TETON RANCH

Parker and I were able to spend the whole week over the fourth of July in Teton Valley, Idaho with his family at his grandparent's property known as TETON RANCH. One of my absolute all time favorite places on this Earth. You have no idea how hard it was to come home from. Teton Ranch already holds so many memories for me. Not only is it one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen, but it's where Parker and I seriously started talking about getting married when we were dating, where I met many of his extended family members when we were engaged, where we have created memories with some of our best college friends and family while living only 5 hours away from it for the past couple years, and where we've made unforgettable memories and strengthened relationships with his family members!


I mean, just look at the place.

We went with Parker's mom, Katie's, side of the family. Every single member of her side of the family was there! Including 4 aunts and uncles, and Parker's 16 cousins!

It was such a perfect week full of relaxing, adventuring, and bonding.

They even decked the entrance to the Ranch out for the fourth of july!

We four wheeled to our heart's content! Which was ALOOOT

 
Seriously though, four wheeling through the woods seriously has to go down as one of the most fun things in the world.

When I wasn't four wheeling, you could probably find me at the lake. My favorite day at the lake was when we had all of the cousins on the water trampoline and played a giant game of Mafia! Ahhhh it was the best. Wilson, Parker's brother, was the narrator and would hang everyone off the ledge and then push you in the water if you died! It was seriously hilarious. I'm laughing out loud remembering it.


One of my all time favorite things that we do while were at Teton Ranch is the bike ride from Driggs to Victor. We rent bikes in Driggs and bike 8 miles to Victor's Emporium and get world famous huckleberry shakes, then bike back! It's such a fun tradition and I look forward to it everytime we go.

We learned to gamble and played lots of Bingo with Parker's Grandma Jill! Lately, I reference everything having to do with money for Parker in terms of In-N-Out burgers. "Parker, if you win this game of Bingo for us, that's four In-N-Out meals for you!" I think I convinced him, because he definitely was the most frequent winner of the week. Who knew double double burgers would benefit me someday!

Towards the end of the week, some of the girls got together and went on the most amazing hike that led to the MOST INCREDIBLE VIEW of Teton Valley and the Grand Teton Mountains! I think I'm still sore from it but it was SO worth it and fun to bond with these ladies. Pictures seriously don't do it justice.

 

Funny story. My sister-in-law Lizzy couldn't find any tennis shoes and after rummaging around through the cabin all she could find was men's hiking boots that weighed almost as much as her and were like 5 sizes too big. And SHE WORE THEM! We were seriously all dying. Parker's little cousin Kelly kept saying "Lizzy, you sound like a horse trailing behind me!" She definitely got the best workout out of any of us. Haha WHAT A TROOPER.


Fourth of july celebrated in Idaho was THEEEE best.

A few of us woke up really early to go see the Balloon Festival in Driggs. Sadly, we weren't quite early enough and came after the climax of the event where all the balloons were set off, but it was still well worth it!

What can we say....we like America.

Parker's grandpa Boyd has a tradition of making his famous sourdough bread on the fourth of July and let me tell you.....it was DELICIOUS. both huge loafs didn't even last 24 hours at the Ranch!

 

We ended the fourth of july with a heck of a lot of games, fireworks, and an AMAZING cake

(aren't Parker's cousins adorable?)

God bless America.

The rest of the week was spent horseback riding, playing tennis, taking a day trip into West Yellowstone to see Playmill Theatre's Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat, and a huge fun family outing to the Bar J Chuckwagon Dinner and Western Music Show in Jackson Hole, Wyoming!

best. week. ever.

Parker's cousin Brenna is an amazing photographer (and girl for that matter!) and took some family pictures while we were there. I love my man and his family so much!

brothers!

every. single. person. on Parker's mom's side of the family!

Writing this post is making me miss it so much already! I am thankful for the memories created and already can't wait to go back. 

Until next time, Teton Ranch!