Riley's Race Day Birthday Party

Riley had a Race Track birthday party on Saturday and all the cousins brought their battery powered cars over to our house to play. Even though the day started out cold, wet and windy by afternoon the sun was at least shining and the kids didn't have a problem getting outside and playing in the yard and driveway. It was still cool out but all in all, it was a great birthday party.

The kids had jeeps, an ATV, and escalade to drive around in; they jumped on the trampoline, and painted their faces. Everyone seemed to have a great time together playing.

here are some pictures from the day....

Abby driving Riley around in Lauryn's Barbie jeep...
Blaine and Will watching Riley open his gifts

Mema feeding Paige some chocolate birthday cake

Hannah showing off her face painting

Eryn painting on Lauryn's hand

Jacob after his Dad painted his face

Allison's not so battery powered car... looks a little bit like a Smart car....

Riley opening his gifts

Riley wasn't quite so sure about all the attention during the Happy Birthday song and blowing out the candles. He seemed to get a little bit embarrassed.

Mobile home or efficiency apartment in NY? Steven certainly needs more than 20 square feet to live in....

Call 911...there's been an accident. The escalade driver wasn't watching where he was going because he was too busy trying to change the radio station and he tboned the driver of the jeep. Both drivers were not injured and car damage was no existent so both went on about their way....

Here is the birthday cake.

Happy Birthday, Riley. Hope you had a great day with your cousins.

Thank you to everyone for the gifts - he is having a blast this morning playing with everything.

I'm TWO now!

Riley is now a two year old. That is so hard to believe that time is going by this fast. He has been changing so much the last couple of months. Lots of new words, new questions, and just repeating and learning everything.

He went to the doctor on Thursday morning for his checkup - he weighs 24# 8oz (finally reached the 25% percentile -started at 3%) and his height is 33 1/2" (which is about the 12% percentile - also started at 3%). He had to get two immunization shots, which he acted like was the complete end of the world. Dr. Brewer was very pleased with his growth and development. She was listening to us talk outside the door and so when she started asking questions about him, she stated that she had already heard for herself that he was way ahead on his vocabulary and questions. He is a very fast running, active little guy who loves the outdoors and loves to chase the chickens around the yard. He loves our dogs, especially Holly and Cooper. He walks down the road hugging and patting Cooper on the head.

One of his gifts for his birthday -- his John Deere cap....

Playing in the cars outside of Poppa Rollo's where we had pizza for his birthday dinner.

WE LOVE YOU, RILEY!
Happy 2nd Birthday!

State Capital Performance 2011

Blaine's dance company performed again this year at the capital on Saturday. They did a terrific job showing off their skills and their new routines -- Footloose, Just Got Paid, Nick at Night, Up, Hallelujah, and Slow Me Down were the songs that Blaine danced to this time. Here are a few photos.

Snowday 2011

Central Texas folks get a little excited about snow when it falls. Everything shuts down and the kids go out to play as if there were many inches of the snow on the ground instead of the few inches that there really are.

Blaine and Abby had a great time out in the cold playing snow ball fights, making a snowman and also by making snow angels in the snow. Poor Riley was inside sick and couldn't go out to play with the girls. He stood at the door and just cried that he wanted to go out too.

Reserve Grand Champion Photo - Youth Fair

Blaine took this photo of Abby during our Christmas family photo outing. She entered it into the McLennan County Youth Fair this week and won Reserve Grand Champion photo with it. Abby is definitely little Miss Photogenic. Photos of her have won several blue ribbons at various contests. Blaine's other photos received three blue ribbons (1st place in their category) and 2 red ribbons (2nd place).

Doesn't that smile just want to make you smile as well.

Makin' and Eatin' Do- Nuts

On New's Year Eve morning, we made donuts from scratch for the first time. It was a lot of work, they tasted good, but once we were finished we all said, next time, we'll just run down to the donut shop and pay the $5 for a dozen.

2011

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

We brought in 2011 the same as other years. A gathering at our house for snacks, cards and lots of fun. Below, Aaron and Steven are dancing with the kids and we were all laughing so hard. It was funny that there were more kids at our new year's party than the bigs, it seemed. We enjoyed watching them though. When the ball dropped in New York, we declared that 2011 was here and everyone went home to their beds.

"Partygale" -- she was so excited that we were having a party (she was actually a little disappointed at first, because she thought it was going to be a birthday party for some reason)