Hardware Ranch

Feb 19 - Every winter, we make a trip to Hardware Ranch. This year we waited so long, we thought we might not make it up there, but we finally found a weekend to go and it was even snowing so there were lots of elk to see! We usually invite lots of family up to go with us, but this year we went kind of spur of the moment, so we went with just us. It was a fun day! First, we stopped at the Visitor's Center.
Avery showing Daddy some of the animals. She was really curious about the HUGE stuffed elk in the middle of the room.

There was a little station where you could touch some antlers and different furs and things. The kids really liked trying this antler on themselves.

Avery checking the antlers out.

Cute little Avery. I love watching her toddle around. She thinks she is a big kid now!

Avery really wanted to pet the elk.

There was a big sandbox with different little wood stencils that the kids could use to make different animal footprints in the sand. There was also a leg from an elk and they could use the actual hoof. Kind of grossed me out! The kids loved it though and played there for a long time!

The kids with the giant elk that Avery was so mezerized with the whole time.

Then, we were off to see the real thing!

It kind of looked like a big storm was coming, so we decided to hurry and take our sleigh ride before the weather got bad. All the benches were wet from snow, so our bums got wet but it didn't rain or snow too bad and was pretty much done by the time we finished our ride. I was worried we would freeze, but it wasn't too bad.

My favorite people ready for their sleigh ride!

Logan loved his ride! He was really into it this year and wanted to learn about the elk from our guide. He even raised his hand and asked a couple of questions. He was so little and right in the front, so the guide didn't usually notice him, but he would say "Excuse me, sir" until they called on him. It was cute! The first time, he asked "How big do the males get?" I love that he asked just about the males and used that word instead of just asking about the elk in general! His favorite books are all about animals and he is so curious about that kind of thing. We learned they can be up to 900 or 1000 pounds. A little later someone asked about wolves, so a few questions later, Logan asked if there were bears in the area and we learned that there was! The guide said there was a brown bear that covered that area quite frequently and Logan thought that was so neat!

Rylee was just happy to be along for the ride! She loved the baby elk.

Avery wasn't too sure what to think at first, but she did really well and sat still for the most part, which is big for her. By the end, she wanted to get down really bad, so we were glad when it was over! I don't know if she knew what to think about all the elk. She really liked the horses that pulled our sleigh, though.

This elk had a piece of electrical fence stuck in his antlers. They said it had been there all winter! Poor guy! They can't get it off for him, but luckily he should shed his antlers soon and that will solve his problem!

Our family at the end of the sleigh ride

Checking out the BIG horses!

This is what the big field of elk we rode through looked like from far away. They told us they get up to about 500-600 elk there in the winter time.

Yeah for a fun winter outing! I think we were starting to get a little stir crazy at our house!

Hardware Ranch

In January, we went to Hardware Ranch with 3 of Darren's brothers and their families. It was really fun! Hardware Ranch is a really big elk refuge about a half hour from our house up the canyon. It was a gorgeous drive and a great day to go - It was pretty warm and sunny (for January in Utah) and not too crowded. We met everyone at McDonald's and let the kids play for a bit and then headed up to the Ranch!

First we went to get our tickets for the hayride and to see the Visitor's Center. Logan liked this because there were several hands-on things to look at. They had a bunch of hanging furs the kids could touch and try and guess which animal (gross!!!), a telescope the kids could look through to see the elk, antlers the kids could handle and a lot of stuffed animals around for the kids to look at.

This picture is pretty dark, but it is Rylee being cheesy! I thought it was a funny face... I think she is showing off her wink!

Here is Logan checking out the antlers

I personally thought this was a little disgusting but Logan loved it!!! It is an elk leg (well...half of one) that the kids could use to make hoof prints in the sand. I was hoping he wouldn't touch it, but Boys will be boys, I guess! He was pretty into this! A family Picture! The kids wanted a picture with this cougar, but they wouldn't cooperate! So here is one with Logan (and Rylee blocking out the cougar...)
and one with Rylee....still blocking out the cougar!

Next we walked down to wait for the hayride. Here are my nephews Parker and Spencer waiting for our turn.The hayride was great! It takes you right out in the middle of all the elk - and there were a LOT! Here is Logan checking things out.
Like I said, LOTS of elk!Our family on the hayrideRylee looking at the elk. She kept saying "Pet them?" I don't think that would be a good idea...Logan sucking his thumb. I don't know how to stop this, but it makes for some cute pictures...sometimes! He wanted to sit with his cousin, Madi and she was really great with him and very patient with his thumb sucking!
My little niece, Raegan. I loved her cute hat and big flower! She always looks so cute!My niece Lauren - She loves to have her picture taken!
Logan againBrian's familyRylee, Darren and Curt listening to the tour guides. Our hayride was really educational and our tour guides knew everything there was to know about elk. Darren and my brother-in-laws had lots of questions and they always knew the answer. We all learned a lot! Curt even found out all about the "Testicle Festival"! One of our tour guides was wearing a shirt from there and it started ALL sorts of questions!!!!Rylee...again!More elk!My niece Haley

The horses the pulled us on our hayride were HUGE Clydesdale's. After our ride, they let the kids pet them. I think some of the kids liked this better than anything else we did that day!

Logan trying to get close. I thought he might be scared, but he went right up and touched them.Rylee SAID she wanted to pet the horses, but once she got close, she wanted nothing to do with them! She tried over and over again, but I don't think she ever actually touched one.Mommy and Rylee

Before we got back in our cars, we took some family pics.

Here we are!I took pics for Brian and Val since they forgot their camera. Aren't they cute? I love how little Lauren is posed!I took one for Kevin and Haley, too. Curt and Carla brought their camera, so I didn't get one of them, but they were there, too.

It was a bit of a walk back up to the car and the kids were having a great time the whole way throwing snowballs at us! Rylee thought she was so funny!!!

Darren and the kids walking back to the car. I always think they look funny all bundled up!Logan throwing a snowball. He really liked to throw them at his uncles and has a pretty good arm! He can be pretty dangerous!!!

That night, we were all going to dinner for Darren's mom's birthday. So, we all went to Brian's house to kill some time in between. It ended up being a Rockband fest!Darren on guitar, Brian on the drums and Curt, the lead singer. I have NEVER heard a lead singer quite like Curt....WOW!Logan and Raegan wanted to be in on the fun so they went and found their own instruments. I think they are little toy saws they found in the playroom.Rock out!Darren let Logan help him on the drums for a little bit and he thought that was pretty awesome! He loves to play with the big kids!

ALL of Darren's family was able to make it to dinner for Grandma Pat's birthday and that is quite an accomplishment considering there are 31 of us (and 2 coming soon!) We were quite the crowd!!! Rylee didn't eat hardly any of her dinner, but she sure loved the chocolate cake that Grandpa brought!

What a face!

Have I mentioned that Rylee refuses to use utensils! She can...she is actually really good with them... but she NEVER does and always makes SUCH a mess eating! I think a spoon and fork must slow her down and she is ALL business when it comes to eating! She even eats her breakfast cereal with just her bare hands.... Maybe someday we will get some table manners! For now, I am just happy that she is a good eater!

I think its safe to say that she likes chocolate! She sure is happy about this cake! There are no pictures of Logan at dinner because he was playing musical chairs all night sitting with different uncles and grandma and grandpa and cousins and I could never find him! And...my seat was in the corner of everyone so there was no way I was getting out to get a picture! It was another fun family day! Happy birthday Grandma Pat!