Since starting my petsitting gig in August, I have been eager to share this experience with my family. My mom has been here a few times, and my sister, Megan, and her kids have visited, but I really wanted the whole gang here at once.
Wendi, the farm owner, was traveling the week after Christmas, but she gave me permission to use her guest rooms for my sister, Kate, and her family, who were driving from Michigan. They arrived on Dec. 26, and the next day everyone else made a day trip from The Villages.
Watching my nieces and nephews love on the Great Danes, play chase with the two barn dogs, feed treats to the mini horses, and explore the property, I felt my heart soar. The joy was palpable.
After hanging out at the farm for awhile, we piled into cars to visit the World Equestrian Center (WEC). We unpacked a huge lunch at the tables overlooking the Grand Arena, and nobody bemoaned the lack of a horse show because many of WEC’s “Winter Wonderland” exhibits were still up. Between bites of their lunch, the kids ran around, checking out the huge Christmas trees and other decorations. We visited the toy shop and hotel and then got some ice cream before heading home.
