Sunday, July 1, 2012

Deer Valley Ranch

The ranch is called Deer Valley because you can't go a day without seeing a few. One year a deer tried to come in our cabin. Crazy! 

There are no keys to the cabins, and we slept with our windows open and just a screen door. Zach and his cousins could go to "Tiny Town" (a child's ghost town) or really anywhere on the ranch by themselves. It's amazing! It's so wonderful not having to worry about anything. 

I hardly wore any makeup all week, and it was so nice. Ha! At the ranch you just go natural. ; )
We left bright and early last Saturday morning.
A deer greeted us at our cabin. I told you they were close!
Our home sweet home for the week
Zach and Abby at church Sunday morning
St. Elmo is a nearby old ghost town where there are lots of friendly chipmunks. They like sunflower seeds. ; )

Z didn't even flinch when this big one jumped right on him! Too funny.
Abby & Bo
Allie & Mary
Dad, Faber & Jason
Heading to the Wrangler's breakfast Monday morning!
The kids posing before the square dance that night. ; )
Yes, that's my dad. He's a mess!


It's always fun to do a little boot scootin'.
Allie was my little hiking buddy this year. She did a great job!
We did lots of fishing, too.

I'm so thankful my dad knows everything about fishing. He was always tinkering with the poles.
My mom made a friend! This pictures makes me laugh. ; ) This was at the Wednesday cookout. I would have been so scared if I had been standing with her. Horses are beautiful, but they kind of scare me.
That afternoon a mama deer with her baby came right up to my parents' cabin.
They really liked trail mix. The baby was really skittish, but it was so much fun feeding them.
Zach rode a horse for the first time! He loved riding Dolly. He just hopped right on. I have no idea why I was the one who led them around the ranch. Trust me, a wrangler was very close. ; )
It's become a tradition to go to the stables to take family pictures before the week is over. 
Love this.
Zach found a buddy. I think Z wants to be a wrangler when he grows up. Ha!
He also got kind of attached to Amelia. She was one of the kids' counselors. It was really sweet.
The last day Jason and I tagged along with Zach in one of his activities. We decorated ping pong balls and raced them in a creek. So fun!
The best thing about DVR is that it's a Christian dude ranch. The food is amazing and the atmosphere you just can't replicate. It's amazing to be surrounded by such beauty in GOD creation. I'm so blessed. 

We missed you, Mere, Garrett and David! Can't wait until we are all together!

When I was little I would cry and cry when we left. I still cry, just not as much. ; ) It's a very special place, and I want Zach and Colson to grow up going just like I did. This ranch gets in your blood, and I can't WAIT to go back.

The LORD your God has chosen you to be His own possession out of all the peoples on the face of the earth.

Deuteronomy 7:6

15 comments:

Brandi said...

Love all the pics!! My family would love the ranch, I'm checking into it!! Love Colorado!!

Maryellen said...

WOw I can't believe how tame the animals seem. I love Colorado ! I've been there twice and I have the fondest memories.

The photos were just great !

Anna said...

Looks like tons of fun...where is sweet Colson? Didn't see him in any of the pics!

Lauren said...

I LOVE your pics! Your fam is just the sweetest! I miss seeing your parents and the pic of your mom and the horse made me laugh! Ha! Glad y'all had a good time, I showed James the pics, makes us want to go and see it for ourselves! By the way, loved your sassy feather earrings! ;)

Sara said...

I love all the pics! What a beautiful place! I looked it up aand read all about it and would love to visit sometime!

Mer said...

so I'm going to need the pics! Hello..I don't have the group pic!!!! At least send me that one:0 In your spare time!

Casey said...

What is a good age for the kids to be before I could plan a trip there. My kids are 3 and 6. I just went to their website and it looks amazing!! I have always wanted to to something like this!! THanks so much!

Jenny said...

What a AWESOME place to visit! It looks like y'all had a GREAT time! Your family is too cute;)

Nicole said...

Um...is that a Bayside shirt?! I knew I liked you ;)

Cindi said...

What an amazing place!! I'm pretty sure I'd cry when I left too. :) And oh my word, I just can't get over that picture of Z with the chipmunk on his chest. That just tickles me to death. My Jake would have a fit, but I swear he'd laugh so hard when it got on him that he wouldn't stay - sunflower seeds or no sunflower seeds. LOVE that, Katie!!

Kimberley said...

i want to go!! so fun!!! i know my boys would love it too!! thanks for sharing!!

2 things: what is the story behind your brother's name? so neat! and how tall is your b-i-l? :)

Lara said...

Those chipmunks at St. Elmo are crazy aren't they?! We have similar pictures there with my boys! Glad to hear you had a great time at DV.

Becky said...

That looks SO awesome. Tell Zach that I wanted to be a cowboy when I was little. My mom was mortified when I asked Santa for a Roy Rogers Chuck Wagon......

Green Girl said...

Looks like a BLAST! Your brother in law and sister remind me of me and my boyfriend (he's 6'3 and I am 4'10!).
Also, I noticed the pink light in the corner of the one picture. I have read and heard that means a spirit is present in that moment (it happened to a couple of picture of us...Dan's mother passed away) and my friend who her father pass away, there was a spot on her wedding day on a picture of their family that the photographer could not remove.
Reese is always with you!

Kari Beth said...

Zack is so cute! Looks like a fun time

 
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