Yee Haw!

The horse ranch that we have so much fun at with the kids had a fundraiser dinner with a 'Chuckwagon Chic' theme...

Ready for our date and yes, Mike only wore the bandanna for the picture, not the dinner!

I have to show you the full length view, so you can see the great red boots that my friend let me borrow.

It was held at a local BBQ resturant, lots of cowboys and cowgirls there!

They offered free horse and carriage rides... For some reason it reminded me of the Amish driving around the Indiana country roads, it was very cozy though!

The centerpieces were very appropriate for the theme!

E & R, one couple from our triple date!

C & M- they are a new couple, but we all go way back to freshman year in High School... Lots of memories!

They had live music... country,bluegrassy flare.

Us girls at the end of the fun evening... We were all happy to have each won something in the silent auction!  I won piano lessons!

We have a due date!!!

During this past crazy busy week, I also had a couple of doctor appointments that included an ultrasound that predicted the due date to be on Feb 18, 2011 (my wonderful sister-in-laws birthday!).  That would put me at 91/2 weeks pregnant :).  Big sigh of relief when the ultrasound tech saw only one baby in there!

By the way, I have no idea how to tell what is what in the picture above... I have never understood the ultrasound pictures they give us!

Our 1 year old...

On the move at all times and carefully watching big brothers to figure out how to play with things...  He is a watcher and a doer!  Lately he takes claim to this car when no one else is playing with it and shows us how he can drive. 

Quick I got to hurry before someone else tries to get it!

Sit down and close the door...

Oops, I have to remember to turn around before I sit!

He is such a big boy, measuring in at the 90th percentile for length (although he was only in the 25th percentile for weight?!). 

He is still such a happy bundle of joy!

After seeing those pictures from earlier in the week (go ahead, scroll back up to look at them again!), I gave him his first haircut!

He's got a lot more hair than the other 2 at a year... They were nearly bald!

He is ready for the next big thing!

Our little friend is back for the summer...

There must be something about our yard that attracts toads... They are fat, come out at dusk and eat the bugs swarming around the grass.  I guess this is a good thing?!  Well, the boys are learning about them and love watching him find bugs and catch them with his tongue so I guess that in itself is a good thing :). 

Cake Pops

I have been eyeing these new creations called 'Cake Pops' for awhile and I finally had an occasion to try them.  We served these at Jacob's party instead of cake, but they were quite appropriate for his 'ball themed' party and I think the kids enjoyed something a little different.  More info, including recipes and directions for making them can be found on Bakerella's blog (by the way, she has tons of fun baking techniques and recipes!). 

Not a lollipop, not a cake... A cake pop!

Inside is crumbled homemade chocolate cake and cream cheese frosting mixed together... they are rolled into balls, poked with a stick, frozen and then dipped with chocolate and decorated.

Each one comes out looking a little different

We were having a big party and needed enough for everyone! 

The Cake Display!

Yum!

They don't get this kind of treat very often, so they savored them!

Jacob's Birthday Party

It is hard to believe that little J's birthday has come and went already!  We had a play date style birthday last week to celebrate... Lots of food, more cake, pleasant conversations, bounce house fun and toys & kids everywhere!

The theme was 'balls' since that is his favorite right now... the kiwis and strawberries are ball decorations for Jakey's smash cake.

Lots of experienced kids to show him how to eat his cake, but I think he remembered from the day before!

He goes in for the good stuff...

... But gets a little overwhelmed with everyone watching him.

Some of the older kids recharging on the couch... These 4 have unlimited energy!

Party goers enjoying the weather

and more happy faces!

12 months

Jacob knows how to have a good time.  He turned one last weekend and totally hamed it up at our family lunch party :)!  He had his first taste of cake ever and LOVED every bite of it.  It helped to have grandma R's homemade carrot cake, I don't think anyone could resist that!  He entertained us all with his excitement and love for life.  I can't believe our baby is 1 already, Happy Birthday Jacob!

My sewing friend made him that great birthday crown for his birthday

He was so happy that he just did not know what to do with himself...

He 'knew' everyone was there for his special day!

This cake eating business is great...

But I think I need both hands to help it go down faster!

ummm, ummm, ummm- Mom, you really have been holding back on me!

He was kind enough to share with us

On to presents... He had some eager helpers waiting to get to work

He also had helpers ready to play with 'show him how to use' his new toys!

4th of July

Our firework fun day has been spent at Mike's parents house since Josh was born, maybe even before- I can't remember.  This particular evening was filled with great family conversations, Beautiful gardens, delicious BBQ menu, the big New Mexico sky & perfect evening weather.  The only thing missing this year was was the big show put on by the city?!  For some reason Rio Rancho decided to do their big event on July 3rd... Real patriotic right?  Well, we really didn't miss too much because everything else was so perfect and the boys enjoyed the show that Mike put on for them. 

What do you think of the shirts?... I practiced some sewing skills as I made them look patriotic.

Red for Jacob... Classic and sweet

White for Joshie... Bright and bold!

and Blue for Kyle... something a little different.

Let the festive begin!  Our street show via my low light lens... It really was dark out, the lens just captured the light from the setting sun & fireworks.

The excited lookers

The G&G's enjoyed getting cozy with the kids...

Little J made his rounds down the line of family members... Here he is playing peek a boo with papa B's hat.

mesmerized by the fire

K has been talking about how fire crackers are hot all day.  He thought they were pretty cool!