The Ward Family

DC Part 3 & Kiddo Pictures!

2011-12-18T22:24:00.001-06:00

Post Date: 2011-12-27

Ryan and I have had a wonderful Christmas this year. Christmas Eve we spent in Perry with the Ward family. Everyone was able to make it!! Christmas day we spent the day with the Reinschmiedt family. In addition to the Reinschmiedt's, Horace and Jan were able to make it too!

I have the week of the 26th off from work (kind of). I will be in and out of the office all week taking care of things... but on my own schedule. Hopefully this week will provide me some relaxation and time to get some other projects done before I head back to work and school.

Below is the last portion of our vacation... AND some pictures of the kiddos!!! Get ready for this marathon of a post.

The first portion below is from the Smithsonian National Zoological Park. I love the zoo!! Seeing all of the different animals is so much fun. Ryan, Megan, and I spent several hours there. Check out more information about the zoo at http://nationalzoo.si.edu/.

Below: Just blending in and being one with the animals.

Below: Elephants... as big as they are, are really graceful creatures.

Below: They look so playful. Remarkable animals.

Below: I think this is an ostrich. It kept peeking around the tree... cute!

Below: Ryan with the flamingos!!

Below: Flamingos are odd creatures.

Below: I would be golden if I could sleep like this. I could take a power nap anywhere!

Below: This panda looks like he fell off the rock and passed out!

Below: So sleepy. I just love their big paws.

Below: This is an odd little monkey. He was very fast and ornery.

Below: Cutest thing I saw all day!

Below: The gorillas were very interesting to watch. They were all very playful... except the male who was sleeping in his tree house.

Below: The baby gorilla. He was an ornery lil thing.

Below: This is a Komodo dragon. Creepy if you ask me.

Below: The orangutans have a really neat set-up at the zoo. They have two different houses at each end of the zoo. They can travel on land or by these cables to either of the houses. They have the option of going where they want to go.

Below: If you know me, you know I love cats. I love the lions big heads and massive paws. Such powerful animals.

Below: Tigers are such beautiful animals.

Below: White with black stripe,s or black with white stripes?

Below: We then headed to the Washington National Cathedral. If you are ever in DC you must visit the Cathedral. We were there about a week before the earthquake so we were able to tour. This place is amazing. I don't know how else to describe it. Pictures will not do this place justice.

Below: The pulpit is at the far end of this picture. Amazing craftsmanship.

Below: The stain glassed windows here were amazing. We have a booklet that tells us what each of them mean, or the story behind each one.

Below: The detail of the pulpit is amazing. I know I keep using the word "amazing" but I don't know how else to describe this place.

Below: This stain glass window is located at the end of the sanctuary.

Below: I thought this was neat.

Below: There were also woven tapestries that depicted stories in the Bible. The one below is of the story David and Goliath.

Below: While we were in DC, we also caught a Nationals vs. Reds. The Nationals won! There was about a 30 - 45 minute rain delay. Still fun though!

Below: The race at the 7th inning stretch was a group of President's. Apparently one of the President's never win. It was hilarious!

Below: Ry and I after the game.

Below: We went and saw the Iwo Jima monument. I think I circled this monument three or four times.

Below: Then we headed to the Arlington National Cemetery. This is John F. Kennedy's grave site. You can find out more information at: http://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/VisitorInformation/MonumentMemorials/JFK.aspx

Below: We came across this memorial walking through the park.

Below: This cemetery is amazing. The stones all perfectly line up every direction you look at them.

Below: We visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. I could sit and watch the guard methodically marching and guarding the tombs for hours. What a commitment and honor they take in guarding those tombs.

Below: You can see the the worn places on the cement and walking path where the guards have walked for hours, days, and years.

Below: The changing of the guards.

Below: The new guard receives a thorough inspection before being allowed to guard the tombs.

Below: For more information on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier go to: http://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/VisitorInformation/TombofUnknowns.aspx

Below: Throughout the cemetery we kept seeing headstones with rocks placed on them. I looked up online what this could mean and came across this information: http://www.ehow.com/about_6457920_do-stones-placed-grave-mean_.html. I don't know whether this information is accurate or not.

Below: The next two pictures show more of the perfectly aligned stones.

Below: Gigi giving Ava a drink while Keiffer is looking on.

Below: Addison's ornery face!

Below: I just love Ava's smiles.

Below: Ava and I were being silly.

Below: Ava peeking at Ma.

Below: Addison is walking all over the place now.

Below: Addison just loves her Mom.

Below: Addison reading books with her Daddy.

Below: Apparently bubbles taste good.

Below: Ryan being attacked by Ava and Ryan.

Below: Ava and I hanging out pool side. (I am obviously still behind)

Below: Tad and I taking a swim.

Below: Watching videos with Uncle Ry.

I am going to try and get a little more caught up while I am off this week. Expect some marathon posts coming up.

Until Next Time
Ju

DC - Part 2

2011-11-26T16:17:00.033-06:00

Post Date: 2011-12-01

Part two of the DC adventure is below!

Ryan and I had an easier day after the VERY BUSY first few days and tons of walking. We went to the DAR museum and the Holocaust Museum. Another day we went to the Library of Congress, Museum of Natural History, Air and Space Museum, Capitol building, and Bureau of Printing and Engraving. The Bureau of Printing and Engraving tour was very neat. They would not let us take any pictures so if you are ever in DC you should check it out. The tour is free and it takes about 30-45 minutes. It was very neat to see how the government makes our paper currency and the entire process it goes through, what happens when there is a miss print, and just the procedures the employees have to go through. I bet there are all kinds of background and security checks one has to go through to get a job there!!

Below: Our first stop of the day was at the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) building. I am actually a DAR member. My Grandma traced our lineage back and found we had an ancestor who was a Patriot of the American Revolution. I encourage each of you to check out http://www.dar.org/natsociety/whoweare.cfm to learn more about DAR and their mission.

Our ancestor my Grandma traced back to is Thomas Prather. He was born in 1703, and passed in July 1785.

Below: Outside the building... it was beautiful! This building encompasses an entire city block. DAR Headquarters is one of the world's largest buildings of its kind and is owned and maintained exclusively by women. More information on the National Headquarters can be found at: http://www.dar.org/natsociety/headquarters.cfm.
Below: The next two pictures is an overview of the DAR library. It is a beautiful site. Many thousands of volumes of genealogical compilations, record abstracts, and other materials are available only at the DAR Library.

Below: At the DAR building there are many "period rooms." Each of the period rooms are sponsored by a different state organization of NSDAR, and reflect a wide range of time and place. The next few pictures are of the Oklahoma room.

The description below was taken from the DAR website.

The Oklahoma room, designed as a kitchen, displays domestic furnishings from the late 18th and 19th centuries. The room reflects the colonial revival view of an early kitchen dominated by a large central hearth. A variety of household tasks, including cooking, baking, textile production, laundry, food preservation, and dairy production, is represented by an array of kitchen objects.

To view a virtual tour of Oklahoma, and all the rooms go to http://www.dar.org/omni/virtualtours/museum/index.html.

Below: The small box towards the bottom of the picture is a mechanical mousetrap.
Below: Thanks Ryan for taking my picture! Touring the DAR building and seeing the history that has been compiled and stored at that building is truly amazing. Thank you Grandma for all of your hard work in tracing our family. I appreciate the information... but more importantly I appreciate and love you!
Below: Our next stop was the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. If you are ever in DC you must take the time to visit this museum. Their website (http://www.ushmm.org/) says it will take you about 2 hours... however, it took Ryan and I 4 hours to get through the museum. Words can't even begin to describe the hate that took place... just so hard to understand. What amazed me even more, is that Hitler was able to convince so many people to hate.

Pictures were not allowed in the museum but I found some that were in the museum.

Below: The man behind the hate. The Holocaust history at the museum is told literally from beginning to end, and no detail was left out.
Below: There was a room in the museum that was just pictures of survivors and their tattoos.
Below: This picture includes volunteers at the museum, but it also includes many survivor volunteers. Ryan and I did not realize there were survivor volunteers until after we left the museum. Later, Ryan and I realized that the woman who escorted us in the elevator to the museum was a survivor. Wow, what an impact it makes when you are going through the museum and are witnessing what these survivors endured. One part of the museum particularly touched me. There was a survivor room that played audios of survivors telling their stories. Check out the Holocaust website above to hear their stories.
Below: Jews were marked with a yellow star; a perversion of the Jewish Star of David symbol.

Others included: Criminals were marked with green inverted triangles, political prisoners with red with black -- or in the case of Roma in some camps brown triangles, Homosexuals were identified with pink triangles and Jehovah's Witnesses with purple ones.
Below: This group of people just arrived at a camp, and were sent directly to the gas chamber.
Below: A picture of one of the gas chambers. The guards would pack people in as tight as they could.
Below: One room at the museum was just filled with shoes. Shoes from men, women, and children. Many of these were collected when prisoners were dropped off by trains at the camps. The guards would unload the prisoners, strip them of their clothes, shoes, and other personal items, and send them to gas chambers. As you walk through this room filled with their real shoes, there is a musky smell. Shoes are piled high; layer after layer. All sizes of shoes. A very real moment in the museum... when reality hits you of everything you had previously witnessed thus far in the museum.
Below: Men, women, and children prisoners were sent to doctors who did experiments on them. Painful, excruciating experiments.
Below: Men who appeared in good health and were strong were spared death and ordered to work. They were literally worked nearly to death... if not to death. When they became to weak to work they were killed.
Below: One of the audios of a female survivor talked about role call. Every morning all of the prisoners lined up for role call. Sometimes they stood for hours... they stood until every prisoner was accounted for.
Below: Death marches occurred when prisoners moved to a different camp. Some marches occurred in the winter months where prisoners had little clothing and no shoes. If prisoners were lagging behind they were killed. More information on death marches can be found at: http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005162
Below: Prisoners of Mauthausen welcome a U.S. tank on May 6, 1945, the day after the camp was liberated. 122,000 people died at Mauthausen.

These pictures give you a very small glimpse of the Holocaust. I encourage you to visit the museum if you are ever in DC, or visit their in-depth website listed earlier in the blog.

Below: While in DC, we also made a trip through the National Air and Space Museum. Most of us were taught (until recently) that Pluto was a planet. I have been in denial... and then I saw it! The museum has removed Pluto from the planets list!!! I almost had a breakdown in the middle of the museum. J/K

Below: The reason Pluto is no longer believed to be a planet.
Below: A model of the Wright Brother's airplane was there. Very cool.
Below: Some planes.
Below: I thought the money box on our way out was neat. So many different currencies.
Below: Then we walked to the Capitol. This place is gorgeous!!
Below: Ryan in front of the Capitol.
Below: It was a perfect day.
Below: Ryan and I do not remember what this building is. We think it was a random picture taken on one of our many miles walked during this vacation.

Below: The inside of the Library of Congress is gorgeous!!

Below: I just love how there is wildlife everywhere. Just some birds taking a bath.
Below: Onto the Museum of Natural History. I was just trying be one with the elephant.
Below: I just love turtles.
Below: Did you know...
Below: I told Ryan that little kids would have nightmares after coming to this museum.
Below: Ryan was bound and determined to find a camel... and we finally did!! Hopefully this will help inspire Ryan to produce another worthy drawing for the refrigerator.
Below: Being one with the turtle!
The final leg of our trip is next!

Until Next Time

DC - Part 1

2011-10-30T11:30:00.020-05:00

Post Date: 20011-11-01

GO POKES!!! How about those Cowboys! OSU football team is on a roll... and I am excited because it makes Ryan happy!

In August (yep I am way behind again) Ryan and I spent a week in Washington DC on vacation. I went with FFA in high school, but Ryan had never been before. When I previously visited DC, I was able to see a lot of the monuments, I did not get to see everything I wanted to because of our schedule. This trip, Ry and I packed our vacation full of monuments, museums, great food, and fun times with Megan and Mike. We were in DC a week before the big earthquake thank goodness!

Below are pictures from our first three days. I am not sure how many posts it will take to get through our vacation pictures - I am thinking about three.

Below: Our first night in DC, and our first trip down the monster of an escalator to the metro! Thank goodness for Ryan. I never knew where we were going, what color of train to get on, which direction we were supposed to go, and where to get off!!!

Below: A view of the tunnel and metro tracks,. The circle lights blink when a train is approaching. It is easy to tell when a train is coming because you feel a strong breeze coming through before you even see/hear the train.
Below: So it was really kind of funny. This couple was on the lower level doing some hard core making out. I thought it was funny and said "I should take a picture of them." Mike of course said "oh yeah... do it!" So I did. I have a feeling if Mike and I hung out too much we would get each other in trouble!
Below: Mike and Megan's (more Mike than Megan) impersonation of the couple making out.
Below: China town! The entrance to China town is awesome! After that it is just a bunch of different Chinese restaurants. The "non Chinese" restaurants try to fit in by displaying their name in Chinese on their sign. Overall, rather unimpressive.
Below: Then we went to this neat bar and grill to a going away party for one of Mike and Megan's friends. I don't remember his name, but he was a very nice and funny guy. He took this picture himself.
Below: Love these guys!
Below: Kind of an inside joke... but this was a fun word that night!
Below: Mike and Megan showed us around the first full day we were in DC. It was very interesting because we received an in depth tour from Mike who has been in a lot of the buildings. Very neat.

We started off at the International Spy Museum. Very cool place (no pictures allowed inside). I recommend this museum if you are ever in DC.
Below: They are such a cute couple!
Below: Ry and I in front of the spy museum.
Below: The Department of Treasury.
Below: The back of the White House. Notice the men on the roof. They have some high powered binoculars and guns.
Below: Michelle's garden. Do you think she really takes care of it??
Below: Great picture Mike!! Ry and I with the Washington Monument in the background.
Below: This guy was protesting something. Apparently someone has manned this spot 24 hours a day since 1981.
Below: A segway tour is the way to go! They looked a little funny though. Ryan and I walked every bit of it!
Below: The front of the White House.
Below: There were little guys like this squirrel all over the place. They don't run when you walk by, but do keep their distance. I LOVE squirrels and think they are just the cutest things (although I don't own a pecan tree :) )

Below: Outside the Lincoln Memorial.

Below: And then we come across this sign...
Below: Yeah this kind of ticked me off. Ry and I would pick a time to go when they were renovating the reflecting pool... I wanted Ry to pretend to be Forrest Gump and I was going to run through the reflecting pool yelling "FORREST... FORREST!!!"
Below: The front of the Lincoln Memorial. I think this memorial is gorgeous.
Below: This would be a cool job to have.

Below: Ry and I up close and personal with Lincoln.

Below: Such a neat place.
Below: Next stop is the Korean War Veterans Memorial.
Below: This is just a piece of the memorial wall. It kind of looks like the Vietnam War Memorial only there are scenes and faces on the wall and not names. Very neat.
Below: More of the memorial. We have heard this memorial is very cool at night. Just a suggestion in case any of you plan to visit DC in the future.
Below: Another awesome job to have!!! The blue bags hanging from his waist are bags of poop. I could do without that part.
Below: FDR Memorial.
Below: Information on FDR's wheelchair he helped create.
Below: FDR Memorial.
Below: Ry and I!
Below: This photo is out of order and I don't want to have to redo everything to fix it.

This is the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Ry and I toured the facility where they make all of the bills. Very neat tour. Saw the machines in action and was very informative.

Below: Back to FDR. This is one of my favorite quotes throughout the memorial. FDR's memorial is very different from the rest. It is almost maze like as you go through each of his three tenures as President.

Below: George Mason Memorial - off the beaten path. One of our Founding Fathers.
Below: Thomas Jefferson Memorial. Not sure what they were working on.
Below: This statue was huge!

Below: The George Washington Monument. I love how you can see this monument everywhere you go.

Below: Ry posing in front of the monument.
Below: I was trying out my modeling skills.
Below: The WWII Memorial. This place was so peaceful.
Below: An awesome picture Ry took.

Below: The next two pictures tell it all.

Below: Bottoms up!
Below: All the ducks were bottom up!
Below: The Vietnam War memorial. Everyone walks through silently...
One of my favorite things about Halloween (besides of course seeing my nieces and nephews all dressed up) is candy corn. I have almost eaten myself sick a few times. Thank goodness it is only available once a year.

Until Next Time

It's Been Awhile

2011-09-27T21:21:00.011-05:00

Post Date: 2011-10-18

Wow! I have not had a chance to update the blog in awhile... and just like that I am over two months behind again. I was getting really close to catching up too!!

School is VERY busy. Several homework assignments due every week, a lot of reading, and of course group projects. Took a midterm this week. The class consensus was "wow that sucked." The only tests we take in this class is the midterm and final. Thank goodness for homework and projects.

Ryan was contacted early last month by the relocation company about starting the appraisal process for our house. Unfortunately we have had to delay the process because we have a big hole in our garage. The roof was leaking and the ceiling fell through. Awesome right? (sarcasm). During the insurance adjuster inspection process we realized that our roof also had hail damage. Another claim, another deductible. So, long story short, we are currently at this very moment having the roof redone on our house. I can hear them hammering away as I type this blog. This actually makes me miss roofing a little bit. Roofing was my favorite job going through school. I was so upset when I hurt my knee in basketball and the doctors would not let me work on the roof anymore (what--slanted roofs are bad on your knees??? - sarcasm).

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ADDISON!!! She is now one years old! She is such a sweet little girl. We had so much fun at her party. Hopefully I can get her pictures up here soon!

The 3rd Annual Reinschmiedt Pumpkin Carving Contest is coming up soon! I am so excited! The Bolay Pumpkin Patch in Perry lost their pumpkin patch this year due to the drought so we have to find somewhere else to go. The kids love going and picking out pumpkins.

Up next: Our Washington D.C. vacation!

Below: Gigi and Poppa with their girls!

Below: Addison loves her Poppa.
Below: Addison and I being silly.
Below: Riding horsey!
Below: Ma feeding the girls. They are both such good eaters!
Below: Dinner time is this much fun at Ma's house! Addison looks rather ornery here too!
Below: Ava looks awful sleepy. I get sleepy with a full belly too sometimes.
Below: My turn to feed the girls.
Below: Gigi and Poppa having a discussion with Ava. Ava just loves them!
Below: Ava has an ornery grin on her face as she goes after Poppa.
Below: I was playing with Addison and would creep up and tickle her. It was so funny, she would screech, laugh, and try to get away.
Below: Now she is being attached with kisses. I just love her laughs and happy screeches!
Below: I think Addison is thinking "Yes! Ava is not looking. My chance to swipe her toy!"
Below: Uncle Ryan telling Ava goodbye.
Below: Addison playing with Poppa and Gigi.
Below: Addison hanging out with Ma.
Below: Addison's kitty, Tigger, loves on her with her head so that is how Addison loves on people. Addison was giving Poppa some love. So cute.
Below: Addison giving Gigi some kitty love.
Below: Addison and her Mama having some fun.
Below: Addison playing peek-a-boo with Uncle Bryan! He had been in the field all day. Addison wasn't sure what to think about him being all dirty.
Below: This is Scrappy. Several months ago he starting hanging around... and he looked awful! He was thin and his hair was all "Scrappy" looking. He really wanted to be pet, and I finally won him over. Rudi is the Queen of our house and he knows it. He lets her eat eat, drink, etc. first. He now thinks he is at home and I claim him as one of our pets (over the pet limit again I know). Ryan and I are still "discussing" whether or not he will make the move. I say yes, and when I ask him and we discuss... I end up saying "oh you are still thinking about it huh." :) If (big if...right Ryan) Scrappy does not get to go, I will find him a good home. I am very attached to him though. He has become territorial and kept all the strays away. He is a good kitty and I love him and his sweet personality and giant purr.
Below: Obviously I am behind... not only is it to cold to swim, but the pool is closed! Tad had a great time swimming with Uncle Jake.
Below: Ava loves the water... and she loves her Aunt Tiff!
Below: Tad and I were making dessert on the floor. Why on the floor? That is where the light was. A big storm came through and we lost electricity for about three days. The first night was a dinner night at Mom's house. She cooked the casseroles on the grill... it was awesome!
Below: Poppa and Ava hanging out in the dark.
Below: Tad was helping Lisa fix the door. He loves helping Lisa with all of her projects.
Below: Gigi and Ava hanging out in the dark... well the house was dark, but it was still light outside.
Below: Bryan playing with all the kiddos.
Below: Peek-a-boo! Addison's favorite game.
Below: Ava is on her tip tip tippy toes trying to see what Poppa is eating.
Below: Well Poppa wouldn't give me anything... Gigi, what do you have?
Below: Uncle Ryan and Ava hanging out outside where it is cool... still no electricity.
Below: The gang hanging out outside. It was so cool after the rain... and because there was no electricity and it was hot inside.
Below: Tad hanging out with Aunt Tiffany helping her with her phone.
Below: Ava loves Gigi's necklaces!!!
Until Next Time

Ava's Spunk

2011-09-14T19:34:00.014-05:00

Post Date: 2011-09-20

Ryan and I are getting some good experience dealing with insurance companies lately. It all started when the roof over our garage began leaking.... which turned into the ceiling caving in and insulation all over the place. The adjuster came out and decided that the big tree that lost the majority of its trunk up the middle could have caused the damaged and granted us a check for the damage. He told us we also had hail damage on our roof. Looking to sale in the VERY near future, we decided that we had better get that looked at also and fixed if needed... another claim, another deductible. Lots of fun. We are supposed to be starting the appraisal process for our home, but are having to delay the process because of our roof issues. Sometimes being a home owner is not fun.

My cousin Suzanne talked me into the Warrior Dash this weekend. By the looks of it this may be might last post for awhile. After the race there may be some major recuperating time and possibly even some hospital time. :) Check it out at http://www.warriordash.com/. I will let you know how it turns out... if I make it through the fire!

Ava's Spunk... I talk about it all the time, and reference her spunk in pictures. According to www.dictionary.com, spunk means:

- Courage or spirit

- Gutsy

When I think about Ava, these words describe her.... and I love this about her! I think back to a series of pictures Mom sent me throughout the day one day of Ava and Addison watching a video, followed by Ava standing in the chair, then sitting on the arm rest, eating lunch, then turned herself around in the highchair and was looking out the back, and when it was time for a nap everyone (Tad and Addison) went down but Ava was awake and kept trying to pull Addison's hair while she was sleeping. She has this spunky sparkle in her eye and I just love it!! Mom said I used to have that look too. It is so neat to watch each of the kids and their personalities grow. How blessed we are to have such wonderful nieces and nephews. Each of them are completely different and I love that about each and every one of them.

Onto the important part... Pictures!

Below: Ava and Momma hanging out by the pool

Below: Tad jumping into Ma! I think he surprised her!
Below: Ma was helping Tad swim on his back. The best part was pushing off the wall.
Below: Ava eating dinner.
Below: Love this picture of Tad and those gorgeous blue eyes. Girls better watch out!
Below: Tad checking out the car to make sure their are no mechanical problems.
Below: The car must have had a flat tire.
Below: The car is fixed! Call Tad if you ever have any problems with your car. He will fix it right up.
Below: Building castles in the sandbox.
Below: Ava hanging out in the swing.
Below: I love her little grin. Her eyes just light up when she smiles.
Below: Addison thinks dinner (and cameras) are fun.
Below: Addison on her way to see Ma. She scoots around very fast these days.
Below: Momma taking Addison on a ride in the wagon.
Below: Addison taking a ride back to see her Daddy.
Below: Dancing to the Pink Panther!
Below: More dancing!
Below: Now you see me....
Below: Now you don't.... Addison LOVES playing peek-a-boo.
Below: Addison screeching (happily) with Ma.
Below: Tad helping Ma with the dishes.
Below: More fun at dinner.
Below: Ava tackling Addison!
Below: The car was dirty and needed to be washed.
Below: Aunt Boo must have been dirty too!
Below: Addison practicing walking with Ma.
Below: Addison and Ava playing peek-a-boo with each other. It was so cute. Addison kept ducking her head behind the towel and Ava kept trying to pull it away.
Below: Momma teaching Tad how to use his thumb to make the water spray farther out of the hose.
Below: Uncle Jake playing with Addison in the swing.
Below: Uncle Ryan being attacked by G and Alyssa.
Below: I love this picture!
Below: Uncle Greg and G having a snack.
Below: Alyssa and Ry playing cards.
Below: Poppa feeding Ava.
Below: Uncle Billy and Aunt Debbi came to see us!!! It was so good to see them. Here it looks like Tad and Aunt Debbi are having a serious conversation about the salsa.
Below: Poppa Dale and Ava. She looks ornery in this picture... or shall I say spunky!
Below: Tad being attacked by the tickle monster!!
Below: Gigi, the girls, and Poppa playing on the table.
Below: Aunt G and Tad being silly.
Below: The face that is usually behind the camera. Ry took a whole series of pictures like this one.
Below: Tad making a fish face.
Below: Aunt Tiff playing with Ava in the pool.
Below: Ava loves the water!
Below: There is always room on Ma's lap!
Below: I love both of their faces in this picture.
Below: One of Tad and Addison's favorite things. Addison says Tad's name now too. It is so cute!!
Below: Now its Sissy's turn!
Below: The girls watched Snoopy scoot around them for a long time. I think Angie's back was sore after that!
Below: Addison helping Lisa with the coupons.
Below: Playing peek-a-boo with the coupons. Addison's face is red from laughing. It was SO funny watching her crack up!
Below: Thanks Uncle Billy and Aunt Debbi for stopping by. It was GREAT to see you!

Until Next Time:

Ha! Fooled Myself

2011-09-13T23:38:00.004-05:00

I thought I had uploaded pictures for my next post. Tonight I thought... "I will surprise everyone and get a new post up tonight! They won't expect it this soon."

I have picked out my pictures, but have not uploaded them. Give me a few days. :)

In the meantime I thought I would share my favorite poem with you:

Footprints In The Sand

One night a man had a dream.

He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord.

Scenes from his life flashed across the sky and he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand, one belonging to him and the other to the Lord.

When the last scene of his life had flashed before him, he recalled that at the lowest and saddest times of his life there was only one set of footprints.

Dismayed, he asked, "Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. I don't understand why, when I needed you most, you would leave me."

The Lord replied, "My precious child. I love you and I would never leave you.

During your times of trial and suffering when you saw only one set of footprints...

That was when I carried you."

May we all remember in our times of trial that we are not alone...

Until Next Time:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RYAN!!

2011-09-05T23:00:00.013-05:00

Post Date: 2011-09-11

Today is Ryan's birthday!!! Happy birthday to the best husband in the world! The short time frame between my birthday and Ryan's, he likes to tell everyone I am two years older than him... in actuality it is 15 months. Either way ... happy birthday!

I love him for so many reasons... to many to list. For instance: I don't know how many of you all have Facebook, but I posted the other day that I could hear cows through our open bedroom window and that will be one of the many things I will miss when we move. Tiffany responded saying we could get a cow for our backyard OR (my favorite) she could make a soothing Reinschmiedt cattle sleep CD. Ryan said no to the cow in the backyard... and then said he could serenade me to sleep and proceeded to begin mooing. Every moo sound a cow could make I heard coming out of Ryan's mouth. Needless to say it was very funny and cheered me up. I love that we can be absolutely goofy in front of each other and not feel silly. This is just one of the thousands of reasons I fall more in love with him every day. Just because he is goofy?? Of course not. I just thought you all would not care to read me getting all mushy. :)

Other great news... I actually made it to class 2 weeks ago. I missed the first class, then made it to class (the professors gave me a hard time in a good way the entire class), then was off for Labor Day, and now back tomorrow. I enjoyed the break... HA... but am ready to feel in the swing of things.

This is also the ten year anniversary of the 9-11 attacks. Do you remember where you were? I do. I was driving my short drive to school that morning and heard a plane had hit the WTC. At that point it was not considered a terrorist attack but an accident. It was all over the news. I spent the majority of the day going from class to class watching the TV as the events unfolded. Ryan on the other hand was DMV getting his driver license. It's been ten years and the wounds are still very raw. I pray for everyone who lost their lives that day, their families, the rescue workers, fire departments, police, and the soldiers who continue to fight for our freedom and protect our country.

Below: Tad and his Daddy swimming! Not sure what Tad's expression is, but it is funny!

Below: Uncle Ryan and Ava hanging out by the pool.

Below: Tad would get all the way by the fence and then run as fast as he could and jump into the pool into his Daddy's arms.

Below: Tad and his Momma swimming!

Below: Ma helping Ava enjoy the water!

Below: Addison looks a little ornery in this picture.

Below: Ava would rather play with toys than eat dinner!

Below: Uncle Jake and Tad playing in the sandbox.

Below: I just love Ava's smile and giggles.

Below: The mystery feet were Ava's!!

Below: Ava going after Addison's hair. They just love to play with each other and follow one another everywhere around the house.

Below: Tad and Gigi are laughing about something.

Below: Addison loves to swing!

Below: Uncle Jake let Addison choose what TV shows they were watching.

Below: Tad likes to put the balloons in the chair where they can't move and then pop the balloon with a pin.

Below: Addison and Ma having a good time.

Below: Tad taking a running leap into the pool.

Below: Which soaks Aunt Boo!

Below: Yep... dinner was that good.

Below: Tad tackled me and I couldn't get up which he thought was hilarious!

Below: Ava and her Daddy playing.

Below: Addison and her Momma taking a swim.

Below: So sweet. Addison just loves the water!

Below: Ma and Tad working on his 4-wheeler. I love this picture!

Below: Tad and Ava having some Mommy time.

Below: Tad being ornery and climbing on top of the car. Love those blue eyes.

Below: I just love this little girl and the girl holding her!

Below: Not sure what is going on here... but something about Aunt G helping Tad put on his underwear is very funny to Tad.

Below: Tad and Tiff being silly.

Below: Gigi and Ava hanging out.

Below: Tad and I being silly.

Below: Tad leaping over Uncle Ryan.

Below: Who needs a pool.... Tad jumping to Aunt G.

Below: Tad had Tiffany and I turning around and dancing to..."If You're Happy and You Know It..."

Below: Then he got Ma in on the action!

Below: Ava looks like she is saying... What do you want?

Below: More swimming!

Below: Ava picking on her Daddy.

Below: And then sucking on his chin... she liked the vinegar from the salad we were having.

Below: Mmm Mmm good!

Below: Poppa Dale playing with Tad in his pool.

Below: The "baby tire" always goes swimming with Tad. Thanks Poppa... the baby tire has been so much fun!

Below: Poppa watching Tad swim.

Below: Tad and I looking at an old photo album.

Below: Tad and Gigi playing greedy.

Below: Tad and I coloring.
Until Next Time:

First Day of Class...Or Not!

2011-08-23T20:05:00.021-05:00

School started this week... for most people. I for one did not attend.

What??? You aren't in school this semester??

No, not the case... not the case at all. Class did start this week on the UCO Campus. When I enrolled in April or May, I swore I enrolled in a Thursday class. Monday night I received a text from a classmate wondering where I was and if I was coming to class. I responded and said that I had class on Thursday. About 30 minutes later I decided I had better look at my class schedule. I logged in and (about 30 minutes later...I was frantic at that point) I found out I was in fact in the Monday class. If you know me at all, you know this caused me immediate panic. Long story short, after many e-mails to my professors and phone calls to my friend I am caught up and will be staying in the Monday night class. Missing class stresses me out... especially when you just meet one day a week. The first class you get so much important information...

So after freaking out all Monday and Tuesday trying to figure out what in the world I was going to do, I worked 2 hours going through all the school stuff I missed online. When I got home Ryan was making me my favorite meal...spaghetti! He said he knew I had a rough few days and how stressed I was and decided to make me my favorite meal. If you know Ryan, he will not usually volunteer to make spaghetti because I like to have it almost every other week. So this was a really big deal! He even bought the wheat noodles I like and traditional sauce (which he likes to complain about :) ). What a sweet husband I have. He always makes me feel so special and is always so supportive. He definitely helped me through this whole missing class panic I was in!! I love him so much!

Last week Ryan and I vacationed in Washington D.C. It was so much fun! Thank you Mike and Megan for an awesome time! Pictures and more information to come.

Below are some (somewhat) recent pictures. This is a long one! End of June and 4th of July pictures...

Below: Tad is looking pretty ornery! He was spraying everyone.

Below: I love Addison's eyes when she smiles.
Below: Poppa and Gigi playing with the girls.
Below: Tad absolutely loves Bradi.
Below: Random picture of Tad. Love it!
Below: Aunt G and Tad investigating a moth that landed on the steps outside.
Below: Ava's serious look.
Below: Tad getting sprayed! I can still hear his little screeches as he ran.
Below: Tad's turn to spray people!
Below: Then it was Bradi's turn!
Below: Ava having a crazy hair day.
Below: Uncle Ryan and Ava hanging out poolside.
Below: What Mom?? I need to take my shoes and socks off before I get in the pool?
Below: My sweet kitty Rudi.
Below: Tad washing our table after bubbles from the bubble machine landed on it. Yes, Tad was painting earlier in the day...
Below: Tad's best friend!
Below: HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANGIE!!! (June 30) Been was pretending to conduct us as we were singing her happy birthday.
Below: Tad wanted to try out the toy the girls have so much fun in.
Below: Gigi and Addison... Addison was clapping.
Below: Tad throwing water balloons against the shed.
Below: Tad throwing water balloons at me! Ryan caught the water balloon popping! Such a cool picture.
Below: Ava is such a cutie.
Below: Tad would run around the couch behind Lisa and then barrel over her. It was so funny! This picture looks painful but Lisa caught him.
Below: Then Tad wanted Ryan to do it to!
Below: Mom and I spotted a locust coming out of its shell. We watched it for an hour. It was so neat.
Below: The locust partially out of its shell.
Below: It made it! Love their pretty wings.
4th of July time!!!

Below: Ryan and Grayson playing in the pool.
Below: Alyssa jumping into Ryan. I think she counted to three twenty times before she finally jumped. So funny.
Below: Love this picture of G-Baby!
Below: Bryan and Ava hanging out. She woke up so happy after her nap.
Below: Ava with Poppa Dale. She doesn't cry anymore!! It was a little funny. Every time she looked at him she would cry.
Below: Ava and I getting ready for a swim.
Below: Alyssa had so much fun with Suzanne.
Below: Ava had a blast swimming with her Daddy.
Below: Ben with his Princess Addison! I just love her tutu swimsuit.
Below: Addison and I getting ready for a swim.
Below: Giving the turtles a pep talk before the big races.
Below: Ava hanging out at the park waiting on the races to start.
Below: Poppa and Gigi guarding the turtles.
Below: Two of the three turtles getting prepared for the race. The big one on the right was the turtle Tad won with last year. Gigi found it in her yard about a week before the race. Was it a two time champion??
Below: Poppa Dale pushing the kids at the playground.
Below: Learning how to teeter totter.
Below: And the race begins! This was the race for ages 0-2. Tad, Grayson, and Ava entered this race.
Below: See the turtle on the bottom right? That is Tad's turtle. Two time champion!!! The turtle closest to the rope after Tad's turtle is Grayson's!
Below: Mom helping Alyssa get her turtle ready for the race.
Below: The winners of the first race! We made a sweep!
Below: Suzanne congratulating Tad on his win.
Below: Aunt Christy hanging out with G-Baby.
Below: I just love these ladies! It was so much fun having the Grimes' with us this year. I believe that is Grandpa's fingers in the background.
Below: Bryan jumping in with Tad.
Below: It was so cute. All the kids would line up by the fence and then run as fast as they could and jump into whoever was standing there.
Below: Ryan and I spent 2 1/2 hours getting all of these water balloons ready for the kids. We actually had a great time getting these ready.
Below: It did not take the kids (and adult kids) very long to go through them either. It was so much fun though.
Below: More balloon action.
Below: Tad breaking a balloon over Uncle Jake's head...
Below: and Momma's head.
Below: G-baby going after more balloons.
Below: Tad thought Daddy needed a shower too!
Below: And Ma.
Below: Intense volleyball action.
Below: Discussion inside in the air conditioning...
Below: Addison had a great time with Suzanne.
Below: The official volleyball judges.
Below: Time for fireworks.
Below: Sparklers were a hit... almost. Grayson and Tad loved them! Alyssa... not so much.
Below: More firework action.

Below: Throwing the poppers off the back of the pick-up made them pop easier.
Below: Alyssa and Tad became buddies.
Below: Poppa Dale and Tad watching the fireworks.
Below: I love this picture of Alyssa and Tad. Tad was patting Alyssa's back... it was so cute.
Below: More volleyball action! It really got competitive when Bev joined in!
Below: Serious volleyballers!
Below: Memaw loving on Ms. Addison.
Below: Chuck and Dad watching the action.
Below: Tad wanted in on the volleyball action also.
Below: Our annual 4th of July picture!
Below: Tad and Poppa Dale were being silly and hiding.
Below: Addison getting some love from Uncle Ryan.

Until Next Time:

2011-07-29T23:01:00.024-05:00

Post Date: 2011-08-20

So I started this blog well over a week or two ago. Blogger and I had some issues and I am just now able to post... so pretend that when you read this it was two weeks ago. :)

Oklahoma finally got some rain...along with some extremely high winds! After 2 1/2 days without electricity, I was beginning to wonder if the rain was worth it. Monday when I was driving home from work I drove through straight line winds/rain. At times I could not see a thing! I crawled along 412 with my flashers on hoping some dumb dumb was speeding down the road behind me. The craziness stopped by the time I got to the 74 exit to Garber. Still raining, but the strong winds had moved on through. The poles all along 74 were leaning part way over and the firetrucks were beginning to arrive to access the situation. At home, there of course was no power.

Monday is one of our family dinner nights. Lisa had called me to see if we had electricity so Mom could cook the casserole... she was out of luck. So, we all still met over at Mom's and the casserole and bread was cooked on the grill! Very inventive, and a very good meal!

We did not have damage at our house, and Mom's house and yard seemed to fare the storm very well also. The boys' homes and the G's all fared well also... and they kept electricity. The boys lost part of their round top barn that is at Jake's house. All the equipment inside made it through the storm and destruction safe and sound.

Ryan and I weathered the loss of electricity at our house. The house got up to about 84 degrees and would cool off to about 80 degrees at night. I for one was very comfortable and adjusted well to the temperature. Ryan thought he was going to die...

This all reminded me of the ice storm in 2002ish. We were out of electricity for over 30 days. We cooked food on top of the kerosene heater. We snuggled under covers by the fireplace and did activities we had not done in a long time. With the current electricity outage, Ryan and I realized how distracting television, Internet, and telephones can be. It is a lot easier to pay attention to what you are reading or work you are working on without the TV in the background.

The biggest catastrophe is that our pool is now green. I am very meticulous about the pool and a green pool really stresses me out. We got it back up and running today, swept it, and added chemicals. Hopefully there will be noticeable progress when I check on it tomorrow.

(Update... pool is back to normal so I am no longer stressed about that)

Below: Time for Ava's dinner.
Below: Tad and I watching TV together... probably Barney.

Below: Addison having real broccoli for the first time. No gagging... she liked it!

Below: Bryan and Tad discussing his Father's Day cake.

Below: German Chocolate Cake. My Grandma Hazel made THE BEST homemade German Chocolate cake. Every time I eat this cake I think of her.

Below: Grandma "Ma" and Gigi hanging out with the girls!

Below: Ma and her girls!

Below: Bryan checking out his Father's Day gift. Tad and Ava's hand and footprints.

Below: Ben checking out one of his Father's Day gifts.

Below: Papa and Gigi checking out Papa's Father's Day gifts.

Below: We were taking 5 generation pictures and this is one of my favorites. Tad was being silly and every single person in the picture is looking at him.

Below: And the picture that is framed.

Below: Tad and Lisa posed for a picture. Tad started to pretend to be asleep and started snoring... and then we all cracked up. He is so funny!

Below: Still snoring... and still laughing!

Below: Reinschmiedt mayhem!

Below: 5 generations picture!

Below: Lisa with the girls!

Below: Papa loving on Addison.

Below: Ben and his Princess.

Below: Family picture on Father's Day.

Below: Yep... that is a good cupcake.

Below: Poppa Dale and Addison.

Below: Ava having a blast during dinner.

Below: Ma and Addison hanging out outside.

Below: Watching the kids play outside.

Below: Papa Dale and Ava.

Below: Tad had Poppa, Gigi, and myself all watching Barney with him.

Below: Tad and Ben were telling secrets.

Below: Tad and Jake working on his 4-wheeler.

Below: Tad driving his 4-wheeler up a ramp just like his Daddy and Uncles!

Below: Made it a little farther.

Below: Artists at work.

Below: Tad likes to use his body as a canvas.

Below: Ryan and Addison playing with his phone.

Below: Love that smile!

Below: Tad loves the bubble machine.

Below: I guess the bubbles taste good too!

Below: Driving through the bubbles.

Below: Jake, Tiff, and the girls enjoying the bubbles.

Below: Gigi feeding Ava. Ava just loves her.

Below: Tad and I building castles.

Below: Grandpa and Alyssa playing in the pool.

Below: Grandmama helping Alyssa float on her back.

Below: Erica and G-Baby having fun.

Below: Ava and I playing in the pool.

Below: Not sure what Alyssa is doing...

Below: G-Baby hanging out with Ryan in the pool.

Below: G-Baby taking a break on the beach ball.

Below: This picture did not show up on my editing page... hopefully it will when it is posted.

Below: Tad and Alyssa hiding from the water hose behind the hippos mouth.

Below: G-Baby playing in the bubbles.

Below: Alyssa and Mike reading a book together.

Below: Grandmama and Alyssa reading a book.

Below: Tad jumping in the pool to his Momma and Ma and Ava watching.

Below: Ava and her Momma hanging out in the pool.

Below: Tad showing Ma and I how he goes under water!

Below: Getting some love from Tad. He is a sweetie.

Below: Tad talked me into jumping in.

Below: Then he talked his Momma into jumping in.

Until Next Time:

Addison's First Swim!!

2011-07-26T22:03:00.014-05:00

Post Date: 2011-08-07

Ryan and I are getting very excited about our upcoming vacation. We are heading to Washington D.C.! We have always wanted to go see all the memorials and sites in D.C. AND to make the trip even better Mike and Megan (Ryan's sister and husband) live there too!!! We are excited to see them and the place that they call home.

School starts up soon also. I am excited that Ryan and I get to take a vacation before school starts. We have not had a real vacation since our honeymoon in November of 2008. I am taking a MIS class this semester. I am nervous and excited to get things going again. I am always nervous before class starts. Once I figure out the professors and the outline of the class I feel much better.

Oklahoma is still hot. Nothing much has changed except everything is drier and the cracks in the ground are bigger. There have been some recent showers and thunderstorms but the most we seem to be able to get is thunder and lightning.

While we are on the subject of lightening, Thursday morning the boys received a phone call around 3:00am that one of their fields were on fire. They ended up fighting and dealing with the fires until 7:00pm that night. Poor guys, the fire just kept starting back up. The fire is now out and everyone was safe.

Sometimes I feel like there is nothing interesting for me to write about, no story to tell, nothing to capture an audience. I take pictures to tell our story, to record memories, and I hope the pictures are what bring you back to my blog... and not my writing.

Onto the pictures!

Addison went swimming for the first time in June... and she LOVED it!! Below are some pictures from her first swim.

Below: Mom and Dad are keeping a closer eye on Addison.

Below: Addison was concentrating hard on splashing.

Below: Addison screeching... she was having so much fun.

Below: More splashing = more fun!

Below: Ben popped up in front of Addison with goggles on and it scared Addison.

Below: Goggles are off... Addison is much happier.

Below: Dad and Addison having fun!

Below: Up she goes! Love that grin on her face.

Below: Relaxed and floating on her back.

Below: Addison's first swim family picture!

Below: Tad is helping Ma fill cups with ice for dinner.

Below: Tad mowing the grass with his bubble mower.

Below: Addison gazing up at someone.

Below: Ava trying to eat the camera.

Below: S0 I knew Ryan and I had gotten Mom a Valentine's Day card... it just took us until June to find it!

Below: While Ava and Ashley were posing for a picture... Ava thought she would go after her Mom's nose!

Below: Looks like Ryan is being silly... and Tad is looking at me thinking what is wrong with this guy!

Below: Ma and Addison playing.

Below: I have no words for this picture... other than I love it!

Below: Addison is just a happy little girl.

Below: Tad and Ashley swimming. I am pretty sure Tad was saying "Get Boo" in this picture. He kept jumping in and trying to splash me.

Below: Tad's ornery face!

Below: Tad talked Boo into swimming... not sure what we were doing here, but I just love that smile and laugh of his.

Below: Ava missed out on the swim party.

Below: A wind storm came through in June and knocked a huge limb out of our tree.

Below: More broken tree...

Below: Tad needed some snuggle time with his Daddy.

Below: Angie was singing a monkey song to the girls.

Below: Then Tad joined in on the monkey song!

Below: Ava cheesing for the camera.

Below: Who needs a pool... Tad is jumping off the couch to Bradi.

Below: Ava's natural hair. I think it looks similar to Elvis!

Below: Tad helping me open my birthday cards.

Below: Jake opening his birthday cards.

Below: I said smile... and Jacob gave me this face.

Below: Then I got a real picture. :) So happy for these two.

Below: Addison posing for the camera.

Below: Uncle Ben adding bubbles to Tad's mower.

Below: Gigi and Addison waving at each other.

Below: Poppa sucking his thumb like Addison.

Below: I just love these guys! They just celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary. What an inspiration they are. I strive to be just like them.

Below: Ryan sent me flowers for my birthday. I love them! Thank you so much babe!

Below: I also got a new lens for my camera for my birthday. I was playing with it and took a picture of some of my flowers.

Until Next Time:

BIG NEWS!!!

2011-07-20T20:43:00.017-05:00

Post Date: 2011-07-25

BIG NEWS!!! Jacob and Tiffany are ENGAGED!!!!!!! We are so excited for them! We just love Tiffany and can't wait until she officially joins the Reinschmiedt clan! Right now they are thinking about a January wedding. I can honestly say I have never seen my brother this happy. I am just so happy and excited for him (and Tiff too)!

I went on the annual river trip with the girls and had a BLAST! Crazy thing happened though... we were a few miles down our 12 mile trip and saw a Ranger standing on the side of the river. Our raft was talking to him and giving him a hard time typical of the group I was with... and before we made it past him he said... "Please stay to the left, there has been a drowning victim and there is a rescue boat and divers searching for the body. When we made it to the rescue boat, they had found the body and had pulled it into a raft. The victim ended up being a 32 year old male that had drank to much. He stepped off a drop off and was unable to touch and the current pulled him under. Five people have died in the Illinois River since Memorial Day. Besides the drowning victim, our raft of girls had a blast! If you are ever in Tahlequah... you need to order some pizza at Sam and Ella's. It is AMAZING!!! Kristen kept calling it Salmonella and I was refusing to eat at a place named after something that will make you sick. Thank goodness when we got there it had a different name!

Most of you all reading this blog are in the same weather condition we are (although some people received some rain today). DRY! When I went outside today I could smell the rain for the thunderstorms... but no rain came our way! Our grass is dead and crunchy, the leaves are dying odd our trees and filling our pool skimmer bucket up daily, roads are buckling from the heat across the state, farmer's second crops are burnt, and the 7-Day forecasts for weeks now are consistently over 100 degrees.

Other news: My precious Rudi (16 year old outside kitty) gave me quite a scare last week. She is a very vocal kitty and always comes and meets anyone that comes in the back yard. I got home from work and went to the garage refrigerator to get some beef out to thaw for dinner. Rudi was laying on the garage floor and would not get up and was acting very odd. Her back leg was pulled up to her stomach like she was in pain. She eventually got up and walked around but her back legs seemed to be bothering her. She then tried 7-8 times to go to the bathroom but could only produce a trickle of urine. Long story short, she went to the vet hospital in Enid and was diagnosed with a very bad urinary track infection. Because her infection was so bad, they went ahead and did blood work to make sure the infection was not in her kidneys (really bad for kitties) and it was not. They gave her a shot if cortisone and a shot of antibiotic that lasts two weeks (no pills thank goodness) and I have seen an immediate improvement in her.

This month overall has been a lot less stressful than last month. Work is not near as crazy and life in general seems less stressful. Continental announced that they have most likely moved the last of their employees for the remainder of the year. They also said that they plan to have the rest of the employees moved sometime by the end of July 2012. We are currently working on some minor repairs to the house (we hope are minor anyways) before the appraisal. The appraisal should happen at any time. I'm not good with this whole waiting thing and not knowing what is going on and when. This is a big change for me and I feel completely out of control of the situation... which I think I have actually handled pretty well so far!

Onto the pictures:

Below: More harvest pictures! The boys were getting ready to move fields.

Below: Addison and her Daddy hanging out in the wheat field during dinner.

Below: Ma, Tad, and I were heading down the road to another field to take his Daddy, Momma, and Ava dinner.

Below: We made it! Daddy was working a different section of the field.

Below: If Ava could talk she would be saying "Who you lookin at?" My Mom says she has a defiant look in her eye like her Aunt Julie!

Below: Addison is like "Hey Biff! I am hungry too!"

Below: Ava and I hanging out in the field! Love that hair of hers!

Below: Ben, Angie, and Addison are heading out to cut more wheat!

Below: Addison heading home after an afternoon in the field.

Below: Tad and I hung out in the field after the girls left eating Cheetos and waiting on his Daddy to come give us a ride in his combine.

Below: Cheetos faced Tad and Lisa take a load of wheat into town.

Below: Taking the headers off the combines and heading to another field.

Below: Bryan and Reed working on the header.

Below: Tad and I having fun in the pool!

Below: Ryan throwing Tad!

Below: Ashley and Ava hanging out. She LOVES the water!

Below: Ma and Addison splashing in the water. She was clapping.

Below: Time to go home. This was Jake and I's stroller when we were itty bitty.

Below: Addison posing for the camera.

Below: Addison always cheeses for the camera when she sees it... and has started winking!

Below: Addison with the wind blowing through her hair.

Below: Tad even thinks it has been hot lately!!!

Below: Ava thought Tad spraying his face was funny!

Below: Love Ava's hair in this picture. She has some crazy curls!

Below: Tad was still all wet from playing with the water hose and decided to pet Rudi.

Below: Off they go!

Below: Tad and his Daddy taking a swim.

Below: Tad showing off his athletic abilities.

Below: Tad is getting pretty brave these days... jumps in all the time now!

Below: Angie sent Kason flying!

Below: Ava and Momma relaxing in the pool.

Below: Splashing war!!

Below: Addison was napping (she just woke up) while all the fun swimming was going on!

Below: Ava and her Daddy both look a little ornery in this picture.

Below: Addison hanging out with her Daddy still trying to wake up from her nap and cool off.

Below: Love these two guys! Tad still has dinner on his face!

Below: Addison splashing away in the water!

Below: Tad and Tiff swimming. I think Tad swam for a couple of hours that night. As people were getting out, more people kept showing up! He had a GREAT time!

Below: Ava lounging on Ma.

Below: Lisa and Ashley feeding Ms. Addison.

Below: Love this picture of Ava!

Below: These three are trouble!

Below: Addison chewing on the food lid instead of eating her dinner.

Below: Unattended plate = awesome opportunity for Rudi!

Below: Ryan and Ava picking on Ma!

Below: Ava and Addison picking on Lisa!

Below: Ava and I playing!

Below: Since Tiff put detangler product in her hair after swimming... Tad did too! To cute.

Until Next Time

G-Baby Turns 2 & Random E-mails

2011-06-29T21:44:00.015-05:00

Post Date 2011-07-12

I was cleaning out some e-mails and realized that Ryan and I have some interesting conversations.

4th of July Turtle Races
Ju: They have been looking for 3 turtles for the turtle races again this year in Garber. Apparently Gigi found the turtle Tad used last year today in her yard. It still had the "t" in nail polish on his back. The champions (Tad and his turtle) are returning again to defend their title.

Ry: That is funny! They will think he has been training it all year, giving it performance enhancing drugs, and will disqualify him.

Ju: Shoot... I didn't know Garber had a rule about turtle doping!

Ry: Yeah, you should read the rule book sometime. It may take some time because it is very thorough. I memorized it and know that Rule 161.15.3 clearly states "No turtle doping."

Ju: Darn...So what are the pre-event testing requirements? Maybe there is a way we can get around the doping. Are you on the council? Shh don't tell.

Are there any other rules I should be aware of? Where can I get a copy of this handbook?

Ry: Well a summarized version is, at the weigh-in two (2) urine samples and two (2) blood samples will be collected. They will test hormone levels and DNA. "Why DNA?" you ask. To ensure the testudine is, in fact, a turtle, not a tortoise or terrapin. (Please note: Any snapping turtles caught "snapping" at other competitors will be automatically disqualified. No exceptions.) A meticulous inspection of the skin is next to make sure the trainer has not forced skin molting to shed weight. Once the turtles make it past that, they will be subject to a "Sanctioned Aerodynamic Calibration Test": to make sure there is no cosmetic work done to the carapce or plastron, "shell shaving" to the lay person. Claws will be cut to the appropriate race length set yearly by the National Testudine Race Council (NTRC), located (appropriately) on the Galapagos Islands. The final pre-race inspection is to the participant's tail. It cannot be longer than the distance between the trainer's thumb and index finger.

All contestants receive a copy of the rule book at entry. They are under strict orders to share their copies with NO ONE. Because you are too old, you likely will never get to see a copy.

Ju: Looks like Tad's turtle is screwed.

Ry: I guess we will find out at race time.

First Day of Grad School
Ry: Just wanted to tell you to behave yourself on the first day of class. Obey the teacher and play nice with the other students. If you have any questions go to the principal (remember his title ends in PAL).

Skunk Problem - A skunk was trapped under our house in the garage.
Ju: After a lengthy discussion with the work crew we have come to a skunk problem conclusion.
- I am going to borrow an animal trap from Ann.
- I am going to set it at the hole where the skunk goes in and out and make sure it is sealed so Rudi can't get in there and only the skunk can when it is trying to leave.
- Cover the trap with a blanket... very important step.
- Catch the skunk!
- Take the skunk to the country in the back of a pickup... another very important step.
- Attempt to let it go without getting sprayed...blanket is still covering the trap.
- Reset the trap at skunk entrance and make sure there are not any more.
- It's fool proof!

Ry: Lol... you forgot a step:
- Take a bath in tomato juice after getting sprayed and burn clothes.

Seriously though, if there is a blanket over the trap, how are you going to know whether or not you caught it? Where do you plan on putting the trap so Rudi can't get in? Don't forget, there are 2 pianos in the way.

Ju: Well... with the blanket over the trap you have to be sneaky... maybe a quick peek when you sneak up??? Maybe we can make sure there is a slit in the blanket so I can look without moving anything.

We are going to to have to move the pianos and put the trap at the entrance. It will need to be blocked off so nothing can get under the house and the only way for the skunk to get out is to go into the trap.

Ry: This is going to be a disaster. Someone is going to smell like skunk!!

I am thinking a bear trap is the way to go. That way it will kill the skunk fast enough it won't have time ti spray (or hurt the skunk).

Ju: Where in the world are we going to find a bear trap?? AND what IF it accidentally moved and RUDI was able to get in it???

Ry: Fine... You do it your way and when you smell bad, do not come crying to me.

Ju: Well... besides the bear trap what other ideas do you have??? I don't want Rudi to perish in this ordeal.

Dee said once we catch it to call the animal patrol and they should come and get it. Garber used to have one (they picked up dogs anyways) and Nici said that Covington has one so maybe we could call them once it is trapped.

You will be the one crying... you have to sleep next to me!!!

Ry: No other ideas. I will lock you out of the house.

Ju: Oh no you won't!!! If you do I might decide to live under the house and befriend all the skunks!!

Birthday
Ju: Today is a special occasion. Ponder and let me know if you can figure it out!

Ry: I have nothing. What is it?

Ju: Beauty's birthday. Come on.... where were you on that one?!?!?! My baby turns 9 today.

Ry: Sorry I drew a blank. I can't BELIEVE I forgot that!!!

Ju: I mean really... how could you forget our kid's birthday?

Ry: In fairness, she was around before me so technically she is not "our" kid. I am more of a "step" and we all know how that goes sometimes.

Ju: Um... well... she really looks up to you (hehe) and you are the only father she has ever known. You all don't have the "step" relationship that sometimes happens.

Ry: If you say so.

Ryan and Louie - Ryan was taking Louie to the vet.
Ry: So I guess Louie was not ready to be in the purse and decided to get up and go wheel some more. I chased the little booger around his cage trying to get him into the purse and he didn't want to. Finally he got back on the wheel and taunted me by wheeling so I turned it on its back so he couldn't run from me.

Ju: Lol were you trying to get him to run into the purse? He was under his towel this morning when I caught him. It didn't even look like he had wheeled last night (from what I could tell). He might have though. I hope this vet has experience with hedgehogs. Louie is not very cooperative with vets.

Ry: Well at first I hoped he would just run out of the wheel into the purse and he didn't. Then I tried to trap him so the purse was the only option, I was wrong. Then he went to switch tubs and get in the one with food so I stuck the purse over the opening and he stopped in the connecting tube. It was madness.

Ju: What a devious little guy. He probably thought you were going to take him to see little kids.

Ry: Probably and was running for his life.

Below: Sissy and Tad just love each other!
Below: Mom, Grandma, and Grandpa are looking at the book I made Ben for Christmas. Below: Addison and I having fun at dinner.Below: Cutest little feet. (Tad)
Below: Tad was swinging (big one) and Addison and her Daddy were being silly... all having a GREAT time. Below: Tad + Water Hose = LOVE and hours of fun! Below: G-Baby at his 2nd birthday party!! He is such a neat little guy.Below: Grayson and Alyssa hanging out before dinner.Below: Grayson's birthday cake. Unfortunately 5 of the fish went belly up... HA!

Below: Grayson blowing out his candle!Below: Grayson making a fish face.

Below: An intense game of peek-a-boo was going on. He has the sweetest smile.

Below: I love this picture of Alyssa and her Momma. Below: It is finally time to open presents!Below: Ryan and I got Grayson a birthday card that had a bunch of animals telling him happy birthday. He was making all the animal sounds. Too funny!

Below: Grayson went flying on the sit and spin.Below: Grayson LOVED the jack in the box from Uncle Greg.

Below: Alyssa reading Uncle Ryan a book.Below: Ma feeding Ava a bottle.

Below: Addison, Poppa, and Gigi are being silly. They always have a great time together.

Below: Ava cruising around on the table.

Below: Hanging out swinging. Just love those blue eyes!

Below: Addison loves the swing too!

Below: Tad and Dad found a new way to swing!

Below: And it was SO MUCH FUN!!

Below: Poppa and Gigi hanging out with their favorite girls!

Below: Grandpa Dale playing with the kiddos.

Below: Doctor Grandpa doing a quick skin examination on Addison.

Below: On May 4, 2011, my Grandma Lou's precious kitty Tasha passed away. Tasha often wrote letters to my kitty Beauty. Tasha and Beaty are both Persian kitties and just weeks apart in age. Beauty had a special stone made for Tasha's resting place and sent it along with a card to Tasha's parents. The feisty, unique, loving kitty will be missed.

The stone on the left is my Grandma's other kitty Princess that passed. She was also very near and dear to her heart. May we always remember the love and joy pets bring to our lives.Below: Tad was at Poppa and Gigi's house working in the shed. He was changing the tires on the lawnmower.

Below: I was with Tad out in the shed and decided to take a seat in the grass to cool off in the breeze. Little did I know that I sat smack dab on an ant den. I was literally covered head to toe in ants in a matter of seconds. I proceeded to jump up and down screaming (they were biting me) all the while trying to tell Tad that I was okay. I then stripped down to my undergarments and tried to shake off the ants. I quickly found out that ants don't "shake off" your clothing, and while trying they will crawl off the clothing and up your arm and continue the attack. I dropped the clothes, got most of the ants off, and then realized my dilemma. I was approximately 100 yards from my grandparents house in nothing but my bra and unds without a cell phone. Ryan, Mom, Grandpa, and Grandma were all in the house. I decided to run to the front of the house and prayed that nobody would drive in the the driveway. Mom and Ryan came out and helped me get the rest of the ants off.

Below: Ryan was trying to get all the ants off my clothing.

Below: Tad was stepping on the ants!

Below: I had to borrow clothes from Grandma. I wasn't brave enough to put my clothes back on.

Below: Papa gave Tad the "baby" tire and he was SO EXCITED!

Below: The side of the boys truck.

Below: Another day of harvest!

Below: Bryan and Ben were dumping on the truck.

Below: It is time for dinner. Tad was helping Momma get his Daddy a drink.

Below: Lisa and Addison hanging out!

Below: Ava and Ma out in the field.

Below: Addison being silly!

Until Next Time:

Life Changing Decisions

2011-06-28T22:13:00.001-05:00

Post Date: 2011-06-27

Life:
- The property or quality that distinguishes living organisms from dead organisms and inanimate matter, manifested in functions such as metabolism, growth, reproduction, and response to stimuli or adaptation to the environment originating within the organism.
- The physical, mental, and spiritual experience that constitute existence.
- The interval between birth and death.

Changing:
- To make the form, nature, content, future course, etc., of (something) different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone.
- To become altered or modified.

Decisions:
- The act or process of deciding, determination, as of a question or doubt, by making a judgment.
- The act of or need for making up one's mind.

Life changing decisions... does anybody really like making those? If you think about it, you probably make life changing decisions everyday and do not even realize it. The life changing decisions we generally think about are marriage, divorce, having children, changing jobs, moving, etc.

While Ryan and I have experienced several life changing decisions this year, it has got me thinking. Everyday each and every one of us make life changing decisions. How you react in certain situations, treat people, the work you do, and so on. One quick bad reaction to a certain situation or person can change your life forever. A friendship can be ruined at the slip of a tongue. A life can be taken because you chose to get behind the wheel after you have been drinking, are sleepy, or texting on your cell phone.

So what's the point? The point is I have been pondering all the "life changing decisions" Ryan and I have been making lately, and I realize that while these are hard decisions and I can see what the change will be in the future, we make life changing decisions everyday... that sometimes have a bigger impact than moving or changing jobs.

Below: Tad was hiding from Gigi... but she found him!

Below: An intense game of peek-a-boo! Below: Tad getting a drink from the water bottle... fooling Uncle Ben right before the attack! Below: Uncle Jake and Aunt Tiff being attacked by Tad! Below: Ms. Ava... her eye has healed right up!
Below: Uncle Ryan and Addison reading a book.

Below: Ma trying to feed Addison... who was more interested in the bib.

Below: Addison and I playing in front of the fan... she grinned and squealed each time it passed us by.

Below: Tad felt the need to say a quick prayer.

Below: Can you guess who helped me wrap a gift?

Below: Ava having some Daddy time.

Below: We celebrated Tiffany's birthday and her parents came too! It was so nice to meet them.

Below: Gigi and Addison being silly making lots of noises.

Below: Tad relaxing and watching TV with "My Tiff and Cub."

Below: Someone (ahem Bryan ) taught a certain little boy how to pretend to toot on people. Lisa happened to be the victim this night.

The next series of pictures are from Megan and Mike's wedding rehearsal. What a beautiful wedding and bride! We are so excited for them both.

Below: Grayson playing in the church.

Below: Not sure what is going on here but I can only imagine what it could be with Father Quant involved.

Below: Practicing the walk in... I tried to get Father Quant to do this during the wedding... but I think he forgot.

Below: Kirk (and Grayson) and Marianne walking Megan down the aisle.

Below: Mike and his parents walking him down the aisle.

Below: The happy couple.

Below: Poppa loving on Addison.

Below: Uncle Ben and Tad being silly... seems to be a common theme.

Below: Ava having a great time during dinner!

Below: Addison loves to swing.

Below: Lisa and Tad hanging out watching the action.

Below: Ava having some Mommy time.

Below: Tad LOVES the bubble machine!

Below: Ava heading home.

Below: Addison and Aunt Tiffany playing.

Below: Tad practicing changing diapers and putting Desitin on the baby's bottoms.

Below: Ava gets medicine put in her eye... so I guess Tad thought the dolls needed some eye medication too.

Below: Daddy feeding Addison!

Below: Mommy and Addison are looking pretty ornery!

Below: Tad helping Poppa move chairs to the dinner table.

Below: I think all the girls in this picture are having a great time.

Below: Tad and Jake hanging out... so sweet.

Below: Butters (Butterball) headed towards the roof.

Below: So my husband went on a slug killing spree...

Below: Have you seen the movie How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days? This is our version of the "love fern." This plant has been hanging here since we moved in. It used to be green... Now we just giggle about it and how I can't manage to keep anything alive (makes me wonder about having kids). I foresee it making the move to Guthrie with us.

Until Next Time:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

2011-06-17T19:28:00.015-05:00

Post Date: 2011-06-19

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACOB!!! My big brother's (by seven minutes) had a birthday Saturday! For 27 years we have shared a birthday and I love it! We have shared many memorable experiences growing up together and I can't wait to see what else is in store for us!

I spent my birthday throwing a 90th birthday party for the President and founder of CMW. It was a lot of work but so much fun. I am honored to have spent my birthday at an event devoted to him. Thursday evening we had our birthday dinner at Mom's house and Sunday evening I had my birthday dinner and father's day dinner with Ryan's family. I am so blessed!

Thanks everyone for all the calls, texts, e-mails, and Facebook messages. I was unable to take all the calls and return texts because of the event, but I appreciate each and every one of them.

Recent Pictures... including Mother's Day.

Below: Tad riding his big boy bike!

Below: Grandma, Poppa, Ava, and Gigi were all watching Tad ride his bike. He was so proud.

Below: Momma and Tad going for a walk.

Below: Addison and I take a break from playing for a quick photo.

Below: Ava was more interested in Poppa than in eating!

Below: Tad was showing Jake and Tiff his bike.

Below: Addison and her Momma!

Below: Ava was having a great time eating dinner!

Below: Ava and I posing for the camera.

Below: Ava and Addison just love playing together and being near one another.

Below: Tad thought the way my voice sounded with the pliers on my nose was funny.

Below: Tad went to the refrigerator and pulled out 1/2 of a raw onion... and ate 3/4 of it!

Below: Horace and Jan at his 95th birthday party.

Below: Horace and the Reinschmiedt crew!

Below: Horace and the Reinschmiedt boys (his boys).

Below: Tad helped Horace blow out his candle.

Below: Tiffany helping Tad cut into the cake Horace and Jan bought him.

Below: The 5 on the 95 pinata was busted open and the kids went crazy after all of the candy.

Below: Tad going after the 9 pinata.

Below: Dad and Ava hanging out at Horace's party.

Below: Gigi and Addison playing. They have so much fun together.

Below: Addison and Tad watching a video on my phone.

Below: Addison thought chewing on the phone was more fun than the video on the phone.

Below: Tad play in a box... the best kind of toys!

Below: Still playing!

Below: Tad helping Lisa put the new chair together... after playing in the box. :)

Below: Ava conked out on Gigi's lap.

Below: Greg and Alyssa discussing her Mermaid.

Below: Love this picture of G-Babe!

Below: G-Baby being attacked by a bird.

Below: Then it was attacking me!!!

Below: Greg and Grayson are being silly!!

Below: Alyssa reading Aunt Megan a book.

Below: Ashley and Ava having some girl time!

Below: Tad and I were "resting" Ha!

Below: Grandma was helping Tad wrap Momma's Mother's Day gift.

Below: Uncle Ben and Tad were being silly.

Below: Addison in her pretty dress on Mother's Day.

Below: Addison loving on Tad... well pulling his hair.

Below: Ava is always such a happy girl!

Below: Ava hanging out with two of her favorite people... Poppa and Gigi!

Below: The girls playing. They are so much fun to watch!

Below: Me with the Reinschmiedt nieces and nephew. Just LOVE these kids!

Below: Addison was laughing like... "and you only thought I would fall asleep!"

Below: Addison is quite the talker these days. Lisa and Addison were being silly and making funny noises.

Below: Tad helping Momma open her Mother's Day gift!

Below: Angie's first Mother's Day!!!

Below: Ava and Grandma watching the action.

Below: Mom opeing her Mother's Day cards. I truly have the best Mom in the world. I LOVE YOU!!! Thanks for everything you do for me!

Below: Looks like Alyssa and Grayson are taking after their Momma in this picture!!

Until Next Time