Early B-Day

Jockey girl outfitted in white pantyhose.  It is of most importance to be appropriately dressed when racing horses.  lol  

The kids have also discovered that the water sink, which we've had for 2 years, is a pretty fun toy.  I almost threw it in the garage sale because Scout has never touched it.  Thank goodness I didn't because now I think it's one of the most popular toys we've got.  

I'm not sure why it is so much fun to be naked, but it is starting to be a little bit of a problem.  Scout doesn't care one bit who is around, she just started shucking the clothes. She's also teaching brother this habit.  It usually occurs when there is water, but not always.  Please don't think we are hillbilly's if you drive by and my children are naked in the front yard.  

She also loves to tee tee outside.  Seriously?  I thought that was a boy thing.  Whatever......

 Mimi came a week ago to celebrate Scout's birthday a little.  She picked up a trampoline in Amarillo and gave to Scout and Reno for their birthdays.  Boy was this girl excited!! 

We traveled to Silverton to watch Pake and Tate play baseball.  It was some fun watching.  They both did super, but I need to brag on Pake especially.  He hit a homerun!!  I admire so much that he can hit that ball only using one arm.  I would never want to arm wrestle that boy because I'm pretty sure his left arm is sooo strong.

We also made a little trip to Aunt Pat's to see all the creatures.  Here I am with a little kid friend.  She is one of a set of triplets that live up close to the house.

Scout got to give a little kid a bottle, which she has been wanting to do forever, and Reno got to chase goats.  You can turn the boy loose in the chicken or goat pen and he just walks around trying to catch something.  I can't wait to get chickens here because I'm pretty sure he'll be content living with them.  

 We assembled the trampoline, which can be quite a challenge with two little ones dying to jump.  It is just perfect for Scout and Reno.  Now if I can just keep them from bonking heads.  Right now Reno pretty much just runs around on it.  Scout on the other hand is doing all kinds of tricks.  I can't believe she isn't a afraid to land on her back.  She may be just like I was as a kid.....trampoline addict. 

 So this was last Wednesday evening that we put it up.  Look what I found a few hours ago.....

I suppose there were some strong winds last night.  Whatever it was didn't even wake us up.  I am just sick about it, but what can you do?  Our backyard is fairly protected, so I'm convinced that it must have been a mini tornado.  Our blow-up pool is empty and just chillin' on the other end of the yard.   Oh well, I guess we'll straighten on it and get a few replacement parts.  

Such is life.......it could always be worse.

Scout Preston - 4 yrs

Our sweet girl is 4 already!  Where has the time gone.  It seems like yesterday I was overdue and about to lose my mind.  She came into this world raring to go and nothing has changed yet. 

Scoutie is very big for her age.    She is generally the size of a 5 or 6 year old.  This must be that Smith gene coming through.

She loves to sing the Star Spangled Banner.  She has known the words since Christmas.  Of course there are times that she adds a few words in or substitutes her own words.  For example, "yet wave" is "twave" and for awhile "the land of the free" was "the land of the freaks".  Pretty hilarious!!  She also sings it at the top of her lungs and even explains that she wants to be heard.

Miss Scout loves horses, ponies, kitties, chickens, puppies, kid goats.  She loves pretty much any animal. 

As far as food goes, she is off of cottage cheese.  She will ask for it about once a month instead of once a day.  She loves meat and ketchup and grapes.  Chips and cheese (preferably from a concession stand) are also on her list of favorites.  Vanilla pudding and strawberry ice cream pops are some of Scout's favorite snacks.  Graham crackers, did I mention those?  She wants to have a graham cracker in her hand all day long.  For breakfast it is usually cint-amon toast or cint-amon toast crunch cereal.  Healthy, I know!

Scout is very athletic.  Jump, jump, jump!  She wants to jump on the bed, on the furniture, from one piece of furniture to another.  Her jumping makes me crazy!  Thank goodness Mimi and Papa bought she and Reno a trampoline for their birthdays.  We will most likely start gymnastics again in the fall.  She asks about it quite often.

She isn't too sure about the water.  Wants to swim all the time, just doesn't want her face in the water.  She has reverted back to being a little scared since Abilene.

Kissy, kissy.....well it isn't always that way.  This girl and her brother can fight like cats and dogs.  She has a hard time being patient with him, which is to be expected considering the patience her father and I have.  Every day he gets a little bigger and they play a little better.  Unfortunately I do have to say that she is very bossy.  Unfortunately I also have to confess that she inherited it from me.  

She is getting better and better in meeting (church).  There are set backs every once in awhile when brother is being a handful, but she just writes and writes most of the time.  Scout has a sweet little prayer.  She very readily says the blessing before meals when her Daddy asks her to.  She always says "thank you for the right things and the wrong things".  We aren't sure what exactly that means.  She closes "in Jesus name we prayer - Amen".  

Speaking of writing, Scout can write her name and has been able to for many months.  She writes it so well that it is written backwards at the top of her carseat.  Stink pot!! She has also written it on the wall above the light switch in her bedroom.  She can write almost any letter.  Of course the M sometimes looks like a W, etc but I'm so excited for her.

This past weekend Tripp ask Scout if she was going to be a breakaway roper or a barrel racer.  Her answer....."I'm going to be a jockey!"  I love her spirit.  She was all excited about the Belmont this weekend, but lost interest when the girl didn't win.  

We love you Scout and can't wait to see all that you will accomplish, conquer, and become!!

***Picture credit goes to my SIL Kaitlyn Smith.  Aren't they presh (Autumn's word)?

Wild Horse Prairie Days RR - Myrick 5K

 On Friday we ate a quick bite of lunch, then loaded up for the 3 1/2 hour drive to Haskell, TX for Wild Horse Prairie Days Ranch Rodeo.  

We were super hopeful and actually qualified for the WCRR there last year.  It is a two night rodeo with different teams each performance.  Unfortunately we learned late Saturday night that we were 2nd.  Poo!!  


Poor Bubba just couldn't stay hooked through lunch.  I really think this is the first time he's crashed in the high chair.    

Prissy Lady all decked out for the rodeo.  She loves these boots that Tripp picked out in Houston.    

Reno had a sweet, little friend to play with.  Miss Cori and her mama Natalie were there rooting for Sandhill.  We look forward to them being at rodeos with Sandhill team member JC. 

Speaking of rooting for Sandhill, we had a pretty big cheering section.  Three of my mom's cousins and their spouses came to watch.  I think it was the first ranch rodeo for the Floridians.  Thanks guys for coming.

We made the trip back after the rodeo, arriving home around 2:00 am.  Not that fun, especially since neither Riley nor I are good at driving at night.  Sometimes we aren't even good at driving during the day.  For some reason we both get tired in the vehicle.

Summer Lynn spent the night with us so that she could babysit for me the next morning.  I'm not sure what I was thinking, but I planned to run my very first 5K on Saturday morning.

I got up at 6 and headed to Hereford.  I was super nervous just because I hadn't ever competed. 

My bragging..........3.1 miles in 26 minutes 20 seconds, 2nd place in the 30-39 female division.  I hadn't really been training for hills, so that might've gotten me a little.  Thank goodness it was downhill to the finish line.  

I know I just lucked out and will probably never medal again, but it was fun.  The girl that won first in my division beat my time by 4 minutes.  Wow!!  

I called Summer around 9:30 and asked if the kids were up.  She replied that Scout was and sent this pic.  How fun is she?  A picnic on the back porch.  Summer actually already blogged about and it is much cooler than mine.  Go check it out!!

 Hope everyone else had a great weekend!

San Antonio - Remix/Mix-Up

This title simply means that it is out of order.  We did indeed  see the South TX Smiths two months in a row, which was fabulous.  Wish we could see them once a month, but it just isn't possible. 

Better late than never, right?  So here's to our trip to San Antonio in April.  

 I said SA hates me because I always complain about how soggy it is there.  I'm starting to think that maybe it likes me instead.  We enjoyed beautiful weather.  I was even wishing for a jacket when we were down on the River-walk.  What a relaxing time!

 The kids enjoyed pool time.  Once again, I've never seen a little munchkin that loves water more than Saylor Quinn.  She and Scout pretty much wore everyone out going around and around that little pool.  

Reno, now he was more of a stick-my-toes-in, play-with-the-water-hose kind of guy!  I can't believe I missed a pic of it in his mouth.  That is pretty much where it stayed.  

I feel like the kids have changed so much just since the middle of April, especially Miss Say Say!

I don't think I had ever been to the River Walk and I know Riley hadn't.  We decided to check it out since it was fairly close.  Everyone we spoke to recommended this certain place for lunch, with strict orders to have the Chicken Fry.  I was sort of hungry for it, so I gave it a whirl.  

Here is my two cents about chicken fry at a restaurant.  If you know how to make it, don't order it.  You will, I repeat you WILL be disappointed.  I've never gotten one that even resembles home-made.

Kait and I worked out.  I was recovering from the flu and it was my first time back after a week off.  We ran with her friend/instructor Jess at a local track.  Talk about painful.  When warm-up is 3/4 of a mile, run know you're about to cover some ground and you're about to hurt.  That was followed by boot-camp style running, lines on the field, and bleachers.  We clocked in at over 4 miles by the time it was over.  Wish we could do that together every Saturday.

 Princess S1 and S2 here.  I'm surprised they aren't matching in this pic.  Gigi kind of started something and now it's addicting.  Every time I pick something for Scout I automatically look to see if they have it in Saylor's size.  Then if they don't I look for what they have in both sizes, etc.  You get the idea.  


Gigi said she saw cute dresses for Kait and I.  lol  Sorry, but I don't think it would be cute for the mamas to match.  

Memorial Day Weekend

This past Sunday we loaded up, by "WE" I mean Tripp's family and our little family, and headed to Guthrie OK.  Riley and Tripp love to team rope in their spare time.  Spare time....lol  Most men fix leaky faucets, put up new backyard fences, paint the trim of the house in their spare time.  Our men had rather ranch rodeo, team rope, or calf rope in their spare time.  Oh well, suits me!!

Special Note:  My hubby spent all Saturday afternoon working on my chicken run in the 50 mph wind.  Love you sweetie!!  Of course that will benefit him someday when we have more eggs than we know what to do with.  

My kiddos are really starting to love the water.  I didn't get pics of it, but Reno would just float on his back with Summer or Autumn holding him.  That must be the Smith coming out, because it definitely isn't Townsend. 

I found these little water guns at Target.  Great fun!!

Pretty nifty picture here.  Miss Summer is the photographer.  Come to think of it I stole all but two of these pics.  Somehow I just get busy changing a diaper, chasing a runaway, getting food or drink, etc and I just end up with no pictures.

The kids got pretty bored at the roping and Trail had been just dying to go out to the pond.  

By the way, the Lazy E Arena is sooo pretty.  I could handle a few more trees, but I am positively a flat land kind of girl.  

At the pond Trail caught a fish in a cup and the girls....Well, I think they were busy taking pics.

 We resorted to a number of different activities to get through the day.  We tickled, we chased up and down stairs, we smeared cheese and chocolate popcorn all over ourselves and our surroundings.  We even fell asleep horseback!!

 We were about 12 or 13 holes out of the $30,000 grand prize.  It was fun anyways and you never know, someday we just might win!!


Hope you had a great Memorial Day Weekend!!


Thanks to all who have and are serving today!!

Technologically Advanced

 Kids these days

 have access to so 

 much more than 

 we ever did!

 Reno only dialed 911 once where

  the Earth police actually came knocking.

Talk about embarrassing!

I don't purposely let him play with the home phone.  I try to keep it up on the kitchen counter where he can't get to it.  Forgive me that he was unattended long enough to snatch it up and push lots of buttons, miraculously beginning with 9 ending with many, many 1's.  Anyone with children knows that could happen in 1 second anyways.  Definitely something I won't forget soon. 

Now lets talk about that fancy pink phone the little lady is operating.  My I-Phone, yes I have one and love it very much.  I have found that it can also be very educational as well as entertaining for my children.

There are some pretty cool apps that I've found for free.  I've listed them below in case you are interested in hunting them down for yourself.  I know I haven't even scratched the surface and would love to hear which apps you people out there are using and love (even if it isn't a kid app).

eFlashApps, LLC - Baby Flash Cards

AlligatorApps - My First Flash Cards

touchapps - Chic Baby Dress Up Game

Oh, but there is a slight problem with the kids using my phone for their games.  They manage to get out of what I set them doing and start messing with my stuff.  Better yet, Reno may even dial 911 again.  lol  So, is there an app that locks your phone into what you are doing?  Just curious.

**These are bad pics of Reno, this is how he rolls these days.  Lots of blinking for the camera!!

Easter 2012

Tandy and KD had Easter at their place once again.  It's starting to be a pretty fun tradition.  They are great entertainers and cooks. 

  

We were welcomed to The KD Adam's residence by Tandy's super cute chalkboard door.  Maybe I should do one of these.  

My squirts had already changed out of their fancy clothes when I took    this picture.  Pretty normal for us .  lol

KD and his brothers fried up some delicious fish.  It was all fish they had caught on one of their deep sea fishing adventures.  We all stuffed ourselves and brought some home too.  Scout even had another helping when we got home at bedtime.  She then finished the rest up the next day.  YUM!!  I'm wishing for some more of it now.

The kids of course love their trampoline.  Reno is pretty hard to keep up with.  There needs to be three or four people around the edges to catch him.  He will run right off the side.  Scout on the other hand is getting pretty good.  She even knows a few tricks.  

Luckily no one got a knot on their head!

Aunt pat made the red velvet cake she usually makes for Easter.  You can't see it that well, but it has a nest with candy eggs in it and a couple of chocolate bunnies.  

KD's brother Joe and his family were there.  This is the first time Scout has gotten to play with Kaitlyn and Cimmaron.  They aren't twins even though they are the same size.  She had a grand time.

Reno on the other hand, did not have a grand time hunting eggs.  He wasn't too excited about hunting to start with.  I can't even remember what he was mad  about, but sometimes just nothing suits him.

It just still wasn't going his way here.  He and Scout went for the same egg.  Luckily Riley was there to referee.  Maybe next year it will go a little better for him.

The front flower bed was perfect for hiding eggs.  The old implements, steer heads, metal creatures, and fence made great hiding places for the eggs.

Even Tate and  Brenden hunted.  Kind of funny the little girls got all the money eggs and not the big boys.  

\

Reno loves Maxie.  She is a precious dog.  Here she was trying to ignore Reno.  She just wasn't sure what he was up to.

Scout emptied all of her eggs to count the money.  Reno thought it was hilarous to roll around in the different piles she was making.  Typical for him to love messing up her stuff.