Escape to Colorado

In Colorado we spent a week.

Driving 20 hours did look bleak.

But we made it safe and sound,

So Maddie could lug the kittens around!

Other creatures we did find.
This horny toad was one of a kind.


On the rowboat we did go,

And in the creek- rocks we did throw.

We piled into this old boat.

Hallelujah! It still floats!

The nights were always lots of fun!

Stinky from the days cattle run...

We'd plant our buns down on the ground,

Play some cards....another round!

(Note Maddie crashed on the couch snuggin' the kitten:)

We'd sneak a cat in bed with TY...

And ride horses -check out that sky!

Sm'ores with cousins - can I have more, please?

How many kids in this truck can we sqeeze??

Washing our hair in the crawfish lake!

A ride with mom on a horse, we'll take!

Kyle learning the tricks of the trade.

All day long these kids could have stayed.

(on the horses:)

Wrestling with sweet little pups....

Ouch...it got a little rough!

Feeling like true cowboys - wow!

Time for a little break, now.

Tyler feeling right at home,

on the 4-wheelers we did roam!

(Until Spencer put deisel fuel in them.)

Shocking the kids with my markmanship!

A horny-toad on Ty's tongue tip!

(Nastiness!)
We enjoyed a PERFECT week!

Even with our sunburned cheeks.

We strengthened bonds with family,

We hardly ever get to see.

Thanks to all who made it great-

We totally hated to leave the state!

Thanks Justin & Steph for opening your home and refrigerator to us! Next time we'll leave Spencer home! :)

The Roadtrip

We're off on our 2800 mile road trip.

Happy Travels!

The Best Week EVER

We just spent the most FANTASTICAL

week with the Mesa Halliday's.

Thanks so much for making your way

to the hot nastiness that is HOUSTON!!

(These photos are loaded randomly...)

The girlies (and Rydger) standing beneath the shuttle at NASA.

Kyle on the "Indiana Jones" rope walk at NASA

Non-hugging cousins.

It's all about Knucks.

These are huggin' cousins!

On the tram at NASA

Carissa and Rydger mastering space flight.

The gang's all here.

Kaitlyn demonstrating her superior balancing skills.

How amazing is this shuttle??

Not just cousins....greatest of friends!

More than a five minute firework show.

This family is overflowing with PYROS.

The girls getting pedi's in the jacuzzi tub.

Investigating the deceased Jellyfish at Galveston.

Straight from NASA to the coast.

We made it with about 15 minutes of daylight left.

Didn't matter to the yahoos...they were in heaven.

If you love grungy water, humid-hot air, dead crabs,

and jellyfish washed up on shore...

Galveston is the place for you!

Kaitlyn and Kyle getting ready to finagle the rope walk.

The paddle boat at Gigi's.

Sweet peas on the Fourth!

The highlight of the week were the ducks.

These kids spent HOURS upon HOURS at the lake

feeding, catching, and drawing (yes, drawing)

on the ducks.

The slip-n-slide.

(Thanks to all the photo contributors!)

Thanks Halliday's for the greatest week

we've had all summer long!

We miss you already!!

bLiNg!

Rydge picked out the most B-E-A-U-tiful bling

at the dentist today.

(Apparently it's filled with SUPER POWERS)

It matches the beautiful new bling

IN. HIS. MOUTH!

It doesn't make sense. Kyle brushes his teeth MAYBE twice a month.

NO. CAVITIES.

My poor baby (who incidentally brushes more than any child in the house -thanks, me) was put into a drug induced stupor this morning to have his crown put on

and cavity filled.

Upside...he was a snuggle bun!

I need to get some of those drugs for

coercive snuggle time from all of my kids.

Downside...we have to go back in a month and get the other side done.

I don't think he's going to go in without a fight.

Any good 'bribe' ideas?

Grown up overnight

My eyes are misty looking through these pics.

Is my baby really FIVE today???

He was my munchkin weighing in at 7lb 4oz

Rydge on the Oregon Coast.
The kid is a FISH.
Loves the ocean, pools, bathtubs...

He's the CENTER of our family.

We all idolize him...and he knows it.

My sweet little corndog is five today.

Doing a jig in his cowboy boots.

Happy birthday, little friend!

It continues...

My poor girly.

Can you buh-lieve she slept thru this??

Tyler has an evil streak.

I 'interrupted' this art session.

It was well past midnight.

Rydge was the mastermind.

Tyler was the artist & photographer.

I was NOT a happy mom.

It's all fun and games until someone draws

cheek whiskers and a uni-brow

and a purple nose (...really??)

on your loveliness whilst you dream.

I need some serious REVENGE ideas for my first born.

Bird Food

When I planted my garden,

I intended to feed people.

So far this has NOT been the case.

Exhibit:

These are tomatoes numbers 7 & 8...

The birds have FEASTED on every ripe mato.

We haven't enjoyed a tomato yet.

Tears.

Stupid birds.

Pick-Up-Sticks

How do I know I have the

BEST AUNT EVER???

Would your aunt let your kids do this????

Aunt Deb is in town this weekend to

BUY A WEDDING DRESS!!!!!!!

In the interim, she built forts and had a pick-up stick makeover.

We're so happy for you DEB!

Ode To Turning 38.

Noticing a few more wrinkles,

Definitely more frequent tinkles,

Eat lots of giant cakes with sprinkles,

This is 38.

A tiny hair growin' out of my chin,

Yellower teeth when I grin,

Gonna barf if I spin,

This is 38.

Flatter notes when I sing,

A minivan with nine new dings,

I can't remember ANYTHING,

This is 38.

Tried weight watchers to no avail,

Loathe to stand there on that scale,

Any other diets I can fail??

This is 38.

A family that loves me so,

Memories! My heart aglow.

I wouldn't trade it...no, No, NO!!

I LOVE being 38!!

A face only a mother could love

Disclaimer: NOT FOR THE SENSITIVE VIEWER

This is what I look like after I run.

I had a guy ask me at the fitness center today,

with a very concerned look on his face,

if I needed some help out to my car.

Really? I'm that person?

Thanks, Bubs, for the red-face genes.

Update

Latest photog of my AWESOME garden!

Rydge is pretty sure we'll never have to go

to the grocery store ever again...

we just have to saunter out to the garden

for all of our basic needs.

It finally happened

I knew it would happen someday,

but what a bizarre feeling when one of your kids

grows taller than you.

Where did my baby go??