A couple weekends ago we all went out to a ranch just north of town to visit with the Cornia family. Lily had been begging to go jump hay bales with her friend Kaylee so we thought we'd all go for a visit. Dan has known the parents for a few years and he took his gory pictures and recounted his injury story. I visited for a few minutes, but as soon as the kids headed outside, I followed with my camera.
I haven't had that much fun taking pictures in a long time. It made me think of my Dad and how much fun he must have had following us around and taking pictures when we were kids. His slides are such a treasure now.
There was a fresh batch of kittens at the ranch and the girls were in hog heaven. As I was taking these pictures it totally reminded me of when I was a kid. We camped at the KOA a lot and it seemed like there were always kitties around to entertain Becky and I.
Where did those kitties go?
There they are. Ooh, and they look hungry, too.
Can I keep this one, Mama?
I showed Amelia how to make a kitty toy out of a tall piece of grass.
It was fun for the kitty until Amelia started whacking him!
Is she gone yet?
Lily, Kaylee, her neighbor Brayden, and Amelia had fun exploring all over the barn.
There was a grain chute that the kids climbed down and plopped in the grain pile.
Amelia was fascinated by the shaft of light coming through a small window. When I saw how cool this light was, I almost started hyperventilating, thinking, "don't stop, don't stop, just let me get the right camera setting."
This one of Amelia and the one of Lily holding the kitty were my favorite shots from the day.
Whoo-hoo!
Lily couldn't believe Kaylee had her very own little motorcycle. How cool to be a ranch kid!
Headin' for the hay bales.
The bales were taller than me.
Which leaves the question, how did the ranch dog get up there?
Good times!
15 comments:
Your photography skills never cease to amaze me, Susie! Seriously. Awesome, girl!
These pictures capture the true joy and essence of innocent childhood - not something we see a lot of these days! You are gifted and I'm so thrilled to be able to view your gift. Thank you Susie!
ps. I really heart the sepia pic of the girls with the shaft of light in the barn. Beautiful.
Love the light...I would have been panicked too to get the right setting. Looks like you got it perfect.
Oh my unholy monkeys!!!! Those are the best pictures ever!!! And you said you were worried that the girls weren't getting enough "enriching activity" time with you. Inventing activities for kids is what city and suburban moms have to do. Honey, the whole Cokeville life is taking care of that. See how you remember the KOA's and the kitties? Your girls are building their fun memories and are having the time of their lives, so don't worry about them!! You and Dan have given them something really, really special.
Great pics! The ones with the light remind me of the scene in the church in Bridge to Terabithia. Country life is the best. We miss it!
Carla
www.nathansma.blogspot.com
The picture of the girls looking at the light is absolutely stunning! I hope you have a stock agency to sell that one for you.
I love the pics. How fun to hang out at the farm. My most enriching activity with Grace lately was teaching her how to blow bubbles with bubble gum.
YOU WIN!!!! You ENRICH BETTER!!!
Loved the fab pics, breathtaking! Nice to read that Dan is out and about. The Ranch is so much better than Disneyland, it's real life and fun too.
You have got to stop posting these great pictures of Cokeville. Josh is way too jealous he can't handle it. Although it's a good thing we don't live there because I would probably start collecting all of the new litters of animals. Those kitties are too cute!
Jenn-
It's all part of my evil plan to convert you to the country way so you and Josh will move out here! The coolest thing is that there are so many ranch animals around, all you have to do is go visit to get your critter fix, then return to your nice clean house minus 800 pounds of cat hair!
Becky-
Thanks, that's exactly what I needed to hear!
Lori-
Don't discount the importance of blowing bubbles. That's a life skill!
I think the real question is how did you get up there? The ranch dog does not look pregnant. Who needs jungle gyms, play mats and expensive toys. There is nothing better and nothing better for kids than to let them run and play. I remember jumping hay bales when I was little but it was Thanksgiving and snowy and I got stuck in between them. They were so slippery I couln't get up.
BEAUTIFUL Images, Susie! :)
Dang, I wanna come too... all ya need is yer faithful lab at your side and your set for country livin, I am not kidding... do they need any nurses up there, I am sure that Avy and I could find a little house to rent!!!
.... and, hello... I want a little motorcycle too, SOOOOO jealous!
The light is fabulous!, BUT the really great one is the two little kitty faces peeking around the end of the barn, on the look out for the switch attached to the little girl in pink pants. AND Amelia looking into the barn.......where did those baby fur balls go. I can see a 12 inch scrap book page of that episode as we speak, sister! Just find me some Minds eye country paper......
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