Quayd's birthday wish was to party all weekend at the ranch with the B's. Fortunately, for him, the weekend of his birthday happened to fall on the same weekend as UEA, which meant a four day weekend! He was thrilled to spend the weekend searching for rocks and sticks and doing all the things that a 13 year old boy would love! What a perfect place for a young boy to explore!
The cabin and "the loft", which is above the garage. This, as I've said a gazillion times, is home away from home. The ranch is about 2 hours north in Southeast Idaho on the Blackfoot River. To us, it's heaven on earth!
I loved this shot of Doug and Gracie on a walk together. I was across the pasture from them and just called out for them to stop long enough for me to catch a photo. Happiness!
Also, shot from across the pasture. I'm still teary that Quayd is really thirteen! His birthday meal requests included shrimp and mashed potatoes, homemade pizza and german pancakes.
ZJ had a blast with the B's. She's the only "tomboy" of our four girls. When it was time to load up and get ready to come home, she was in tears. Before bedtime, once home, she said, "I still wish we were at the ranch." I think it's in the kids' blood to be at the ranch. When I say "home away from home", I really mean it.
While on a walk, this hawk flew over us for quite some time.
The kids were just aching to go for a walk through the tunnel. After we packed up to head home, we took the time to enjoy one more little "adventure". Life's short. Why not!?
Stott and Miki on a hike. She's such a daddy's girl!
Looking across toward the river. The leaves were gorgeous but I'd love to have seen the Quakies two weeks ago before they fell. The frost in the mornings was gorgeous but the afternoons were short sleeve weather.
Can you just see why we love to get away to the ranch. This was the first time that we were completely "unplugged" from computers, cellphones and even landlines in almost 13 years! The first day was kind of rough because we kept saying, "We could Google" to answer questions as they came up. I'd left the laptop at Best Buy for a tune-up since we knew that the ranch has been officially "unplugged". After the initial withdrawals, we were loving it!
Beautiful! We had a much needed break! Thanks to Quayd for "really wanting to go to the ranch", we took it easy and celebrated. Bike hikes, foothikes, lots of games, movies, naps and plenty of great food... all with the B's. It doesn't get any better than this! Family times are the best!
Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.
That does sound like heaven!
Posted by: Jocelyn | Sunday, October 17, 2010 at 05:59 PM
Heaven on earth! What beauty! Wonderful pictures! Thanks for sharing!:-)
Posted by: Pamela K. | Sunday, October 17, 2010 at 11:03 AM
Happy Belated Birthday to my birthday buddy! I agree with Quayd, that looks like the most awesome way to spend a birthday! I know from the pictures that it was a happy one!
Posted by: JaYne | Sunday, October 17, 2010 at 10:10 AM
Great pics and great place! No wonder you love it, it makes me want to visit Utah!
Posted by: Nicole | Sunday, October 17, 2010 at 09:53 AM