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 hayride
Rylee 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 again
Brian's family
Rylee, 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
RyleeBefore 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!
Here they are all bundled up and ready for the snow! I think they look so cute in their snowpants and gear - especially Rylee who can barely walk! 
Darren is always a great sport to take the kids out and play with them and they have so much fun with Daddy. I was the photographer and taking care of Avery, so I didn't get in on the fun too much this time. 
The favorite part for my kids is always eating the snow for some reason and hitting mom and dad with snowballs! 
Here is Rylee making a snow angel. It is not the greatest picture, but it was so funny to me how she would just dive into the snow. Last year, she would only last about 15 minutes or so out in the snow, but this year she was an animal and was all over in the snow and stayed out for over an hour! She cracks us up! 
Rylee covered in snow! 
Logan with a mouthful of snow again - A couple of times they were both eating brown snow because of our dirt underneath the snow (at least I hope it was dirt...) Gross! They love to eat snow! 
Logan's snow angel - They made them over and over again!
Running from snowballs from mom and dad. Our kids love snowball fights! 
Cute little buddies playing in the snow. 
Rylee rolling around in the snow. I think she spent more time laying down in it than standing up. Silly girl!
Eating snow off her gloves...Yummm!
She looks so cold! 
I love this girl! 
Handsome Logan having so much fun!
This was my favorite picture of the day! 
They had so much fun! Darren pulled them around in the backyard for awhile on the sled and they thought it was hilarious. We even have a big mound of dirt that they used for a jump and Rylee kept falling off but she would just laugh. Darren tired out pretty quickly pulling both of them though. They were all excited to come in for some hot chocolate, thanks to the Cocoa Latte! I loved Logan's rosy cheeks! We were so happy to have snow for a white Christmas, but it is all crusty and dirty and gross now since we haven't had much new snow. Now that Christmas is over, I am ready for spring! We need another really good snow so we can build some snowmen and go sledding and then we will be ready for it all to melt!!!
