Sledding!!

We've been dying to take Rylee sledding & finally Sunday, we had the time & the snow was still perfect for sledding. We took her out to Papa Mark's. I can't put into words how excited she was!! It was so cute.

Here's Rylee sportin her new Carhart bibs! She LOVES them!!

Christmas, Christmas & More Christmas

Christmas @ Home with the Goldie's

(In our recently finished (well...almost finished) basement) :)

The Gang

Rylee & her new camo jacket from Papa Butchie & Grandma Kathy

Christmas @ Home

Rylee with her new camera. Now she can be like Mommy!

Here's the pony from the Patterson's (my Aunt & Uncle)!

And this is the shopping cart that Santa brought her.

Christmas @ 'Gonga & BaPop's'

What a perfect present!!

The easel that Rylee got from Gonga & BaPop :)

Rylee & Mallory playing with Claire's 'Baby Alive'

Christmas @ 'Gendy's' (Jeremy's Mom) Jeremy being a bad influence -- trying to help Rylee open her presents before her turn.

Rylee & Tait......I think he looks scared of her :)

Rylee made out like a bandit this year!! She got dolls, clothes, a rocker pony, dolls, hot wheels, camo gear, a snow cone maker, an easel & did I mention, dolls?? :) She got LOTS of dolls....which she mainly just bosses around & puts in time out :)

Jeremy & I didn't do too shabby ourselves. We mainly asked for $$ (lots of remodeling projects (to pay for & start). Jeremy is going on his annual hunting trip (they're going to Kansas this year) in a few weeks & he asked for shot gun shells, hunting gear & money for that, as well. I didn't really have an specifics this year, just $$ :)

So, as usual, the time off work went incredibly fast & I'm already back to work :( (And as you can see, I'm working really hard.....on blogging!!) Rylee was not too thrilled about going back to school today, either. After you've been home for 4 days in a row, you kinda get used to.....and spoiled by....it. Oh well, that's how the world works. Besides, I've got to start saving for yet another Christmas :)

Our Baby Is Growing Up

I cannot believe how fast Rylee is growing up. Here is her first school photo. We were comparing them to her last professional pictures last night & we were just in awe over how much she's changed! Time flies.

Anyway -- she's doing great. We've had a couple 'rough patches' lately with her attitude & her listening skills....but what toddler doesn't go through that. She is a brilliant, wonderful child that just absolutely lights up our days!

We sure hope that everyone has a great holiday season!

Check back in after Christmas, I'm sure I'll have some great pics!!

The Smaller Things In Life

Life can seem ungrateful and not always kind...

Life can pull at your heartstrings and play with your mind...

Life can be blissful and happy and free...

Life can put beauty in the things that you see...

Life can place challenges right at your feet...

Life can make good of the hardships we meet...

Life can overwhelm you and make your head spin...

Life can reward those determined to win...

Life can be hurtful and not always fair...

Life can surround you with people who care...

Life clearly does offer its Up and its Downs...

Life's days can bring you both smiles and frowns...

Life teaches us to take the good with the bad...

Life is a mixture of happy and sad...

So...

Take the Life that you have and give it your best...

Think positive, be happy & let God do the rest...

Take the challenges that life has laid at your feet...

Take pride and be thankful for each one you meet...

To yourself give forgiveness if you stumble and fall...

Take each day that is dealt you and give it your all...

Take the love that you're given and return it with care...

Have faith that when needed it will always be there...

Take time to find the beauty in the things that you see...

Take life's simple pleasures let them set your heart free...

The idea here is simply to even the score...

As you are met and faced with Life's Tug of War

As the new year approaches, I always tend to reflect on the years past. There are so many wonderful things I've been blessed with in my life. Even though this past year wasn't necessarily bad, I am looking forward to 2008, so I can start with a new, clean 'slate.' I want to appreciate more of the 'smaller things in life.' I sometimes find myself searching for the things that are right in front of me. I've learned a lot this year....some lessons the hard way, but nonetheless, I came out of it knowing more than before.
So, with 2008 right around the corner, I hope to find myself more happy with myself, my life & all the 'greats' that I have!

Jeremy's Birthday

Yesterday was Jeremy's birthday & he took the day off to hunt. When Rylee & I got home, he opened his presents & Rylee insisted that he 'share' with her!

She thought it was necessary to try both of Jeremy's new hunting boots on for size. She had a little trouble walking in both of them.....but she has problems walking in her own shoes sometimes :)

And she insisted that the pull-up she found on the floor (it was a clean one, by the way) was a 'birthday hat!' She decided to wear it the rest of the evening :)

Update

Here's a quick update. Things have been crazy with Thanksgiving, Jeremy's birthday is today, Christmas decorating, Christmas shopping & planning, etc. Thanksgiving was great, except of course, the time off went way too fast. Jeremy hunted (of course), we put up our Christmas tree & the outside decorations. Here's a couple recent pictures of the 'princess.' We let Rylee pick the 'color/theme' for the tree this year & she picked red, much to my surprise?! It actually turned out really nice. She had fun helping us decorate....she's very interested in the ornaments. She took one off the other night and I told her that she could look, but to not touch. Well, it's apparent she can listen, but has a little trouble with 'following the rules' because last night, while vacuuming, I found some ornaments that she had 'stashed' under her bed :) I couldn't help but laugh!!

I think this picture (and the shirt) speaks for itself.

Yes, she's still attempting to pick out her own wardrobe, and........

Yes, it's still very amusing!!

She is growing up so quickly.

Halloween

This year I went with the kitty cat costume -- easy to put on, easy to take off & no whining from Rylee about being in some frilly, poofy costume!

She is such a cheese!!

This is 'Gonga' & my Uncle Rick from California

And those nice brown streaks on my Mom's cheeks are from Rylee. She felt it was only fair that if Gonga got to mark on her face (with eyeliner), she should get to mark on hers. Smart girl :)

Family Pictures

A couple of weeks ago we had pictures taken with the 'Goldie' side of my family. It was definitely long overdue.

Front row, left to right -- Spencer (nephew), Dad, Rowan (neice), Kathy (step-mom) & Brenden (nephew)

Back row, left to right -- Debbe (sister), Jeremy, Rylee, myself, Eddeana (sister) & Tony (brother-in-law)

'Ghost Train'

Saturday night, Michele, Shelly & I took the kiddies to 'Ghost Train' in Mt. Pleasant. It's an outdoor carnival with a 'Ghost Train' ride. It was pretty cool & all the kids loved it!!

Here's a picture of the 'gang'!

Here's Michele & Trent when we went on the train ride. It had random stops where there were scary scenes and spooky people walking around the train....as you can see, Trent wasn't really too fond of this part. Poor little guy.

Here's Rylee is the Jumping Castle. Which she loved..until 'Spiderman' (there to her left) knocked her down. Then, that was it for her.

Overall, it was a very fun night!! Rylee is so much fun at this age. I was very proud of her because usually at 'new' places, she tends to stay glued to me. But, not last night. She got right in every single line, all by herself, holding Sidney's (Shelly's daughter) hand the entire time. I have to say I was so relieved to see her being so outoing & independent. She has a tendency to act shy at times, and she misses out on all the fun. But, not last night!!

Some Saturday Fun!

First we took Rylee to the St. Vincent's Carnival Saturday night. She had a BLAST!! She even did the cake walk & won us a cake!! She loved all the games & especially the food!

Then, we dropped Rylee off at Gonga's & BaPop's for awhile while Jeremy & I went down to my Dad's bar, Chintz's, to hang out & listen to the band. We had a good time & we ran into a bunch of people that we haven't seen for a really long time (since we don't go out anymore)!!

Ok, so...maybe we should consider signing her up for some dance classes!? :)

She makes up a lot of these 'moves' (if that's what you want to call them) herself. She definitely has a good sense of humor.....not real sure about rhythm...but definitely humor :)

Too Funny, I Just Had To Share.....

So, while I was gone tanning.....Jeremy asked Rylee to pick up her room. Look how great it looks!!!

However.........here is what our hallway looks like:

Now either Rylee has too much stuff OR her room is too small....and I'm leaning more towards the 'she has too much stuff' idea!!!

And it's now 8:00 and Rylee is still adding to the collection :)

I'll say one thing....as much as she can stress me out, she's always good when I need a laugh!!

Pictures From PJ & Bobbi's Wedding

Ok, so I have to start off by admitting 2 things: #1: These pictures were 'borrowed' from PJ & Bobbi (thanks!!) because I didn't get any that night......which leads to #2: I was sure glad that Katie got some pictures of my daughter, because I was way too busy trying to keep up with her at the reception, that I didn't have a second to grab my camera!! So, thanks to Katie for catching the moments & thanks to PJ & Bobbi for sharing!

Awesome....Semi-Weird....Pic

.........And just so you know, I did absolutely NO editing to this picture....isn't it kinda cool lookin'??!!.....Yeah ok, maybe a little pyscho, too!