2nd Trip to the Ranch

This was our second trip to the Ranch while I was in Idaho. We stayed the night in the cabins and enjoyed 2 very nice dinners Friday and Saturday night at the lodge. We also had my favorite breakfast, homemade buttermilk pancakes (the ranch has the best buttermilk pancakes I have ever had)! The cousins played out on the dock, in the boats, on the Rhino and in the huge willow bushes. I think this is one of the best places for little boys (and girls) to play!!

Matthew, Derek, Max, Davis and Nicholas just hanging out

Just hanging out on the dock with grandpa

The views at the Ranch are some of the most gorgeous I have seen

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Davis and Derek

Ally fly fishing on our lake

Davis, Max, Chris and Nicholas riding on the Rhino

Roasting marshmallows: Davis, Nicholas, Leslie, Ava (front), Chris, Ally, grandpa and Madelaine

Cousins on the Rhino (FYI a Rhino can entertain for hours)!

Coffeepot

While spending time up at the Ranch we decided to hike "Coffeepot".

Chris, Zach, Matthew, Davis and Nicholas

All of my siblings: Richard, Allyson, me, Chris, Leslie and Melissa

Hay Ride

Every summer growing up we would go on a hay ride up at the Ranch. We would throw a bale of hay on this old wagon, cover it with blankets and take off for the Buffalo river. My dad pulled us with "Old Furgie", the trusty blue tractor. We usually went with cousins or friends visiting the ranch. Amongst all the chit chat and the sound of Old Furgie, we managed to sing a few songs on the way. We would roast hot dogs and marshmallows and play in the Buffalo for a few hours, until the sun started to disappear. Then we would put the fire out, load the wagon again and head back for the Ranch. These are some of my sweetest memories. To this day one of my favorite things is roasting hot dogs and marshmallows over a camp fire! Well, we managed a hay ride this year, something we haven't done for a while. Poor Old Furgie's brakes weren't working so we didn't get a chance to go DOWN to the Buffalo river, but we were able to ride around, chit chat and sing a few songs.

Unpacking

Leaving Idaho is always hard, we miss our family already. It always takes me a few days to get back into our routine after being gone for so long, that when I finally got around to unpacking, Kate decided to climb into my suitcase herself and help me out!