First Annual Blake Family Reunion (Part 1)

The end of July we got to spend a few days at one of our all time favorite places, 

looking at this incredible view,

with some of our most favorite people: My FAMILY!!

That's right, my parents finally got smart and decided to "book" some time at the Ranch for their own family each year.  This was the first year we were all able to get together and have the place to ourselves.  We loved every minute of it.

On our way from Denver to Jackson Hole we scored first class tickets.  Justin saw on the screen that they were looking for volunteers to take a later flight.  He inquired about it and they said they no longer needed anyone for that, but because he was willing they would bump us up to first class.  Not sure how the others sitting in first class felt about two little children up there, probably wondering how "these people" made it up there, but we enjoyed the extra luxuries. ;) 

We did a lot of hanging out at the Ranch, happy to have it to ourselves and enjoying one another's company.

Grandpa pushing the boys on the giant stride.  

Jackson's favorite activity: playing in the sand

Exploring around the ditch.  I have many memories of me, my brothers, and 2nd cousins playing in this ditch.  Its fun to watch my boys doing the same things I enjoyed as a youngin'.

Taking walks to down the ole' dirt road over to Great Grandpa's barn.  And anyone who knows Jackson knows he is happy if he has something to pull or push a long.

Side walk chalk with Grandma

Four-wheeler rides with Grandpa

Trips to ditch-crick to throw rocks into the water.

Can't forget to make new measurements on the wall.  (The marks on the left have my father, his brother, and cousins, me, my brothers, and 2nd cousins all growing up.  The marks on the right are now my parent's posterity, starting with their grandkids.  Such an amazing treasure to have!!)

Sunday was dubbed as "Grandparent Day." Great Grandma Gardner, Great Grandpa Blake, and Great Grandpa and Grandma Purcell all came to enjoy the afternoon with us.  It was so great to have them there and I love that my kids get to have these memories with their Great Grandparents.

The kids were happy to just hang out, but we also came up with some fun activities for them to enjoy.  I created a "scavenger hunt/bingo" game for the boys and Aunt Amy put on a fun relay race for them.

My mom got them shirts to paint and decorate.

Some of MY favorite things we did was baseball in the yard, corn hole, and our minute to win it game.  My mom put it together and it was seriously sooooo much fun.  And I will tell you what, when it is my parent's game the competition comes out because they know how to supply prizes.  I'm talkin' no dollar store cheap prizes, but more like a $30 iTunes giftcard.... that's right, Justin won that grand prize! ;)  And I am happy to say I made it into the semi-finals.