Blueberries and exploring

How happy I was to get a text from my friend Beth that they were back in town for a quick visit.  Luckily we got to see her family twice while they were here.  Our children are so close in age and always seem to play so well together, very laid back.  We got to go back to their old farm (how we met in the first place) and pick some blueberries.  Rylee couldn't have been more excited.  She said, Like Sal and that she needed a bucket just like Sal's.  Blueberries for Sal is one of her favorite books.  Thankfully we did have a metal pail so the blueberries could make the exact noise described in that book.  Just like in her favorite story, Rylee ate more than she could pick!  It was a perfect farm morning for the kids.  Eating fresh blueberries, riding around in child sized tractors, and relaxing in the tree house under a nice shade tree when the Alabama sun was starting to make it a little too hot.  Ryder had a great time too, he sat in the grass and was more than happy to eat some blueberries.  Thank you for letting us come spend our morning picking blueberries and spending some more time with your family!

Picking blueberries with her pail 

Eating blueberries

Andrew & Beth picking blackberries

Rylee & Andrew riding around

Tree house

Ryder loving the sand

Exploring

They look like they are sure ready for a great adventure!

Ry loving on Caleb

More exploring!

Sandbox time

Dada Day

Happy Father's Day to my dad who always worked hard.  He always got up and went to work, hardly ever missed any days.  When he got home he would work outside and then sit and watch the sun go down.  Thanks dad for teaching me to work hard and to appreciate each day.
Happy Father's Day to my father in law, who also worked very hard.  Your hard work has provided many blessings to your children and you have passed your hard working attitude down to my husband. Thank you for showing him the meaning of hard work.
Happy Father's Day to you Josh.  Thank you for all the hard work you do, and not just your job work.  Thank you for the work you put into being the amazing father that you are to our children who love you with all their hearts.  Rylee could not love you anymore and every time she sees you she gets so excited and can't wait to give you a big hug.  Ryder too!  Now that he is getting older he can't wait to come see you and be right next to you.   Thank you for the work you put into being a husband too, for making our dreams come true. You work hard for your family, and hard for yourself because when you put your time into something you want to do it right and the best you possibly can.  You never expect anyone to do something for you or that you are owed anything by anyone. I hope and pray that this is something that is passed down to our children.  Just like it has been to us.  I know they will grow up seeing that good can come through hard work and what a blessing that is.

Rylee pushing Ryder around in his boat

An afternoon at the park

Daddys little girl!

You can see in her eyes how much she LOVES her daddy like every girl should!

Hanging out with grandma

Grandma came to visit for Ryders 1st Birthday.  We had lots of fun and with Grandma here and I was able to accomplish so much more.  Maybe some time soon we can talk her into staying :)

Rylee and Grandma planted a flower garden

Ryder :)

Silly girl

So pretty

Daddys Girl!

Happy 1st Birthday Joshua Ryder

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY LITTLE LOVE, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

My son... sweet little baby boy

Just as sweet, but no longer a baby :(  My little one year old!

Ryders favorite book is Chugga Chugga Choo Choo so we did a train theme

I like my  new shirt :)

We got Ryder his first stringed instrument (at one years old...) 

Who is happier ???

New car!

Train cake... so proud of myself for this, thanks for the pan Lauren!

Happy Birthday To You!

First sweet thing ever.  I think he is loving it :)

So sad when daddy took the cake away :(

My little one is now one.  With Rylee I couldn't wait for her to reach all of those baby milestones.  With your first I guess you want to make sure you are doing everything right so you measure it by them meeting those on time.  With Ryder though I just wanted him to stay little forever.  Not to say that I don't get excited about him developing his own little personality, but I'm not counting days or anything like that.    Ryder had a great birthday.  Uncle Brian and Aunt Megan brought Grandma up on Saturday and we all got to hang out on Saturday.  Then on Sunday, Mother's Day, we went up to Papa and Mama Bo's to have a birthday party and celebrate Mother's Day.  It was a wonderful weekend, and a wonderful day.  Couldn't imagine a better way to celebrate being a mommy. Thanks everyone for coming out to share the day with us.  We are having so much fun playing with all the new toys!