Spring Break: Cowgirl Up!

Bailey has always wanted a horse. I told her we couldn't get one, but me and her could spend a week durning spring break at Grandma's ranch in California. I told her she would learn everything from scooping their poop to riding them. She was SO excited! To her, this was better than Christmas! I pulled her out of school one day early, we left the boys behind, and headed to California. 

Saturday:

We had a routine we went through every morning on the ranch. There are 5 horses that need taken care of, and that amounts to a lot of work! We would get each horse from it's individual corral, and take them all to a turn out, so they could all hang out together durning the day. Once the corrals were empty, we had to clean them. As long as she was around horses, she didn't even mind scooping the poop. Then we would make sure they were all fed and watered. That took about an hour every morning, and then we were free to do whatever we wanted.

Bailey bringing Mr. Pal to the turn out. When we first arrived, she didn't even have a clue how to put on a halter. By the time we left, she was a pro.

On the first day she wasn't a very good pooper scooper either. She kept missing the wheelbarrow! She was a pro at that by the time we left too.

 When we finished all the chores, we hiked the ranch so my mom could show me the property lines. When she bought it, it was 23 acres of think brush and trees. They have done a TON of work to it, and it has turned out awesome! it's no wonder she stays in such good shape!

After we hiked the ranch, we started getting Bailey used to the horses. We got each one out one at a time for her to brush and feed carrots too. I think she would be happy just petting them all day long.

After that, my mom decided to give Bailey driving lessons in the golf cart. They built a round arena type corral for Bailey to learn to ride in. They went in there with the golf cart and practiced steering around the cones. By the end of the week, Bailey was cruising all over the ranch in the golf cart.

 She had so much fun in this thing!

That night, we met my Grandpa, Uncle, Lori, Hunter, and Hailey at Bongiavoni's for dinner. 

Bailey with Great Grandpa. He's 93 years old, and just as funny and witty as ever.

 Bailey, Great Grandpa, and Hunter.

Sunday:

On Sunday we went out to the ranch again. When the chores were done, we took Bailey riding. The corral they built is now called 'Bailey's round pen'. That's where she rode first. My mom put her on Mr. Pal. She practiced going around the cones and tires, and over the little jump. She did great for her first time. The only other times she's ever ridden a horse is when we rented them on the beach in Oregon, and when we rented them in Zions. Those are the kind of horses that just walk slowly following the horse in front of them. My mom is an avid endurance rider, so all of her horses were go getters. They were a lot for Bailey to handle, but she did a great job!

 She looked like a natural up there!

 Bailey, Mr. Pal, and Grandma

After she rode, Rick taught her how to shoot a bow. She was really good, and she loved it!

Pretty darn good for a first timer!

Then we went for another ride. We put her on Maxie this time, and I rode with her on Joey.

These ended up being our favorite two horses! We wanted to bring them both home with us!

Monday:

Today we tried Bailey on Joey (against my mom's advice). I LOVED him, so I thought Bailey would do really good on him. He's not a horse for a beginner. He was abused before they got him,  so he's skittish if the rider shifts around a lot on him. I guess we should have listened to my mom, because she got dumped off. Joey started to trot too fast, and she was losing her balance. Then he got faster and wouldn't stop. She freaked out and screamed while she was bouncing around on him. So he started to run, and dumped her off when he made a turn. He wasn't trying to be naughty, he was just a little scared and confused. At least she made a clean landing. No foot stuck in the stirrup, she didn't get stepped on, and she landed in pretty soft dirt. She bruised her arm, and hurt her tail bone pretty bad, but she got right back on!

Every cow girl has to fall off sometime!

We took a break from the horses, and Rick taught us how to shoot. Bailey did AWESOME! She hit just about every one of her targets!

Tuesday: 

On Tuesday we took a break from the ranch and headed to La Jolla. We went to the San Diego Temple. That's where I got married, so I was so excited for Bailey to do baptisms there. It was closed that whole week for cleaning and maintenance! I was so bummed! 

 San Diego Temple

Then we headed to La Jolla Cove. I showed Bailey where me and Mark used to go on our dates in high school. :) We went and watched the seals for awhile, then headed to La Jolla Shores to play at the beach.

Seals!

We went to the little section of beach on the other side of the seal beach. When she tried to wade in the water, seals kept washing up right next to her. They were everywhere, and not the slightest bit afraid of people.

 About 1 minute after I took this picture, there were about 5 more seals hanging out with this guy.

 Beach shadows!

When we got to La Jolla Shores, we took a couple mile run on the beach. That was fun! By then it was hot enough to play in the water.

After the beach, we went to diner with my Uncle and Grandpa. 

 This is Mr. Buzzard, my Grandpa's parrot. He's cute and friendly.

Bailey scratching Mr. Buzzard.

 Four generations! Grandpa, Mom, Me, and Bailey.

Four generations with my Uncle!

 Wednesday:

Wednesday we were back at the ranch. After the chores, we trailered the horses so Bailey could do a real trail ride. She rode Mr. Pal, and my mom walked beside her in case she got nervous.

Trail riding!

Mr. Pal sticking his tongue out at me!

 She had an unlimited amount of hair to play with!

 This is Dude. We spent a lot of time playing with him. :)

 This is Pepper. She was hilarious, and loved Bailey. In this picture, she stole my seat in the gold cart!

Thursday:

Thursday we took one last ride, hung around with the horses, and shot the bow for the last time. We were leaving to head home the next day.

Me and Vinnie

Bailey and Joey

 Bailey and Maxie. 

She didn't want to leave all of her new friends! We've decided to come back again next year. Sawyer will be on his mission, so we'll bring Mark with us. He's allergic to the horses, but there is enough other stuff for him to do, and it sure beats staying in cold Idaho for spring break.

Thanks for a great week Mom! She had a blast, learned a ton, and we can't wait to do it again next year!