Ranch 2010

Our annual week at the ranch has come, and (sadly) gone.  As always, we had great fun, made wonderful memories, stayed up too late, and ate way too much.  We were missing a few key players this year, which was a little sad.  Michael and Sharon were hard on the campaign trail in the final week before the Republican primary, Jake was in Provo at the MTC, and Bret couldn't come at the last minute due to the launch of a new drug for Amgen.  We missed them dearly, but somehow managed to have a great time anyway.  Next year we will have three more missionaries, with Jordan leaving for Washington, D.C. in August, Alex off to Brazil in September, and Cole to a location yet to be determined.

Jordan brought these t-shirts and had each of the girls put their handprints on each shirt, and then she wrote each girl's name in puff paint.  It's hard to believe that, other than Ashley and Chelsea, these are the only granddaughters!  Looks like kind of a small crowd, compared to the boys.

Alexa, Caroline and Sam had a booming ice cream shop going on in the hot tub

THE LAKE

Emily and Luke at the lake

Eliza and Sydney

This group had been fishing at the lake for about three hours by the time I came down to take this picture.  It's always amazing how long they stay entertained.  Brett was a real trooper to supervise for so long!

  Brett, Jacob, Carter, Annie, Tara, Danny, Sydney and Eliza

Caroline and Alexa

The kids love to go take a picnic lunch out on to the floating dock, or "island" as they call it

Emily and Caroline teamed up with Cole and Alex for a canoe ride

JUMPING ROCK

Everyone loaded up in the back of Ryan's truck to head down to jumping rock, which is a highlight of every trip to the ranch

A few of the crazy boys jumped off one side, swam to the other, and climbed up to jump off this much taller rock

This was Caroline's first year jumping into the river.  Several people offered to jump with her, but she said no, she wanted to do it by herself.  She didn't even hesitate, she just jumped right in.  She is definitely our most daring child!

After the freezing river water at jumping rock, everyone wanted to defrost in the hot tub

Sydney, Annie and Tara at the craft table

Madeleine, Jordan, Allison

PINATA TIME!

The last night at the ranch is always bittersweet.  It is sad to know that the party is almost over, but wonderful to have reconnected with so many family members.  The memories and bonds we make during our time together are priceless, and will last a life time.  Thanks, family, you are all the BEST!!!