Middletons in Wyoming

I have wanted to take the Middleton Family to the Ranch in Wyoming since the beginning of our friendship. One of my favorite things about Ali is the way she views life through a lens of childhood magic. It's not uncommon for her to stop in the middle of a hike or exploration or activity and say "Isn't this just magical?" And when you're with her... it is. My kids are blessed that I have her as a friend because she's shared that lens with me and when you think things are magical, they tend to be just that much more often. 

I just knew that they would love the wide open spaces, the experience of feeding the cows hay with the tractor and ESPECIALLY pelleting them from the truck when the cows just swarm around to surround you. The magic to be found on the ranch isn't glitter and gold. But it's dirt and hard work and fresh air and generations of stories to be told.

Our trip was everything that I could have hoped it would be. My grandpa was such a gentleman and I loved hearing the pride in his words as he showed his life work and legacy to our friends. It was neat to hear him speak in a way that is different than when we're just there normally. It's something special to see the ranch through someone's eyes for the first time and to hear all that my grandpa had to say about it. 

The only casualty was when Caleb fell into a cactus plant while out exploring with the kids. Thank goodness my dad was there to help him. He only got stuck in his leg, but when my dad asked him where it hurt he said "Evvvveeerrryyyyywherrrrrreeeee". So my dad covered him in bandaids. When I saw him running toward me with no pants and his face covered in bandaids I was worried, but all was fine.  

The kids playing the heirloom piano (belonged to my Great-Great... Great?... Grandpa). Words cant' express how much I love this home of my grandparents. 

My grandpa was just so sweet. He helped Lucy with her shoes and made sure all the kids were taken care of. He was the greatest host and the highlight was when little Faye, whom I have NEVER seen take to anyone but her mom, latched onto his hand and walked with him all the way from the barn through the field back to the shop area. It was the sweetest thing. 

The haystack was a hit of course. And I don't have any pictures of it - but another favorite of the day was having Grandpa-Great and Grandpa teach us the "Rainy Day Game" in the shop after showing us some of the old things that they've kept in there. (Like the flat bed carriage that the very first Walkers rode into the Bridger Valley on. So cool). The game consists of trying to hook a ring tied to a string onto a horseshoe in the wall. The kids loved it. 



And, oh.. the baby cows! 

Oh Wyoming. Thank you for sharing your country magic with us and our friends.   You're something special and we're glad to be a part of it.