The Ranch, Pt. 2

2 posts in 2 days!?! What is this world coming to? :)

But there are two very good reasons (well, three very good reasons, as I should really be cleaning my house at the moment and figure this is a good way to avoid it). Another reason: Libby shared some additional pictures from the weekend which I wanted to include, and most importantly, after sharing about the wonderful time we had at the ranch, I didn't take the opportunity to say THANK YOU to the ranch owners...my Uncle Kevin (my mom's brother) and Aunt Jan, who graciously opened up their beautiful home to us and took such wonderful care of everyone while we were there.

This is my sweet Auntie Jan...with their newest family member, Cec...which is short for Cecil, which may or may not have been my mom's grandpa's name, but that's neither here nor there. Actually, Justin had a Cecil on his side of the family, too. In fact, we joked about naming P Cecil Cecil, but Cecil Cecil's Big Adventures just doesn't have the same ring to it. :) Aunt Jan is the hostess with the most-est. She makes everyone feel so comfortable and takes care of all the little details. Uncle Kevin will tell you that she's the one who has taken care of all the decorating out there - she has a real eye for that, which you will see in some additional pictures.

Uncle Kevin is on the far left in this picture. Uncle Kevin is the mastermind behind this ranch. He and his brother (my Uncle Kirk, who is on the far right in this picture) and their cousins grew up spending a lot of time hunting, fishing, and just being outdoors in general with their grandpa(s - I think it was both of them). I think he's always wanted a place where he (and his family- lucky us!) could just get out of the city and enjoy being away from it all. I don't get to see Uncle Kevin quite as much while I'm at the ranch because he's usually out working the land - cutting down cedar, watering the buffalo grass, checking the traps, and just taking care of the bigger things in general. As you will see in the pictures below, he has done a pretty incredible job with this place.

OK - now for a few more pictures...

Here we all are at dinner on Sunday night (the one that Libby helped to create out of string and bubble gum. :)) We had the most incredible meal, but the best part was just sitting around and talking and laughing with everyone.
The only piece of photographic evidence that I was, indeed, there. :)
This is the main house after the sun has set. In nice weather, I'm pretty sure I could live on that porch.

This is looking towards the main house from the barn. I love this water feature.
Here's a picture of "the barn." :) Nicest barn I've ever been in...and probably the only barn I'd be willing to sleep in. :)
And another shot of the barn.
Here's the inside of the barn. It is just such a comfortable place, and I love all the natural materials that they used - check out the ceiling beams and the sliding barn door. :)

Here's another view of the barn on the inside. This is Auntie Jan's handy-work. She's good, no?

I am so very blessed to have a family that not only enjoys being together but also loves taking care of each other. Thank you, thank you, thank you Uncle Kevin and Aunt Jan for being such gracious hosts and for sharing your beautiful home-away-from-home with us. We love you! :)