Johnson Ranch

New Year's Day 2010
(wow that's weird to type. Is it really 2010!?)
We headed up to a friends' ranch (basically a lot of beautiful land) and rode some loud stuff with 2 or 4 wheels with Uncle Scott before he headed back to college. It was amazingly fun!

We rolled out the fake lawn and we were ready to go. We are so white-T baby!

And then off we went...





On trails...


Off trails...



We saw some of these...

And climbed some of these...

And had some of these...

We threw rocks...


We explored old ruins...




And then it was time for the mini motorcycle...





Owen really wanted to do it too.

We let him ride with 4 wheels on the ground...


And then there were guns. (I said we were white-T!)...


But first things first...earplugs for all!



My kids stayed clear of the real guns, but enjoyed their new air soft guns they got for Christmas from Uncle James (who else?)







They loved it!! They also loved the cool rock formations everywhere!


Time for some Uno and guitar by the campfire...

Gracie thoroughly enjoyed her first outing with the family!

And we all enjoyed watching the sky as it changed to evening...



Next day...
More of the same...






We helped chop firewood to earn our keep...

And then topped off the trip with a crazy ride by dad will all the kids...
Ready...

Set...

Go...

through brambles and branches...

through water and mud...

On two wheels, instead of four...

And of course, lots of hills...

The kids loved every minute!
And the only two pics of mom (doesn't it always happen that way?) I was the one at the back of the train taking all the pics...
First, my eyes are closed...

and second, not so cute...

Oh well.
The best part about the trip...Jake loved every minute! Much to his dad's dismay, he has never really been too sold on the 4-wheelers! He'd always do it, but just for short distances or because he was bribed. This trip, something clicked and he was a maniac--loving every minute, not wanting to stop and going through some pretty crazy spots without so much as a whine!! It was a beautiful thing!
Yay for Jake!
Yay for all!
What a fun way to start the new year! Thank you to the Johnson's for their great hospitality!