The Funny Things They Say...

So we laugh a lot at Ella when she tries to learn new words like cutetips (for her ears). But lately Rylie has been cracking us up with her explanations of things. I just put the song Stuck Like Glue on the blog and Rylie loved it. She snaps, dances and sings the song. Yesterday she was trying to figure out what stuck like glue actually meant. "So mom when you are stuck like glue that means you are married forever right. So you and daddy are stuck like glue. Mimi and Boppa are stuck like glue." And then she came to the people we know that aren't married yet and said that they are not stuck like glue to anyone yet. I love her philosophy on love!

Then this morning she was explaining to Ella what guts are. She told her that they are in mommies tummy and that when she was in mommies tummy she was in their with my guts.

It is fun to see them try and figure out life's mysteries.

The Blur of the Last few Months

I am having to do posts in 2 month chunks because I am so behind! Well let's see...Rylie turned 5 in September and we decided to take her to Chuckie Cheese. Both Craig and I had grown up going there and Rylie loved it! Now when we ask her where she wants to go on a date or to do something special she always chooses Chuckie Cheese! For her birthday we gave her ballet lessons. She has been asking to be in ballet for the last year, so we thought she could give it a try. She is very serious and practices a lot at home. One morning when Craig was on fall break we had a leaping contest. Rylie chose Craig as the winner because his leg was the straightest. I disagree but I am going to be the bigger woman. We are praying that God will use these opportunities for Rylie to reach out to people and show them who He is in whatever talents He gives her! My mom, sister, and sister-in-law all went to Spokane over Halloween weekend for the Beth Moore conference. It was an awesome time of worship and teaching about unity. Then we raced back so I could go trick or treating with the girls. For Rylie's preschool Halloween party they dressed up in BSU colors and for actual Halloween they dressed up like Ballerinas (no camera-sorry). Last weekend we went up to the cabin so that Craig could do a little bit of hunt'in (as he calls it). He didn't get an elk this year, but he is hoping to get a deer in the next couple weekends. It has been a crazy couple months, but Rylie loves being in preschool and Ella has been busy wearing my make-up and talking up a storm. It all goes by so fast, sometimes you just need to stop and thank the Lord for all you have!!!!

August Happenings (with a little bit of September)

Wow, I will try to get better at blogging as the year goes on. We went with our Bible Study to a cabin in Donnelly and had a blast! We played on the water, sat on the back patio and just had a great time with friends! Our group has grown so much and we have two more little babies on the way (no not us)!!! Speaking of babies, my very best friend in the whole world that has moved to greener pastures (who I miss sooo much) just had a sweet little boy! We are so excited for them and know that the kids will continue to be friends even with a little distance between us! Over Labor Day we all went to the cabin in Lowman for a Dayton Family get together. It was fun to have everyone there. This is very rare and cozy! We wish Matt well on his newest adventure, at a camp on the Oregon Coast. And yes we of course watched the BSU game over Labor Day weekend! I found these awesome BSU pants at the thrifty store!!! Go Broncos(and Vandals, yes I have been a traitor and I will admit that I watch more Broncos games than Vandals games...)! So one of our biggest changes is that little Miss Rylie started preschool! She has five kids in her class and she has really enjoyed getting to know the other kids and loves her teacher!!!! They have gone on bear hunts, learned a lot of fun songs (that we sing over and over in the car) and she is becoming more independent (getting ready and packing her own backpack)! My little girl is growing up and I am not quite ready for it!

Trip to the Coast

So we managed to hit the Oregon coast and the Washington Coast, along with Portland and Woodburn all in a 5 day period. We did a lot of driving but the girls did great and we had a lot of fun with old friends and family! We left on Thursday and headed to Woodburn, where we stayed with Craig's Aunt Caroline and Uncle David. They entertained the girls and fed and housed us! Then we traveled on to Long Beach, Washington. We drove up the Oregon coast and over the bridge to Washington. We have never been there before so that was exciting. We spent time with my mom's family and enjoyed the beach. Rylie became good friends with Della who is a year older than her. It was fun to see all the little cousins. Everyone was joking because among the little cousins we have: Della, Bella and Ella. We need to keep thinking of names to add to the list for future children (I don't know if any boy names rhyme but I am pretty sure that Craig will move if we have another girl.) After the chilly Washington coast, we headed south to Portland. We had a big BBQ with our dear friends (Big Brenda who I was named after),her mom and her sister and their families. Rylie spent girl time with Liza and Ruby and it will be fun to see their friendship develop as they get older, even though we live far apart. We all had a blast and it was hard to come home. Alberta was very nice to let 2 crazy little girls stay! We celebrated Rebecca's Birthday and our 6th Anniversary (I am married to a wonderful, thoughtful, man who loves the Lord and would do anything for his family. I love him so much and he makes life more enjoyable!)

Just Flying By...

So it seems like Craig just finished school for the year, but our summer is half over! Crazy! Anyway, here are a few highlights from our summer...

Camping with Morgan and Joel at Horsethief Reservoir- Ella was guarding the outhouse and following innocent people back to their campgrounds! It was so much fun to spend time with new friends and see the girls enjoying what God has made!!!!

Rylie's First Swimming Lessons- Yes Rylie is almost 5 and these were the first lessons she has ever taken. She was a little nervous of the water last year so we waited a year and she did great! She is already starting to swim a little on her own after two weeks of lessons! Thanks Miss Sarah!

Our New Dog Duke- Ok, so he is not really our dog. We are taking care of Papa's dog while he is in Alaska. I am not used to having another furry child that I have to feed and clean up after, but we are really enjoying having him in our family!

Spending 4th of July at the Cabin- We usually head up to Lowman for the 4th and this year was no exception. It was fun to hang out with Craig's family and go to the annual picnic. The excitement this year was the addition of a zip line.

Last but not least our latest patio project-Hooray! We are getting a back patio and covering!!!!! Our house is south facing which means that our backyard is in the sun most of the day and it is hot! Craig has taken on the task of building this with the help of some kind neighbors and friends! We have the concrete poured and he is starting on the covering. Pray that I will be patient and not drive my hubby crazy by asking "Is it done yet???"

We hope you are all having a wonderful summer and we hope to hear from you or see you sometime this summer!

School is out for Summer!!!!

Ok, so the only person that really attends school at our house is Craig and yes he is very excited to be out for the summer (as are the girls)! Rylie finished her "preschool" this last week and we went to the park to celebrate! It was fun to see them learn and to be apart of this experience with some wonderful ladies!!! As far as summer goes we are looking forward to many bike rides, running through the sprinklers and doing a little bit of camping! On one of the first warmer days the girls put on their suits and headed out back! We discovered quickly that Ella is a little taller than we thought she was and is unable to wear her adorable 3T suit. So we pulled out Rylie's 4T from last year and surprise it fits and yes she is 2! Rylie loved the sprinklers, but our little dare devil wasn't to sure about them. The other thing that Ella has discovered besides a million new words and phrases is the joy of getting ready in the bathroom in the morning. She asks me almost every morning for lotion, to brush her teeth and she recently started blow drying her hair. If it weren't for the fact that she tackles her sister several times a day and loves sports and playing outside more than dress up I would concerned!

Recital, Reading and Running in the Sunshine

It has been a little low key around our house lately, but we are still enjoying our little girls. One of Rylie's best friends was in a recital last weekend for ballet. Rylie and I were able to go and cheer her on. Rylie loved every minute of it and wants to be in her words a "balleter". Rylie is learning how to read and she has been trying to teach Ella, now that she is such an "expert". It is fun to hear her sounding out words everywhere we go and see all of her books that she makes out of paper with strings of letters. The best part is when she says, "Hey mom will you read this to me?" This is what is on the paper: CTrlMqt. Ella has been talking a lot and trying to keep up with the big kids. She loves to play outside and swing. She is quite the dare devil and tries to leap off of furniture and hang from high places. Most days we are praying that she will make it through the day without injury. As a mother of a toddler and a preschooler, I am learning the value of patience, a kind voice and spending time with God each morning!!!! We are looking forward to some summer sun!!!