Peaks and Valleys

Our life has been full of peaks and valleys since I last blogged. But, we are finding a new normal and making it all work for US!!

Here's a link to our new family pictures. My sister took them in early November! We love them just as much as we love her! Thanks Andrea!!

I am working on getting back to the blog! It will be a process I'm sure!!

http://joyfulfive.blogspot.com/2009/11/sis-pix.html

Double Incentive

Today's blog comes with double incentive. I had incentive to get back to the blog and make a new entry and Rylie had the incentive to pull that tooth out!! Yup, Rylie had this tooth that was WAY ready to come out. So loose that it was hanging but almost nothing and it was more than her dad could handle. So, I made a deal with her. If she pulled that tooth and we took a picture, we could put it on the blog tonight!! Sounds great and not 2 minutes later, the tooth was out!!

Now this tooth falling out has been a long time coming. The dentist told her over a year ago that she would lose her first tooth by LAST Christmas. Almost 10 months later, it finally happened. She was the last one in her class to lose one and she was very ready!! Plus, now she finally gets to use the wonderfully adorable tooth pillow that Grandma Tamma made for her!! It's been sitting in her room just waiting for the opportunity to be used!!

So now she has a gappy smile, that is absolutely adorable, and I will have to get back into the blogging! I have lots of things we've skipped, including Walker turning 4. OOPS, that makes me feel like the worst mother ever!! Lots of more pics to come!!

WOW!!

9 years ago I married my best friend!!

Quiet House

My house is quiet this morning. I dropped Rylie off at the bus and then took Walker to his first day of Preschool. He was so excited and couldn't wait to get there. He didn't even want me to go in with him, but I told him that I had to. I have to sign him in each morning. He was a little hesitant for me to leave, so I took the opportunity to leave when Miss Karen told him he needed to go wash his hands! I can't wait to hear all about how it went!!

Walker ready for Open House. He got to take all of his supplies, so his backpack was too heavy for him to carry!

All ready to go the first day! He was all about the silly faces this morning!!

Rylie and Walker

Getting out of the van. This is where I had to leave the camera. He didn't want any more pictures! I was fine with that. I'll get more when they have their next Open House!

Addition: 12:00 PM - He LOVED it!! He can't wait to go back on Friday. And, his favorite part was outside play (typical boy). He talked about playing with Alex, Macy and Ava, but can't remember any of the other kids' names. He was super excited to see me, gave me a huge smile and wave when he saw me in the pick up line. It's great to be loved!!

She's a 1st Grader

Rylie started 1st grade today. I thought it'd be fun to show her progression from 3 year old preschool to now. Wow, she has changed. It's fun to think how much she's learned and developed since the beginning.


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Rylie refused to wear her backpack for her picture. Her's is actually in the process of being exchanged because of a rip, so she's using a red one to start off the year. I was informed that it did not match her outfit at all, so she's just have a picture without it!!

Farm boy??

Am I going to end up with a farm boy? One of Walker's favorite places to go is to the hog buildings my dad and mom run. He especially loves going when it's time to get the new babies in and his favorite driver, Brian, is coming. The kids and I spent Monday afternoon at the barns, moving, sorting, counting, feeding. I love that my kids get the hands on experience, but I would have never imagined they would love it quite so much. I took my camera on Monday and captured Walker's happiness!!

Girly Girl

Rylie is a girly girl. I've had to learn to play barbies, style hair, think pink, etc!! I wouldn't trade her for a second! For her birthday last month, Mom, Andrea and I all got her things to help make her bedroom girly. We rearranged bedrooms about 6 months ago and since she's not sharing with Walker anymore, we can go pink instead of neutral! Mom had asked Rylie what she would want in her room and the one thing she wanted was lots of pink. Well, I think between the three of us, we were able to accomplish that. Mom got her all the her bedding, Andrea picked up the fuzzy throw and pillow as well as the wall stickers and the great phone! Matt and I had gotten her a new lamp, curtains and tiebacks, which aren't in the pics. Then, she had a gift card to use and got he new fuzzy chair. She loves her room. The pink curtains give her room quite an interesting glow in the morning. She says she loves waking up to pink!!