All I Want for Christmas

Raly lost her second front tooth this morning, December 22. Lucky girl! She is going to keep her tooth and put it under her pillow on Christmas Eve. She says that she is hoping that her tooth will still be there in the morning because she wants the Tooth Fairy to get a night off!

By the way, the banging in the background is Reese, of course. Make sure to scroll down and pause the playlist songs so that you can hear Raly sing.

Jack is 3 Months Today

I can hardly believe that it's been three months. In many ways, it's been an amazing three months despite my challenges. Jack is great! Raly and Reese love him very much and have adjusted well to having a baby brother. I have enjoyed getting to spend so much time with him. He's a pretty happy baby, but when he cries, Reese is quick to put his pacifier in his mouth. Raly loves hanging out with Jack...reading to him, acting silly to make him laugh...she's a fantastic big sister. Rhett has been a wonderful father and husband in the last three months, taking on many many duties that he didn't expect before Jack was born. I am so thankful for all that he has done!

Christmas Tree

Well, last weekend we drove to the mountains to cut down our tree. Unfortunately, Rhett had the camera and this was the only picture he took. Our tree is very much a Charlie Brown tree and it's really really short and flat; however, Raly loved decorating it!

Raly and Reese

Winter Performance

We watched Reese sing a variety of songs at his Winter Peformance. He actually did quite well and he didn't pick his nose at all this year! Yeah!

"Wanna play Star Wars?"

Jack enjoyed being outside while Reese played with the "big kids."

Reese was thrilled to be playing Star Wars with the big boys! He had several injuries during their battles, but he always went back for more!

Halloween 2010

The kids lasted about 2 minutes with pumpkin carving. Neither liked getting their hands dirty. So, Rhett was on his own. Raly is such a great big sister to Jack.
Finally, Reese cooperates for a picture.

Reese showing his true colors!

Not the best picture, but the best we could get. Raly was an American Girl Doll, Reese was Buzz Lightyear, and Jack was a monkey. Reese was sick on Halloween last year so he was terribly excited about trick or treating this year. The morning after Halloween, he said, "Trick or treating was so much better than I expected."

Cougar Chase

Raly's school has a "race" every year. It's called the Copper Mesa Cougar Chase. The kids run/walk around the school as many times as they can during their specials time. Raly ran/walked 2.4 miles! I was very proud of her effort!

Soccer

Raly played soccer this fall. Thank goodness Kylie, Raly's BFF, played on the same team. Otherwise, it would of been a battle to get her out of the house for practice. I think she plays strictly for the social factor!

Raly's 7th Birthday

Raly had a great time at the American Girl Store for her birthday. Raly and three friends spent an hour shopping for their American Girl dolls. Then they ate lunch with their dolls at The White Chocolate Grill.
Raly got what she wanted: MOLLY!

Happy happy birthday!

Flag Football

Reese played flag football this fall and it was eventful. Rhett was the assistant coach and the season started with a lot of frustration. Reese spent more time sitting in the grass than participating. Then, the week that Jack as born, something clicked for him. He started to really get it and loved playing defense. He refused to play offense because he didn't want to carry the ball and get his own flags pulled.

This first video is funny. Reese is upset because the ball carriers aren't running to his side. The second video is Reese running the ball in for a touchdown. Yep, finally! At the last game of the season, the coaches forced Reese to play offense and run the ball. He was crying when he got the ball, but his frown quickly changed to a smile when he ran by his defenders.

Jack Settles in at Home

We haven't been very good about taking pictures, but here are a few. We have had a lot of help from our parents, neighbors, and friends while Rhett attempts to keep a normal work schedule and I attempt to recover from the bladder surgery. We are so appreciate of all the help and support we've had from everyone. Rhett's grandparents made the long drive from Kansas City to meet Jack. Jack sure enjoyed all the attention he received from his great grandparents.

Jack was named after his Great Grandad Jack. Baby Jack sat with his Great Grandad for hours over the weekend. I think both Jacks were extremely happy!

Great Grandma even got a smile!

Raly has been a big help. She likes to feed him, but refuses to burp him or change diapers! Bummer!

In the Hospital

Raly and Reese visited often while Jack and I were in the hospital. Jack is on the "light table" behind Reese because he had jaundice. Jack is about to be dressed to go home...finally!

Raly and Jack

Block Party

Mid August - Block Party Time

Raly enjoyed the water games!

Reese loved batting the pinata...

and blowing the whistle as loud as he could for Grandad!

Raly loved all the time she spent with her girlfriends!

Several families weren't able to participate this year, but we still had plenty of kids to participate in the games!

Construction is Complete

Prior to construction: After Construction:

So it's a little difficult to visualize, but now instead of the vaulted ceiling, we have a bedroom, bathroom and small study area. Here is Raly's bathroom (you get to the bathroom by entering her bedroom).


Raly's bedroom: In this picture you can see three of the small square windows that you can see in the top "before construction" picture.


Study area:

Main floor before construction:

Main floor after construction

It was quite a long and expensive process, but very worth it. We opted to do all the painting and since I'm pregnant, Rhett had to take on this daunting task. He did a amazing job! He's now an expert, but I wouldn't ask him for any painting favors just yet!

First Day of First Grade!

I had planned to get a picture of Raly in her first grade line, but there were so many parents, strollers and kids that Reese and I weren't able to stand near the line, so this is Raly giving me a hug before squeezing through all the people to get into her line. When she came home, she told me that she would rather go back to Kindergarten or Preschool.

One other important note about first grade: Raly is now wanting to be called by her "real name." So her teacher and all of her classmates call her Aralya.

Cheerleading Camp

Raly participated in a week long cheerleading camp late in July. On Friday, parents were invited for their performance. She enjoyed her camp and would like for me to find a weekly cheerleading class for her to attend. We shall see...life with soccer, flag football, girl scouts, catholic education class, etc. not to mention doing it all with a newborn...

Mountain Trip

In mid July we took a family trip to the mountains. We stayed in a log cabin near Crested Butte. Among many other activities, the kids learned to play checkers while at the cabin. We stopped at Blue Mesa Lake to play in the water and this crazy grass (we called it "tickle grass").

By the time we left, Reese was soaked from head to toe and had to sit in his car seat in only his underwear. He thought it was "cool."

Black canyon of the Gunnison.

Roasting marshmallows! Yum, yum.

My favorite part of the trip...we rented a pontoon boat at Taylor Reservoir.

The kids loved finding big rocks to throw into the river.

We made a quick stop at The Royal Gorge. Reese and Todd were terrified of the bridge and it was very hot. However, both kids loved the little train ride and the carousel...$90 well spent!!!

Inside the cabin.

The outside...

Reese attempting the Bungee Trampoline jumping...he was terrified! Poor guy.

Luckily, Raly loved it!

It was a fun trip and great to get away from the construction.