Life at our house...

If you wonder why I haven't posted in so long, take a look below to get a sense of what life is like around our house. Playing defense all day long, that's my new job! Lots of activity and lots of fun! In case I don't post until after Christmas- Merry Christmas!!

Hey, at least Desha is helping, right?

Yes, she is sitting on the kitchen table, opening to box of ornaments. I mean what else is a mother to do? When it's your first- a strict time out is in order. When it is your second- a "get down" seems sufficient. When it's your third- take a picture!

Happy Birthday Desha!

Happy birthday big sister! 6 YEARS OLD TODAY! That is very, very hard to believe! Look how much you have grown! What a fun day we have planned for you today. We love you so much!!

Desha's First Inquiry

At Desha and Andy's school the kids learn by the inquiry method - the teachers pick a topic and the kids consider all of the questions they could ask about that topic and then they go in search of the answers. It's always fun to go to school at the end of the 9 weeks and see the kids present their inquiry findings. This was Desha's first time and her class did an inquiry on the 5 senses. Below are pics from the class presentation.

Parents and other teachers and students at school coming to see all the kid's work. The big grey thing hanging from the ceiling is the brain and each yellow streamer is going to a different part of the room that discusses one of the 5 senses...yes really this is kindergarden.

Desha proudly ready to tell any passerby that they learned that they need light to see and different ways we get light.

A budding musician

We feel so fortunate to have my grandmother's (Nana) player piano here at our house to enjoy. All of the kids love to sit and watch it play and also try to play it, but Lainey LOVES it! She is fascinated watching the keys play and hearing the music. It puts a big smile on her face. Some moms put their kids in front of the TV to entertain them for a few minutes to get something done. Me? I put her in front of the piano! Thanks Nana!!

Spoiled Rotten

If you are wondering what we've been up to since we haven't posted in ages...we've been spoiling Lainey ROTTEN! I'm not sure what has happened around here...

Ice cream cone with her big brother and big sis...

Licking the spoon making chocolate pudding...

and 2 PACIFIERS!! We've lost our minds around here!

But we are having fun! Andy and Desha have been on break from school and we've had a few weeks just enjoying a more laid back schedule, all the free things in Wilmington and lots of playtime outside!

Fun Times at the Ranch

Here are some more fun times at the Ranch. Sorry they are so out of order, but for some reason the pictures load opposite of how I select them, so I gave up on trying to put them in any kind of chronological order.

Each night there was an evening activity - line dancing, barn dancing, cowboy singer, etc. The last night there was a talent show and the kids had all practiced a song together, and below is a picture of the kids performing for the rest of us.

Desha riding Willie

Andy on Hudson heading out for a ride with the other kids his age and their Wrangler. (That's our cabin behind him to the left and the barn behind him to the right). It was so great to be so close to the horses.

Steve, Kathy and Lainey in front of the Lodge.

The original 5 Risleys (Jim, Mema, Poppy, Renelle & Steve).

Thanks Mema and Poppy for this amazing trip!!

More Ranch Pics!

Here are some more pictures from the Tarryall River Ranch...

Below is my favorite picture of Jim and Shannon. It's at the top of Lizard Rock- an amazing ride up the mountain through Aspen forests with beautiful flowers all around. The view at the top of Lizard Rock was spectacular! This was my favorite ride.

Steve and Andy taking turns practicing with the lasso.

Me, Renelle (Steve's sister) and Shannon (Steve's brother's wife) on top of Lizard Rock. I miss Tarryall!!!! (Like my boots?? I borrowed them from the Ranch and I got sort of attached to them... it was all I could do not to put them in my suitcase and bring them home- but Steve reminded me there wouldn't be many places I could wear them in 95 degree weather back home!!)

This is the front porch of our cabin and the corral and barn in the back ground. It was amazing to wake up every morning to the sound of the Wranglers riding out to the pasture cracking the bullwhip running 65 horses by our cabin in to the corral. Desha's favorite place was sitting right there on the fence talking to the horses.

Below are the big cousins!

Andy and Mandy on top row, Zack, Desha and Zoe on bottom row. They all had such a great time together and enjoyed lots of freedom to run and play at the ranch. We'd eat meals all together in the Lodge (behind them) and as soon as they were done eating they'd run down to play on the playground or throw horseshoes or pet the animals down in the petting zoo area. It was such a safe and healthy environment to let them run around and explore- what a treat for everyone!

The Ranch!!

I guess one of the reasons it has taken me so long to actually post any pics from our trip is that we took hundreds of pictures- too many to choose from! Actually I think it's because it would be very hard to put into words how truly wonderful the trip to the Tarryall River Ranch was. It is a special, special place and being there with ALL of Steve's family was such an amazing treat.

Here's our entire clan wearing our "Risley Roundup" t-shirts and kerchiefs - it's amazing what a new t-shirt, boots & hat will do...instant cowboys!

Here's Steve, Andy and I saddled up for our first ride. Steve is on Bert, I'm on Poncho and Andy is on Hudson. We became very attached to our horses after riding them all week.

Lainey, being Lainey...too sweet!

Eric (from Norway), cousin Mandy, Andy & Carson (one of the grandkids of the family who owns the ranch)

Desha with cousin Zoe- they are two peas in a pod!

Colorado!!!

Well I'm LONG overdue for an update and especially on our FANTASTIC trip to Colorado!! We had a wonderful, wonderful time and I am sure I will not do our trip justice on the blog. But here are some pics from our trip...

First we flew to Colorado Springs to spend 4th of July weekend with Nate and Kim. I know, I know, if you know Nate (and combined with Steve) you are thinking this could be dangerous. But I am happy to announce that no one was hurt...although I can't say that they didn't try! See Nate and Steve below with the sparkler portion of the fireworks display (check out Nate and Kim's blog for more details!!).

It was so great to be with Nate and Kim and Ruthie and in addition we got to see our sweet friend Ali who is living with the Stratmans this summer interning at Nate's church. I love this picture of Andy and Ali...but I do have to ask myself, at what age do I not think things like this are so cute any more??? Kind of close, huh?

Kim was such a wonderful hostess. Their house is so beautiful and comfortable and welcoming. I love this picture of Kim and Ruthie. Ruthie had us in stitches laughing, she is so funny and also so sweet - the perfect combination of her parents!!

Loved this one of Desh with Ruthie. They are too cute!

And last, but not least of course....Lainey! It was a wonderful time- THANK YOU NATE AND KIM! We love you!!

Off to School!

It's hard to believe, but today is the first day of school!! Desha is starting kindergarden and Andy is starting 3rd grade! They were both so excited - not nervous at all. Desha is so ready and even told me that this morning she wanted an "egg and cheese" - which is a favorite breakfast sandwich at our house - except with Desha. She has never liked them, but she told me this morning that now that she was "BIG" she wanted an egg and cheese for breakfast! YIKES!

They were a little bummed though because we walked to the bus stop and according to a neighbor up the street the bus came 15 minutes early - so Steve is driving them to school on their first day. We'll get bus pics tomorrow!