Ryder.....

What shall I do with this boy? The past couple of weeks he has been a little tornado everywhere we go. Just to name a FEW things from this past week-
-got the top off a new can of black pepper and dumped it everywhere
-threw a 10lb sack of potatoes (one-by-one) down the stairs, then started on the cans in the pantry
-found him licking a butter wrapper that was in the trash (way down in the trash)
-climbed in the bathtub (clothes on) while Gabe was taking a bath
-threw his empty sippy cup across the desk at the dish network guyCan't image that from these pictures, can you?

I LOVE this little guy!!!

A hunting we will go....

I guess I shouldn't say "we", I should say "they" to be correct. I don't go hunting. Fishing yes, hunting, not so much. The kids love to go and they got some new hunting gear they wanted to show off. Show off to who? The deer or any other animal roaming the woods I guess. Check out Brooklyn fancy silver belt, it doesn't quit match the Mossy Oak (or whatever it's called) pants. Brooklyn was quick to point that out but we really had no other choice besides some hot pink belts. In these pictures Brad told them deer hunters don't smile (for what reason? I don't know, I just take the pictures!) Anyway, Brooklyn made a good attempt but Gabe failed miserably, as you can see! :) For this first picture they weren't told not to smile yet.

Gabe sure did try his hardest.
Still smiling Gabe!!!Brooklyn making faces in the mirror...even though you don't see Gabe's mouth you can still tell he's smiling!!

Oh...Back to School!?!?

Brooklyn was excited and nervous starting her first day of the 1st grade. She started at a new, bigger school this year and she is still adjusting with it all. She went from having 9 kids in her class to having 23 and her school bus ride is quite a bit longer than it was last year. It makes for a long day and is exhausted when she gets home. Thankfully today is Friday and she can sleep in all she wants to tomorrow.


She HAD to have the backpack with the Ugly Doll.

House Update...

It's been a while since I've done a house update and I've been getting request for pictures. It's been slow going (for me anyway). Yesterday we stained all the base boards and door trim in a dark walnut color. I love how dark it turned out and it matches great with the flooring that needs to be put down. This first picture is Brooklyn's room. She wanted a orange and pink room. The color is "youthful coral" and we are going to incorporate the pink in some how.
This is the master bedroom which is painted "pewter vase". More base trim.
Gabe's and Ryder's room painted in "brown teepee".
Here is all my flooring for upstairs. Every room is going to be walnut laminate except for the bathrooms.

Everytime I turn My Back....

While at Walmart this morning Brooklyn and Gabe talked me into buying them some "Dippin Dot type" ice cream. When we get home I start putting things away and the kids get their ice cream out and dig in. Gabe didn't finish his so he threw the remainder in the trash. Well I finally get sat down and after a while I hear this slurping noise and I stand up and go around the corner and this is what I found....

He was rather proud of himself for finding something so delicious in the trash can.


Reason #546 why I'm not putting any carpet upstairs in my house. Blue ice cream.
And so Ryder got his second bath for today. This morning was blueberry pancakes and now blue ice cream. Nothing blue for the rest of the day for this little stinker.

Ryder's First Birthday Cakes

My baby Ryder turned 1 on July 17. For a while I knew I wanted to do a monkey theme for his 1st birthday. I had found a monkey cake that I wanted made and then I seen these cupcakes in a magazine and I had to have them too. Aunt Jill make the monkey cake and I made the cupcakes. We were suppose to have his party at the ball park in town but was rained out and had to have the party at Uncle Seth and Aunt Gina's house. More pictures and a video of the party to come. Stay tuned!!

T-ball, Swim Team and More....

Oh, how we have had quite a busy summer. Brooklyn and Gabe were both in t-ball, Brooklyn was on the swim team, I am in school, picking and selling tomatoes, and building a house. I'm exhausted just typing all of that! Things are starting to wind down though and we will be headed out to Colorado for a little vacation. The kids are excited about going to see the mountains as am I and Brooklyn asked me the other day if the trip will take about 4 hours. I told her I wished it only took 4 hours and left it at that. Little does she know she'll be in the car all....day....long. Anyway here are a few pics of the kids in action.
And now for some t-ball pics!

Two Peas in a Pod...

Ryder and Irelyn enjoying a snack together. Not too much longer and they won't be able to do this.

Ryder's Pulling Up!!!

Ryder has now started to scoot along and pulling up on things. But, once he gets up there he has no idea how to get down and is just frustrated and starts crying. He is 9 months now and time is just flying by and he will be walking in no time. Oh how I wish I could freeze time so my little guy won't get any bigger. This is absolutely my favorite age and I just want it to stay this way. But, that is in no way possible so I just need to document this time and cherish it now because this time will pass all too quickly and my little guy will no longer be so little."Where are you Mr. Porcupine?" "I know your up there!""I see you!""If I can just get up here...""I'm getting closer!""Ahhh...I made it!"Ryder got this porcupine puppet in his Easter basket and he just loves it. He looks so real you almost don't want to touch him, but Ryder doesn't care!