It was a warm and beautiful weekend weatherwise, but the true warmth of the weekend was getting to spend time with family and dear friends.

Mia hanging with the mares

We are like a family out here.  Maybe we have just been lucky to get outstanding people as boarders but we certainly have.  One family, Keith, Wendy and Mia, from the first moments of meeting them, felt like long-lost kinsfolk.  And the feeling has just increased over time we have spent with them.  Shortly, they will be off to Malaysia and it is proving very difficult to say goodbye.  From the relationship Wendy has established with baby Kendyll to young Mia’s willingness to help out with anything at the barn, they have been great.  We got in some last pictures and time together this weekend.

Wendy with Betty Sue. She tsaught Betty to break into the tackroom for treats and many other illegal activities.

From left-Kendyll with her best pal Wendy, Jordyn, Piper me and Muffy

We will really miss this family as they leave and hope they are posted back to the US (Houston) real soon.  Kendyll and Lauren say they are going to Malaysia to visit but I don’t really see that happening.

Saturday morning lessons took place and Jordyn rode her Piper pony for the first time under Dev’s instruction (they were not quite ready for the big arena previously).  Both horse and rider were outstanding.  We got a great video of Jordyn trotting away, managing circles, halts and reversing on demand.  I am really happy with the progress they are making.

All seemed to have a good lesson.  Feather is making progress on listening to Lauren between tight jumps.  Mickey and Alex worked on handy turns (Mickey says he’s got this!).  Mia and Isabel jumped higher with style.

We had some new boarders come out to see the barn this week and have made the decision to board their kids, Molly (a pony)  and Kinny (a big warmblood) with us.  This married couple met at Texas A&M first day orientation.  What a great story!  I think they will be terrific additions to the barn family.

We needed to make some changes to accommodate the two new horses so while Luke got busy with stall changes, Ally, Lauren, Jordyn, Kendyll and I moved the junk we had been storing in the area.

I am pretty sure this is not what my doctor had in mind. Kendyll is sure doing her part though while Jordyn steers the broken mower.

I asked Jordyn if she wanted to go ride with me.  She looked up at me questioningly, “Like you are going to ride a horse, Granny?”  Yes, I had decided it is time.  With my first hip replacement it was more than three months before I got back in saddle.  At the doctor this last week, I passed all the tests with flying colors.  I still have more physical therapy to finish but am glad I am getting around so well.  The doctor released me to swim, ride or walk as I desired.  YIPPEE.

Alex complained that Mickey had been a little slow yesterday.  Slow was just what I was looking for in a horse to make my come back on!  Jordyn and I got the horses saddled as the fog was just burning off on the brilliant Sunday morning.  Mickey was a champ and we even managed some trotting before I decided not to over do the first time back in the saddle.

Piper and Jordyn as the fog burns off on a lovely Sunday morning!

Two bay horses and two cowgirls! Oh and Lula too!

To finish up, the warm weekend, Libby, Mia, Isabel and Lauren worked together to get our jumps re-painted.  What color did they go with?  Predominantly, PINK!  I appreciate all the help everyone gave on this project.  And that includes the parents that made multiple trips to the barn to accommodate the young painters.

Our new boarder told me she had talked with her mom about my barn.  Her mom reportedly told her that she would have loved a pink pony barn when she was growing up!  I guess some of us just will never outgrow it!

Many thanks for riding along.

Painters and Kona hard at work.