Greene Valley Retreat (part 3)

Paxton loved playing with cousins.

Brandon, Paxton and Aliyah

Aliyah, Paxton, Gavin and Sam

My Dad helping mow down the grass.

And in the background is what we call The H house.
This house was here when my Great Grandpa purchased the land. So this is where they would stay before the Lodge was built. My parents even came here on their honeymoon.

Playing with Side-Walk Chalk

Sydney, Erika and Melissa                

Paxton loves to get in Lilo's kennel, it was cute to see them in there together.

We had a blast playing Minute-to-win-it with everyone.

Some of the games were hilarious!

                                                   Brandon                                                             Makail

Alex & Daniel

                                        Erika & Alex                                                            My Mom

Every night and sometimes even during the day we play lots of card games!

This is one of my favorites because there is always someone to play with.

And last but not least... the long car ride.

It's funny the things kids come up with on their own. Paxton decided it would be fun to put pretzels in between his toes and then eat them. What a silly kid!

Paxton was so excited to finally get some food! And Lilo just enjoying the ride.

Paxton being silly again.

We has a blast at the Ranch, like we always do. It was fun to have Paxton to be able to enjoy it more this year. He loved the long wide empty hallways that he could just run down, yes I said RUN. This kid is getting quick! I think the Ranch is where Paxton started wanting his independence. He always wants to be down and most of the time he won't let me spoon feed him anymore. So things get very messy when he eats things like oatmeal, yogurt and more. He tries to use his spoon and does good for a little bit, but gives up too quickly and uses his fingers. I can't believe how quickly kids grow up, but it is so fun to watch him learn new things everyday.

Greene Valley Retreat (part 2)

the lodge

fourwheeling

 Paxton loved the four-wheeler rides.  He got use to his helmet but after a couple rides with it on he decided that he didn't like it again.

While riding on the wheelers Paxton would put his arm in the air and say 'Wahoo'!  And when grandma and papa were on the wheeler next to us, he kept saying 'hi' over and over and over again.  He did not like to sit still on the wheeler rides and I would have to tell him to hold on to dad (Paxton rode in the middle of us, not on the front like in the pictures) and he would put his arms around dad's neck and hold on tight, it was cute.  We would also sing songs while riding and Pax liked to dance.

the frogs

The kids loved playing in the creek to find frogs and snakes.  Paxton liked the frogs from a distance, but once too close... he did NOT.  In the picture the frog did jump out of Erika's hand onto Paxton and he freaked out!

Here we are Swimming!

 We went swimming at least once a day, if not twice.  Paxton loved the pool and he loved playing on the steps where he had his freedom to move by himself.  The pool is as warm as your bath water so during the day we usually had to cool it down with a cold hose, but it was perfect at night.

         Pax with his Uncle Trevor that lives in Texas.  We were so happy that they came to the Ranch!

 the horses

 Paxton wasn't too sure about being this close to the horse, I was surprised that they got him to touch one because when I took him over to see them, he did not  want to touch them.  But he did love to go see them, he was constantly telling us 'horsies, horsies'.

Aunt Erika                                                                                             Uncle Dan

Visiting the Atlanta, ID Jail

 Enjoying the sky swings

with Aunt Jamie and Uncle Dan.

(part 3 to come later)

Greene Valley Retreat (part 1)

Our favorite annual vacation...

the RANCH

Here we are again in the small town of Atlanta, Idaho... population of approx 10 or so.  We loved being here with all my cousins on my Dad's side, there were about 30 of us.  This place is so beautiful!

Here we are spending some time on the lake...

  

Erika

My cousin: Lizzie                                                                   My brother-in-law:  Dan

paddle boats - canoes - float tubes - fishing - trampoline

It's just a small lake, but it's so relaxing just floating around and enjoying the view.

It's always fun to bring someone new up to the Ranch to show them around the small town and all the unique things about Atlanta.  (Dan, Jamie's husband was the newbie)

   the Cemetery

 Sisters:  Sandee, Mindy, Erika, & Jamie

 My cousin- Tanner

Cousins:  Tanner, Alex & Erika (my sis)                                     me & my Mother

 And of course... cute Paxton & his Papa.