Sunday, October 3, 2010

River Photo Shoot

Photo shoots have taken on a whole new meaning since Ryder was born. He is proving to need a little more coaching than Chelsea did. I for sure need a better camera that takes pictures faster. I have a very short window of time to take a picture of him before he is off and running. I seem to get a lot of the back of his head these days.

Ryder doesn't really say any words yet but here he is saying "cheese". I don't know where he picked that up but it is kinda cute and I get a cheesy smile out of him. Once again, I have to be quick.

I can count on my hands how many decent pictures I have of the two of them together. Usually he is arching his back and trying to get away. This was one of the better ones of the day. Did I mention we were down by the river? This was a job for more than one person. I had the choice to take pictures and let him jump in the river or hold on to him and avoid me having to go get him out. He was in heaven and I was exhausted when we were done. Next time Papa has to come along to help me out.

So, the next day Chelsea wanted to go back to the river with just us so we could get some more pictures. I have trained her well. She will pose wherever I want her too and she comes up with her own ideas for how I should take her picture. This one reclining in the tree was my favorite. She melts my heart for sure.

It didn't take long before she thought the shoes needed to come off and away she went in the water. Yes, I was nervous and had to caution her several times to not get out too deep in the water. She listens much better than Ryder who makes Dennis the Menace look like an angel.
It was fun to watch her romp around in the water and play.
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Teach Me Grandpa...

Children are so eager to learn and they want to do everything that we do, as you can see here. Mark and I try very hard to include Chelsea and Ryder on whatever it is we are doing, whether it is washing dishes, cleaning the house, building furniture in the garage and now....playing the violin. It was a bit embarrassing how much dust was on the violin case when Mark dug it out though.

I am always amazed and a bit jealous when Mark gets his violin out. He picks it up and begins playing as if he had played everyday of his life. Of course the kids got the biggest kick out of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" because they knew that song.

Immediately they jumped right up by him and wanted to help him out. Now let me tell you, that was a beautiful noise. Both kids got to take a turn holding the bow and playing while Papa did his best to hold the violin and control the strings.


I love the expression on Ryders face as he is taking his turn. Probably the stillest he has ever sat. (I am thinking Mark should work on that farmers tan he has going though.)

No matter what talents they choose to pursue, we will always stand ready to encourage them and do what we can to be all they can be.
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Monday, September 13, 2010

Making Cookies with Grandma

From the time Chelsea was old enough to sit up we have had her in the kitchen helping out, from playing in the sink, washing dishes to cooking and baking. Ryder has also got to join in the fun. I might mention that keeping an eye on two of them is a challenge at times as you will see.
I don't really have any memories of baking cookies with my Grandma's. I have other memories that I hold dear however. I know I can't do it all with them but it is so important to me to create as many memories as I can with my Grandchildren. I can't always be in the pictures with them but I think they will remember that I was there.
It is important that you have the proper attire when working in Grandma's kitchen. Here Chelsea is decked out in her cupcake apron. She also has matching "hotpots" as she calls them and I don't have the heart to correct her. She was sure to tell me that I needed a picture of her in her apron though...check out the pose!


On this occasion she was able to make the cookies from start to finish. I just helped measure but she knows how to run the mixer all by herself, add ingredients, crack eggs, scoop them on to the cookie sheets and put them in the oven all by herself. She even knows to get ice if she gets a little burn in the process.
So, I am guessing Ryder was feeling a little left out and I swear I turned my back for a few seconds and this is what I saw when I turned around. Yep! Up on the table to help out. He moves the chair out, climbs up on the chair and then it is just one more step up to get where he wants to be. Heck, I guess I could get him off the table, but I choose to get my camera instead. Look at him squatting there like he belongs right where he is at.
Notice how close he has moved to the bowl. Yes, he even knows how to pick the chocolate chips out of the dough and sample them. I am guessing his little pointer finger is telling me a story or two.

I just want to kiss those cheeks all day long. I want to keep them in my arms forever. These are the moments that take my breath away, the moments I etch on my heart. These are the memories I cherish..the everyday moments that I am so gratefull to get to be a part of.
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1st Grade

How can it be a year since I last posted? Shame on me. It certainly isn't because I didn't have pictures to post or things to share. I am guessing if you are reading this you have seen all those pictures on Facebook so I don't feel like a totally worthless blogger ;-)


Chelsea started 1st grade this year and I think she really is liking it. She has Mr. May for a teacher and from what I hear he is an awesome teacher. I wonder if he knows he has royalty in his classroom? I bet he has a classroom full of princesses.


Six years old....where has the time gone? With all of Chelsea's firsts I find myself reflecting back to when my kids were in the same place. I love to watch her grow and learn. She loves to read and is working hard on her math. Her eyes light up when she gets her answers right. She doesn't give up easily.

I didn't get to follow her to her first day of school this year but thank God Grandma Ronda was there to capture the moment. I had these pictures in my mailbox within an hour. Ryder got to take his sissy to school though and aren't they just the cutest kids you have ever seen? I am in love....they light up my life.
There are days..believe me...when I just want quiet, and then they walk in the door, their eyes light up and they run to me with open arms and I MELT. Energy restored.
Here's to a wonderful school year and possibly a few more posts.


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