Handful of Blessings

Monday, August 20, 2012

Ranch Life

After owning a ranch for over a year now, the kids and I have FINALLY made a trip to see the ranch. Brian has been to it several times working on getting it ready for us to enjoy it. Anyone that knows me knows that I am not into nature. at all. But I have to say I am slowly being converted over to LOVING the ranch. We ended up taking 2 trips up to the ranch when I only originally planned a couple of days. I was shocked at how much I enjoyed the peace and quiet of country living. Most importantly my kids fell in love with it. There was so much to keep the kids entertained. It helped that we had cousins the first trip up and Bffs the second trip. The kids learned how to ride dirt bikes, 4 wheelers, and the golf cart. Brian and his dad even took the kids out shooting. Dusk was their favorite time to see if they could spy deer near the feeders. These are all things that they could never do in Singapore. Next year I plan to build in a longer time to spend at the ranch so that it doesn't cut into my Dallas time.

Graham accomplished riding a dirt bike with no injuries!

Jacob and Graham

Jordyn, Graham and Jacob

Layne helping Daddy fix the dirt bike.

Jordyn way up in a tree!

Trampoline fun!

J and G relaxing.

Frog hunting down at the pond. There were hundreds and hundreds of baby frogs everywhere.

Every time you stepped frogs would just start jumping. You can also see all the deer tracks in the mud.

Our little country road that leads up to the ranch.

Jacob, Graham, Bryce, Jordyn, Layne and Brian

Layne

Bryce


Bryce driving the tractor.

For the 4th of July we headed back up to the ranch with the Nikirks and Crawfords. We even ventured off the ranch and headed to the local lake. The kids loved it.

All the kids splashing in the water. Graham, Bryce, Layne, Dutch, Ella and Bennett.

Dutch and Layne atop Brian's old truck!

Sunset at Three Sheets Ranch.

Bennett and me

Bryce and mommy

Graham and Bennett playing stick ball!

Getting ready for fireworks!


Bryce (6), Dutch (5), Ella (6), Layne (6), Graham (8) and Bennett (4)...As my friend Michelle said when she shared this picture with me...these kids have no choice but to be best friends!

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Wrapping Up Summer 2012

Summer 2012 was a whirlwind of activities for the Doffing Family. As a family we traveled from Singapore to Texas to Seattle to Texas back to Singapore and then a quick trip to Nikoi Island, Indonesia to wrap up the summer before school starts. Brian and I also made time for an adults only trip to Exuma, Bahamas to celebrate my best friend's 40th birthday. It was a welcome week among friends that we had not seen in a year. Needless to say the children had little time to get the summer blues of being bored. As Americans we are use to having 10 to 12 weeks off in the summer but for most of the schools in Singapore, international as well as local, the most they get at one time is 4-8 weeks. So, the Doffings had a lot of catching up to do with family and friends while in the US. We still seemed to run out of time while we were home. Hopefully, next summer I will be organized and stay even longer to make sure we see everyone that we missed this time around!

As soon as we landed in Texas, Brian and I pretty much dropped off the kids and headed straight for the Bahamas! It was one of the best holidays ever. It will be hard to top it. It is not often that 8 couples can coordinate childcare, work and home life to jet off to the Exuma for a week.