Multi Service Is Back!

It is always such a huge compliment when a group chooses to return to Faulkner’s Ranch for their company picnic.  Especially in consecutive years! So, of course, we were thrilled when Multi Service Corporation chose to once again celebrate their employees with us!

A beautiful day for a picnic!

This group is such a blast to host!  Not only are they just super fun people, but they always choose to add on the coolest extras to their parties.

One super special amenity that they added this year was the Kona Ice truck! 

Kona Ice is a great addition to a summer picnic because not only is it delicious, but it also helps your guests to beat the heat.  You can choose from a variety of flavors.  We like to mix them up - our favorite combo this year is strawberry banana.

Every age loves Kona Ice!

This year they also had some fun with airbrush tattoos. Let us tell ya folks, kids, tweens, and teens think that these are the coolest things ever! It’s like face-painting with a bit of an edge.

Another fun addition to this year’s picnic was soaker hose limbo.  The picture pretty much explains it all.

So much fun!

The kids (and let's be honest, the adults too) also really enjoyed our pedal karts.

Did you know that you can even fish at the ranch?  Guests are always excited to try their hand with our cane poles.  They are nothin’ fancy, but they work! Especially at this picnic - the fish were biting! We do all catch and release so once these big guys are caught, they go back into the pond to keep on swimmin'.

If you weren’t fishing at this picnic then you may have been found playing volleyball.  Our sand volleyball court is always sure to spark up some nice little competition.

This year, Multi Service also chose to bring back the casino tables that they had last year.  These were a huge hit so their employees were really excited to see that they were available again.

Multi Service also had the most intense kickball tournament that we have ever seen.

Of course, they offered some awesome door prizes throughout the day, like this Smokey Joe Grill.  Nothing puts the icing on a fun company picnic like going home with a prize!

Thanks again to Multi Service for coming back to Faulkner's Ranch!  We loved working with you to create a picnic that once again was fun for everyone!

For more info on how you can treat your company to a fun day at Faulkner's Ranch, click here!

Have a great day, y'all!

~ Your Friends at Faulkner's

Meet JJ

Y’all, today is your lucky day!  Today you get to meet one of the most awesome behind the scenes gals here at Faulkner’s Ranch.  

Meet Jennifer Flint aka JJ!

JJ has been with us for a few years so we thought it was about darn time that y’all get to know her.  Plus, today is her birthday!! What a better day to celebrate JJ than today!

Anyway, we asked her some questions for the old bliggity blog.

Check out here answers right here!

1.  Howdy JJ, can you tell us a little bit about yourself? I have been working at the ranch for nearly 2 years now - I think I'm officially "adopted" into the Faulkner's family?! I'm originally from Saint Louis, MO. I am married and have 4 children (future ranch hands) and we live in Lee's Summit.  I love to exercise and spend time outdoors with the family!

2.  What is your job at Faulkner’s Ranch?  My job at Faulkner's is hard to define - I would say an assistant is probably best. I help support the team - that's what I do best!

3.  What is your favorite/most rewarding part of working at Faulkner’s Ranch?  My favorite and most rewarding part of working at the Ranch is seeing people/customers happy to be here relaxing and having a good time with their friends and family. No matter what the event - field trips, weddings/receptions, picking out a pumpkin - everyone arrives and leaves the ranch happy - and that makes me happy!

4.  You get to work with lot of awesome guests at the ranch so you must have some fun stories.  What is one of your favorites?  We just hosted a wedding reception recently here at the ranch and had a really special moment with the guests. Near the end of the reception, our DJ played "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" - and every guest was on their feet, holding hands, singing and dancing around the barn! They even grabbed our staff members to include in the fun! It was a really special moment to watch a family come together like that in celebration.

5.  What are you looking forward to the most at Faulkner’s Ranch for the rest of 2014?  For 2014, I'm most looking forward to watching the business expand. I've been here for two years - and known the Faulkner's personally for years - and it's amazing to watch their business grow and flourish. They are a wonderful, hard-working family and they love what they do. I am grateful I get to be a part of getting the word out about the Ranch!

6.  Of course, we have to ask...what is your favorite country song?  Ok - the hardest question of them all - but I have to go back to a great party song - "Country Girl, Shake It for Me." It's hard to pick just one - but that always gets the boots on the dance floor!

We are so lucky to have JJ as a part of our Faulkner family!  Happy Birthday, JJ!  You’re the best!

Have a great day, y’all!

~ Your Friends at Faulkner’s

Tips for Finding a Riding Barn

First things first, we just wanna give a big Faulkner’s thank you to all of our Pony Campers and their awesome parents, grandparents, family, and friends who helped make this summer's camps a huge success! 

When pony camp is over, we usually get several inquiries on where to further your children's riding experience.  So we thought we would share with you some tips that Emily, our Pony Camp Specialist, gave us on finding a great lesson barn, as well as some recommended locations.

Tips for Finding a Great Lesson Barn

After picking a barn to check out, arrange for a visit. It is best to visit during a lesson so you can see what it is like.   Saturdays are usually popular lesson days.

Here are some things to be on the lookout for:

• Is the barn/facility clean? People who take pride in doing a good job of teaching usually want their barn to be clean.
• Do you see anything that can cause an accident? (things like loose wire, things to trip over)
• Do the horses look well cared for? (this means a clean coat, happy expressions when you pass by, clean stalls/pens)
• Look at the arena - you want a place that has good footing (not hard or dusty) and a safe fence/wall (nothing that a rider can get hurt on poking out).
• Are there safety rules posted? A good instructor will want to have rules posted.
• Are riders wearing helmets? This is a must!
• Is the instructor kind to the horses? An instructor that yells at or is aggressive with a horse will not be a good role model for your child.
• Do the students seem to be having a good time? A good instructor will be able to engage a student and assess needs.

Questions to Ask:

• How long have you been teaching? It is best if your instructor is seasoned.
• Do you have any qualifications/certifications? CHA , CCHI, USPC are respected certification agencies for riding instructors.  If the instructor is not certified, find out who they learned from. It should be a well-known or certified individual.
• What is your policy for missed lessons?
• Are you CPR first aid certified?
• When was the last time a student had an accident? How did you handle it? 
• What measures do you use to determine if a horse is safe for kids? A good instructor will give specifics, not just talk about how safe his horses are.

Red Flags to Watch Out For:

• An un-welcoming intro
• Horses that look mad or scared when you pass by them
• Dirty facilities
• A ‘gut feeling’ that this is an unsafe facility

Good Signs:

• Happy horses, happy students, a professional and welcoming tour, a certified instructor who has been teaching for years, a clean facility, posted safety rules, and helmets for every rider.  If you see these things, chances are you are in a good place!

Recommended Lesson Locations

Ransomed Heart Ranch (This is where Emily, our Pony Specialist, teaches!) 

http://www.ransomedheartranch.org/

204 E Casey Rd, Lone Jack MO 64080

Emily's number is 816-560-8535

Painted M Ranch

http://www.paintedmranch.org/

12631 Homestead Ln. Olathe, Ks 66061

913-856-5001 or 913-856-5007

Abby Rd Farm

http://www.abbyroadfarm.com/

19608 J Hwy. Peculiar MO 64078

816-533-7352

Woodson Hill Equestrian Center

http://www.woodsonhill.org/
7990 NW Mace Rd, KCMO 64152

818-532-4908

Once again, thank you to everyone who joined us for Pony Camp 2014!
We are already taking reservations for Pony Camp 2015 so grab your spot early!  Plus, what a great Christmas gift or stocking stuffer! 

Have a great rest of the summer ya’ll!

~ Your Friends at Faulkner's

The “Before They Say I Do” BBQ

On August 1st we hosted the Soloman’s wedding rehearsal dinner.   This event was so special because of all of the love that they put into it.

First things first, let’s just talk about this decor!  It was WONDERFUL!  This family did an excellent job of combining rustic chic with personal touches.

Before guests even entered the building they got a taste of the cute details that were in store.

The banner initials were not only a nice touch, but they are also great because the couple can hang them in their home afterwards.  Party decor that doubles as home decor is always a great investment!

I think it goes without saying that we absolutely LOVED the name of this event.

They used it on the invite to right outside the door.  Such a great touch!  Plus, it helped set the theme for evening.

The decor inside was fantastic as well.  Every square inch was covered with meaningful details and memorabilia.  They met at the University of Arkansas, so of course there were Razorbacks sprinkled throughout.

When guests entered they were asked to sign the wedding window.

As stated in the description next to it, the window represents the past, present and future of your life.  You can read it’s entire description right here.   Such a neat idea and a wonderful keepsake for the newlyweds!

Of course, we adored the use of burlap and garland.  

Once again, more things that they can display in their new home together!

Also, see this barn wood? 

It is from their family farm.  There was so much love put into this decor and it showed@

We also LOVED what they did with our barn doors! It so fun seeing how each wedding decorates them.

They really knocked it out of the park with their decor.  Their cocktail napkins were even some of the cutest we had ever seen!

Even cuter was the party favors.

The groom is a geologist, so they had chocolate rock candy for party favors.  So clever!

Doesn't that idea rock? ;o)

As for the centerpieces, they were rustic and chic.

Isn’t it awesome how just a little ribbon can completely transform some mason jars?

We adored how they tied in the Razorback's colors with this fun chevron table overlay.  It added a nice pop of color and some whimsy!

This was also at every place setting.

The picture in the background is of their family barn.  The message written on it is so incredibly sweet! We just loved what it said about their guests being their favorite people in the world.  That is what a rehearsal dinner needs to be, very intimate and personal.

Their guests were also treated to a delicious BBQ dinner, plus some ice cream and brownies for dessert.  This is a nice switch up since your guests will be enjoying cake the next night.

Overall, this was just a wonderful rehearsal dinner filled with so much love!

Congrats again to Mr. and Mrs. Soloman!  You two have something really special!

For more information on our rehearsal dinners and weddings, click here!

Have a great day, y’all!

~ Your Friends at Faulkner’s