Weekend Whoas!

We traveled to Texas this weekend to see my mom and she is doing great! Her doctor and physical therapist are both really impressed with her strength and progress.  She is on a walker and still has to stay off her feet most of the time but I could not believe how well she is doing.  

Keep up the good work mom!

While we were in town we got to do quite a few fun things!

We went to cousin Bryon’s first wee-tee game.

Went swimming at my sisters and then Keeler went to a Venom football game with my sister & her family. 
Kal & I stayed at home with my mom.  We had a nice dinner and then watched a good movie.

Kallahan got his first haircut right before he turned 9 months.  

I almost cried - he looks like such a big boy (and so much better)!  

*Note:  the little boys were just "too busy" for pictures!
Sunday we celebrated Father’s Day. We all went to lunch and then spent the day together.  We gave my dad some "Best Pa Diddy Ever Beans" and two R.D. Mercer cds.  These were wonderful finds from the Ulysses garage sales.  "How big 'ol boy are you?!"  

I hated that we weren't home with Tyler but we were able to have dinner with him last night and gave him his gift ----a hedge trimmer (just what he wanted)!  Just don't ask him who made dinner, ha! 
Thanks for all that you do for us!! :)  

 Last but not least,  Kallahan had his first snow-cone and to say he LOVED it would be an understatement.   

summer must-haves!

This is a random post but I wanted to share a couple summer must-haves!  

1) L'Oreal Sublime Bronze –Tinted Tanning Lotion

I started using this product last summer but when I wore a skirt to work last week I was constantly being asked what tanner I used – so I’ll share!  Anyone that knows me, knows my tan must come from a bottle because I am constantly preaching the harms of the sun and tanning beds.  Oh how I wished I could take back my years of worshipping to the sun gods for so many reasons!  But anywho, a pasty girl still wants a tan and this product is amazing!  I typically use it about three times per week (after a shave)all over.  The lotion is tinted with a subtle hint of glitter so it is easy to see where you have applied to eliminate streaks.  Sometimes I still get streaks when I am in a hurry, but after the next application they are basically unnoticeable.  I love that sublime gives you an instant glow and does not rub off on your clothes nor does it have a strong smell.  Best of all, it costs less than 10.00!! Let me know what you all think!!

2) Bud Light Lime-A-Rita

I can’t take credit for this find – thank my friend Sabra!  She brought over some lime-a-ritas to our house a few weeks ago and well, you can say I blame them for my sudden summer weight gain, jk!  I really am not a big drinker but I like an evening cocktail on the weekends.  So who's with me?  I love a margarita but hate the mess and keeping all the ingredients on hand!  Well, problem solved… seriously a margarita in a can, just pour it over ice.  Don’t be fooled, it's in a can but it's not a beer. It’s a malt beverage and packs a punch with 8% alcohol.  Seriously, one and I am done.  Feeling good…but done.

We really are in full summer swing.  This week we have enjoyed some pool time and lots of summer fruits.  This is a precious picture of my little cowboys and granny from this week right before we went to our house to get in the pool.  Keeler insisted that I get a picture of his castle.  Him & granny were proud of their structure but even more so  because they had managed to keep Kal from destroying it! =)

At work, I have been going on harvest photo shoots.  
I love this time of year!  Check out this great photo:

see more on our facebook page!

This weekend the little cowboys and I are headed to see my mom after her recent surgery.  She is doing so well.  She even ventured out of the house for a bit today for lunch with my sister.  It has been so hard being away while she is going through this.  I can't wait to give her a big hug.  

A life without love is like a year without summer. - Swedish Proverb

Cattle Branding

This past weekend was husband’s first cattle branding as a true business owner of TNT Cattle Co.  He has been working on his family’s farm/ranch for over five years but this past spring the business was passed down to him and his uncle, Troy.  I am so proud of my husband and we are looking forward to what the future holds.  

The annual cattle branding is always fun but a lot work.  This is when all the new spring calves are branded, marked with ear tags for identification, vaccinated & castrated.  We always have a lot of friends & family come out to help.  The branding ends with a large meal and social gathering.  As always, granny made a fabulous meal.  It was so good to spend time with everyone. 

My main focus during the branding was pictures.  I was a bit disappointed on how they turned out but you can see that it’s an awesome process.  It was so windy that everyone was covered in dirt and it was hard to focus as we were all trying to block from the wind and not eat so much dirt :)    

I'll close with a picture of Kallahan & me.  He's nicely sporting a baby slobber-tee and I am wearing Revlon's latest shade of colorstay dirtstay.

Eat Beef

Welcome to our kitchen...

Today I am pairing up Kelly’s Korner’s Show Us Your Life:  Home Tours.  

Today is all about kitchens.  We moved into our new house about six months ago and have done quite a few updates.  If you know me, you know that I don’t cook much so our kitchen is perfect for us.  It's small, simple and quaint.  It’s not a chef’s dream by any means but it meets my needs since I am able to heat up oatmeal and bake muffins – my two specialties. 

So come on in - and enjoy :)

I love the view of the open field from my kitchen window!

"Trust God!" 
These are the wonderful words that Keeler has been saying this week.  He has completed his first ever full week of VBS.  He has enjoyed it so much.  I took off today and taught arts & crafts since they were short handed.  It was such a fun morning.  I can't describe how awesome the curriculum and team were that put on our VBS.  Our church is so blessed.  Can you believe that that they took the 5th graders on a plane ride today?!  I'm telling you, it was unlike any Bible school I ever attended.  Tonight they are concluding with a program, dinner and swim party.      
This weekend is my husband's annual cattle branding.  We have family coming in for the festivities.  I better get to work on cleaning up the house and getting my little cowboys down for naps.  Tomorrow is a big day...stay tuned for pictures.  This is still one of my favorites from last year.

 Have wonderful weekend!!

Weekend Whoas!

 Keeler:  my sweetest oldest little cowboy.  

toy trucks, Peppa Pig, story time, outdoors, swimming, “you’re the best mommy!”  

 Kallahan:  my sweetest youngest little cowboy.  

crazy hair, never still, grabbing Everything, the softest skin

screaming is our new only way of communicating “AHHHHHhhhhhhhhggggggggggggggg!! ... Aaaaahhhhhh-h!!! AR-----H!!!   

Weekend Photo Overload 

Photos c/o Cristen

 I love this picture!  Look at the joy on baby's face.

 My mom had total hip replacement surgery this morning.  My sister and dad report that she is doing well.  The surgery went well and now the recovery begins.  She will be in the hospital for 2-3 days.  PLEASE keep her recovery in your prayers.  I can’t wait to see her and Keeler is already talking about going on a walk with her.   We plan on going down once she gets home and my dad and sister need a break.  It's times like this when I hate that we live too far away to hop in the car and check on them.  

Jeremiah 30:17

"But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds," declares the LORD

Cristen

One of the many perks of our new house is the location.  We are blessed to have the Edwards as neighbors now.  Their daughter Cristen has become one of our favorite friends.  She plays well with Keeler, helps me around the house (I don't even ask) and Kallahan just adores her.  This week Keeler walked across the street, rang their doorbell and asked her to come over and play – all by himself.  I of course was standing across the street coaching him along as he made his every move but you get the jest, my little cowboy is growing up and the neighbors will soon be nicknaming him Dennis the Menace, ha! 

Today was citywide garage sale day in our town.  Keeler and I got up early and went to about half a dozen sales before Tyler & the baby woke.  Later we ventured to the local farmer’s market and then downtown to some sidewalk sales.  It was a neat day in our little town.  We didn’t buy much but what we did we have enjoyed…some delicious pudding cookies – thanks Anita!  Keeler was the big spender at the garage sales coming home with a box of trucks and a helicopter.   

After we got home Cristen came over and spent the day with us.  You may have noticed that recently there have been some pictures of me in my blog and wondered how that is possible since we all know Tyler is always working.  Well, it's thanks of my new photographer Cristen!  She loves taking pictures but says she hates getting her picture taken.  

Late this afternoon a storm rolled into town and we were outside attempting to get shots of the lightening, I know real smart. I decided that it was the perfect time to get Cristen in front of the camera.  As Tyler took Keeler to pick up dinner, Cristen & I quickly raced inside, put a little makeup on her, she put on one of my little dresses and out we went. It was so much fun!

 We were all pretty impressed with how the shots turned out.  She is such a beautiful young girl.  I just love her and look forward to getting to watch her mature into a wonderful young lady.   

A friend is one of the nicest things you can have, 
and one of the best things you can be. - Douglas Pagels

Weekend Whoas (by Keeler)

Hi!  I am Keeler and my mommy takes lots of pictures so I can remember our special times.  I’ll tell you about my weekend!

My parents finally put together the kitchen I got for Christmas.  

Brother and I played and baked mommy some muffins.

Kallahan can stand up all by himself!

 We went to the zoo with Jill, Cameron and Gavin

 We spent time with Daddy…

Mommy says it's good to stop & smell the flowers, so I did! 

 I spent time with my cool little bro.

 We went on a walk to the park. 

 Had a picnic under a tree & ate my favorite, watermelon!! 

 Brother crashed in his stroller. 

Mommy told me about Memorial Day.  She said today we remember and thank those that have fought and are currently fighting for our freedom.  She said that we are so lucky to live in America, "The land of the free!"  We talked about freedom.  Freedom is being whatever I want to be, like a fireman!  

Happy Memorial Day!

Keeler