Rachel and the Kids

Monday, September 13, 2010

July 4th Swimming!

This year marked the 2nd Annual 4th of July party at Chad and Brittney's! We used to go to Nanny's sister's house, but since Wanda and Mike have both passed, we have moved the party location. There's never a dull moment when everyone is there!

My little fish!

Miriam and Rylee
Miriam is Brittney's cousin, that currently lives in Costa Rica. She and Rylee get along so well together, and always have a blast!

Here is Mr. Payton and his Great-Grandma (on Brittney's side). He was such a handsome little man in his Fourth of July outfit!

Little Miss Karsen

It started pouring just as everything got under way. However, no lightening meant the kids could still swim! They had a blast dancing and swimming in the rain!

Catching rain drops in their mouths.

Striking a pose.

Uncle Cody and Cutter
Crazy boys!

Originally Cody was giving each kid piggy back rides, one at a time. Then, someone got the brilliant idea to let them all ride at once.

With the help of Uncle Chad, all three kids managed to get on his back at once!

Thanks to Chad, Brittney and Payton for hosting a great party! Can't wait until next year!

July 3rd Fireworks!

The City of Abilene no longer has a Fireworks show inside the city limits, so we went to the City of Tye, population 700, to watch theirs! Luckily, Buster's work was in perfect viewing range. We avoided the traffic, had somewhere safe for the kids to play around, and had a bathroom facility! This was all very convenient since we got on location at 8:00, and the show didn't start until nearly 10:00 pm. So, a BIG thank you to Buster and Karen for letting us tag along!

Here's Karen and the kids playing chase while we waited in the daylight!

Rylee, Karen, Cutter and Nanny

Then it started to sprinkle. So, Nanny got back in the truck with Buster...

...but Karen kept on a playin'!

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, ELEVENTEEN, 18, 19, 20

Ready or not, here I come!

Goofy kids!

Finally, the fireworks started! The show was amazing, and definitely worth the wait!
Thanks again for letting us join you! We love you!

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Memorial Weekend at Lake Brownwood

I think we've started a new tradition, going to Pop's lake house for Memorial Weekend! We always have SO much fun and create SO many memories here!

`Cutter, Rylee and Karsen taking turns driving!

Cutter and I tubing! He is FEARLESS!

Rylee and Kori took their turns on the jet Seadoo! Rylee was very courageous, which made her mommy proud!

Justin came down on Saturday and took his turn holding sweet Payton!

Brittney, Kori and Chad

One proud Mommy!
Brittney and Karsen

I loved holding Payton! He is such a great baby!

Ashley, Jason and Pops

Tyler, Justin and Karsen

Chad and Payton

The newly extended Keesee Family!
Brittney, Chad and Payton

Silly Boys!
Cutter and Tyler

Sweet Karsen

This was our attempt at getting all the cousins together!
Cutter, Rylee, Payton and Karsen

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

3am Wake Up Call

June 25th, 2010 Rylee had her 8th Birthday Sleepover! This is the third year she has done it, and has absolutely loved it each year!

The early birds...
Madison, Rylee, Shaylee and Shayne

For a mom that burns most everything I cook/bake, I was surprised when Rylee requested these peanut butter cookies "I make" instead of a cake!

All the crazy girls that I got the pleasure of entertaining!
Shayne, Dez, Ali, Rylee, Madison, Shaylee and Dee Dee

This was the girls at about 10:30pm. They were calmly unwinding while watching a movie.

After the movie was over, and the girls 'seemed' to be asleep, I ventured to bed (about 11:15). However, at 3AM I heard a wrestling sound. I woke up (kind of grumpy) and walked into the living room to find all but one of the girls UP, sitting in a circle, talking and tossing a water bottle around!!! I couldn't believe it! Did I really believe that I could have seven young girls over, and have them to bed at a decent hour...NOT? After a few 'kind' words I went back to my bed and listened very carefully. Thirty minutes later, they were out...thank goodness! The next morning they were all very sleepy because I had mommy's and daddy's come pick them all up by nine because Cutter had a T-Ball game at 10am! Needless to say, our bed time came early Saturday night!

Camp Imagination

June 21-25th, 2010 Grandad and Hanaba gave Rylee an early birthday present, Camp Imagination! Rylee went last year and absolutely loved it. So, this year they decided to do the same thing, and she was SO excited!

Rylee was in charge of costume design (right up her alley) and set design for her group. Each group is given a problem, and they have to come up with a five minute skit to act out the solution. Needless to say, she went to school on Tuesday with fifty designs to choose from!

Here she is narrating the first part, in her own designed clothing!

Last minute one of the kids in her group didn't show up, so Rylee got to fill in as a lizard in the African environment.

Notice all the set design and costumes...she did it!

We had to leave right after her group went because her birthday slumber party was Friday night. She did so well, and as usual made me very proud to be her momma!

First Dip of the Year

I know some of my posts are out of order, but without deleting them all I don't know how to fix it. So, before school was out, we went over to Chad and Brittney's to have our first swim of the summer! The kids were so excited!

Rylee jumping in! Notice the life jacket? This is the last picture I have of her in it at the pool. Last summer she was so close to swimming without it, and after her first jump, she took it off. She hasn't put it back on, except at the lake! I am so proud of her for being brave and trying to do it! She can do anything as long as she puts her mind to it!