Cloud 9 Ranch

Last Wednesday, we packed our bags, our car, and made the journey to Cloud 9 Ranch.

There, we met up with our dear friends from UTSW Med School, for what hopes to be an annual reunion. What a blessing its been to remain such good friends with the Burkhart, Hartzler (all the way from Minnesota), McAdams and Warminski families!

I have a TON of pictures from our vacation, but I thought just sharing the highlights would be better than posting 590 photos.

First off, a little glimpse of the beautiful ranch.

View from our room

Here we are...

L-R:

Warminskis, Hartzlers, Burkharts, McAdamses, and Louises

I'll give you a little taste of what goes on at the ranch

(this was our 3rd time to go)

Speaking of taste- we eat a lot of food!

I don't have pictures of us snacking all day long, or the wonderful dinners Mrs. Burkhart made us, but here are the Hartzlers- cooking breakfast for everyone.

The kids had a great time playing with each other

We were proud of Luke and Henry for sharing their cars

And they really liked riding in the wagon together

Boys will be boys...
They had so much in common- their love for cars, sticks, rocks, bubbles, coloring, and watching animals.

Bekah, Luke, and Witten

Brinley and Bekah having a chat

Brinley, Bekah, and Witten enjoyed some rest time

Bekah and Witten even shared a bed for a while!

The mules provided a fun way to go see the wildlife.

( Pants are overrated)

Some of the wildlife that lives on the ranch

Red Deer, one of the many types of exotic deer

Baby Vultures

Friendly Longhorns

A lovable burro

We made sure there was plenty of relaxing in the pool

Girls with their babies

Jenny and Bekah, Amy and Brinley

(The little ones showing off their matching suits)

All the guys

Shooting skeet, playing baseball, and hitting golf balls also helped the men forget the stresses of the hospital.

Henry made sure he had some reading time.

The group always plays a game of Yattie Fat Sack (spelling?)

I've never joined in- looks like too much effort.

We enjoyed visiting the horses at the barn

And Tom and Henry took some time to observe the fish in the pond.

Sunday, our last day, we got the kids together for a group shot.

L-R

Bekah Burkhart, Henry, Witten Hartzler, Luke Warminski, and Brinley McAdams

(Bekah was about to spit up, Henry and Luke were telling Witten how cool cars are,

and Brinley peacefully slept)

Our gracious hosts, Dr. and Mrs. Burkhart. They understand the stressful life of a doctor and his family, and they did everything they could to make this vacation as relaxing and enjoyable as possible, and for that, we appreciate them more than words can say!

Till next year....

Houston

On Saturday, we headed down to Houston to attend Evie's 1st birthday party.

The Whitesides

Ryan, Evie, and Mary Pat

Henry wanted to give his cousin some birthday kisses.

Yummy Candy Bar!

Mary Pat made the cake

She also made these sweet party hats... They had the kids initials on them.

We tried to take a pic, but the kids didn't want to cooperate

(Jenny and Bekah, Mary Pat and Evie, me and Henry)

Henry was worn out by the fun festivities!
Great party, MP!

That night, we stayed with the Burkharts in their awesome new home!

As always, Jenny was the hostess with the mostess!

She even left chocolates on our pillows!

Henry found Bekah's bumbo- a good photo opp.

Not only did Jenny leave the pillow treats, she stayed home with Henry (Zack was on call- boo) so Tom and I could go to my friend's husband's graduation party. He just graduated from chiropractic school- We're so proud of Jeremie and were excited we got to go hang out with the Pedersons for a while!

Virginia and me- BFF since elementary school!

It was a great day!

Elephants Come to Town

Last week, we went with PatPat and PawPaw to see the elephants and clowns from the Barnum and Bailey Circus.

Waiting for the elephants

Elephant food

Here they are!

Thanks PatPat and PawPaw for letting us know they were coming

and sharing in the experience.

Mane Madness

(No brush or comb was used to create this look.... just good ol' fashioned sleeping)

Jerry World

On Sunday, the Cowboys Stadium hosted an "Open House".

We rushed over after church to go check it out.

Largest HD Screen in the world!








Tom and Henry had to check out the comfy seats.

Henry leading the way

View from the top

(Climbed what felt like a million stairs....Tom carried the stroller... I had Henry and the diaper bag... I think I chose wrong... I almost died.)

I'm told that all these panels can open for an "open-air" feeling.

I'm glad we went... Will probably never be able to afford to go any other time!
The best part of the visit was that there was a golf cart that took us back to our car... I felt very special.

Whew!

This Saturday was a busy one!

Henry and I (Tom had to work) started out by going

to our friend's, Selah's, 3rd Birthday "Par-tea".

I left my camera in the car, so here is the cute invite to her party

hanging on my fridge.

We had a fun time, but we couldn't stay long...

We had to zoom off to Mike's Graduation Party.

He just graduated from SMU with his MBA, and his wife, Kristen, and baby girl, Ava, threw him a celebration party.

I know Kristen is so proud of her husband!
Congrats, Mike!



Rocky and Amy left Brinley home with Grandma = smart parents!
Even though I'm sure they missed their little one, they were able to have a relaxing time.



Henry had a great time swimming, eating, and playing with some new friends.
(Somehow we forgot to take a pic of all the kiddos!)


After Mike's party, we headed home.
Henry began his afternoon nap (we're trying to transition to one nap) in the car.



As soon as Henry woke up (don't worry, I did take him out of the car and he finished his nap in the comfort of his room), we zoomed over to Michael's 1st birthday party.

Henry enjoyed playing dominoes with the birthday boy.


THANK GOODNESS Tom came over as soon as he got off work.
Henry was glad to see his daddy and I was able to take a breather.

Tom and Jordan, high school buds, with their happy sons.

Desarae and Michael

That evening, Walter and Megan, came over to our house to say their "good-byes"

(or as we like to say "see you soons").

We will miss them so much, but we look forward to seeing what God has in store for them as they began their new lives in Charlotte.

(pic from Megan's birthday 2 years ago)

It was a crazy, busy day, but it was so fun spending it with so many wonderful people!

Time with Two Sweet Girls

Last week we had a fun visit with Amy and her sweet little one, Brinely.

Henry loved being around Miss Brinley.

Then on Saturday, Henry and I were off to our friend's, Audrey's, first birthday party.

Here are the Barkers

Audrey had such a great time at her Alice in Wonderland "un-birthday" party.

Audrey got an awesome play kitchen for her birthday. Henry and Thomas had a great time playing with all the accessories.