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   

Down a bumpy road...

Nearly exactly two years ago I took these pictures of Keeler and our friend little Grace at the farm.  They are still some of my favorite pictures I have ever captured.  
I dug these out because this weekend my friend Kady & I plan on taking our kids out to the farm.  She has two of the cutest little girls & well, I have two of the cutest little cowboys (mommy might be partial) so we have high hopes that we will get some cute pictures.  We planned on doing this a few weeks ago but it ended up raining.  Keeler is so excited this is back on our weekend agenda.  He has been  asking about taking pictures with Kamber almost daily.  Who knows, they might not cooperate but at least we’ll have fun trying!

For Memorial Day weekend I have decided to stay in town and not go out of town as originally planned.  I just decided that I want to spend time with my little cowboys.  We have some things to do around the house and after the past few whirlwind weekends it’s going to be nice to relax and get caught up.  It’s not very often that we have time to just enjoy the moment.  
Here’s to wishing everyone a wonderful & safe Memorial Day.

It's time to honor and remember the heroes who fought for freedom and laid down their lives..  

Happy 8 Months!

Dear Kallahan - You are 8 months old!

You are such a little sweetheart & we just love you to pieces.

I think you are starting to like us pretty well too. When you want someone or something you rapidly flap your little arms and legs and even screech with delight . You are so bouncy. Your crazy hair is getting longer. Ashley tried to use some gel on it this weekend but no luck. It was even crazier! Your new nickname is Wild-man and it is pretty fitting It's hilarious when you make these grunting sounds..

In this past month you have become more aware of your surroundings and are a little less comfortable with unfamiliar people. That’s not to say you aren't still one of the happiest and friendliest little babies I have even seen. You adore your big brother. He thinks it’s pretty special to carry you - with supervision. Brother also does a good job at keeping us aware of everything you are doing since you are so mobile now. You are not crawling on all fours but boy you get around by worming and army crawling. Taking your 8 month picture was a chore - you were just too busy. I couldn’t believe my eyes last week when I looked over and you were making a good attempt at pulling yourself up. Let’s not try that for a while, okay? We’re not ready for you to start walking yet! You have slowed down on the teething and still only have two teeth but I am sure more are coming soon.

Since Mommy works it makes it hard to not see you all day. I can’t exactly describe the feeling that I get as I get closer to Granny’s house to pick you and brother up each day. But I get this warm feeling in my tummy full of excitement with an outpour love and I just can’t get there fast enough. When I see both your little faces and get sweet hugs it can make the hardest of days just vanish from my mind.  My cowboys are my world.

Love always,

Mommy

Wherever I am, I have to create an atmosphere of peace and happiness for myself and for my family. 

Tyler's Dirty Thirty Party!

My husband, Tyler, turned the big 3-0 this weekend!  I wanted to do something special for him but he was insistent that we not do anything too big.  We just had a house party and included his family and a few of our closest friends.  We had a wonderful time and a lot of good food.  

Thank goodness the Smith family came up on Friday evening to help with all the party preparations.   Another perk of them coming up was I got to love on this little princess the entire weekend.  

 Brynlee is an absolute angel and my boys loved having her around.  I can’t get over this picture of baby Kal with her.  His new nickname is “Wildman” – can you figure out why?    

Party Time!!

 Tyler's mom was so great with helping me gather pictures of Tyler's life.  Everyone enjoyed looking over the snapshots and reminiscing.  He was such a cute kid and now such a handsome man.    

I am so lucky that this man is my husband & the father of my little cowboys!  I don't think I tell him enough how much I love him & how much we appreciate all that he does for us.  I love you Tyler! 

Photo overload:

Tiffany did it again!  She made this darling and oh so yummy cake.  

Ashley made Tyler this awesome "30 beer cake!"   It was so cute!  

Once in a while, right in the middle of an ordinary life, 
love gives us a fairytale.  – unknown.

Too fit to be 50 party!

This weekend we celebrated my mother-in-law’s 50^th birthday!  My sister-in-law, Tiffany, had a great idea for a theme, “too fit to be 50!”  If you know my MIL, Pam, she is  the workout queen.  She loves to move, from kickboxing to running this lady is fit.  Just for an example, Saturday we had her birthday party and then Sunday morning she and her husband ran a half marathon.  And finished first in her age division.  She is amazing and looks amazing.  I hope that I look and move this good when I reach 50.  Wait, I already don’t move this good, ha! 

We had a blast at the party.  The kids played sports in the yard, we ate a nice lasagna dinner (carb overload for their next morning run) and just enjoyed visiting.  I got more use out of my recent 5K 80’s costume and everyone else had fun wearing bright colors and crazy makeup.  The little boys thought the sweat bands were fun and we couldn’t get enough of little Kallahan in his tiny “belly” shirt.  I am so lucky that my parents and my husband’s parents are such good friends.  In fact, I was talking with my dad this weekend and he mentioned that he considers Jim, my FIL, his best friend.  How cute is that!  I made a little video with all the pictures since we had so many good ones.  

Enjoy!       

Exercise:  you don’t have time not to.  

Young Lady

My favorite (one and only) niece, Jacey, had her first communion this Sunday on Mother’s Day.  It was such a wonderful morning.  

First of all, we had to travel about 30 miles to the church so I got to spend the first part of the day with my special mother.  I always had and always will have the best relationship with my mom.  She is my rock.  I love you mom!  Sorry my gift giving was pretty bad this Mother’s Day.  One bad thing about my mom is she is so hard to buy for.  She is so unlike me – I want everything!  Hope you enjoy that cookie sheet.

Jacey is becoming such a mature and beautiful young lady.  Two of my sister’s children have this beautiful red hair.  We don’t know where it came from but it has been so fitting for these two.  Both red heads are fiery, full of life and ornery as can be – which I love.  They have kept their parents on their toes.  However, now that they are getting older they are both calming down and turning into the neatest kids.  They are both super smart and I can’t wait to see where life leads them.  Going to her communion just got me thinking about additional milestones to come like prom, graduations, etc…  It is all going by too quickly.  

I sometimes feel sad that I don’t have a girl but then I always remind myself, you have Jacey.  I know my sister is more than willing to share her special moments with me.  She will always be there when aunt Kelley needs a shopping day, a mani/pedi fix or just some girl time.  I love this little lady. :)  You are so special to me Jacey Mae!

*Stay tuned for more details of this past weekend.   Especially exciting pictures & details from my mother-in-law’s “too fit to be 50 party” – we had a blast!

I'll close with this sweet picture of my mom and little cowboy Kallahan. I hope your Mother's Day was special and spent with those you love too!

“He fills my life with good things!”  Psalm 103:5 TLB