My little Cowboy...

Miles has always been my little cowboy. From the time he could tell me he wanted to wear his boots, to wearing his Daddy's hard hat as a cowboy hat. I think last year was the first time we took him to a rodeo, he loved it of course. So naturally we took him again this year(see previous post in April). Ever since then he has been non stop about riding a horse. Well lately it has turned into riding a cow(like the bull riders). Then out out of the blue it became a baby cow. When I told Goose about it, he said I'll take him out there, but he'll get scared and wont actually get on...well, he was wrong. 

I love his face right at the end. I thought we had done a pretty terrific job of traumatizing him so he would never want to ride another cow(or bull) again. No such luck...now he wants to ride a big cow. WHAT?!? This totally backfired!

This is his outfit for the "big ride". He loves it...calls it his "Woody" outfit. He puts it on everyday when we get home from school. Thanks Uncle Beaubie and Aunt Cara...y'all did good!

I love that he's my little cowboy...but Lord help me if he truly decides he wants to ride bulls.

Too Close To Home...

 Last Monday night I wasn't able to sleep...there was a fire that was a little too close for comfort. These pictures aren't the best, but they give you and idea of what we were looking at.

I took these right outside Grandma and Granddad's house. I was standing on the tool box in Goose's truck, so I could see over the trees.

We were told the fire came within a mile of the dairy, but God is good and he didn't allow it to come any closer.

Easter 2011

We had a wonderfully busy Easter weekend. Goose's family was able to come in, this is always a treat for my kids. They love their cousins and getting to play with them. 

Friday night we went to a Bday party for Luke at the playground. Sat morning Ten & Miles had a soccer game(soccer on the Sat before Easter...they're crazy right?!?!). Then we were off to the Fluvanna community center for Lunch with Goose's extended family.  After lunch the kids hunted for Easter eggs...although it wasn't much of a hunt since there wasn't any grass.

With the exception of a lunch break and hunting for eggs...this is pretty much where Miles stayed the entire time we were at the community center. I think he asked just about everyone to push him as well.

The kids were scoping out all the good hiding places before the hunt

Aaaaachewwwwww!

Ten wanted some Wade time...This adorable little redhead has that affect on people...he, on the other hand, wanted her necklace

peek a boo

Daddy I don't want to go down by myself

That was a little scary

Momma and her little girl

Beautiful girls...ready to hunt!

Get ready...get set...

GO!

She thought it was so clever that there was an egg on the swing

Dear Lord...please bring me lots of eggs...pretty pretty please!

WOW...THAT WAS FAST!!! Actually these pics were taken about an hour apart, but I couldn't resist...to be honest she's probably taking a "poop" in the first pic :)

Hurry Miles...those eggs are getting scooped up quick

He was an egg huntin' fool...I love that his balloon matches his outfit

My little Easter Eggs...Right after the big hunt

Seriously...right after the pic of all three kids...she was a very tired little girl.

A very happy little boy...gotta love that "Fanta"stash

Walking around...pretty pleased with the spoils from her hunting. Her balloon matches too...what can I say, my kids have a sense of style.

Busy...but a great weekend! Already counting down the weeks until next year.

Take 2...

Almost 3yrs and 1month to the day apart...

Syd 14months

Ten 2yrs

I was just looking around in old pics(one of my absolute favorite things to do) when I saw this one of Ten, I remember I just took one of Syd standing almost the exact same way on the exact same playground. I'm sure if I looked hard enough I could find one of Miles too. 

Definition of a True Grandma...

...She loves ALL grand babies...not just her own!

This is Dena Faye(my sister-in-law, Alanna's grandma). She turned 93 this month, but you wouldn't know it. From the time I joined the Stansell family, she has always been there. She has been to just about every birthday party(if not all), she is at all the births. Everyone knows her...she is Dena Faye or Grandma Dena. I couldn't resist taking these pictures, because even though she is Alanna's grandma she still feels like part of our family!

Syd knows a grandma when she sees one. She climbed right up in Dena Faye's lap, just like she does it everyday...so sweet!

I think Syd thought Dena Faye knew magic...I mean how else was she making the pinwheel spin?

Alanna, see the sprinklers spraying in the background...good times...good memories! We will laugh about this for a long time. I mean who knew they actually used those sprinklers

3 Little Monkeys...

...watch them grow!

58lbs

47ins

38lbs

41 1/2 ins

24lbs

32 1/8 ins

My big babies...how I wish I could stop time!

Austin

This is going to be a really long story, but here goes...

Most of you know that a couple of years ago Goose gave me a Cannon camera. I love it! It takes the most beautiful pictures, but sometimes it is just too much camera to tote around...especially if I have all three kids in tow. So for my birthday this year, he bought a cute little cannon PowerShot S95. The picture aren't near the quality, but it is perfect for a grab and go camera.  

Back in March I traveled to Austin for a work conference. I was there about 4 days. Goose and the kids moved in with Steve & Nancy so they could help him get the kids where they needed to be in the mornings...he has to be at work by 6:15a. 

This is horrible to say, but this is the first time that I have been to the capitol, where I was old enough to remember...It's is a sight!! Every detail thought of and I mean every detail...even the door knobs and hinges. If you haven't been...go. I was overwhelmed with pride to be a Texan.

On the front steps of the capitol...

Here is the view from the 15th floor...looking out my window.

There were 6 of us that made the trip, and it was easily decided that I had the best room with the best view...but I would have traded it all to be with my babies. This was the first time I have been away from all of them. I didn't care for the feeling...next conference I'm loading them up and taking them with me.

To my surprise when I pulled my "big" Cannon out to take a few pictures...I found some treasures that Goose had taken while I was gone.

Such a silly expression.

That's her ornery face.

When she is working on a project, very little distracts her...not even Daddy taking her picture.

This is the face I walked in to see...awe...she missed me too!

We had some Mommy/Syd time while the other two where at Cubbies (Awanas)