Beauty

This was a few months ago, but I had to post it!  Ryleigh loves to watch me put on my makeup and I was prepared for this day, just not so soon.  I was quite impressed how well she did though. 

Cheese

Ryleigh loves cheese!  She is often found with a big hunk of cheese now that she can open the refrigerator.  At least it is just cheese, the other day she carried an entire pitcher of lemonade up the stairs asking "me mink (drink) this!"

Losing it!

Brennan finally lost a tooth on his own!  After having the dentist pull 4 teeth he had gotten spoiled.  He had yet to experience the thrill of pulling your own tooth.  Brennan babied the tooth for quite awhile.  We tried tying dental floss around it, I tried pulling it but it was just so small.  So Brennan was used to me trying to pull it, but he was quite surprised when I got it!  As you tell we will be spend time and money at the orthodontist office.

Canning 101

Thanks to my Mom I have learned a few domestic things while Kyle has been deployed. We started out with strawberry jelly in May and just did peaches and salsa this week. I never thought I would enjoy the "fruits of my labor"so much. Thanks Mom!

Connor's First Day of Preschool

How has he grown up so fast? Connor is such a joy. He lights up a room with his enthusiasm for life. He has an imagination that can keep you laughing and a stubborn streak that will work for his benefit someday! He was so proud of himself today and I couldn't be prouder either.

Here is one of Connor's funny stories. Today, Connor said, I have to tell my friends what to do because they don't have an imagination." I tried to explain that his friends also have their own imagination and he should listen to their ideas too. But that didn't work. He is dead set that he is the only one with an imagination!
Another funny story about Connor is, he speaks spanish and has been teaching his friend. Apparently, Connor is the expert on all spanish words because his dad taught him! Some of them are actually correct thanks to Dora (sorry daddy). But most of his words are made up with that great imagination he has. Today, he told me his dad also taught him Chinese! And llama in chinese was "wachama" This all came about because I was trying to correct his pronunciation of llama, from wama to llama, but Connor is not easily corrected.

I love this picture! It was one of those moments I was so proud of my children. You can see the love they have for one another. I wish I could bottle that up and show it too them when they are fighting! Ha Ha!

Lava Caves

Our last hoorah of the summer was going to a cabin with Papa. Of course, we had as many cousins there that we could get too. These pictures are taken inside a lava tube. It was really neat, and the kids loved it. They were not as adventurous as I thought they would be though. The caves got quite small and at some points you had to scoot on your rear end or even shimmy through on your tummy. Connor was the only one to go into the small tight spaces. Way to go Connor!

Back to school for Brennan

I love the first day of school. The excitement of the unknown, the thrill of starting fresh. Despite Brennan's adamant refusal to like school, I think I got him excited! He was up early and getting dressed without being asked. Wow! Go Brennan!





We sure did miss him though! So we spent our morning making him a welcome home sign. Connor was so proud of his glitter decoration and Ryleigh had fun getting the glitter all over herself. We were excited to have Brennan back and hear about his day!

Ryleigh's Birthday

Ryleigh turned two on July 19th but we made her wait to celebrate because Daddy wanted to be there. I am so glad he was able to see it. She has him wrapped around her little finger as I have said before. He bought her flowers and a huge butterfly balloon! Against my better judgment, I attempted to make a butterfly cake. Of course Roberts was sold out of the butterfly cake pans so I had to make it from a picture. For those of you who this is easy for, more power to you. I was just happy to have the cake finished before the party started! Kyle's sister and her family came to help us celebrate. Her girls are older and Ryleigh loved the lime light they provided for her. The girls dressed her up, opened all her new toys for her, played babies and in her little kitchen. It was fabulous. She loves to be around girls!



Jenna was Ryleigh's pesonal assistant. Thanks Jenna!


There is so much to say about this beautiful little girl.
Ryleigh loves to give kisses and is very affectionate. She often times had her arm aound her daddy's neck.
Ryleigh is quite a talker. I had always been told little girls talk earlier and it is true for us. She is making full sentences and will make herself known. She still messes up some of the words. For some reason her blanket is "ahblah" That's the best I can do with her pernunciation. When all else fails, if she can't get her point across she will act it out or tell you "show" and drag you to where she wants you. She is amazing.
I was baffled the other day when she brought me the Dora memory game. I thought no way was she going to understand. But we played it tiles up and just had her make matches and she was a pro!
Ryleigh loves to watch other little girls! At the parade the other day, she found three little girls and just joined their group. She was even adding her candy to their pot. That's what they were doing.
Ryleigh brings out the soft side in my boys. Connor often plays dressup with her and makes dinner in the play kitchen. Brennan has been found reading her books and playing with her secretly.
Ryleigh loves clothes, especially shoes! We have entered the ahanging your clothes five times a day stage. While I love it and know I will have a shopping buddy, I am not sure about the laundry it seems to create.
Ryleigh has a touching love for Jesus. She loves to say prayer. She is often offended if it is not her turn, so we have started her personal prayers. I have never had a little one pray this early and it touches my heart.
Ryleigh thanks for sharing your love with us. We are so blessed to have you in our family!

Fun times

We were determined to make our two weeks with daddy a vacation. I didn't want it to seem like daddy was home too much and make it hard for the kids to let him leave again. I coached them well! "Daddy will be home for two weeks, then go back to work for 4 months, and then he will be home for good!" It worked! We played and played and felt complete. Time went quickly, but here are a few pictures from our special time.

POOL PARTY




Playing legos with daddy


Connor's new bike

Connor learned to ride his bike without training wheels in March. He was on a little 12in bike that was way too small. He waited for Daddy to come home and help him pick out a new one. It was a special day for him.

Fourth of July
For the fourth of July we went on a family bike ride (earlier that week, Kyle had bought me a new bike and we finally settle on a bike trailer for Ryleigh) , spent time with my extended family and watched the fireworks. It was a very full but fun day.

This was Ryleigh's first experience with sparklers. She approached it like she does everything, NO FEAR. I am a little frightened by this tactic, but maybe it will her strength.

Brennan's special day
Four wheelers!


Ryleigh's Special times



Camping Trip
Our last hoorah was the camping trip. It took days to prepare for and was not without a few bumps in the road, but the boys were happy. Camping had been high on their list of things to do with dad. It was complete with fishing, four wheeling, tent dwelling, and Daddy's cooking! Fun!

Two weeks of Bliss

Welcome Home Daddy! Even if it is for such a short time!

The Rope

I must say, I questioned myself when I consented to tying a slip knot in the end of this rope when Brennan asked. But with strict instructions about it not going around someones head, I gave in. Four days they played with it! It got more use then many of the toys we have! The game was to catch the "animal". The type of animal changed often. Also, I am quite sure Connor spent more time being tied up then Brennan. Someday Connor is going to get even with him! I sure did love watching them play together!

The Unreachable

We have discovered Ryleigh loves watermelon. But we all know how messy it can be and this was so cute to watch! As the juice dripped down her arm she decided to take charge and clean it up!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KYLE

With Kyle being away it is hard to help him celebrate. I hope you feel our love Babe! Have a Great day!
Things I love about Kyle...

He knows how to be silly!


And has worn off on the rest of us!


He knows when to laugh! Silly string on Christmas morning!


He has a passion for life and speed and a very strong love of the finer things.
This is his most recent Porsche obsession.


He is a natural when it comes to teaching. He has a thirst for knowledge and he shares it with others in a way that makes you want to learn more. Brennan is convinced Daddy knows everything!


He has a sense of duty! He serves his country and his family with his whole heart!


He is a wonderful father who leads by example! We were trying to make a photo op here!


He is wrapped around Ryleigh's little finger and not ashamed to say it!


He is my best friend! I love you Babe!