Golden Bear Ranch

My family tries to have a family reunion every three years since we are all spread out across the western US (that is if you go with the crazy notion that Texas is in the "west" lol.)
Last time we did it in Utah, and this year we decided that something different would be fun. About 8 years ago my Aunt met this great guy and they got married. She went from being an Architect in Berkley CA to currently being a rancher in British Columbia. If you read pioneer woman, there are many parallels between Ree and my Aunt.
My Aunt and Uncle have a bunk house that could fit all of us, and agreed to put up with 13 kids under the age of 10. So we gathered up birth certificates and got passports and headed north.
besides being stuck on I-5 for an hour+ because of a police action, the drive up was uneventful and gorgeous. The ranch is settled in the middle of the Rockys outside of Kamloops BC. I've seen the rocky mountains before, but I always forget how really rocky they are.
Besides just the normal fun of having kids EVERYWHERE. We had a talent show (including my uncles kids and grand kids) a scavenger hunt, a candy hunt game, a day of swimming/kayaking in the lake, more swimming in Kamloops at the aquatic center in town when it decided to dump rain, and some great family pictures taken.
All of the kids were excited to help out on the Ranch, but Dylan took the cake. That kid is a born farmer/rancher. He was out there moving irrigation, helping with the windmill, riding on the kobuta, and in general being uncle Keith's shadow (that man has the patients of a saint.)
Andrew has always loved chickens. Its his favorite animal at the zoo (yes, our zoo has chickens) so he was super excited to be able to help feed them and to collect the eggs.
Kate was in love with all the babies (1 six month old, 2 15 month olds, and Ty who is 18 months) She also loved the horses and would have taken first prize at the talent show if we had been handing out prizes. (she preformed a poem from memory, then sang a duet with grandpa in front of 40 people, half of which she barely knew)

Kyle got to go mt biking up at the ski resort and he showed off his Idaho farmer roots by helping Keith build a windmill and other general farmy things.
I was a mom. I read two books, kept Ty from chocking on rocks, and enjoyed being around my family and not having to cook.
Its a smaller ranch with 60+ head of cows, 3 donkeys, 10+ chickens, and 7 horses. All of the kids who wanted, got a chance for a little ride. (That is the only hard part of Dylan being a rancher, he is afraid of horses. He WOULD NOT ride on one)
The Cattle needed to be moved to their summer pasture up on the mountain, so my brothers and Dad helped with the cattle drive. It was so cute- When they came back Dylan announced "Mom! all the farmers are home!" We made sure to point out to him the difference in ranchers and farmers. It did allow us to tease all the guys for the rest of the week by calling them farmers lol.

My mom made Chaps and vests for all the kids, and ordered hats and bandannas as well. Here is Deebs in his cowboy clothes.
This is my neice Addy in one of the skirts that I sewed for all 6 of the grand daughters. (Im going to try and get a tutorial up on how to make them later this week)

We finally had to head home on friday because Kyle had to get ready for scout camp. I think Kyle and Dylan pouted half of the way home. They both need more space then suburbia can really offer them. Dylan has been a complete beast since we got home. He loved roaming near and far at the ranch. Walking home from the windmill on his own, going out and riding his bike when ever he wanted, playing outside all day until he was called in for meals... He isnt thanking me for confining him to our driveway and backyard now.
Kyle left me early this AM for scout camp and wont be back until Saturday. He also took our only car. So its going to be a quiet week here. Which is probably good. It will most likely take me that long to get all the dirt out of the boys clothes lol.