One word sums up our weekend at Keith Valley Ranch...eventful! From electrical issues, false burglar alarm (due to flying bat), Uncle David and Will being "lost" for about an hour, and then there is the usual "happy chaos" of the cousin club all together under one roof! What fun!
Keith and Debbie once again hosted the Swank crew at Keith Valley Ranch (3rd year). It always proves to be a great weekend of adventure and fellowship among the family. The kids enjoyed exploring the grounds around the house, playing Red Light, Green Light...Red Rover... Hide and Seek, etc. It's always fun to watch the dynamics each visit of the cousin club. Anna is the leader of the pack...she's great about getting them all involved in an activity. A few times I heard Charlie/Will and June all asking her to sit by them at the same time...poor Anna...can't please them all...such is life. Anna 8, Charlie 5 1/2, Will 4, Lauren 4 1/2, June 3, Trammell 1 1/2 and Andrew 4 months. We have quite a spread. Whew!
Everyone loaded up in the ranch vehicles and enjoyed the tour...the kids catch on to the lingo and start using it on their own. Keith is great about educating/answering (our city folk family) any and all questions about the animals, etc. One visit about a year ago, Lauren was looking out the window and exclaimed, "Look, a 'canteloupe' "...too funny. This trip she got it right...antelope.
On Saturday afternoon, Chris and David loaded up Charlie, Will, Anna and Lauren and headed out for a hike...picking Uncle Reagan up along the way. The hike was successful and very exciting as they found several shedhorns for souveniers. David and Will branched off from the pack ...and after awhile Chris started heading back thinking David would be nearby. Not so. After honking the car horn, calling for him...nothing. Not good. So Chris and Reagan dropped the kids off and went back out to search for them. Keith and Debbie sprung into action heading out themselves to help in the search. Needless to say, Jennifer was very worried...the good thing was it was 5pm with a couple more hours of daylight. Finally, Debbie and Keith were driving down by the rock house at the same time a farmer was dropping David and Will off. Really?
They were definitely lost and they ended up climbing over the big game fence to another property as they saw a farmer out working...basically asked him for a ride back to Keith Valley. It's crazy! I am convinced that the farmer was a guardian angel...how convenient that David stumbled upon that point and saw the guy working. Usually there is nobody around. So, quite an adventure for Will that day...poor guy was exhausted.
So, they arrived back at the house just in time for the traditional wine tasting. Perfect timing...as we all needed a drink at that point!
All in all, a great trip! No illness, major accidents...and all the kids slept very well...always a plus.
The slideshow of pics mom created is below...enjoy.
Thanks again to Keith and Debbie for a wonderful weekend. We all look forward to next year!
http://www.photoshow.com/watch/Wh4hr8cx
Keith and Debbie once again hosted the Swank crew at Keith Valley Ranch (3rd year). It always proves to be a great weekend of adventure and fellowship among the family. The kids enjoyed exploring the grounds around the house, playing Red Light, Green Light...Red Rover... Hide and Seek, etc. It's always fun to watch the dynamics each visit of the cousin club. Anna is the leader of the pack...she's great about getting them all involved in an activity. A few times I heard Charlie/Will and June all asking her to sit by them at the same time...poor Anna...can't please them all...such is life. Anna 8, Charlie 5 1/2, Will 4, Lauren 4 1/2, June 3, Trammell 1 1/2 and Andrew 4 months. We have quite a spread. Whew!
Everyone loaded up in the ranch vehicles and enjoyed the tour...the kids catch on to the lingo and start using it on their own. Keith is great about educating/answering (our city folk family) any and all questions about the animals, etc. One visit about a year ago, Lauren was looking out the window and exclaimed, "Look, a 'canteloupe' "...too funny. This trip she got it right...antelope.
On Saturday afternoon, Chris and David loaded up Charlie, Will, Anna and Lauren and headed out for a hike...picking Uncle Reagan up along the way. The hike was successful and very exciting as they found several shedhorns for souveniers. David and Will branched off from the pack ...and after awhile Chris started heading back thinking David would be nearby. Not so. After honking the car horn, calling for him...nothing. Not good. So Chris and Reagan dropped the kids off and went back out to search for them. Keith and Debbie sprung into action heading out themselves to help in the search. Needless to say, Jennifer was very worried...the good thing was it was 5pm with a couple more hours of daylight. Finally, Debbie and Keith were driving down by the rock house at the same time a farmer was dropping David and Will off. Really?
They were definitely lost and they ended up climbing over the big game fence to another property as they saw a farmer out working...basically asked him for a ride back to Keith Valley. It's crazy! I am convinced that the farmer was a guardian angel...how convenient that David stumbled upon that point and saw the guy working. Usually there is nobody around. So, quite an adventure for Will that day...poor guy was exhausted.
So, they arrived back at the house just in time for the traditional wine tasting. Perfect timing...as we all needed a drink at that point!
All in all, a great trip! No illness, major accidents...and all the kids slept very well...always a plus.
The slideshow of pics mom created is below...enjoy.
Thanks again to Keith and Debbie for a wonderful weekend. We all look forward to next year!
http://www.photoshow.com/watch/Wh4hr8cx
No comments:
Post a Comment