Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch

A couple weekends ago we made a little trek out to Marshall, Texas for the annual Parker Brother's Reunion. Here are three of the Parker Brothers who brought their families together to eat, chase kiddos and reminisce.


This year Jeff's parent's hosted the reunion out at "The Farm" where Andy (Jeff's Dad, aka CPapa) grew up.

This beautiful old home was built by Andy's grandfather beginning in 1904. In the past couple of decades it fell into terrible disrepair as it sat unused by the family and abused by vandals and a vicious Texas tornado. I wish I had pictures of what it looked like a few years ago. Suffice it to say that it wasn't unusual to find a cow wandering the first story and they were lucky not to fall and get stuck in one of the many holes in the floor.

Andy has poured his heart and soul into restoring his old home over the past couple of years. He and Sara have spent untold hours out there planning, gutting, cleaning, painting. It is stunning! They still have big plans (a garage with an upstairs apartment is currently under construction and there are rumors of a pool) but it is amazing what has been accomplished already.


I love this big old tree that was knocked over during the tornado but is still thriving.

We enjoyed visiting with family. I met some relatives for the first time and caught up with others that we've not seen since before Bennett was born.

Bennett got loved on by everyone. Especially his favorite cousin Haley.


And I fell in love with this doll of a little boy named Byron. He came dressed in his cowboy best including hat, holster and rifle. I had a lot of fun taking pictures of him and his big blue eyes.


In the evening CPapa took us out with him to feed the cows. This farm used to supply the town of Marshall with all it's dairy. It is no longer a functioning dairy farm but Andy is working to grow the herd. There were lots of little babies, some just days old as well as a few expecting mommy cows that lumbered along in the heat with their swollen bellies. I felt for them.


Bennett wasn't real sure what to think about the cows at first.


But eventually he warmed up to them and tried desperately to get one of the enormous animals to come eat from his hand. None of the cows took him up on the offer.


I know he's going to enjoy coming out here more and more as he gets older.


After the extended family left we sat out on the front porch in the beautiful twilight, eating leftover barbecue and chatting. Then we got to enjoy a gorgeous east Texas sunset. Perfect.


I look forward to spending many more weekends with sweet family on this beautiful land.