The truck pulled into the farms driveway. Dani saw crystal and delia. She smiled and jumped out of the truck with lola with her aswell with her little winter shirt and little santa claus hat. Lola and dani walked over to her and smiled and said"hey, Whats going on?' She smiled and picked up lola and began petting her.
Tim opened the truck door and grabed the presents that were for dani,him, crystal, and delia. He looked at crystal and walked over and smiled at crystal. Tim looked around this farm looked really nice and knew that this place was an english stable so he was kinda an outcast here. He watched his daughter with the dog named lola. Lola seemed to like dani and just loved being with dani and tim. Tim smiled at dani and looked at sierra and back to crystal." Hello Crystal"

[Maggie]

[Oh my god! I typed my responce up two times now and everytime i go to post it, it deletes it! Urgh.]

Annie and Layla turned towards the truck pulling into the barn parking lot. Tim Malark jumped out of the truck and they waved in Greeting. "Merry Christmas!" Layla called before giving a smile then walking towards the house to let out the barking dogs. Well, hello, ladies, you look a might warm on this Christmas day! How goes it? Annie smiled before walking over and giving him a welcome hug. "Very good, how was yours? Oh and hows your back feeling?" She teased before rubbing the back of Hunter's old golden ears. The other two younger dogs bounded out of the house in a mess of barking and lunging playfully Layla smiled then put her hand over her eyes seeing two riders and their horses come up the drive. She smiled and waved while the two girls called Merry Christmas. "You too!" Layla said as they approuched and Crystal and her horse Sierra walked over to where Annie and Tim were. Delia and a horse Layla didn't reconize stayed by her. Lesson horse, Ebony Moon. He likes to work. Delia said not rather shyly this time. It was a big improvement since Layla had last seen her. "He's nice, does he have good times?" She asked offering the horse her hand.

Crystal had walked Sierra over to where Annie and Tim were and Annie smiled welcomly but couldn't offer a hug because she was on horseback. She patted Sierra's neck instead then smiled up at horse and rider. Hey, how was your Christmas? Annie looked down at Hunter who tried to squeeze inbetween her legs trying to get attention. She smiled before setting a hand on his whitening face then looking back up. "It was great, how was yours and Delia's? She asked then looked towards Delia who was talking to Layla. She turned towards Tim forgetting to introduce them, hey, My name's Crystal, and that's Delia over there, she is like a daughter to me. Crystal said before Annie could say it. "Oh sorry, this is Tim Malark. He's a boarder here and also a friend." She said as she smiled towards Tim hopefully making him feel less uncomfortable.

A truck pulled up and a man and a girl jumped out of the car. The Wood's maybe? Annie hadn't really met some of the people who were coming but I guess it gave people a chance to get to know their neigbors and it didn't bother her. hey, Whats going on? Layla reconized the girl as she jumped out and she smiled towards her, she was the one who bumped into me. Layla thought as she looked towards Delia then back at the girl. "Hi, umm Dani right?" She guessed as she bit her lower lip in habit. Rascal bounded into the snow and slid into Layla's legs at that moment almost sending Layla into the snow again. She smiled down at the pup and picked her up playing with her in her arms before setting her back down again.

A rumbling of a truck pulled up and a man and a young women jumped out of the car. Layla reconized the man to be Keith one of Annie's friends and also a boarder and the girl she didn't really reconize but knew that she had a horse named Val at the farm. Keith waved and gave a smile to the crowd of people before showing the girl over to where Annie, Tim, and Crystal were. Layla looked towards the two girls then realized that Monte was still in the barn. "Can you excuse me for a minute? I have to go get Monte real quick." Layla said before scurrying up towards the Main barn where the buckskin pony stood in his stall snorting when she came in. He lifted his head and walked over to the dutch door where he stuck his head out of it. She smiled and grabbed his bridle, she opened the door and slipped on the bridle before buckling it then leading him outside. She adjusted his santa hat and his bells on his tail before putting more bells on his martingale. When she came out Monte was full of jingles and christmas spirit. She smirked as she led him over to where she had her helmet next to the mountain block and put it on adjusting the strap then tightening Monte's girth. She rolled down the stirrups then mounted up and onto his back. She squeezed her calves as she walked him over to where Delia and the other girl stood.

[ThePhantomStallion]

Tim's overcast eyes were more blue now, as they were when his mood was on a happier note. He was somewhat surprised by Annie's welcome hug, and it pulled on his stitches. He winced, but didn't pull back. He laughed when she asked about his stitches, oh, the embarrassment! Bitten by his own horse! He flushed a rosy pink, but his splitting smile remained.

"Ah, they're as good as stitches can be, I gather. Not very attractive though." he joked, feeling the dull tug when he laughed.

"And my Christmas was just peachy, thanks." he said, honest eyes strangely peaceful for a moment.

Noticing the horses, he hustled himself into the barn, marching out to the stallion's barn. Taking Manny was asking for trouble, but everyone loved the huge stallion so, he just had to bring him. The big bay stallion whuffled a greeting, sticking his big, velvety nose right in Tim's face. He laughed and rumpled the giant's forelock, clipping a gold chain to his leather halter. A shiny new nameplate shone on the pristine leather, and a red bow was tied to the cheekpeice.

"For you, Manny, you big bugger." he said, slapping the bay's neck. Manny nodded and rattled the chain, a tinkling noise coming from the new tack.

In due time, Dimanche, or Manny was all decked out, which wasn't too extravagant except a string of jingle bells around his neck and some antlers on a headband behind his ears. Manny rather disliked the jingling, so when he walked he tried to keep his head still, not swinging it like normal horses when they walked, and watching it closely so it wouldn't slip and jingle when he wasn't looking. It was rather comical, and Tim swung onto his back with the stallion eying his neckpeice with uncertainty.

"Say, are we go'n to be riding with the dogs? I should let Fripp out the cab, eh?" he said, furrowing his brow, his deep eyes narrowed.

[Savina]

Crystal nodded in greeting to the person Annie had told her, who's name was apparently Tim."Nice meeting you Tim.." She heard another truck approach, and turned in the saddle when she heard someone say her name."Hey Tom!"
She told him, and looked to Annie, who didn't seem to know who he was."This is Tom, and his daughter Dani, they board at my farm down the road."
She told her, and rubbed her hand along Sierra's neck, who was trying to pace impatiently. The horse was eager to get to work, she had no patience at all, being a barrel racer.
Delia smiled down at Ellie, and nodded." I haven't rode him much. But he is a good boy." She told her, her voice much less shy than it had been the first time they met.
She smiled shyly as she spotted Dani."Where is Flag?" She asked her, gesturing to Ebony Moon. She nodded as Ellie mentioned having to go and get Monte, the lovable little pony. She grinned as she saw her lead him out, all full of jingle bells. "He looks well." Delia told her,letting the gelding sniff her hand when he came close before rubbing his forehead. Delia smiled softly as Ebony Moon bega pawing, and she tugged on the reins gently to get him to quit. It is what Crystal had told her to do, and it seemed to work great.

[chey]

Dani looked at the girl and remember her from somewhere and smiled." Yes, Im dani." She then remeberd that her horse flag and her new pony was in the back of the trailer. She wasn't sure if she was going to ride her new pony, or her father, but her dad was to tall so she was going to be left with riding minnie." Oh he is in the trailer, Im not riding him my dad is, but im riding my pony minnie. The first being on a trail." She smiled and put lola down on the ground and began walking toward the truck where it has been turned off which ment the trailer lights where off, but they were tacked. She opened the trailer door and lead out minnie the pinto cross mare and then flag the 16hh buckskin quarter horse gelding. She was hopping that she would be riding flag and her dad would be riding the next new horse, but nope it didn't work like that.

Tim smiled and walked over to the trailer and grabed lola and looked at dani." Lola can stay in the truck..She will be fine in there." Dani smiled and walked over to minnie and grabed the lunge line and got all the spookness out of her and then saddle her up and lunged her agian and got on. She knew to stay on her and not get off yet. Tim on the other hand saddled up flag and walked back over to crystal and the other adults. He smiled and shook the other guys hand name tim." Hello Tim."

[Maggie]

(sorry I thought someone else still had to go.)

Annie watched as the man and what looked like to be his daughter grabbed their horses from the trailer. She remembered Apollo waiting in the barn when she heard a snort and she put up a finger for them to wait. Say, are we go'n to be riding with the dogs? I should let Fripp out the cab, eh? Annie nodded her head, "Yeah the dogs can come too." She said before jogging up to the barn and finding the irish warmblood bay stallioin standing in his stall his head over the dutch door. His ears flickered towards her and Annie smiled rubbing behind them in his favorite spot. She slid into the stall grabbing the bridle before going into the stall. He waited patiently as she slid the reins over his head then put the bridle on over his soft face features. A couple minutes later she stuck on her helmet and opened the door Apollo walked out and Annie shut the door she only directed him in the right direction before letting go of the reins and he followed at her side down to the rest of the people. Annie fitted her gloves on that Layla had given her while she looked up at the guest.

(will finish later.)