Country Livin'

We live right outside of the city limits. There are good and bad things about living out here- one of the bad things slithered into our yard tonight. I know, you can have snakes anywhere- but not sure about this big...
Ryan was in the kitchen tonight and he happened to look into the backyard and see a big snake striking at both of our dogs. Lovely. Just what I want in my backyard where Addyson and I had been playing about 30 minutes prior to this. AND she had been in the flower bed turning on the hose to water the flowers. The snake had been curled up in the flower bed. Eeeewwww - the thought of that just makes me sick! So Ryan ran and got the hoe and killed it. And I grabbed my camera, because you know, this is a blogworthy event!

Apparently it was still alive a little because Ryan could poke it with the hoe and it's mouth would open. He made sure it was dead and then bagged it up and put it out with the trash.

Just one of those things that us country folk have to put up with!

Weekend pics

Friday night we had Kyle, Brandie, Karson and Kallie over for pizza and to play. It was so nice outside and we ate dinner out on the back porch and the girls all played. It was fun!

Brandie and Ben
Kallie and Addyson

Saturday night we went over to Nana's for dinner to celebrate her Mother's Day. When we pulled up Nana's neighbor, Jonathan, was playing basketball outside. I think Addyson has a secret crush on him because she always gets all smiley around him. So cute! We pulled up and Addyson wanted to go over there and see him. I happened to be bringing my camera inside so I snapped a quick pic of them!

Unfortunately that was the only picture I took last night. We get over there and get so busy doing this and that, I forgot I had brought my camera inside! Oh well- maybe next time!

Happy Mother's Day!

Today has been a great, relaxing day! Ben woke up at 6 to eat (thanks to Mr. Tucker) and so I fed him and he went right back to sleep. Addy slept until 8, so that was nice as well! Ryan took her out to get donuts and breakfast tacos and I literally laid in bed until 11 o'clock today. Can't beat that! I love lazy mornings and that is something that never happens anymore with 2 kids, so it was nice to just be lazy. We would have gone to church but Ben usually eats around 10 which is right in the middle of church, so we haven't been going since he's been born. Hope to get back into that routine soon though!

Addyson had made me a card and Ryan surprised me with this beautiful necklace! It's so pretty and I was very surprised! I really appreciate that Ryan thinks of nice things to do for me and takes time to let me know how much I am appreciated.

I wanted to have the kiddos in a picture with me, but they are both sleeping right now, so I'll have to get one later. I've been relaxing this afternoon and reading blogs, doing nothing basically and it's so nice!

Mother's Day is such a special day because being a mother is the best thing in the world. I wouldn't trade it for ANYTHING and it's such an honor to be responsible for raising children. I hope to do a good job and I am sure there are always things I'll look back on and wish I had done differently but that's okay and just part of it! I am also very thankful and blessed to have such a wonderful mother and mother-in-law. I hope they know how much I appreciate them and love them!

Happy Mother's Day to all the mommies out there!

Tonight....

we spent the evening outside playing and riding bikes. After dinner we went on a walk and visited with several of our neighbors and just enjoyed being outside. Love this time of year when this is actually possible to do at 7:00 in the evening! Ben loves his Baby Bjorn and didn't make a peep while being carried around like this!

Just hanging out!

Today has been one of those days where I didn't have a lot on the agenda. Ryan asked what I had going on today and I said, hmm, well I need to cut up some strawberries and umm, I think that's about all I had on my list! I love it! So, I've just been taking it easy, playing with Ben and getting some pics! He loves to lay on him tummy and he is trying so hard to roll over! He is also trying to scoot, but I'm sure that will be a while!

Oops, all of that scootin around on my tummy made me loose some of my lunch!

All better!

Miss Addyson Tate

Little Miss Addy Tate has been cracking me up lately and also making me cry!! First, the laughing part. We went to Spring Creek for dinner Sunday night (okay does it seem like we go to Spring Creek every day?!?) and Addyson wanted to bring her baby with us. I said okay- because what is the harm in that? So baby comes with us in the car (Baby's name is Ben) and it's funny how Addy talks to him and says things to him like I say to the real Ben. So cute! Anyways, baby came in to the restaurant with us and sat at the table, etc. We were making up Addyson's plate (she eats so well here- loves all the veggies, chicken, rolls, etc) and I said- What is your baby going to eat?

She then proceeds to lift up her shirt all the way and place the baby on her "boobie" (as she calls it!) and says very matter of factly- "my baby eats from my boobie. I have lots of milk in my boobie." I just sat there and was like - "oh.... well, that's nice...." I mean what can you say?!? That's what she sees me doing all day! Anyways, it was cute and we had a good laugh at it!

Then tonight she made me cry. I was laying in bed with her telling her a story as we do each and every night. She wants a princess story (surprise surprise) and all the princess stories are about a girl who finds a prince, they get married, and they live happily ever after. So, we go through this and tonight I told the Aladdin story. After it was over she was just laying there looking so sweet and precious (if I must say so myself!) and then she said, "Mommy who am I going to marry?" I just sat there and I was like, "Well, sweetie, I don't know who you are going to marry" and she wanted to know who it was going to be right then and there! It just made me tear up at the very thought of some boy coming and sweeping her off of her feet and her getting married. My little baby girl! I know, I know... lots of years before this happens but it was so sweet just listening to her sweet innocent little voice talking about this. I wish I could have recorded that moment on tape to watch over and over. So sweet!

I love my little baby girl so much! I, of course, love my little Bennie Boo too, but I just wanted this post to be all about Addy Tate! I feel she has gotten neglected a little lately just because I feel I am always having to say, "Hold On" or "I'll have to read you that story later sweetie because I have to feed Ben" or " Sorry, can't play right now, Ben's crying". She is handling it all pretty well, but she definitely has her moments where she gets jealous and it makes me sad! I guess it's all part of it- you have to learn at some point that "It's not all about you!" and it's probably best to learn that life lesson at 3 rather than 30!

Pics from the weekend!

We had a prett low key weekend but it was nice! Ben is loving his bouncy seat that I got him. He likes to just sit and stare at this black and white panda bear!

Saturday Ryan played in a golf tournament. I got up and took the kiddos to the donut shop. Addyson loves to go there- she thinks it is very special when she gets to go! She got so excited at her chocolate donut with sprinkles! A lady in line was laughing because she said she could see the pure excitement in Addyson's eyes when I pulled the donut out of the bag. Both of the kids got baths on Saturday. Ben had a major blow-out, so that prompted his scrub down and then Addyson wanted to play in the bath also. That killed about an hour's time for both of them! Addyson likes to help give Ben a bath (and yes, she is in full princess attire!) If you zoo in on the pic it looks like Ben is waiting to punch her or something!

He is starting to like his bath a little more...

Addyson got in after Ben and she played in there for a while!

She likes to put her hair in a "messy ponytail" as she calls it! She says it looks like my hair.....

Making pancakes on Sunday morning.... Addy loves to help in the kitchen!

Ben is not too sure about this outfit! Ha!! The hat is a little big....

Ben loved sitting out on the back porch while I worked on the flower beds. It is such a nice day outside!