Our best friends, Jenny and Zack, invited us to spend a weekend with them and some of our other "med school
friends (as I refer to them) at Zack's family's ranch in Junction. This is an annual tradition for the med school families and we were so honored to be invited this year when one of the families couldn't attend (therefore leaving a room available for us). We met each of the families through Jenny and Zack over 8 years ago when the husbands all started med school together in Dallas and they have become some of our best friends. Since med school many of the families have moved away and this trip is a way for them to reconnect and spend some quality time with one another. I have heard many stories about their time at the ranch together and we couldn't wait to experience it with them. I was especially excited for Ava since she would get to spend countless hours playing with her best friends, a few of which have moved away. She was on Cloud 9, haha, the whole time! (Mikey always makes fun of me for saying that but it is only fitting since we were staying at Cloud 9 ranch!)
Here is a look at some of the memories we made at the ranch.
Within minutes of arriving the girls were in their dress up clothes doing what they love best together!
Henry didn't want to be left out so he found himself a pirate costume in the costume box.
There was lots of reading going on, especially if Bekah and Brinley were around. (I wish my girl would enjoy being read to a little more. She just can't sit still long enough!)
This handsome little guy with his "cheese" face always makes me smile! Aren't the overalls and gingham shirt the most adorable thing ever?!
The kids loved pushing each other in the hammock.
A favorite pre bedtime activity was to dance around the table, with old school country and western music playing in the background, while they drop eggs in the basket on the table.
Zack's mom and dad were such gracious hosts. I am pretty sure Nora, aka Gramommy, loved every second she got to spend with all these adorable children. Love her!
Cason and Connor got reaquainted with each other. I know these two will be best buds like their sisters are!
One morning we went to feed the horses. (I could not get enough of the kids in their boots!)
Treats in hand and ready to feed the horses!
The ranch is incredibly beautiful and on one of our excursions on the mule we saw these beautiful longhorns.
Best friends Brinley, Margaret, Ava, and Bekah (Audrey hadn't shown up yet)
This is out of order but this is another picture from when we drove around on the mule. This is a lookout point with a perfect view of the house.
Zack, Benjamin, Bekah, and The Louis' were on one mule and we trailed behind them along with The McAdams fam.
Love these girls!
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| One morning the gang went fishing. |
Mikey caught the one and only fish! We weren't expecting any so we were glad at least one fish was caught so the kids could see that there is something more to fishing than just throwing a string attatched to a stick in the water.
Rocky and Cason
Ava and her daddy :)
Zack, Benjamin, and Bekah (with Luke in the distance)
Snuggles with Cason man
If you didn't already notice we bought the girls matching dresses.
This picture will definitely be framed in Ava's room.
Such sweet and beautiful girls and forever friends.
Little guy didn't get quite as many pictures taken of him as big sissy. Maybe that's because he was sleeping so much of the time! ;)
After her first time of riding a horse on Thanksgiving she couldn't wait to do it again. She had a blast!
Connor learned what a horse is and even pet one. I'm thinking because we have a small horse of a dog at home, he didn't see any reason to be afraid.
Connor got to ride a horse too!
Since 5 of the kids have birthdays in either March or April we celebrated their birthdays one night by singing happy birthday (with candles stuck in marshmellows) and then we roasted marshmellows.
Lots of rare animals were seen at the ranch ;)
To go along with the birthday celebration the kids got to hit a pinata
And open presents from their friends
On Sunday, my precious little guy turned 1 year old. Being with our friends, even with the hustle and bustle of packing up and leaving that morning, was a great way to celebrate such a milestone of a birthday.
It was trip full of priceless memories! We are blessed to have these amazing friends in our life! Love you all!
