First and most exciting, we're building a small log cabin. I say log but it's log siding so the inside is not log, but we are putting up some knotty pine so it will have a rustic feel. It's one and half stories, with two bedrooms, a full bath downstairs and a full bath upstairs. The kitchen and living room will be one big open room, with a cozy fire place. We are going to put a futon upstairs to make another sleeping area and it has a big game room area for many uses. The outside is finished but we're still working on the inside. It has water and electricity and most of the wall are almost up and by the end of next week hopefully stained and painted.
We love the surrounding trees and the big front porch.
If you have been to the ranch before, this is how the house is positioned in reference to the pavilion and original container that we called "base camp".
We also had an official Kelsey Marie Ranch sign/gate put up as you enter the main ranch area. (The front of our land is a wheat field that a farmer rents from us, so the land we "play" on is behind that.)
We cleared more area down by the creek so it's looking more and more park like. Added rocks around the culvert and a log crossing for foot traffic. Keeton had no problem crossing when there was no water in the creek but now that there's water he's a little scared.
My cousin Greg put up his zip line and Keeton loves it!!! At first he wanted us to go with him, but now he likes to do it all by himself. I put a couple of hay bales at the end so he can land gracefully when he stops
The Tank (aka pond) had to be redone and we are now waiting for it to fill back up with water. It still has a long way to go to be full so we don't have fish in it, yet. But we do have a couple of turtles...and Keeton loves to race the remote control boats with mama or daddy.
There are lots of new trails to explore and have fun on, most of them made by my cousin Greg (thanks!!!). We had fun this past week with Gran and even got her to go on a ride on the four wheeler. I drove I don't think she would have enjoy it with Andy driving. We did stop on one trail for a photo opt with Gran and even got her to climb a tree with Keeton. What a wonderful Grandmother and sweet picture!!!!
Papa got us a BIG hammock, I think it's made for 4. Here is Keeton with 4 of his cousins: Jon Phillip, Ben, Sam and Jon...they're all in there.
We have a skeet thrower for practice and my cousin Jeff put up two deer feeders and a deer blind. Opening day of dove season, Jeff and Uncle Al did a little hunting.
Keeton got his own four wheeler for his birthday and loves it. He tries to ride it just like daddy rides his. It's really cute to watch. His cousin Jon Phillip looks cool on it, too.
We have a good old tire swing and a cute horse swing (cousin Sam is on the swing).
Keeton loves working with Daddy and the ranch.
Here they are watering the first "Kelsey" tree. It's a live oak and if you ask Keeton why it's a live oak, he'll tell you because "she's alive in our hearts". Also, you'll notice there's a live oak tree in the middle of the Kelsey Marie Ranch gate.
This is our second little live oak "Kelsey" tree, given in loving memory of our sweet Kelsey girl by our friends The Smiths and The Mills (Thank You!!!!). The boys had fun "helping" dig the hole.
After playing hard and working hard Keeton likes to rest a while and he finds all kinds of places to "rest" at the ranch.
Well, we hoped you like the virtual tour of the ranch and hope you can see it in person soon. We miss our sweet baby girl but the Kelsey Marie Ranch is a wonderful reminder of the blessings that God has given us, especially the life of our sweet precious baby girl.
The Up Family
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