Vacation

     Before Tyson started working on August 1st we decided to have a family vacation. We have no idea when he will be able to get time off again, so we decided to take advantage and have a week long vacation. We traveled across Texas, way down to where it all began. For the majority of the time we were in Houston/Galveston area. We visited family and friends. We had a great time and some much needed family time, just the three of us.
     We started out at Momma and Jay's house in Eastland. Then we went on to Richmond, (near Houston) to see Allison and Trey who were home from Seattle. Then we went and stayed in Dickinson (near Houston) with Aunt Judy, Pete, Nickie and Skyler. After that we went to the island of Galveston for a few days, and we just enjoyed our little family. After that we headed back to Richmond to be there for Trey's 2nd birthday party and also to see Brian. This vacation was a week long that is for sure, but we had the best time, and made lots of memories!
    I will blog each stop as it's own post.................so first was Momma and Jay Jay's.  While there basically all Rylan allowed us to do was ride the gator, tractors, and lawn mowers. But Tyson didn't complain too much (really not at all) because he was enjoying himself too.  We have found a new love for this boy, tractors.  It was great to see their place, them, and to have some down time while Momma  and Jay Jay took over Rylan duty.

Rylan, Granny, and Jay Jay all going for Rylan's first ride on the gator.

Rylan going on a ride with Granny.

Before long we heard Ryaln's favorite saying, "I Do It". This time meaning no it is my turn to drive, after that he was in the drivers seat.

       Even when it was turned off we couldn't get him off of the lawn mower.

Our Girl

     After a few ultrasounds we are now pretty sure that our little pea is indeed a GIRL! We have had a few but some of them were not very clear. But after several of them showing no wee-wee we are announcing to you that it is a GIRL! We have our "official" ultrasound on the 25th, if it says any different we are in for a change. Because Granny and Mommy have already bought our Sweet P little girl outfits.
     We are so blessed and excited to have one of each. We are trying to get Rylan to say sister now instead of the generic baby. Now all we need to do is start preparing ourselves for a little girl. We have gotten so used to the craziness of a boy, a girl will throw us for a loop.
    

Riding in Ruidoso

     Last weekend we loaded up and drove the three hours from Muleshoe to Ruidoso, NM. We were thinking the trip would be 4 hours, three was even better. We left early so that we could make it in time for the horseraces. When we got there we ate and then went out to Grindstone Stables. My cousin Stephanie and her husband Kevin run the stables there. We thought that we would pop in and just say hey for a bit.  Rylan fell asleep in the car, which was good we needed him to nap before the races began. So he napped in the air conditioned car while we visited with family.  When we got the stables we were surprised to also see my Aunt Jane and Uncle Paul, cousin Amy and her two kiddos Conner and Emma there too. They were headed out of town so we didn't visit long, but glad to see them either way.

     After the stables we headed over to the racetracks, and on the way we got to enjoy a refreshing mountain rain. That is one of my favorite smells, and it lingered for a few hours, as the rain would come and go during the races. We met Uncle Kirby and his girlfriend Brenay at the races. Which was double fun, 1). Because Rylan loves his Uncle Kirby 2). and it was Uncle Kirby's birthday. There were ten races and before every race Rylan let us know when the tractors plowed the tracks. He also let us know that each race was about to begin by announcing, "Ready, Set, Go" before the horses took off. Tyson, Rylan and I were unlucky and didn't win any of the races. But Kirby and Brenay were much luckier and won a few. Kirby had a friend who had family who trained a lot of the horses that were racing. They had a horse in 9 out of 10 of the races. The first race their horse won, and they invited us to come and sit with them, which was an upgrade from our seats. They had TV's in their section, so Rylan could get an even closer look. It was neat to sit with people who really had a large investment in each race. Plus they ended up winning the last race and they invited us to go down and have our picture taken with them and the winning horse. That made the races and Kirby's birthday very special. After the races we went and checked into our cabins, freshened up and then headed over to my cousins house for dinner. It was a family get together of sorts, it was my cousin Stephanie, her husband Kevin, their three kids, my cousin Jake and his fiance Ashley, Kirby and Brenay, Rylan, Tyson and I. Steph's kids are all around Rylan's age so seeing them all four play was great, they had never all been together before. That night was also special because we got to celebrate Uncle Kirby's birthday with him.

     On Saturday morning we got up early and headed back out to the stables. Kirby, Brenay, Tyson and Rylan were scheduled to ride at 8:00 am. I couldn't because of this sweet baby that is growing in my belly. But just seeing Rylan on that horse and hearing his excitement made it okay, plus I made Tyson give me a play-by-play of the whole ride once we left. Rylan loved it (so I was told), he kept saying, "Yee-haw Cowboy" and he kept saying his horses name, "Go Duke Go". He looked so cute all decked out in his boots and hat. The rest of the day was taken up by a multitude of things; lunch, downtown shopping, ice cream, playing at a park we were told about from a friend, bowling, and then heading back out to the stables for a crawfish boil. Spending the evening with so much family was just what we needed. Watching Rylan and Steph's kids play was so awesome to see. It reminded me of when her and I were young, and all the fun we had together. Rylan loved the horses and he is still talking about them.
     The weather was great and the company was even better. We now know that a mountain getaway is just three hours away and full of a good time.

Rylan yelling, "Ready, Set, Go"!

A look at the storm from behind the mountains, beautiful.

Tyson, Rylan and I in the winners circle.

The birthday boy and his number one fan.

Kirby being surprised with a cake, it isn't a birthday unless you blow out at least one candle.

My cousin's girls and Rylan visiting together, this was neat to watch.

My boys headed to ride Duke.

My boys heading out for their ride, Rylan's first horse ride.

The delicious crawfish that we had that night for dinner.

          My sweet cousin Stephanie and I. We were talking and it has been since my wedding (almost 7 years ago) that we took a picture together. I am so looking forward to being closer to her and her family and getting pictures a lot more frequently.

Moving In

As adults packing and unpacking your home isn't always the greatest adventure. However, to our two year old little boy it was the best time he had had in months (or so he made it seem). Whatever paper we unpacked from our boxes Rylan used as more fluff for his bed of paper.

 

Rylan loving just laying in his new bed. He kept telling us, "Look, I funny". We agreed he was funny and adorable.

After a while the mess was so massive we couldn't even walk through the dining room. But who cares, when your child's laughter is coming from that room.

The Move

     Well, we are officially here in Muleshoe. After tearful goodbyes, days of movers, hotel beds and lots of eating out we are in our new home. We just got rid of the last boxes yesterday and we are finally able to function in the house. Rylan seems to love it. He has quickly learned how to use the doggy door to go outside and play, where his bibs and silverware are in the kitchen, and that he now has plenty of room to play and scatter his toys about.
     We are not used to having this much room. Our furniture does not fill this house up and I have plenty of room left in the closets (I am sure the new baby will take up what I don't). We are still adjusting to everything but mainly just to Daddy being home this much. It is so nice to have him home, we get him until August 1. August 1st is his official start date. So for the next three weeks we are trying to soak up all of him we can. We are planning on getting everything for the house in order and then playing with the rest of the time we have left.
     Hopefully the next post will include pictures. We just got internet yesterday and I haven't had time to upload anything yet. So until things settle down...........................