ensign ranch fun (july 2014)

I'm sure I've said this before (in a post as well as in conversation) and I'll go ahead and say it again. We love spending time as a family at Ensign Ranch in Cle Elum, WA! It's great that it's only a little over an hour from home, is big enough to provide lots to do but small enough that most of the kids can roam around on their own (preferably with a buddy), and is pretty much always sunnier/warmer than where we live.

Trying to fit the bikes in the trailer is always nice as there are plenty of places to ride, including a nifty cement path around the lake. Porter's favorite pastime this particular year was to ride around and around the loop, looking cool in his fancy green Beats while listening to an audio book.

One of the huge perks of visiting the ranch for the 4th of July has always been the amazing fireworks show right there on-site. It's pretty much front row/lake-view seats and no crowds. Doesn't get better than that!!

(as a side note, the fireworks show was cancelled during out 2015 visit because of some regulations--we're really hoping this was just a result of wildfires and not a permanent change).

Having a little fun while waiting for the show!

More fun and some awesome snuggle time while continuing to wait (notice that P's still wearing the Beats;)

It's always fun when cousins get to come along as well. The silliness basically never ends. You'd never know it from the pictures, huh;)?!

My silly girl Mae. This little lady sure knows how to have fun. I LOVE that she's super smart, totally classy, amazingly tough, and super goofy.

You can always count on the awesome daddy-o of our family to bring along some fun extra toys! This year it was a blow dart gun. Grandma even enjoyed it, as did the half naked jungle boy that invaded our camp dirty and shoeless--see bottom left. Can't imagine where this kids' parents could be, you'd think they'd take a little better care of him!

James also took quite a liking the new pastime, and wasn't too shabby at it.

Of course, James is pretty much up for anything new and adventurous (mostly if it involves some kind of physical challenge). He always spends a portion of our visit at the rope swing.

And his Auntie J is always up for taking pictures of all the action!

Looks like fun!!

J isn't the only one happy to get a piece of the lake-side excitement!! The rest of us typically get in on at least some of the action as well.

Mae definitely won't pass up on her turn to have a go at the swing!

There's plenty of excitement to go around.

Horses are also always a fun part of our visit--whether it's led rides, trail rides, or petting/feeding sessions, we always have to pay the horses a visit or two (or three or four).

How we pass the time while waiting for horse rides ...

More silly cousin time;).

A huge highlight of Ensign Ranch is the giant slip'n slide. Even though the older kids/parents don't get quite as excited about it as the younger guys, we all actually have a great time together on this unique part of the camp.

And since this particular trip was also our "Grandma Loo Weekend," fitting in a game of family softball was a no brainer!!

Joe got in trouble during the game for one reason or another and had to sit in time out--which Auntie J decided to have a little fun with.

This cool g-ma loves herself a friendly game of softball!!

And it wouldn't be an Ensign Ranch trip (or more particularly a Grandma Loo Weekend) without a crazy and spontaneous talent show.

Looks like Joe's talent is putting a choke hold on his big bro. Brooks??? Hmm. Interesting.

The kiddos always come up with all kinds of dances, tricks, and talents--and to our delight and amusement, Kevin always ends up in on the fun right along with them!