I ♥ SK

This past weekend (Thursday to Sunday) we made a trip to Saskatchewan for a visit with Jon's family. For 3 years now we've made it a tradition to "meet in the middle" for a weekend full of fun, reconnecting, and great food!

Ya know... Saskatchewan gets a bad rap quite often... but I really, really like it. The rolling hills, the wide open horizon, the hardworking mentality, the abandoned farm houses (that seem to tell a story all on their own)... I'm not sure why, but I find myself rooting for "the under dog!" We sold our farm in SK last year - and don't get me wrong, I'm VERY glad we did - but the more we visit, and the more I learn... the more I admire the people of Saskatchewan and all that the Province has to offer!

(Finding time to take pictures was a bit challenging with two kids... but here's a few to give you a glimpse of what our weekend was like!)

This year our tradition brought us to Trails End Guest Ranch, just an hour north of Regina. It was a quaint little ranch with cattle, horses, acres upon acres of land to ride on, great hospitality, and enough rooms to house our group of 15!


The "Remuda Room" was where we cooked our meals, ate, and hung out together... it worked out quite nicely!


My little diva, helping Gramma carry corn husks to the horses




And of course, they came in no time!


Alia would have stayed there all evening, had we let her!


The wonder of a child, eh?!?!


We had GREAT sunsets while we were there... but it just so happens their "bone yard" was west of the ranch, too! (Notice the open hood glowing in the distance?!)


It never ceases to amaze me... even though we're "camping", what a wonderful menu Mom plans! From roll kuchen (for my American friends, that is fried dough eaten with watermelon) to BBQ salmon with lemon sauce (with BBQ chicken on the side for those of us who aren't seafood lovers!) ... we eat GOOD!


My little sugar sugar...


My sister in law, Jen, had a brilliant idea of bringing an inflatable pool for the kiddos, and of course, Alia was pleased as punch!


Anderson watching on with excitement as Alia splashes around before dinner. Sadly enough, I wasn't able to get pictures of them splashing in the pool together (it's that having two kids and being a bit busy thing!)... but they did, and had a great time!


Just the girls went on a trail ride and even though I was feeling it the next day, it was SO nice to get out and spend some time together! After we got back Auntie Jer took Alia for a spin on "Liberty"


Then Alia got to try out the saddle for herself!!





Larren got to take a spin in Anderson's stroller, instead of a horse!


Being a little fishy in the "wa-wa"...



One more "put-Larren-to-sleep-walk" before it's time to leave!


Kids sure do add a different element to our family tradition! But, we have to look past the thrown off schedules, shortened nights, and seemingly extra long time it takes to do EVERYTHING, and just remember... it will only get better as the years go by!