Fourth of July

We celebrated the fourth of July at our house with some of Ryan's family and a few friends from Clovis. Enjoy the pics :)

Sitting pretty!

Aunt Anita and MaKenna chill'axin.

This was suppose to be a happy cousin photo...but Keedan took his pants off and he's a bit cranky in the buff, hince the sweet baby Claire in front of him.

Yummy watermelon.

Queso.

Swimming.

Keeping them occupied with marshmallow fondant.

Aunt Meredith, Aiden & Olivia.

Dress up time.

Photos with Grandpa Malnar...Keedan had yet another meltdown.

Close-up of his meltdown.

Aunt Sabrina, Uncle Dallen, Claire and MaKenna....and a bit of Ethan.

Getting ready for fireworks. We were all pretty beat, so we decided to try to watch the fireworks from our back yard. Anita and Meredith gave the kids glow stick necklaces and bracelets and I have to say it was pretty awesome in the dark.

You can tell the siblings in this picture by the expression on their faces.

Fun fun Fourth of July!

Ryan's Office Farewell Party

This past week, Ryan's squadron had a farewell party for him and three others that were and are leaving Cannon AFB this month. The lunch was yummy and to my surprise, Ryan's office closed down to have some fun at Casselland.


Ryan putting on Keedan's Casslland bracelet.


Preparing to speed off.




We rode go carts. Keedan had a blast and didn't want to stop riding the fast cars while holding onto Ryan's arm.


You can see the happiness all over his face.

Bumper Boats was my fave b/c it was HOT outside, so it was very refreshing.

Keedan was all over the controls to squirt other people. He's a fast learner!

Again, Keedan wanted to do them again but we decided to play putt putt instead.




Keedan did really good the first few holes and then I guess he just got tired of hitting the ball so far away (and so many times), so he would walk up to the hole place his ball on the edge and push it, hit it or just plain drop it in the hole.






After putt putt, MaKenna and I had a sit down while Ryan hit the batting cages and Keedan hit the mini playground.





Keedan trying to drive on rocks = needing help from dad.




After that, Ryan geared up for some paintball.





Keedan wanted to join but thankfully I talked him into just watching Daddy play.


The aftermath.



MaKenna keeping herself occupied in her carseat.



It was fun and we were severely exhausted.


Had I not been driving, I'd have passed out too. Instead, when we arrived home I jumped into the pool and was instantly rejuvinated!

MaKenna @ 8 Months

MaKenna is now in the 8 month range. She is quite the character. she likes to sit in her bumbo and move from side to side when she feels like dancing. It's really cute!



She's got three teeth and likes to chew and pull on the end of her bottle, as you can see.





It's so fun to have this sweet girl as part of our family!

Oh Sweet Relief!

Oh sweet relief. After a six month plus a couple days absence, Ryan is finally back home from his first tour (a.k.a. - deployment).

Life for us was very difficult at first b/c I had just had MaKenna a week before Ryan left. Trying to deal with a newborn and an angry toddler meant for many teary eyed days and longing the day when everything would just be easier. I have to say that if not for the love and help of a loving Heavenly Father that not only hears prayers but answers them, I would have had the worst six months of my life.

My family was unable to come to Clovis (with the exception of my sweet cousin Ashley that visited me around Christmas time)to help me so I had to rely on Heavenly Father more than ever. Let me tell you I am so very thankful for the guidance and assistance that I was able to receive. I also had to rely on other people who very graciously helped me by cooking us yummy food,going to the store for me, babysitting, stopping by to just visit or inviting us over for dinner and fellowship.

If I could give any advice to others who have a spouse who b/c of work has to be away from home for an extended amount of time...keep busy. The days seemed to fly by for me after the initial hard part passed all b/c I was busy with kids and working on our house.

We live in the land of promise and have many freedoms allowed to us as we live in this great country. I have come to realize even more clearly that our freedoms are not free and b/c of this experience I am a stronger patriot and all together a stronger person.

I have truly grown from this experience in a positive way. While I'm in no way looking forward to the day ryan has to deploy again, I do know that we will be alright.

Easter 2011

Keedan was sooooo sooooo excited to see the Easter Bunny all morning. We went to an egg hunt on base and then headed over to the mall where the bunny was at.

We got there and he was sooo excited to get in line and wait to meet the bunny. When our turn arrived...he wanted NOTHING to do with the bunny.

Hence the not so smiley face.

MaKenna sure loved it.

MaKenna @ 6 Months

This little lady has started eating carrots and avocados. She's so happy to taste the food that it lingers on her little tongue for a really long time before she manages to ingest it.

She has also been teething and has two teeth on her bottom front gums that are making they're way to be tall and strong.

She really likes to stick her little tongue out which is soooo cute. She likes to squeal and it's a very high pitched squeal. I imagine she enjoys hearing her own voice.

There's no doubt about it...she'll be a talker for sure.

Really - Part 2

I cannot get Keedan to sit on the potty at all. He vehemahently protests against it.

My front door knob fell off b/c the screw came loose and I can't find the screw. URGGGGGGGGG

Printer won't work.

Water Works came out and said the leak we have is a pretty hefty one.

I can't get my pool pump to keep working.

I'm dealing with more un-communicative contractors that I have to deal with other people to find out their whereabouts instead of talking directly with them.

I have a flat tire.

Yes, I'm complaining but it feels so much better to let it out than to keep it in!

Only less than a month to go and I will be a bit releived!