Where the Deer and the Antelope Play

We spent a very fun and relaxing 4 nights and 4 days at the wonderful Flying L Ranch in Bandera, Texas this Labor Day. We were there with my mom, my dad, my sister Shannon, her husband Jason, their twins Scarlett and Juliet, my sister Jaclyn, her husband Jeremy, and her kids Grace and Dean. I had never been to a dude Ranch before and I LOVED the adventure! We stayed in cabins that had satellite television, which means that I was totally okay with the cabin experience.

While there, we had breakfast and dinner made for us every day. Breakfast was usually bacon, scrambled eggs, biscuits, grits, oatmeal, and toast. This Texas girl was in HEAVEN! I put brown sugar on my oatmeal to make it less healthy. And dinner was ususally chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes and sweet tea. It was lovely!

There was so much to do there. Grant got to play golf twice. There was a HUGE water park for the kids which was a big hit. We roasted s'mores at night. After the kids went to bed, we played Catchphrase where I almost peed in my pants a few times. MY GOSH that game is funny. Also, my mom brought our old ballet costumes from when we were little girls. The little princesses dressed up in our clothes everytime we were in the cabins. Because ballerinas totally fit in at the ranch.

I've attached just a few pictures....

Here's a pic of part of the ranch.... that building you're seeing on the right is a saloon where John Wayne once had a few beers. How cool is that?

This is my happy baby boy, Dean Jackson. He will be six months old on the 18th. He is SO happy and is just such a good baby. I cuddled with him alot!

This is my dad and Grace walking to get some breakfast. Pops and Grammy were so happy to be surrounded by all their grandbabies!!

On our first morning there, we decided to head into town, the thriving metropolis of Bandera Texas (population 957) to see the Labor Day parade. We were just a few minutes late though as we got caught behind some "traffic" that was also heading to the parade. I got out of the car to take a picture of the cowboys, horses and longhorns that created such a long wait for us.

Look at that cowboy working the lasso!

Once we got to the parade, we saw lots of horses and longhorns. There was also a young beauty queen waving from the back of a convertible. I thought she was Miss Bandera but then I realized she was riding in a State Farm car and her sash said "Free Estimates". Gotta love small towns. There were some fun old cars there too....

You know you're on vacation when your mom and dad let you lay on the street to watch a parade. Juliet had a ball!

Grace and her cousin Scarlett couldn't help but hug each other because of all the joy.

Pops was used as a chair for the twins as the parade got a bit longer...

After the parade we went to the ice cream place. Here is my sister and her sweet baby boy. I wish they were attractive.

She was made to be a mama.

I think they love their mommy.

This picture of Scarlett and Dean is just too much for words.

This is what Scarlett, Juliet and Grace looked like every morning....

One afternoon after naptime, Grammy painted the girl's toes. The color of choice was "Grape Shimmer". They were VERY happy little ones!!

They are ever so girly.

Grace, again, with her arm around her cousin. We actually had to tell Grace repeatedly to stop giving so many hugs. People need their personal space!!

Juliet is adorable.

I think Grace was a little bit excited.

Look at those beautiful twins!
Later, Juliet got out the doctor kit and started taking everyone's blood pressure. Because every ranch needs a ballerina doctor.

Patootie.

One evening we went on a wagon ride. We saw no less than 75 deer, I'm serious. Grant took about a thousand deer pictures but I am not uploading all of those. But look at my sister and her cute family :)

This is Dean's face when you sing to him!

HIGHLIGHT: Me and the husband went horseback riding!! We took an hour long ride through the trails and creekbeds. Grant had never ridden a horse before. Ironically, they put him on a horse named "Fatal Dose". I rode "Romeo". They were so calm and gentle and it was a fun memory for me and the husband.

It was such beautiful scenery...

The trip was an absolute blast. Needless to say, I got some great time with my family and got a good fix of all my nieces and nephew. It was amazing!!

Happy Trails to you

Until we meet again

Happy Trails to you

Keep smiling on till then

Who cares about the clouds when we're together?

Just sing a song and bring the sunny weather

Happy trails to you...

till we meet again....