Riley's 5th Birthday

 Birthday girl opening gifts

 Cheesy grin time

 More presents!

 Riley and her best friend, Aubree

Aubree supervising the gift opening

Riley is 5 year old!  This is harder to believe than Van being two!  She had a party at a place called Fun Run.  I learned that it's not much easier to have the party somewhere other than your house.  She had a great time.  Which was a relief since it was a huge topic of conversation every day for the last year.  She will start kindergarten this fall.  She's excited and scared, which matches how I feel.

We finally have a new computer!!

As most of you know, I don't ever post on this blog anymore because it was such a dreadful process.  It would take all night to upload and most of the time it would never work.  So....I gave up.  Yep.  I'm a quitter.  Alas, we finally upgraded to a Mac and now life is good again.  I am hoping to occasionally update this again.  I am back in school, so they chances of it being often are not good, but at least once a month or so.  I think that's a healthy way to ease back into this thing.

Anyway, the last update I put was some pictures we took of the kids last year.  Let's see if I can find something more recent.

 Van's birthday bed from Grammy

 Eating his 2 year old bday cake

 Mommy and Daddy got him a NEW CAR!

 Cool shades

My little 2 year old man.

Here are a few pics from Van's 2nd birthday.  He had a Yo Gabba party and loved every minute.  I can't believe he is over 2 now.  He is growing so fast and is such a sweet little boy!

Fall Pictures 2012

How fast they grow.....

Random pictures...

Riley and Van both have birthdays this month.  Once all the festivities are over I will load some pictures as soon as I can. 

Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

A Very Fairy Day

Riley's fairy session with Neyan Babani Photography  816-343-4636

Riley had a blast with her fairy session.  I am so glad I got theses done.  Neyan is VERY resonably priced and she includes the costumes.  This was so fun for Riley and I and we love the pictures!

2012 Zoo Day With The Walters Family

We had a lovely family day at the zoo with The Walters Family.  Sean, Nia, Mason and Leila joined us this year.  The kids had a great time and Mommy got to take more pictures of lions.  Man, I love lions!  The weather was great, which was a nice change for us.  Mason, Riley, Leila and Van all get along very well.  Plus, it's nice to have friends that are in the middle of "Terrible 2's, 3's, 4's and 5's." along with Dave and I.  It reminds us that we are not alone. 

Lake 2012

This was a kinda annual trip to the my brother's lake house in Oklahoma.  We plan to go every year but it doesn't always work out.  My Mom and Don weren't able to join us this year because of Grandma Gina's knee surgery, but they'll be back next year.  This was Van's first trip and he loved it!  He loved to drive the boat...vroom vroom.  Riley went tubing and had a blast.  It's always nice to get together with my brother and his family.  Riley adores her cousins, Trent and Allyson, but she hardly ever gets to see them.  We had a great time and we'll back next year.....if my brother can stand us all again!