Ten years!

Ten years ago today, I married the love of my life.  We were married at a lovely outdoor venue in Texas surrounded by our family and friends.  It was a gorgeous day.  Everyone gushed about how much fun they had and the delicious peach wine.  We had a blast dancing and never sat down.  I can't thank our parents enough for such a beautiful, special day.
We had a few rocky moments... my tiara wouldn't go into my heavily hair-sprayed hair (catastrophic, I know) but the worst was the photographer's camera broke as Tyler and I were walking down the aisle...

Right after this moment the photographer was literally pulling film out of his camera.  

Yes, we got married before digital.

But none of that matters.  What matters in on that day - I made the BEST decision of my life. 

I still wonder how I got so lucky.  God knew what he was doing when he had us both pull up at Sonic as seniors in high school.  Tyler asked me for my phone number and the next day we met at IHOP and I knew that I wanted to marry him.  I'll be honest, it was his looks that won me over  initially but he's so much more.  He has a heart of gold.  

After ten years he still makes me laugh. He still treats me like a princess. I still get lost in his baby blue eyes. He supports me in whatever I do. He might give me a hard time but I know he loves me unconditionally, for me.  He is a wonderful father who inspires our children’s imaginations and dreams.

Marriage isn't always easy.  In ten years, we've learned that.  We've had to work at it.  We've made compromises.  We've seen dark days together. But the good has far outweighed the bad.  Together bad times are tolerable and the good times are even better.  I love this man with all of my heart.


::just a few more of my fav wedding day pics::

I'm blessed to be spending life with the man I love, who, knowing how crazy, controlling, and down-right weird I am, loved me enough to marry me anyway.  And best of all, he’s stuck with it for ten years!

Happy anniversary to my handsome cowboy!

Happy six years to my little cowboy Keeler!

Dear Keeler,

 Today you are six.  Seriously, how did this happen so quickly?!

 

You are smart, caring and adventurous.

You are very inquisitive.  You want to know everything.  Every. Thing.

You are a big helper – at home, with dad and at Granny’s house.  Sometimes your willingness to help drives us crazy but I hope that never changes.

You love to be outdoors.  ....playing in the dirt, riding your bike, helping on the farm.

You are silly and goofy and love to make others laugh.  
You are the best big brother.  Kallahan looks up to you so much and wants to be just like you.  You are great with other younger children too and work really hard to make them smile, coo and laugh.  You’re going to make a great daddy someday, just like your dad.

You love with your whole heart and give the best hugs. 

 

You can’t wait to be big and strong “like dad.”  You ask almost weekly to be measured.  You’re getting taller little buddy and working hard to be more independent.  You dress yourself and have a strong opinion on your clothes.  You like wearing work clothes most (with your new shiny belt buckle) but this summer you have decided that Nike “comfy clothes” are pretty nice too.

::You’ll be off to kindergarten in a few short weeks.  I can’t wait to see how well you will do.  I’m excited for you to meet new friends and touch more lives around you… because I know you will.

::For your birthday you asked for new farm toys, a new big barn, a 3 wheel scooter (like Jakob), a new "big bike" (like Bryon), a shiny belt buckle and a karaoke machine so you can play cattle auctioneer.  - requests granted by generous fam/friends and us and you're on top of the world! 

You lost your first baby tooth yesterday – one day before your birthday.  My baby is growing up. 

 

You are one of my greatest blessings. Six years ago you made me a mom and it’s been the absolute best six years of my life.

Love always, 

Mommy

Enjoy Keeler's birthday song at Texas Roadhouse:

P.S.  a little message from Kallahan:

Camp Baker

This weekend was the best!  I got the great idea to host a family camp day from Andrea.  It was the ideal weekend to "camp" because Tyler was busy on the farm and we had nothing planned.  

I put up the tent and did all the prep work on Friday after the little cowboys went to bed.  It felt like playing Santa ;)

I couldn't wait for them to wake up in the morning!

When Keeler woke up he could hardly wait for Kal to get up.  He said he had a great idea, to wear his camping shirt.  I loved it!

The little cowboys played in the tent with flash lights while I got around.

I printed them some camp theme coloring pages as well as checked out some camping books and movies from the local library.

Late morning we headed out for a scavenger hunt.  I assumed Keeler would walk with me but he asked to take the double stoller - why not? #yesmom #doubletheexercise 

  They loved looking for the items and I was amazed at how quickly Kal grasped the concept. He marked all the items off his list without any help.  

Midway through our hunt we stopped off and played at what will be Keeler's school playground.

It was getting hot so we headed back home.  They were starting to complain... Ummm, y'all are in a stroller and I'm the one pushing +70lbs here.  

We ended up finding everything on the list aside from a cat.  However, we ended up seeing one on our way home from church on Sunday and we were all so excited!

After lunch and naps we headed out to the farm to see Tyler.

We helped him water the cows and checked out the crops.

❤️ My handsome cowboy!

  Kal "drove" us back to the shop to help dad finish some stuff up and then we went for swim at the farm pool.

After our swim, the little cowboys and I collected rocks and twigs for making mini campfires before heading back home.

  We took old CDs and hot glued the rocks around the edges, filled in the center with the twigs and then made flames out of colored tissue.

Keeler talked me into letting him use the glue gun by telling me his teacher let him at preschool. 
He did an impressive job!

Once our campfires were complete, we gathered our goodies from our little s'mores bar and pretended to roast the marshmallows while dad figured out the timing on perfect s'mores in the microwave ;)

After our yummy dessert, we read one last camping book.  I had all intent of the little cowboys sleeping in the tent overnight but Keeler said he was really tired and would rather sleep in his bed.  Kal was pretty disappointed but settled with sleeping in his sleeping bag on his bed.  It was a win-win!  I just love my boys.  

Sunday we kept the tent up most the day and went for another swim.  It really was the best of times.  I love being at home and making memories. 

Grant Co Fair

The week of the fair has always been one of Keeler's favorite times of the year.  He will ask throughout the year, "is the fair coming soon?"  It works out nicely that his birthday also falls around fair time so we can invite family to take part of some of the fair festivities.  This year Keeler's cousins were in town for his birthday party on Sunday but came up for the weekend so they all took part in the fair parade and kiddie tractor pull.  

 The bigger boys went with me in the morning to ride in the John Deere equipment.

After the parade we all headed to the fair grounds.  I went to work helping host a hot dog feed and kiddie tractor pull that our dealership and a local bank sponsored.

The little cowboys and all their cousins competed in the kiddie tractor pull.  Kal was too young to qualify for state but entered just for fun.  

All the other children (Keeler, Bryon, Samuel, Jacey and Jakob) placed in their age bracket and are eligible to go onto state, ha!  We had a blast with our little tractor-pullers. 

Keeler (5):  17.1" - 3rd Place

Bryon (5): 23.8" - 1st Place

Samuel (6): 19.1" - 2nd Place

Jacey (10): Full Pull, 26.8" - 2nd Place

Jakob (12): Full Pull - 1st Place 

On Tuesday, we took the little cowboys to the turtle races.

Our turtles didn't place but we still had a fun time!

On Thursday, I worked the Junior Civic ice cream social and Tyler brought the little cowboys up for the kid's rodeo.

They were both really looking forward to the mutton busting!

My world, right there in one picture ;)
Not the best video... but you'll get the idea:

After the kid's rodeo, we headed over to the carnival.

Summer is going by way too fast!