The Smith Scoop

Smith Christmas

2012-01-18T15:17:00.008-06:00

The Smith family gathering actually took place over New Years. Brook, Kait, & Saylor, Gigi & Papaw, and Wayne & Cathy all arrived on Thursday evening the 28th. We had finger food (remind me to tell you about a dip I learned from Tandy) and opened gifts. It was presents galore. I regret to inform you that I'm not exaggerating. We sort of went overboard this year.

I just realized that I don't have pics of the goodies. The gifts that I received are so awesome that if I care about you folks at all I'll go back and share. You will need them in your business. I must also brag on hubby. He did great, with the help of his mom of course. I had been saying that I want sports bras. Sort of a funny request I know but I was down to one and washing it everyday to support my early morning treadmill habit was getting to be a pain.

Now let me share some about the real fun. Just hanging out with the fam we never get to see. Saylor Quinn is growing like a bad weed. I'm afraid she'll be walking before I see her again. The pics aren't in any particular order. Prepare yourself....there are lots of them.

Saylor & Scout in matching outfits!!

I love how Saylor is looking up at Scout and holding her arm. Precious!!

The Smith Girls

Ham Bone! I'm all about the nicknames as long as they aren't sweetie or honey or love! Reno is such a "ham" so somehow it turned into "Ham Bone". Scout is "plum" which is kind of gushy.

These two are finally getting along. For awhile Saylor would scream if Reno even looked at her. They are good now. I wonder who is slobbering more on who?

I put Saylor to sleep. If you know sweet Saylor, she isn't much on sleep. This was Sunday afternoon and I'm pretty sure she was pooped out.

We stopped by Bonnie Concho and this is what Saylor loved. No kidding she would just smile at herself in the mirror when we put the different headbands on her.

Saylor just checking me out when they first arrived.

Saylor and Uncle Riley reading books.

Saylor and Auntie T having tummy time.

No wonder I'm not in great shape, it's because I have so much help. Try plank with a 39 pounder on your back.

Scout and Aunt Kait stretching.

Down Dog!

Mama and Scout reading!

Aunt Kait bought Scout this salon set. It has little foils, the brush you paint the color with, and little hair clips. Don't forget the dryer that also makes sound. I'm pretty sure everyone got their hair "did. lol

Scout "soffing" Saylor's arm while they watch a cartoon.

Scout and Uncle Bow Bow (get it.....? He is a major bow hunter.) working on the flashlight that she got in her stocking. It no longer works but I don't think she cares. It is fun to work on it.

We wish San Antonio was closer.......

Rose

2012-01-17T10:23:00.004-06:00

Here she is folks.........The newest member of our family. She is a twenty year old pony. We were fortunate enough to borrow her from a good friend. She will hopefully be a Smith for the rest of her days. Isn't she the cutest, tiniest, hairiest thing you've ever seen.

Headed home with us!! Scout was so excited and still is actually. This also gives you an idea of how short she is.

Reno especially loves Rose.

It is the coolest thing for Scout to be able to brush and love on her. We tend to forget the horses are too big for our little ones to really bond with.

P.S. Seriously people! I can obviously use a little help on the spelling and grammar on this blog. This morning I pull it up and see the post about Howdy Doody. Well, instead it says "Hoody" Doody. In my defense, Hoody or Howdy whichever you want to call him was probably pulling at my leg. So, please comment and correct me. You aren't going to hurt my feelings.

Scoutie and Howdy go together pretty well. lol

Wood-Townsend-Smith-Adams 2011

2012-01-09T16:50:00.009-06:00

Merry Wood-Townsend-Smith-Adams Christmas 2011!! I intended to head for NM on Tuesday, December 20, weather permitting. Guess what, weather was not permitting. lol The problem wasn't here, it was there.

The road that we might have traveled between Clayton and Springer was closed for I think three days. You know, it's where the couple and their five year old daughter were stranded for two days. They say their vehicle was completely consumed in a drift and the snow plows crashed into it when they were looking for them. Nuts...and not for me!!

This is Riley all bundled up riding pens right before we left. A storm hit down here about the time we were heading up there.

So, I waltz into their cozy casa and what do I see? None other than this turquoise beauty. Seriously I love it so much. Cool find Jane! Pinterest worthy for sure, I posted it myself.

Mimi and Scout made sugar cookies. Let me just say they were delish. We all had a hand in it actually. The recipe makes a gazillion and Pat and I were tired of working on them too. I would never tire of eating them though, especially not with that cream cheese icing.

KD and Tandy arrived on Saturday and cooked this beautiful prime rib. I'm not one to call much of anything beautiful, except for my children, a "beautiful" piece of junk, or delicious food. Let me tell you PW prime rib and whiskey cream sauce is BEAUTIFUL.

Cousin Miley is super cute and sweet as pie. She of course was decked out in her Christmas sweater and Scout absolutely adores her.

Pakers and Scout looking at family photo albums. Pretty special family time, wouldn't you agree?

The Riley Smith Family

Christmas Day 2011

Reno sporting his Carhatt overalls that Sarah loaned us. How'd she know we'd need them there? lol

Scout and Riley ready to go outdoors. It really wasn't bad and not even much snow left. It's always fun to bundle up though, right?

Reno sat on his little camo four wheeler acting like an angel. When we gave the kids the OK to open gifts, it caused such a commotion and scared him to death. Poor guy!!

The Camo Kids

Yes, Scout is wearing her princess dress and heels with the camo shirt. Tandy is the only one that could convince her to even put the shirt on for a few minutes. Now she loves it and I think all the camo is just precious. Maybe next year we should do it for the adults.

Hoody Doody

2012-01-05T15:51:00.005-06:00

Does the name ring a bell for anyone? I had no idea what Mom was even talking about when she kept saying that Reno looks like Hoody Doody when he makes his funny face.

This is the fellar I found when I googled it. Pretty cute. I forgot to search for info about what years he was popular, etc. So I can't provide much except for these pics.

When Reno makes a funny face he tries to make his mouth flat which does funny things to his cheeks. Pretty much just like Howdy Doody!

So, do you agree?

Uh-huh...I'm here again!!

2011-12-28T09:36:00.007-06:00

I'm feeling pretty funny today, so I thought I would continue with a few more tid-bits from Vegas. I know my last post was all over the place. That's just me. I start something, move to something else, go back to the first thing. Can you say A D D? I've got it. I'm bouncing my leg all around while I'm sitting here trying to type. It's just me.

So the funny story. Here are a few pieces of important information you need to know before we start the story.

#1 - Riley does not carry a wallet. He never knows where it is. It could be in about three different pickups, on the dash, in the console, etc.

(One time we stopped for milk at Allsup's on a Sunday afternoon on our way home from the feedyard. Riley goes in for milk and promptly comes right back because he had no money in his pocket. We ended up finding "the wallet" in the pickup with $100+ dollars inside. Nice!)

#2 - I took 2 purses and 2 carry-on bags to Vegas.

a) A regular purse to carry on the way there.

b) A small, across-the-body purse to carry while there.

c) Two carry-on bags to carry all my loot home.

d) Oh and I bought a purse while we were there.

So you have to have your id to get through security, right? At Amarillo, no problem. We put "the wallet" in a bag or purse. I'll admit, I have no idea where we put it.

On the way home, we get to LAS to check our luggage curbside. Keep in mind it's not just us. There are a few people in our group right there with us. They ask for IDs. I get mine out and Riley starts to look for his. Where is "the wallet"? Which bag or purse might it be in cuz goodness knows it isn't in his pocket.

Before I know it, he has our suitcase open throwing my clothes all over the sidewalk trying to find "the wallet". He says, "Tori this is serious. We can't leave here.". I quickly inform him that I can leave because I have my ID. lol

So, "the wallet" was safely in the zipper pocket of one of the carry-on bags. It had probably been there the whole time. lol

Uh....maybe you had to be there.

This photo is from the plane. Pretty cool, eh?

Now on to a phone dump sort of thing. Random pics, but it's our life.

Monkey A doing her thing.

I wrapped up this gift, a Bonnie Concho gift certificate, for my cousin. Kind of proud of my fancy wrapping.

Monkey A again. She can dress herself unless I pick out the clothes and need her to get them on because we are actually going somewhere.

Ketchup on tacos! Riley fell back into his old ways for a minute the other day. Yuck!!

My prissy little cleaning lady!

Viva Las Vegas!!

2011-12-21T22:04:00.018-06:00

Riley and I had never been to Vegas.....ever. Dimmitt Veterinary Supply so kindly sent us on a complimentary trip to the National Finals Rodeo this year. We had the privilege of seeing the 8th and 9th rounds. They put us up at the Monte Carlo, which isn't the fanciest place on the strip but was plenty nice to us and right in the middle of everything.

It was so cool.....the rodeo that is!! Oh wait, let me rewind for just a minute. We have never left our children. Scout stayed two nights with Tripp and Hope when Reno was born. We of course saw her during those days. So when we were asked to go I was all over it. Riley was a little hesitant but I was just certain that it was the thing to do. As the time neared, I started to dread it more and more. We had snow and some of our friends weren't able to fly out as planned. I was hoping it would happen to us also. Gigi and Papaw came to stay with the kids here at our house.

I woke up at 6:30 am that first morning we were there almost in tears wondering how I would manage. First thing we did was go out to The South Pointe Casino, which has an arena inside,to watch the World Series Roping. There was some shopping there and at that point I decide that I would

survive.

Next we went to the Convention Center for more Cowboy Christmas. That evening we went to our first ever NFR performance. Tanya Tucker sang the National Anthem and I was wishing Scout could hear it since she is absolutely obsessed with the song. The rodeo is such a cool show. It happens fast and is an "edge of your seat" kind of thing for me.

It was sickening to see Cody Ohl and Tuff Cooper acting like....well lets just say they aren't the guys that I root for.

(So Riley and I both love to eat very much. I have to say I was a little disappointed in the quality and the cost of food. Maybe we just didn't get out to the "great" places. I'm pretty sure we wouldn't have wanted to pay what they cost though. The buffet was fun because I like to try new stuff. On Friday evening we ate at The Brand Steakhouse inside our hotel. The ribeye came with the rib. Pretty funny and I should have brought it home considering what we paid for it, but was afraid I'd get stopped at security. lol)

That first day we talked to Scout two or three times. She was good without us. She and Papaw had built a snowman. Ladies tend to be happy when they are calling the shots, right?

The next evening when we talked to her they had gone to Autumn's ball game and she literally didn't have time to tell her Mama "I love you". Wow!! It was kind of upsetting but then again it would have been much worse if she had been upset herself and missing us. Yeah right. lol

Here we are in the airport ready to come home. Can you tell we were getting pretty excited?

No, I'm not trying to turn my 3 year old into a showgirl. lol She is very much into dressing up, so what could be more fun than a tutu with matching wings? You should see her jumping off of chairs trying to fly. Not a joke.

Google Upgrade

2011-12-11T23:49:00.007-06:00

Ok, so I've been getting this prompt in Gmail for ages about how my Internet browser needed to be updated. I thought "whatever, whatever" but then tonight I got this wild hair to check it out. Seems as if Google Chrome is quite amazing.

I finally posted on the Sandhill page of this blog and was so excited. Wait, let me back track.....the first thing it let me do was comment on my sister-in-law Kaitlyn's blog. That in itself was super. I'd been telling her that it wouldn't let me but I could clearly see it was letting everyone else.

So, back to the other reasons why I love it. The spacing and adding pics, etc was so easy. I had been having major trouble with making my posts look even sort of decent. Waa Laaa....Google Chrome hooked me up.

I have tons to share.....Riley and I went to Vegas this past week for the National Finals Rodeo. Neither of us had ever even been to Vegas, much less to the rodeo. For now I'll just share this pic. You'll see it soon enough as it is this years Christmas card photo.

2011-12-05T23:41:00.003-06:00

We spent Thanksgiving in San Antonio with Baby Saylor Quinn. I wonder if we will still call her that when she's 20? Oh and her parents were there too, and the grandparents......lol.

There is just something about being an Aunt. It happened to me so many years ago, almost 19 actually. Crazy to think Summer Lynn aka Princessa is going to be 19 soon. Any who, being an aunt is just an amazingly fun thing no matter what age they are.

We've had some normal time at home before all the going here and there of the holidays hits.

Scout and I have decided to bake for some of the neighbors, well mostly just the old neighbor men. Wonder if they read this? Who am I kidding? Ah well, I'll bet they will eat the goodies regardless. Scout mostly likes to eat the Rolos off of the pretzel cookies. I on the other hand prefer the finished product.

Reno can walk very well now. Of course he still crawls almost everywhere though. He walks in circles just for fun.....with his sister's boots on his hands. Lately he has been very big into having two of something......two bottle brushes, two gas drop bottles, two of Scout's flip-flops. Well you get the idea. Oh and how could I forget? Two pacis!! All of a sudden he loves the paci. Not sure where that came from.

Hope you all are staying warm!!

ts

Friday Picture Dump

2011-11-18T19:51:00.003-06:00

Just admit it....you are impressed. I'm even impressed with myself. The deal or maybe I should say motivation is named Kaitlyn Smith. I have this crafty, sweet, technologically advanced sister-in-law that keeps me on my toes.

So now that I'm an "Instagramer" my phone is full of pics and I'll admit it's kind of cool just to see what you snapped all week.

We did a little Christmas shopping (redneck style), played outside, learned to make funny faces, rode bucking broncos, posed in our Hannah Montana gown, and of course relaxed in a bubble bath.

We hope your week was just as SWEET!!

Behold..

2011-11-15T16:20:00.002-06:00

the bright side of writing a whopping check for a new heat/air unit.

Yes, you got it.......three brand new baby pallets!!! I'm so excited I can hardly stand myself. Look-out Pinterest, here we come!!

It's ok to be jealous!!

ts

WCRR 2011

2011-11-14T14:27:00.006-06:00

We've been at the WRCA Finals in Amarillo all weekend. Lots of cool things happened.

1. We got to see Saylor Quinn for the first time.

She is precious!! Absolutely, positively, 100% precious. She is very much a Smith baby just like Scout and Reno. You can tell that she's going to be a hoot.

Little Miss Attitude!! Shortly after we snapped the photo above she got angry at Reno for touching her arm, well and maybe for digging in her belly button a little. lol

2. Summer designed Sandhill shirts for us to look "cute" in.

Summer, Mimi, & Kelsey

3. The Jumpin Jackrabbits kicked some tail. They placed 2nd in Pokey's Jr Ranch Rodeo.

Hunter, Coach Tandy, Pake, Matthew, & Bray

4. We got to see lots of family and friends. Thanks especially to Chris & Mary Beth and Kenneth & LaRue for being such supporters. Ya'll are much appreciated.

Like Mimi, Like Scout (don't you think?)

5. Sandhill didn't do soo hot in the rodeo, but Trail showed for his first time and Autumn and Tripp dominated.....as usual. Trail was so level headed and did super for his first time.

6. Kaitlyn got me all hooked up with Instagram. Yep, I'm in love now!! Instagram is a photo program that you can do super cool editing and sharing. I think I love it as much as Pinterest.

7. Did I say anything about pretty?

These two had every single cowboy within a 2,000 mile radius drooling this weekend. lol

8. My friend Jennifer didn't get to come. Darn it, I was looking forward to meeting her.

9. Oh, check out Tandy's and Summer's blogs for some other cool pics, etc.

Laters!!

Seamless Dough Sheet

2011-11-07T09:30:00.006-06:00

Maybe you all already know about this. I am pretty well known for being "behind the times" on news type stuff.

The other day I had in my mind that I would make sopapilla cheesecake sometime soon. As I reached my little hand up to get Crescent rolls what did I pull down? None other than this Seamless Dough Sheet.

What was my little mind thinking? Wow!! Surely this will be perfect. No more pulling the dough, mending the tears, or trying to smooth out the seams.

This is what it looked like going into the oven. I call that perfect....no lines and no cream cheese poking out.

Waa Laa!! Love me some sopapilla cheesecake. I know everybody has this recipe but if even just one person didn't know about it then I am helping. lol

Sopapilla Cheesecake

2 cans Crescent Seamless Dough Sheet

or plain crescent rolls
2 - 8 oz pkgs Philadelphia cream cheese

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

1 stick of butter

1/2 cup cinnamon sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 9x13 pan. Spread one dough sheet or can of rolls in the bottom of pan. Whip together softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla and spread over dough. Top with second dough sheet or can of rolls. Pour melted butter over top and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Bake @ 350 for 35 - 40 minutes. Serve warm or cold.

Ha ha.....I have some left overs in my fridge!

A Normal Day for Us.....

2011-11-05T14:58:00.003-05:00

Quick despcrition of a normal day for us since I accidentally captured it (with my phone camera, of course).

Prissy Lady, wearing a pj top of mine that she robbed out of my closet, in her bathroom "doing her hair".

Hmm.....what could have happened? There are hair clips all over the counter and the floor. The drawer it all came out of is chunked in the sink.

Oh and shall I even try to explain the nastiness on the counter? Being the good, patient mother that I am, I allowed her to assist me in dipping strawberries. She was promptly sent to wash her hands. Should I have helped her since she is only three and had it smeared half-way up her arms? Probably so. Did I? No, because.....

I was probably chasing after the little stink that made the other mess.

Have a beautiful, brown, blowing-corn-stalk kind of Saturday!!

Reno - 1 year

2011-11-02T10:34:00.011-05:00

Reno is a Buffalo Gap baby....that is he was born on the weekend of the Glasscock Family Reunion in Buffalo Gap. My mom and her cousins are so cool, and weird. They like each other and get together every year. We went this year and arrived home just about an hour before the party started. Yikes!!

I've had a sticky note on my computer for a month and a half that says the things Reno was doing at 11 months. He says, "uh-oh" and usually says it right before he throws something down. He also says, "thank you". He gives 5, plays peekaboo, and waves bye-bye. Mr. Reno is such a monkey and climbs on everything. Most recently he climbed into a chair at the foot of our bed, then onto the table by the chair, next onto the bed, and finally ended up stranded on Riley's bedside table. He has also been able to stand up unassisted in the middle of the floor for at least a month. Just recently he has started this hilarious, wild walking. He'll stand up in the middle of the floor and take off going 9-0. Of course after a couple of steps he goes splat right on his face, stands up and goes again. It is pretty funny. He is starting to last for about 4 or 5 steps now. Not sure when he will officially be walking. I thought he would have at 9 months since he started pulling up at about 6. Never know!!

At his 12 month well check he weighed 19 lb 5.5 oz. Unfortunately I don't remember his exact height. I do know that he is in the 8th percentile for weight and around the 50th percentile for height. He for sure isn't a hoss like his sister.

Surprise, surprise!!

2011-10-24T09:04:00.006-05:00

I know you can hardly believe your eyes, a blog post by Tori. Things have just been non-stop around The Smith household and I have tried to rest in my spare time instead of blogging. Forgive me!!

I hope you like the makeover. My new, but I've-never-met-in-person-friend Jennifer did it. She seems to be a pretty handy lady in every since of the word. I can't wait to meet her at the ranch rodeo this year. Speaking of ranch rodeo its almost time for the WRCA - WCRR.

Since I've been MIA, we've had family pictures, new blinds, a family reunion, a first birthday party, a wind-storm, and a new pediatrician just to name a few. We also took Bonnie Concho to Fair on the Square in Canyon, TX. It was our first on the road show. Tiring, but great fun. Of course I don't have pics of anything but the birthday and well duh the family pictures. They turned out great and I highly recommend using Dusty.

I'm gonna re-break ya'll in kind of slow with a few random pics for today.

We wrestle like "wild-indians"!!

We play outside every chance we get.

(Gotta love static electricity in his little blonde "fro".)

My little "Miss" thinking she's all grown-up.

This storm was on Monday, October 17th. We had just gotten home from Reno's one year well check (with the new Dr). I think It blew in sometime between 4 and 5. Not sure of the exact time. It happened really fast though.

It was sooo creepy looking. I of course was afraid it had a tornado in it.

No electricity for a few hours, but I didn't care. I was just glad to be at home.

Hope to report again soon!!

Tori

(Like the signature? It's webdings...lol!!)

Hair Washing

2011-09-30T08:19:00.005-05:00

Scout is such a helper with Reno. Washing his hair in the bath is just one of the many duties that she so willingly takes upon herself. lol

He takes it fairly well, about as well as he does the spankings and scoldings that he gets. You can see here that he's about to make a run for it.

I keep telling her that it so important to be nice to him. At this point she doesn't understand that he will soon "rare back" and hit her.

As I sit writing this I can see them playing in the new "playroom" and it makes me smile. He's getting big enough for them to actually play together.

Duh, I forgot to describe the most important part. When she does this hair washing she gets him seated between her legs. Then she wraps her legs around him to keep him still. In these pics he's already escaped her grasp.

We are in.......

2011-09-28T09:30:00.005-05:00

It is still pretty wild around here. We are kind of tired, not sure where everything is, etc. I suppose that is normal for all movers. Our first night here was actually on Saturday the 17th.

I moved into the little "town" house which belonged to Grandma Hazel in 2004. (She had moved into town in 1986 so that we could move out to the farm.) Riley joined me there in 2005 and we've since added 2 children and a whole bunch of junk.

Sunday morning after our 1st night!!

(Gotta love Papaw getting everyone's attention in the reflection. lol)

We still aren't completely in the "country" like we'd like to be. However we are outside the city limits and we have a great back porch for the kids to play on that overlooks lovely corn and cotton fields.

There is lots of work yet to be done. We have really changed the place, just with paint, a few new doors, and some beautiful texture. Thanks Hope, you really saved the day (or pocketbook). I'll post before and after pics as soon as I'm happy with the after.

I'm still trying to decide where some of the furniture should go and to get the playroom and office organized soon. Well it will have to be soon because Reno's birthday will be here before we know it.

We did have some excitement along the way. Believe it or not it doesn't involve Scout.

A) I spilled half a quart of stain in Scout's bedroom.

B) Reno got into the blue paint in our room.

C) A few trips up the ladder. Don't worry I was watching!!

D) Couldn't find the box with wedding ring and some cash for a week! It has been found, thank goodness!!

Papaw trying to get blue paint off of Reno.

It even soaked through his shorts onto the diaper!!

This boy loves to climb!

Last, but absolutely not least..........Thanks to Gigi and Papaw for helping so much. We couldn't have gotten the painting or moving done without your help. This retirement thing really worked out well for us. lol I know the kids enjoyed it!!

"This little.....

2011-09-12T21:10:00.002-05:00

boobie stayed home, this little boobie went to market."

This is what Scout told Reno in the bath tonight as she pointed to his "boobies".

Maybe they shouldn't be bathing together anymore. Who knows what is next. lol

We Remember

2011-09-11T22:38:00.003-05:00

Below you will find what was posted on the AQHA facebook page today. It is so nicely titled and fitting for the day.

There were a few that totally missed the point here. Unfortunately it kind of turned out to be funny.

There were 34 comments. See if you can guess which comment was mine. (Hint: Not "hes married...lol")

American Quarter Horse Association
We remember.

1,619 people like this.

American Quarter Horse Association In this photo: Riley Smith of Earth, Texas, at the 2010 Working Ranch Cowboys Association World Championship Ranch Rodeo. AQHA photo.

-omg is he single? lol God Bless
-I thought the same thing Tamora...he's hot. :
-We Will NEVER Forget.... Always Be Bless'd & Be a Blessing Thank You AQHA
-god bless you guys and the familys of the lives lost
-AWESOME PIC!!!
-Always. We remember.
-we remeber..........
-we remeber- beautiful picture, ~god bless~
-Yes ! We will all remember!!
-We remember
-Can he remember closer to me lol
-I borrowed this pic for the day, I hope that's okay?
-I think in honor of all the nine eleven victims I will ride my stormie for a while in honor of them.
-We will never forget is correct.
-Hes married..lol
-Like horse, LIKE rider! :)
-god bless those who lost their loved ones.
-beauty
-That horse looks like my friends but her is a hanoravian
-Great photo!
-I love this pic, God Bless America!
-A great tribute to the 9-11 victims...
-GOD BLESS AMERICA!!! THANK YOU ALL....OUR ARMED FORCES, FIREFIGHTERS AND POLICE OFFICERS FOR KEEPING US SAFE!
-God Bless The USA
-god bless America
-Lovely to all those falling in love with the dude. I'm falling for that gorgeous horse. Dang thing is BEAUTIFUL.
-I will NEVER FORGET. GOD BLESS AMERICA and the families/friends who lost a loved one. THANK ALL OF YALL WHO SERVED/SERVING- I keep you in my prayers. What a beautifull picture and a GREAT TRIBUTE TO ALL WHO LOST THEIR LIVES ON 9/11
-That's my uncle!?
-least we forget, my heart goes out from England
-What could be bettter, God, America and horses.
-I think he's hot too. It is awesome being married to Riley Smith He's the most wonderful husband and dad!! Thinking of those who have lost a special someone.
-God bless you all.
-America needs to stand strong! God bless the fallen and those who remain! Pray our troops stay safe!

Absolutely my favorite

2011-09-06T23:54:00.003-05:00

pics......ever!! It could be that I think they look great in black and white and the vintage-y frame. So you all know or maybe I should say that it's super obvious that I don't usually edit my pics. The other day I found that ALT put the Photo Elements APP on my phone. Cool deal, or at least I think so.

So what I'm trying to say is that I took these with my I-phone, edited them on my I-phone, then e-mailed them to myself from my I-phone. Get an I-phone. Just think if the phone part doesn't work there are lots of other options to keep you entertained. lol !!

These pictures are precious to me and pretty much sum up our lives. We love to be together and these kids adore their Dad!!

Reno has just started riding with Riley in the past month. He thinks it is the greatest thing and that he should get to ride all the time. It will be interesting to see if that ever changes.

Scout is very much into riding all by herself. I'm afraid we'll be in the market for a kid horses by next summer.

Reno - 10.5 months

2011-09-05T08:11:00.006-05:00

I guess I should just start being honest about his age. If I had originally planned to post at the 1/2 month then maybe it would have ended up at the right time.

We have 4 durn kitties at the new house. I let Gigi bring them a few weeks back thinking something would happen to a few as it usually does. Would you know that all 4 plus Balissa are doing great!! Balissa is the grown cat already living there when we got the house. Scout named her of course. Reno loves these cats. He actually loves any kind of animal.

I'm not sure how much you weigh Mr. Reno. My guess is around 18 pounds. You are still very much our little "lightweight". Your food of choice at the moment is mashed potatoes. At exactly 10 months we ditched formula and put you on whole milk. You have been doing great with it. You still love water and aren't wild about juice.

Just in the last week you have started sleeping all night. Finally!! You've been a pretty good napper all along even if it was for just 15 or 20 minutes. We lay you down and shut the door and you go to sleep on your own. The pacifier is history I suppose. Just in the last week you've been throwing it across the room instead of sucking it.

Pinching, scratching and biting are on your list of how to aggrivate Mama. You've done the pinching and scratching since you were tiny. My elbow is usually raw or my neck is bright red. Thank goodness Daddy keeps your finger nails clipped good. It is very obvious that you know you shouldn't be doing it either.

You have turned into quite the little ham. It can get pretty wild when you and sister crawl at top speed playing chase. You wrinkle up your nose and snort when you think you're being funny. You newest trick is to climb up the stairs onto Scout's bed and then onto her dresser from there. Needless to say there have been a few crashes.

We are trying to get "NO" into your little brain. It kind of goes with your name.....Re"NO". You have gotten a few little pops mostly for biting or climbing.

You are a super fun, sweet, cuddly guy. We have the most fun with you!!

When I'm a Big Boy

2011-08-15T11:13:00.006-05:00

Scout - "Mom... When I'm a big boy like Trail, I'm not gonna wear a girl swimming suit, just shorts and no shirt to swim around."

Me - "Scout... You're always gonna be a girl!!"

Maybe she's confused because this is what she and brother do for fun? Yep, naked in the flower bed.

also,

Scout tells Autumn about our cat Donut.

"Donut, she's a boy."

All of this in one day. Hmm....Riley will be home for lunch soon, I'll let him handle this one.

Happy Monday!!

2011-08-12T08:05:00.004-05:00

Luv these kids!!

Earth Ranch Rodeo 2011

2011-08-10T22:40:00.003-05:00

The big city of Earth has been having an amateur rodeo during the third weekend in July for ummm....forever. Seriously I think somewhere around 65 years.

Sandhill has put on a ranch rodeo for the last 8 years. It usually takes place during the first week in August.

This year the two functions combined. I think it's a lot of fun for the home-town crowd to be able to watch cowboys they actually know.

Reno wasn't so fond of the sirens in the parade.

Sister, on the other hand, is very fond of parades and is getting to be quite the candy-gatherer!!

Call, Trail, Tripp, and Autumn rode in the parade.

Our friend Coby Summers won top horse in the rodeo.

It was Friday and Saturday night, one go-round, with 14 different teams each night. Summer, Autumn, Hope, and I kept score. Sounds like a lot of folks but we also had Reno the whole time and Scout for some of it. Thanks to the Spangler family for entertaining her for part of that time.

Happy Convention 2011

2011-08-09T07:10:00.004-05:00

The end of July we enjoyed are annual trip to Happy Convention. Technically it takes place at Wayside, TX but "Happy" is a more fitting name. We camp out in our trailers and enjoy four wonderful days of spiritual enrichment. It's pretty much like church camp for the whole family.

We are always "Happy to be at Happy".

Aunt Hope & Reno

The cousins!!

I'm pretty sure Reno is flirting with Hope in this pic.

Mimi & Papa with most of their grandkids.

The Tripp Townsend Family

Scout with Acadia, Alyssa, & Rylan

Poor Rylan, Scout bosses her around so badly!!

Like mother like daughter!! Pretty sure I did the same thing to Larkin.

Rock-a-Bye

2011-07-27T14:44:00.002-05:00

A couple of months ago when Scout and Reno were both sick we did lots of rocking and singing. I sang "Rock-A-Bye Baby" even though I don't really know the words that well. I promise I don't sing it the way she does.

"Rock-a-bye 5 babies in the tree top".............She won't have it any other way now.

Also thought I'd go ahead and share the latest. She stayed with Hope and the kids while Riley, Reno and I went to Amarillo on Monday. We didn't get home until 9 that evening. When we got to our house she was hungry and claimed that she had only eaten ice cream all day long. We pretty much believed her but we knew she had been offered something better.

I asked her what Hope ate for supper just to get some sort of answer. Nothing. Next I asked her what Autumn ate for supper. Her reply, "crap ham".

Turns out that she and Autumn had a snack while they watched Nemo together. What could possibly be called "crap ham"? beef jerky

There will never be a such thing as beef jerky ever again. Oh and they really had quesadillas for supper but I still haven't heard a word about them.

Peace, Love, & somtimes Scout tells big "windys"

Bitsy

2011-07-18T13:54:00.004-05:00

is the offspring of one of the roping heifers.

She was born on one of those days awhile back when it was 108 degrees.

She is a little fighter!! Oh and did I mention that she is so stinking cute?

She is also smaller than a fairly small dog (hence the name Bitsy).

Reno - 9 Months

2011-07-16T14:47:00.006-05:00

He is happy about it, his Mama......not so happy. Where has the time gone?

He is a big ham around the people he knows. Can you say Riley Smith? That is pretty much exactly how his old man is. Right now he is very much into me, unless Dad is around. He generally cries when Riley leaves the house.

M-O-B-I-L-E!! This boy is very mobile. He started pulling up almost immediately after he started crawling. Lately he wants to try out stairs. The sad thing is that he is an accident-looking-for-a-place-to-happen. It's probably hard to tell, but he has a fat lip in these pics. It didn't just bust it, but skinned it as well. Mama's fault, don't ask. :(

Andy, oh Andy....we left him in the dust a long time ago. I think Reno weighs about 17 lbs now. This boy is very spoiled and pretty much only eats table food. I'm certain he would chow on a chicken fried steak if we'd let him. He likes refried beans, potatoes, fruit, raw veggies. Maybe we should try listing what he doesn't like. ha

We discovered that he can drink out of a straw. One day I offered it to him and he just did it. It has also been brought to my attention that when Tripp was "babysitting" at Hugo.....he gave him Dr. Pepper. The contest is over. Tripp is the winner so he won't need another drink of coke until he is at least 2!! Thanks!!

Reno has figured out the chasing game. Scout gets down and they crawl all over the house chasing each other. He also thinks it's fun to go under stuff...your legs, the table, the side of sister's teepee. You get the idea. Another trick he knows is to shake his head back and forth as if saying "no". I'm pretty sure he has no clue right now, but that'll come soon enough.

He is already discovered how to throw a fit to get what he wants. Scout did the stiffen up and scream thing at two weeks so we were already used to it with her. This guy has been alot more mellow than she is/was up until this past month. Boy has he cut loose!!

This is exactly what I'm talking about!! He also wrinkles up his nose and snorts, which is a Tandy/Tori Townsend trait. Let me tell you, he sure looks ornery when he does it.

This boy is near impossible to bathe. All he wants to do is stand up. I pretty much just dunk him and call it good. Then once he is out, all he wants to do is dive head first back in with sister. Just imagine. It isn't usually too pretty.

We have two happy, beautiful chillin' and are sooo thankful for them!!

Banker in training....

2011-07-12T06:31:00.003-05:00

was the title of this picture in the e-mail from our banker. We use First United Bank Earth branch and sure think a lot of Mr. Phillip York.

Riley tells me...."Oh yeah, I wasn't watching Scout very good when we went into the bank and they should've sent you an e-mail with her picture."

I guess Crystal was letting her be a teller while Riley was "taking care of business".

Happy Tuesday!!! BTW....it's raining a little here. Not sure how much but we'll take anything.

Red, White, & Blue

2011-07-07T08:51:00.006-05:00

Our 4th actually started on the 2nd in Muleshoe. They have a parade and this year added a ranch rodeo. It was a full Bonnie Concho day for us. Summer and Autumn drove the BC four-wheeler in the parade, we were open most of the day, and then set up at the rodeo.

We went to Springlake on Monday for the parade and meal. I haven't been to it since high school and have to admit it is a pretty fun time. Can you say homemade french fries and ice cream served in a 22 oz cup? Oh and a live band too, but I get more excited about the food.

I'd really like to know what the conversation is about here. Someday these little ladies won't be so happy with me for posting this picture, but for now I think it's precious.

As you can see here, Leah isn't really sure what to think of Scout. She likes Reno pretty well though. Poor Reno, I don't have a single picture of him on his first Fourth of July. I assure you he looked handsome in his palm leaf cow-boy hat.

My little tom-boy filled her "Cinderella" bucket with dirt and rocks before the parade started. She sure didn't mind dumping it out to fill with candy though.

Happy Indepedence Day!!

Hugo

2011-07-05T16:00:00.000-05:00

After the birthday party we were lucky enough to have Mimi stay with us for a few days. She helped clean out the garage in preparation for the upcoming move. (Yes, move...just a few miles away, don't get too excited.) So then we took her home and stayed for a couple of days. We got in our bi-yearly trip to Kmart...ha...and packed her trailer for Hugo, CO.

We met the rest of the bunch there on Friday afternoon. It has become tradition to camp out there and we always have a great time. There are two rodeo performances, a ranch horse competition, and this year a friendly game of Dollar Tree plastic baseball. I'm sure people thought we were drinking a little early in the afternoon!

The guys were very consistent in the rodeo. It is two full go rounds and they didn't have any no-times. However, there were a few teams that wons multiple events, etc. Luckily we have already qualified because we didn't even place in the top 3.

Here's a double-mugging tutorial for ya just in case anyone ever wants to try. lol

Four guys horseback, two 500 - 600#ers turned lose from different ends of the arena. Full-blast-it to the cattle, you and your partner take one, the other two guys take the other, duh. Head and heel your steer.

Try to avoid your teammates for safety and so you get a good "shot". This year it seems like there isn't a loop limit, but remember we are going for time.

Tie down your steer ASAP.

Look to see if your teammates are finished. Time is called when both steers are tied. Then they must stay tied for 6 seconds.

Nope.....still tying!! lol

Play peek-a-boo with your auntie to pass the time...

or play in the giant sandbox with 50 other kids....

or eat or drink every kind of junk food you can get your hands on.

Happy Rodeoing Folks!!

Co - Birthday Party

2011-06-28T22:36:00.002-05:00

Scout and Trail recently had a co-birthday party. I'd like to say it was tons of fun, but that entirely depends on your personality and what you're accustomed to.

I'm almost certain that the reason the Brahma Breeder and his Senorita cousin aren't looking is because the sand/dirt/feedyard dust is blowing at approximately 40 mph.

Feedyard dust?.....Yes, we had the party in the round pen at the feedyard. It's been known to happen before. We had an industrial size slip-n-slide, I mean slip-n-bump. The guys forgot to smooth the sand underneath, so there wasn't a whole lot of sliding involved.

Reno wasn't a super happy camper. He's kind of a "fair weather friend" since he doesn't like to be out in the heat, cold water, or in this case blowing sand.

Here is a prime example of cold water. Wonder what Scout and Emma are discussing here? Funny thing....Scout was walking across the tank and slipped. She was a big girl about it, but that is also about the only way she goes under.....by accident.

Scout's best pals Haley and Bethany put some time and thought into their sand castle. Actually I think they said it was Egypt.

Good times, but I'm not sure I've gotten every grain of sand cleaned up yet!!

2011-06-17T07:04:00.002-05:00

This is the kind of thing that always happens....

when I look away for just a moment.

At least she was taking care

of her baby brother.

Swimming

2011-06-14T17:09:00.005-05:00

So these pics are from when we went swimming for Scout's birthday, but as you will see I only got pics of Reno. Course it was his "first time" and I already posted the one picture of Scout and Trail, but still I feel bad.

I don't feel bad for my nieces! Do I need to explain what I mean?

Reno with his "girls"!

The pool at Muleshoe is perfect for both of us, especially since I don't even have to get in!!

Swimming wears a fellar out!!

Branding Cont'd...

2011-06-11T08:10:00.006-05:00

I had a few more pics from last week. I love to capture all the steps. Super fun. I just realized that every single one is "cock-eyed" but that's just me!

Layin' a trap!

Pullin' slack!

Please excuse Mr. Ocate, he is straight ranch horse right now.

Head to the fire!

Flankers take-over!

T-H-R-E-E

2011-06-10T07:15:00.007-05:00

My little beauty is 3!! I sort of can't believe it. It feels like yesterday that I was as big as a barn, anxious to meet my little lady, trying to imagine what she would look like and what her personality would be. Boy was I clueless!!

Scout you are so much fun!! There is never a dull moment with you. You do require a good bit of attention, but that's just how some of us are. Patience is not one of your biggest assets, but then again your parents don't have any either. You get pretty worked up if something doesn't suit you and we have to remind you to ask for help instead of throwing a screaming fit.

Right now we are having some clothing issues. The only thing you want to wear is "affwetic" shorts and a t-shirt. We've had hour long crying fits a few times because you didn't want to wear something and I wanted you to. Recently I've been giving you a few options and that seems to work pretty good.

You still eat good, always have. You eat sweets and meat especially well. The big, red birthday donut from Aunt Hope made your day. You are getting really bad about sucking on bread type foods and needing to "soff" my arm. I keep telling you that you won't be able to do that at school.

We just think you are the smartest thing. (Duh, we are the parents.) You can say your alphabet and recognize some of the letters in the Dr. Suess alphabet book. I can't take credit, Tad taught you all this; that is Tad the little leap frog frog. You are always saying "leapfrog.com". You can for sure count to 10 and you know most of the numbers on to 20, just not in order.

Scout you are a "matching game" girl. We had gotten you one and you received one as a birthday present. Not saying much, but you are better than me at it. You love to run and kick a ball. You've never really played basketball, but we are starting you early. You play in the sand in the backyard all the time and love swimming.

Scout, you are big pals with Autumn. I think it's because she minds you so well. You adore Trail and are always wanting him to hold your hand (in public) and he's such a good sport about it. Summer makes you mind, but you love her too. Pake and Tate are pretty cool cousins too.

You also have an imaginary friend Bitsy. You are always having me hold her. Her birthday was also on June 8th, but she turned 5. You are always talking about when you are a "wittle boy" or an "ol wady" and everything happens last night. I'm so relieved to know you have an imagination.

At one time you were such a pack rat, but now you are more into writing checks to everyone. You also write on yourself all the time and are always thieving my pens or markers. You can draw a heart and triangle.

Scout, you are Daddy's girl but also very attached to Mama. You live for that milk and cookie with Dad before bed. It is so much fun to go with him to rodeos or on the feed truck. I got a pretty big kick out of what you did to him at the $50,000 Rodeo. Right during the double mugging you announced that you needed to go potty and he missed getting to watch Brent Lewis rope.

At bed time I go in and check on you and you always say, "I was needing you". I just love it!! I hope you always feel that way.

You are Reno's girl too. He loves you and you are such a big helper to us with him. I'm not looking forward to the fighting that has pretty much already started. The other day when I asked you not to touch him in the carseat you replied, "he's touching me". Wow!!

Scout, you are a beautiful, fun girl. We love and adore you!!

For your birthday this year we are having a party with Trail. You got to watch the guys brand, hang out with the cousins most of the day, swim, and watch Trail play ball. What more could a girl ask for?

2011-06-07T23:22:00.007-05:00

Today the crew branded our cows on Cain Ranch. Hope and I took lunch out. For the past couple of years I've had bad timing, as in I pull up when the last calf is getting up. Therefore I have no actual branding pics, but did get a few.

Nice loop RS!

Things got a little western here for a minute, but that is to be expected when Tyler Rice is around.

Can you figure out whose rope is on the bull and whose rope is on the cow? It was a little confusing there for a minute.

Waterin' horses.

The looks on their faces, describe the wind and blowing dust perfectly. Yuck!!

Face (and ear) washin' time!!

This was Reno's first branding and he mostly spent it sleeping in the pickup. This wasn't such a bad idea considering how nasty it was.New cow-boy hat!!
Sister enjoying a little "lunchie"!

Hopefully we'll get lots of pics tomorrow. It's going to be a big day....you'll see;)!!

May Wrap-Up

2011-06-04T06:51:00.009-05:00

So we are just going to settle this deal once and for all. I'm so tired of being behind. Unfortunately I'm not just behind on the blog, I'm behind on the house, the work, the sleep, you name it. Oh well, I always say that someday I'll be old and will wish for something to do.

First, I do have some news, but no pics to go with it. Sandhill won Wild Horse Prairie Days Ranch Rodeo in Haskell, TX this past weekend. Thank goodness we have qualified for Amarillo already. It will make the few rodeos that we go to this summer so much more fun. I asked Riley how many we went to last year and he said 13. That makes 2 for this year sound much better.

My kids with Pat & her kids!! lol

Those kids kept trying to get Scout's toes.....

and Reno's and he didn't like it one bit!

The kids and I went with Mimi & Papa to Abilene to watch Tripp & Autumn show in the RHAA finals. Sadly this is the only picture I have from the whole weekend. Riley stayed home this year and worked since he didn't qualify a horse.

We did some swinging during the month of May, but no yard work as you can see here!! ha

Scout being a big girl with her big girl cousins. They were headed to watch Trail play baseball. This was the beginning of Scout's "Potty-Trained" Sleepover at the Townsend's.

Right where she wants to be.......

doing whatever she wants to do!!! No wonder she loves to go over there.

Even though we've already done an Easter post, I wanted to throw in Trail with the chicks we got him for Easter. It was mostly paybacks for Summer buying Scout a cat for her birthday last year. Good thing Scout wasn't interested in bringing any of the chicks home with us. She was perfectly content leaving them at Trail's house. Funny thing was that Summer and Autumn claimed one for themselves. Long story short these sweet pullets now live at Pat's with her hens. They seem to be doing well.

Reno has been eyeing the bouncy horse for quite awhile now. Sister was super excited to give him a ride.

Semi-recovered, semi-infected!!! Reno got it first....spots, followed by throw-ups, etc. He didn't have it too long or too bad, but he did give it to sister. It was a little harder on her. They look pretty happy here though.

"Little-bitty" also likes to pull up if he can find something short enough.

Reno, Riley, & Summer

We almost missed graduation. Riley was at the roping demonstration for the horse sale and I was just getting in from taking Reno to the doctor. We couldn't stand to miss it and made it work.

She is a very special niece to us. Congrats Girl!!

Not sure what this face is about....lol!! She must be excited to be graduating, or she sees cupcakes, or boots!! jk

My beautiful SIL, Kaitlyn at Baby Shower #3

We even drove to San Antonio sometime during the hectic month of May. We had a super fun time despite the heat and humidity. Not sure how people do it down there, must be a lot tougher than me. Kait too pics of my kiddos, check them out here. She did a great job as usual.

later!!

Reno - 7 months

2011-06-01T12:08:00.006-05:00

Time is officially flying. By the time I can get each monthly post done, Reno is already turning a month older. Here he is posing with Andy. I will make a little comment on the pictures. It seems like he always looks so chunky in the pics and in person he looks healthy, but pretty skinny.

Reno you weigh around 16 lbs. and I'm not sure about the height. It seems like you are pretty long though. Your shirts or onesies are 9 - 12 months for the length and 6 - 9 months on shorts or pants.

You are not that great of an eater. You still don't drink a whole 6 oz bottle at once. It usually takes you a couple of tries. For a few weeks there you ate baby food great. Just in the last couple of days, you pretty much only eat the fruit. We are working on getting you used to table food, but you gag and shake your head. It really is quite the production. You love to play with your water bottle and drink water.

You've had 2 teeth for about 2 weeks now. I'm pretty sure you are working on some more too. You are always moving your head back and forth when you have something in your mouth. It must feel really good. Your hair is really growing fast too. It is also super blonde. Everyone still says you look just like your dad. Gigi says you look more like me but everything you do is just like your dad. Switcheroo.....Scout looks like Dad and acts like me (yes, I can admit that!!) and Reno looks like me and acts like Dad.

Reno you've been trying to crawl for about a month, but have been able to really get where you want to go in the last couple of weeks. You kind of mind your own business and just go and do as you please. As soon as you started crawling good, you also decided you should pull up. The steps beside sister's bed are the perfect height for you to pull up on. You also bear crawl a lot. Slow down boy...Mama can't keep up!! These summer rodeos are going to be wild because you are just going to want down. WOW!!! Can you say "D-I-R-T-Y"!!

You quit sleeping all night when we went to the RHAA Finals in Abilene the second week in May. Little TOOT!! Sister did the same thing and came untrained at about this age. It might be a battle for a bit, but she's a good sleeper now so I'll bet you will be too.

You do love toys much better than Scout did. She is doing a great job sharing with you also. Just in the past week you've found your voice and it's pretty hard to talk on the phone because you are being so loud. Of course you act quiet and shy around people you don't know.

Reno, you are such a sweet boy. We are having so much fun with you. Can't wait to see how much you grow and change in the next few months (and years). We love you!!

Canadian Cattle

2011-05-25T15:03:00.007-05:00

We met the family at Canadian to turn out cattle. It was so fun to see Brook & Kait since we rarely get to see them. I rode for the first time in ummm like a year. Good thing we don't have pics of that because it probably wasn't too pretty. Gigi and Kait babysat on the Ranger.

Aunt Kait with my babies. You can't see her "fat" belly or Scout's in this picture. Before we saw them I was telling Scout she had baby Saylor in her tummy and she said, "Oh a fat tummy like me". Since then the story involves Dr. Pepper. One day after drinking a Dr. Pepper she said, "oh I drank too much coke, my belly is so fat. When Kait drink Dr. Pepper it goes on Baby Saylors head and she cries."

We didn't have a cap for Reno so he had to borrow his sisters. You can see what he thinks about that.

Scout's first encounter with an umbrella!!

Don't worry.....we jinxed the rain. It looked like it was going to come a "floater" but we took cover and it passed over us.

Playin' in the trailer!!

Guitar lessons from Papaw!

Hopefully she is musical like Granny Franny (Papaw's mom) & Papaw

Blame it on......

2011-05-23T16:41:00.004-05:00

BONNIE CONCHO!! BC is pretty much the reason why my blogging is so non-existent. I've been spending lots of time with her.

Who in the world is Bonnie Concho? Well, she is kind of a real person, kind of not.

She is.........Bonnie Concho is our brand new, opened on May 10th, clothing & accessory boutique. It is located inside The Studio hair salon at 230 S Main, Muleshoe, TX. We are really excited about it and are working hard to bring you the latest, reasonably priced, Bonnie Concho style. We have a facebook, just don't have pics, etc up yet. Hopefully that will be done this week.

We.....who is we??? We is Hope, Summer, Autumn, and myself. It seems as if we each have a different talent, or none at all.....that would be me.

It has been alot of fun so far. The sweeties at the salon do the hard work for us, but we are thinking of hosting a few get togethers this summer. It will probably be on Tuesday nights, while our guys are roping. More details hopefully in the next couple of days.

Hope to see you....looking soooo Bonnie Concho...soon!!!

EASTER......

2011-05-17T15:42:00.010-05:00

wasn't that long ago? Was it? Sorry folks, I hate it just as bad as you do when I get preoccupied and don't blog for a month.

Scout Preston all decked out!!

She slept in sponge rollers the night before. I remember always doing that as a kid.

Aunt Pattie and the kiddos. Not too long before Scout and Riley were having a before bed conversation and she informed him that Pat's new name was "Pattie".

My darlins'

Me and "my darlins" - My big darlin' isn't such a great photographer, but you take what you can get.

Hunting eggs with Mimi at The Adams casa.

She was kind of particular....

but "by-cracky" she hunted eggs. (She is her mother's daughter and I have an explanation, but no one believes me.)

G-Maw Maw and Reno "huntin' eggs" in the shade.

Scout and G-Maw Maw hee-hawin about something. (Do you see the rabbit she carved out of a cantaloupe? Awesome...)

Scout and G-Maw Maw

Hope and her beauties...well they got it from their Mama!!

We stopped by the feedyard to care for Locksmith, who by the way has/had a broken shoulder. That is a post in itself, but he is doing great so we'll leave it at that. So we are talking with Scout about who we will see at the Adams casa and I say, "Mimi and Papa" and she says, "Mimi and Cupcake". So speaking of new names, Papa has one......CUPCAKE. Pretty hilarious!! Think about it......a cupcake is pretty special in the mind of an almost 3 year old and so is her Papa.

My partner, Tripp trying his hand at shuffleboard at the Adams casa. Hmmmm, yes we lost. I can admit to it!!

Reno - 6 months

2011-04-20T22:47:00.004-05:00

Happy 1/2 Birthday Reno Wade!! We can't believe you are growing up so fast. It seems like you change every single day.

6 Month Stats
Height - 27 in (71%)
Weight - 15 lbs (9%)

So what we have here is a "long-tall-Texan". Doc says that since the boy is acting so ready for food to "pour it to him". Ok so those weren't his exact words, but that is what he meant. Tammy aka Gigi says that Riley was tall and skinny like this. Believe it or not I'm not even worried about the boy.

Reno, you take a bottle pretty well now; about two a day on average. You are ok with cereal, but now we've added the real stuff. So far you've had green beans, peas, and squash. That is also the order in which you like them, squash being your favorite.

Reno, you can almost sit up by yourself. You improve a little every day. You can roll both ways. You get up on your knees and push your face down in the carpet to push forward. You also get up on your arms really well and push backward. Thank goodness you haven't put the two together.

Reno, you like to play with tags, teething toys, anything brightly colored that you find laying around. Speaking of teething toys, no teeth yet but I think it'll be soon. You look like you're always shaking your head "no" but I'm pretty sure it's because it feels good on your gums. We also finally got you to take the pacifier. Fingers are still good to chew on, but no thumb sucking.

You are sort of onto this carseat thing and have thrown a few fits. "Sorry 'bout ya boy", you are staying buckled. Sister is great about holding your hand or cramming that paci in your mouth.

Speaking of sister, you love her!! Never fails if I think she is being too rough, you think it's hilarious. The rougher the better. I'm not sure if I'm excited about ya'll playing together or dreading it.

Overall you are pretty serious, especially with people you aren't around all the time. It never fails you always frown at Tripp. Of course all he does to entertain is say "hey boy!!".

Oh and don't you love those athletic shorts? They go all the way to his ankles, pretty funny!!

So this is what food tastes like!!

Doc says I'm skinny???

Well I don't look skinny! Ya think?

Peas aren't half bad......

but this tag is pretty cool too.

Happy 1/2 Birthday Little Cuss!! You are a true joy!

Yes, that is what I call you most the time. Lots of mamas call their babies or kiddos "love" or some eww-gooey thing like that. That isn't really me. Scout is "plum" and I think "cuss" is good for him.

Sister Monkey

2011-04-13T08:52:00.005-05:00

Scout is officially "Sister Monkey". Sometimes she fills in the blank with various creatures puppy, squirt (my favorite). We all have our titles as well Mama Monkey, Daddy Monkey, and Baby Monkey. She'll say "call me sister monkey" then "call me sister monkey again". So we go about our day referring to her and ourselves as monkeys.

The other evening she informed me that Tripp, Hope, Summer, Autumn, and Trail were all monkeys, we were all puppies, and KD, Tandy, Pake, and Tate were cheetos. I'm guessing that was supposed to be cheetahs. lol

Another funny one......

Scout: "Mom I need you!" (waking up from nap)

Me: Walk into the room.

Scout: Sits up in bed. "So I have a deal for ya!"

Me: "oh yeah"

Scout: "how bout we go play outside"

Me: "ok"

Scout: "i've got another deal for ya!......how bout we go play in the back yard?"

Me: "Well I wanted to go in the front yard because I wanted to clean up my new junk. Remember we went to Tandy's yesterday and she and I went shopping for junk?"

Scout: "We don't buy junk.....you take that junk back to the store!"

The other day I was on the phone, but overheard her phone conversation. She had a phone in each hand and was telling whoever she was talking to that she had another call and would be right back.

Oh and I hope to have more about the junk for you soon. I know you can't wait to see what I gathered up.

Sister Monkey's outfit courtesy of Trail Townsend. Scout stayed with them one evening awhile back. When we picked her up this is what she was wearing. Of course she wanted to spend the night and these are "jammies". I think she looks like Autumn in these pics.

Curling Cowhide

2011-04-09T14:44:00.004-05:00

A. Not my idea, not even my pictures. However, the hide in our living room is curling so bad it looks like it has 80's hair. I am excited to try this today.

B. Apartment Therapy is where I found this.

C. Actually I saw it on Western Passion and they had found it at Apartment Therapy.

Lightly spray both sides of the hide using a water bottle. It isn't necessary to saturate, just 5 good sprays on each side. Place a towel underneath and a towel on top of the "curly" spot.

Place books or something heavy on the spot. Leave overnight. I'll probably leave it for a few weeks or until I have company next.

Can't wait for mine to look like this.

Make-A-Wish Calf Roping

2011-04-06T10:12:00.007-05:00

Reno stripped down since it was so hot and muggy.

Scout found a Jack Russell named Molly to play with. She also met Sawyer, a handsome 3 year old from Hereford. (I'm sad I don't have a picture of them.) She kept calling him "little boy" or "little guy".

Can you tell what's going on here?

Right before we got to Canyon she announced that she needed to go potty. Luckily I had thrown in the little potty. We pulled over and she and I got in the trailer. Here Riley is checking on us because he was all antsy to get to his calf roping. A little TMI I know, but.....she went POOP and that's all I care about.

So about the roping..... Riley did well. He placed third in the #11. It was at least good practice for Joe's Boot Shop Calf Roping later this month.

Bronc is 1!

2011-04-05T07:06:00.006-05:00

Awesome cake, delicious too!! Check out Sarah's other cakes if you please.

The sweet Rice family. Tyler, Broncy, & Kristin

Smart boy here. Instead of smearing cake all over himself like most one year olds, he chose to feed it to his Dad.

Bronc & his Mama

Cousins & Sons

R & R....Don't forget it was Riley's birthday too!!

There were lots of pretty ladies around to hold the Mr.

What more could a girl ask for?........Puppies and ice cream!

This is Camryn, she is 4. She isn't one bit shy either. Earlier in the house she sat down on the floor with Scout and I. She and I were having a nice conversation while Scout only listened in. After a bit, Camryn looked at me and said, "What sound her makes?"

Bronc and Scout drove cars up under the kitchen table. He cornered her and then started smacking his lips. I knew what was coming...yep you guessed it. A big 'ol smooch! How did he know to get her off by herself before he kissed her?

Happy Birthday to our handsome, lil friend, Bronc

2011-04-04T15:43:00.005-05:00

We recently did a little reupholstery project at our house. I assure you, I am no upholsterer even though I wish I was.

The not so desirable before. A very cute model though, don't you think?

I added a little extra cushion. My foam was too short so I glued two pieces together. Secret.....the foam was also a little narrow, but the fabric I chose is very forgiving, you'll see.

Future gymnast running up and down "her" mat wearing socks and flip-flops, of course. It was actually a pretty good test to make sure the two pieces were staying glued together.

Mess.....what mess? We did this project in the front yard, a little redneck I know.

Our furry bench!!

RWS - The Original

2011-04-02T09:47:00.010-05:00

He's a little bit redneck.....

He's still a kid at heart.....

He's cool....

He's competitive....

like I said.....He's competitive......

He has a great smile....aka "Smiley Riley".....

He loves chocolate....and a DP every once in awhile....

He's a hard-worker......

He's a natural at sooo many things....

He's a winner in my book!!!

I know for sure that he's a winner in a couple little peep's book, as in Scout and Reno. They love their daddy!! He is a great dad to them and I'm so thankful for that.

Happy 27th birthday to my wonderful husband!!!

Get in my belly.....

2011-03-29T07:57:00.002-05:00

I'm pretty sure that if Reno could talk he would be telling Riley's Double Whopper to "get in my belly". I'm thinking this boy will love to eat. He seems to be fascinated with food.

It is getting to be impossible to eat when holding him,

he'll make a dive for your burger or put his face down in your plate.

Yes, we do eat at Burger King when we could go to a nicer, sit down type place. It is likely that we still will even when we don't have kiddos who want to play.

It Won't Go Out

2011-03-28T08:17:00.003-05:00

This is generally the statement we hear when we put Scout on the potty. She has always been pretty good about going tt and we might have had a break through on the other just in the last couple of days. I hate to even say that for fear of jinxing us.

Just to give you an idea of how important panties are to her. This is what I found the other day. Panties on the head. Come to find out, what she was trying to accomplish is a horse racing mask. On the movie Stripes the race horses wear tight face mask things. Of course this didn't last long because she was mumbling something about it not being big enough and that we'd need to get a bigger one.

We are still wondering how to handle this. We've hosed her down, spanked, bribed her, begged, pleaded, etc. I think this whole thing has traumatized Riley and I much more than it has affected her. She simply repeated the getting "rosed" down story very dramatically for Tripp & Hope. I'm thinking she was kind of proud of herself. I will tell you, she's tough as a boot so it's kind of hard to even phase her.

Just this past Saturday night, we might have found the answer. This funny girl is finally even a little troubled about it if she felt the need to pray. This is how it went.

Faader in Heaven, thank you for mommy, daddy, and reno. Hep me to be learnin' steff and to go poop on the big girl potty and to be a good girl. - Amen

I would love some tips (or maybe prayers....lol). We are starting to get pretty desperate. Main thing is that we can't lose now. Stay tuned to a hopefully successful follow-up story and hopefully SOON.

Reno - 5 Months

2011-03-18T09:11:00.003-05:00

Full smile!

Half smile!

He loves sister...

that is for certain!!

Reno you are growing so big. You have started eating cereal and would probably eat as long as I would shovel it in. I'm not sure how long you are going to stick with me. You are probably going to be busy just like sister because you get distracted from eating so easily.

You are mostly wearing size 6 months. Some 6-9 and some 3-6, just depends on how it runs. You aren't very big around, but are pretty long. In socks you need size 12 months for them to stay on. Wow, what a long foot!! I'm thinking you aren't going to be solid like Scout.

We never had to chant "roll-over-Red-Rover" to you. (That is what Riley used to say to Scout. I have tried to convince him that it is supposed to be "come-over" instead of "roll-over". ) You roll over almost instantly when we lay you down on your back. I've found you sleeping on your tummy only once. You are usually so tired and stay on your back to sleep. You sit up in the Bumbo and grab toys really well.

Speaking of sleeping, you are still mostly sleeping all night. There will be a few nights in a row that you might wake up once. I'm not sure if you are in a growth spurt or if you didn't eat good that day or what. You usually nap in the morning. You sometimes nap with Scout in the afternoon, but mostly want to be awake. You can be awake for a long time at once.

Reno Wade, you are getting very spoiled. You love to be held. Instead of sitting in your little chair while I'm cooking or we are eating you need to be held. You will go to most anyone for a little while, but then decide you need Mama. Doesn't hurt my feelings.

We look forward to you sitting up and crawling in the next few months. I already have one kiddo into everything. How much worse could it be with two?

Love you Mister!!

New Spurs

2011-03-16T00:04:00.008-05:00

This would be like

me going out and buying myself

a really expensive pair of choose.

Really expensive!!

My shoes don't make us any money and these are simply tools that Riley needs to perform his job. It is kind of true!!

Riley ordered these especially for calf-roping, which explains the short shank and small rowel. Hopefully I got all that lingo right.

The awesome part is that Riley's brother, Brook made these. We think he did a great job. He and Kaitlyn are so talented! If you decide you need some new spurs in your "bidness", I'm sure you can get in touch with him through her or we'd be glad to help you out.

Here I am a few hours later.....and hopefully brighter. My mistake is too funny to correct now. I promise we don't talk this way. Wonder what was going on with my mind at midnight last night?

Mimi's Spring Break Bash

2011-03-14T15:45:00.005-05:00

Mimi and Papa came this past week since she was on Spring Break. It was fun for them to be here with no plans. We are usually in such a rush, going here and there, but not this time. We cooked, went for a walk, bought groceries, cooked, visited one of Mom's friends, had a few visitors here, and shopped. Here are pics from our little get together.

No kiddin' it took like 8 tries to get this picture. I think it is a good one though!!

It's all about the hats!! Sweet picture of Papa & the kids.

Wonder what he's thinking about the trade???

Since we're on the hat subject.......I found this funny umbrella hat in LaVerne's stuff.

Mirt & Coonfoot being silly!

Here we are.....sort of still, sort of looking at the camera, and sort of smiling!

Tandy & Scout

Reno laughing at Tandy & Raggedy Andy!

Mimi & Reno

The Townsend and Adams cousins are on Spring Break this week, so surely that will call for some more fun!!

So do you still have Spring Break if you are no longer a school teacher and don't have school-age children?

Pack Rat

2011-03-10T21:25:00.005-06:00

Take two green Arm & Hammer plastic bags,

( intended for dirty diapers)

Add contents of one kitchen drawer....

plus a cheesy face......

PRICELESS........even though it gets old cleaning up after her.

I'm not sure why she suddenly wants to pack things up. She packs multiple bags or purses or plastic bags if she knows we are headed somewhere. She fills ziploc bags with dirty socks, legos, diapers, wet wipes, the list goes on and on. Sometimes she just fills the dirty sock with stuff. There is no telling what she has stolen of mine that is actually important.

More Big Birthdays!!

2011-03-08T10:03:00.006-06:00

My MIL, Tammy, had a big birthday on March 6th, which just so happens to also be my sister Tandy's birthday.

The birthday girl with her Cake Co. cake, yummy!!

A close-up of her cake. It's the big 5-0!!

Granny, Tammy, & I

Excuse the table mess, but Salt Grass was delicious.

Bucksin Bob & Tam

We need to come up with a good nickname for her too!

Riley with her birthday glasses on!

He must want to see how things look like through the eyes of a 50 year old.

Scout is much cuter in them!!

Granny & the Boy!

We did some shopping for Tandy's birthday, but I don't have any pics of it. Happy Birthday to two special ladies!!

Little Buddies

2011-03-02T22:09:00.001-06:00

My great friend Sarah and her husband Ryan are parents to Sawyer.  Which, by the way, we love that name and Reno might have been Sawyer if they hadn't though of it first.  Sawyer's birthday is July 1st, so he's only a few months older than Reno.  How fun for us, and them as soon as they are old enough to care.

I think Reno decided to watch TV instead of look at the camera. Hmmm...sounds like something his dad would do.

Our Girl......

2011-03-01T07:16:00.006-06:00

She's purty!
Here she is posing with her stylist, Meg.

She's fashionable!
Yes, those are house shoes that she's wearing in the restaurant .

She ain't skeerd!
She didn't know any of those big kids at the stock show.

She'll steal your purse or just pack up 2 or 3 of her own.

She'll work!
This girl will do dishes all day long.

She'll get "all up in your business" no matter what your doing.

She's daring!! Oh, and she loves Dr. Pepper.

She's a country girl!

I've been trying to keep track of some of the hilarious things she says. It is mostly impossible because she says something else before you can get the first thing written down.

Scout's Funny Words
"drank" = drink
"tursty" = thirsty
"pursh" = push
"meegan" = meeting
"taddy" bear = teddy bear

Four OH!!

2011-02-24T06:16:00.006-06:00

Oh my, can ya'll believe Tripp is 40? If the birthday thing comes up I've been telling people that I am 20 and he's 30. At least he'll be having a big birthday each time I do. Plus it will always be worse for him. ha ha!!

He's lived with this gal longer than he did his Mama. Maybe I should say he's been spoiled by this lovely lady longer than his Mama spoiled him.

Showing his "skills".

Tripp & Red have been friends since they were teenagers.

Tate & Laura

My Mama even beat me on the first game!!

The girls are outnumbered, but I'm pretty sure they still rule.

Tandy & Mom

Pake & Scout
This had to have been the only time she sat sort-of still in a chair all night.

Lovin' her Hopey!

Reno sat with Papa...

with Dad....

with Mimi. Poor guy just got passed around all night.

The cutest tiny bowling shoes!!

Daddy helping Scout.

They even knocked a few pins down. Overall she thought it was more fun to dance or do belly flops off the stairs onto the slick floor.

Happy Birthday!! I wonder if any of us will still be able to bowl on your 50th??

Whatever Tuesday

2011-02-22T12:10:00.006-06:00

Truly I should've known I would have trouble sticking with this recipe thing. Summer, little Miss up at 4 am to have beautiful hair each day or to make brownies for friends, is my inspiration to keep something going. I'd like to get back on a good schedule and we'll try to mix it up a little. So tell us about.....

something yummy you ate out somewhere.....

or even at a ball game concession stand.....

something your Mama makes (made).

Share something that is so delicious that you feel like saving the last bite and sucking on it for 30 minutes....

...or it could be something you made for your Valentine!!

Chocolate Pie by my Mama

1 c. sugar
1 1/2 c. milk
3 T. butter
2 T. cocoa
1 egg (well beaten)
1/4 c. flour
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix dry ingredients in sauce pan. Gradually add milk, then egg. Cut butter up into smaller pieces so it will melt faster. Add vanilla last. Cook until thick. Poor into pie crust. (Only makes 1 pie.)

Reno - 4 months

2011-02-18T14:52:00.004-06:00

The difference between 3 and 4 months is amazing. This guy has really become such a little person. We didn't meet up with Andy this month, but I'm sure you can imagine how tiny he is compared to Mr. Reno.

Bathroom floor kick time!!

Wearing a rodeo onesie and

surrounded by his little soft horses.

A little "cribber" already. I'd better get that bumper pad up!

Wearin' stripes and behind bars!!

He looks like he's in jail and I guess he kind of is. His bed is the safest place for him.

4 Month Stats
Weight - 13#6 oz (20th percentile)
Height - 25 in (54th percentile)
Head - 16 in (13th percentile)

Reno you are learning so many things. This month you've really found your voice and love to talk and squeal. You will talk to most anyone, but especially sister. I wonder what you are telling her? Oh well, I guess we'll know soon enough. You've also started to laugh. Like I mean really "he-haw". You are very ticklish and that will usually really get a laugh out of you. I used to call Scout's laugh like this her "fat-girl laugh".

You started spitting and drooling big time this month. You're hands are working much better for you and you even grab my hand and try to get it in your mouth. Uh-oh, we'll need to go through Scout's tiny toys soon. You are taking a pacifier fairly well, but also suck your thumb, two fingers, or whatever you can get in your mouth. I wish you'd make your mind up and I hope it isn't the thumb.

Kicking has been your thing for awhile now, but you can almost roll over. I don't think you realize you can or know what you're doing. Each time you roll over, you roll right back to your back as soon as you hit your tummy. A few days ago Scout says, "Mama, I'm teaching Reno to roll over." She had you on the floor pretty much rolling you like a ball. You've started rolling to your side to sleep.

Reno you are becoming such a people person. You are happiest if you are being held. You also have a pretty hot temper. Not surprising of course since the Smiths and Creamers are so hot headed. Ha ha....We know who really has a hot temper! At your 4 month well check yesterday you got your feelings hurt when the PA looked down your throat. That upset you more than the four shots you got.

It's funny to me how a 4 month old can seem so manly. You wouldn't think baby boys and girls would be that different. Reno you are all BOY. Your little legs are scrawny but already look like boy legs. Funny!!

You are a joy!! We love you.

I was RIGHT!

2011-02-09T10:56:00.004-06:00

Very dorky, I know!! Scout received window crayons and I just had to test them out. Some people think I'm so dorky that they wouldn't even participate, not naming names. lol

Before we get any rumors started, we'd better clarify who is expecting. Riley's brother Brook & his wifey Kaitlyn are due on July 4th.

I knew it!! Not sure how, maybe I'll be a baby predictor. I considered calling Kait this morning and telling her we would love him too if it so happened to be a him. My confidence kept me from calling.

It's going to be soo fun to spoil this little lady. It'll be kind of hard considering the distance between Earth and Converse, but I'm confident in myself once again.

Meatloaf Monday

2011-02-06T22:09:00.008-06:00

Beef, It's What's for Dinner!! This site is full of useful info about beef as well as some great sounding recipes.

I'm telling you it would have been a lot less work to just link to another site or type out the recipe instead of preparing and photographing myself. Seriously, I'm saying there is no way PW does her own house cleaning, homeschooling, and dish-washing along with cooking, photographing, blogging, and challenging Bobby Flay. There just isn't any way one woman, no matter how wondrous she might be, could do all that. I'm saying this because by taking the pics it took me six times as long to get this dish prepared. That's not to mention that I didn't even make anything to go with it and the pics aren't that great. (I'll take help on that too!) I took all these pics and now I think they are stupid. I'm not even posting most of them. Whatever...maybe I'll get better someday.

You all realized that I'm not requesting some fancy recipe that you concocted yourself, just something you like and is tasty. Easy is always a good thing too. I snatched this recipe for meatloaf muffins by Rachel Ray off of Food Network.

The sauce!
I use Head Country BBQ sauce, which is pretty sweet and spicy.

The onion before its death!!
I sometimes do the celery and pepper, just do whatever you have.

Eggie!!

Starting to mix.
Like my cool new bowl? You can see the rest of the set later.

Use an ice cream scoop to divide it. I also mash 'em with it to make a little hole for the sauce.

Wa-La!!

Meatloaf Muffins

1 - 2 lbs. gound BEEF
1 medium onion
2 ribs celery
1 green bell pepper
1 large egg + splash of milk, beaten
1 cup plain bread crumbs
2 T. grill seasoning (Montreal Steak Seasoning)
1 cup BBQ sauce
1/2 cup salsa
1 T. Worcestershire sauce
PAM olive oil spray

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Put ground beef into large mixing bowl. Pulse onion, celery, and bell pepper in food processor until fine. Add to beef. Add egg, beaten with milk, bread crumbs and grill seasoning. Make the sauce (Really you can do it anytime.) Add a little more than half the sauce to beef mixture. Mix well (with your hands.) Spray muffin tin. Divide meat using ice cream scoop. Top with remaining sauce. Bake about 20 minutes or until cooked through.

Oh...by the way, I was so worried about my linky tool working that I even dreamed about it last night. Retarded if you start blogging in your sleep, right?

Next Monday

2011-02-05T07:05:00.006-06:00

The idea of Meatless Mondays (or any other day) pretty much makes me ill. I'd like to know in dollars what sort of damage Oprah and her friends have caused to the beef industry. I will be the first to say that I'm not super knowledgeable in the specifics of this stuff, but I do know the bottom line. These people need to get a clue (nicely put, huh?).

Here's my idea. Let's share beef recipes on Mondays. Oprah has the right to suggest everyone not eat meat, so I'd like to encourage my friends who eat meat (better be everyone) to share some of their yummy recipes on Mondays. I know that it's reality that we eat fish and chicken also, but I'd really like to start out with BEEF recipes. Maybe if it goes well we will declare a certain Monday fish or chicken.

I can't decide what we should call it. Lots of you are so clever, so help me out here. Here goes with my ideas. Instead of having a Beautiful Monday we could have a "BEEF-it-full Monday". Of course there is also the option of "MeatFULL Mondays". Please comment and give me ideas.

I'm going to try to rig up one of those Linky things for those of you who have blogs. Not sure I can figure that out, so may need your help there too. If you don't have a blog I guess you can leave your recipe under comments (not now, on Monday).

Like how I used blood red just like red meat? I'm such a conscious eater, I know!

I think these pics of Scout and Riley on the feed truck at the FEEDYARD are pretty fitting.

So don't forget your homework.

a) Help me come up with the perfect name.
b) Help me with the linky stuff if you can.
c) Ask all your friends to participate (hopefully you have some....lol).
d) Be thinking of your favorite BEEF recipe and post it on Monday or link to a recipe you have posted sometime in the past.

Please participate, if Oprah can start some kind of movement surely we can too!

It's cold

2011-02-04T07:00:00.004-06:00

so we've just been snuggling

in our jammies all day

for about 3 days now and

we're all starting to get a little bossy!

Autumn's 15th Birthday

2011-02-02T15:23:00.007-06:00

went like this.....

A whole passel of kids

tore into this delicious, chocolate, caramel, white, strawberry filled goodness then

tried and possibly nearly killed themselves skating ("skaping" according to Scout) .

My little family mostly posed for pics,

played in the corner,

and just tried to stay out of the way.

Tandy, what happened here? Am I really that much shorter than you? I'm buying heels next time I go to town, seriously!!!

For the full, much livelier, detailed, comical version of Autumn's birthday see what Sweet T says about it.

Speaking of Nerds....

2011-01-29T08:24:00.002-06:00

Sweet T (Summer, in case you are new around here.) was admitting to being a nerd just yesterday. Boy does she have a little nerd cousin!! It must just run in the family and unfortunately it seems I won't be able to blame this one on the Smith or Creamer side. Some may even try to claim that this looks like me back in the day.

Granny has these little glasses on a bear at her house. Instead of toys she'd rather play with these glasses.

Sick Babies

2011-01-28T15:54:00.003-06:00

Our house has been pretty sickly for almost two weeks.  Scout, Riley, and Reno have all had a go of the flu.  I felt sorry for Riley and Scout, but most of all poor little Reno.  It's hard to have a runny nose and cough when you're that tiny.  Luckily I haven't gotten it and have been able to take care of them.  It is pretty hard (on your heart mostly) being Mama to sick babies.  I'm certain Riley is the biggest baby of all.  I'm sure you wives understand exactly what I'm talking about.

The mirror and puppy dog mask make breathing treatments much more fun!!

This was before he got sick, sick.

Oh well, we've done lots of cuddling anyways.

Fueled by Beef

2011-01-22T06:59:00.005-06:00

Exciting news....there are young, normal folks that have good sense about beef and health, etc. I subscribe to numerous fitness/health magazines and mostly what they tell me is to eat bizarre, bird like food that probably isn't even available in Earth or even Muleshoe!! Food that Riley and Chicken Fry Smith won't touch with a ten foot pole.

The other day I found this blog through facebook, you know a friend of a friend. I am so excited to find this person. The title of her blog alone is reason to like her and feel like you've known her forever. Maybe I'm living through her since she's also very talented and motivated.

Check out Wrenn's blog for yourself.

This took place at the concession stand after the basketball game the other night.

Summer: "Scout what would you like to eat?"

Scout: "chicken fry and tchetup"

a) Don't all concession stands serve chicken fried steak? lol !!
b) You don't really have to know the original story now to understand why she is called "Chicken Fry".
c) Ha ha....she asked for tchetup not gravy!! I must be teaching the girl something.

LOCK

2011-01-19T14:28:00.002-06:00

We have a new dog, named.....well he doesn't even have a name yet. Scout usually loves naming her cats all sorts of weird names. When we ask her about the puppy she says, "he's just a puppy". I'm thinking "puppy" isn't going to work, especially since it isn't easy to holler.

He's awfully photogenic. Are all dogs photogenic? Maybe he just likes to have his picture made like Miss Scout. Oh, so are you wondering what LOCK is all about yet?

Riley got this guy from Kyle Dillard at Milnesand, NM. He's in the business so if you ever need a good dog just let us know and we'll get you his info. We also got Tug from him, and Gus, the other good one that disappeared, and Slim, who ate rat poison and died. Ok, ok I'll stop. We love em just don't always have good luck since they are working dogs, not just pets.

So Riley meets Kyle in Portales to pick up the pup. Afterward he gets gas and runs in Stripes to get a coke. When he returns guess what sweet little pup has done? Yep locked him out of the pickup. My vote for a name, is LOCK.

Tug & Lock meeting for the first time.

Scout loves her some puppy until he tastes her face or gets her down on the ground like he already has and then she gets the golf club (toy plastic) after him.

Reno - 3 months

2011-01-18T15:05:00.003-06:00

I can't believe you are already 3 months old. You have changed so much and continue to every day. You love, love your sister. She is great entertainment for anyone, but you especially love to watch what she's up to. You smile and talk to her constantly. You actually smile and talk to anyone that will pay you some attention. The other night you put on such a show for Gigi and Papaw. You even started the "fake cough" thing.

You are trying soo hard to roll over. You push with you legs and sort of jump and twist. Each night we would lay Scout on her tummy and beg her to roll over. Nothing....she wasn't interested at all. We might be begging you not to.

Now you sleep in your crib in your own room. I finally realized that it was just around the corner and probably only 3 steps further than the pack-n-play you were sleeping in. You have done great and almost always sleep all night.

Every afternoon when Scout goes down for a nap, your eyes pop open. It's like you want me all to yourself for awhile. That's fine by me!!

The hair....well it just stands up. I thinks it's pretty cute myself.

Guess Who??

2011-01-14T19:58:00.002-06:00

She's out of town so she won't be able to come over and beat me up for a few days.

Off to work...

2011-01-11T06:45:00.003-06:00

The other evening Reno and I are in his room. Scout marches in......

gives me a hug and kiss, tells me she is off to Brad's to work, and that she'll be back. (Ya think she's been told that a couple of times?)

I promise I don't take this many purses, a basket full of food, or for sure don't wear my footed pjs with high heels. Ok, ok, only sometimes!! lol

Out of the little leather purse she pulls, who other than Pink Panther. "Here's my friend" she says. Long story short, pretty much any balloon she's ever had she calls Pink Panther. She leads him around, ties him up on door knobs, etc.

Her latest thing has been "Can you say _____ (she inserts whatever word she wants)?" Most the time she isn't even saying the word correctly. The other night at the supper table Riley burps. "Can you say excuse me?" she asks.

Oh, by the way, the little man giggled at his dad. How is it that they never laugh at Mama first or say "mama" before "dada"? It's pretty sweet whoever it's at!!

Happy New Year!!

2011-01-09T13:23:00.004-06:00

Our New Year's Eve meant presents, presents, presents. I think it's kind of fun to drag it out to New Year's!! We don't get to see Brook and Kaitlyn nearly as much as we'd like and we very much appreciate them making the trip from San Antonio every year. Next year may be different since they'll have a little one. Yea!! All of my baby jokes must have worked.

Aunt Kait is sooo good with baby Reno!

The Princess on her "stairs" in her new robe.

Brook & Kait with Reno

Papaw, Reno & Gigi

Reno & Uncle Brook
(Brook isn't really wearing a top hat, he's just standing in the right-wrong spot.)

Scout & Dad making Black Eyed Pea Dip
(See Pioneer Woman blog for the recipe.)

Scout & Myself

Cowboy Baby

2011-01-07T07:14:00.006-06:00

This picture cracks me up big time. Love the big hat and big belly! He looks like he probably wears that hat every single day. Gigi and Papaw gave him this for Christmas and it fits right now. We'll probably have to get another one for summer when he can hold his head up.

It also has our diamond quarter circle brand on the back.

This guy had a well check last week.  Doc Young says he is perfect.  Wow, how lucky are we?

2 month 12 day stats:
11 lb 11 oz
23 3/4 inches

At 1 month 29 days his sister weighed 12 lb 11 oz and was 24 1/2 inches long. Of course she had a pretty good jump start on him.