Ryan is 2!

Ryan James turned 2 this week.  He, fittingly enough, had a fish party at their Woodvale place over the weekend. We sent him some animals to play with, and of course, two of them were a chicken and rooster. His Mom shot this video of him playing with his new toys and sent it to us. And now, "chickens are friends." They are not bad chickens.

This boy is so cute.  Happy 2nd birthday Ryan, aka Digga, aka R.J. The Kansas crew loves you.

Beau's Music Program

Bubba had his music program Monday night in the middle of a rain and hail storm, while Dad was out of town. Fun all around. It was a pretty cool program, filled with sign language and instruments.  He did great. He hated the fact that I made him wear jeans for a "dressy casual" look. I am such a mean Mom. But he survived, and now only one more left in his elementary career.

I think he is looking for us

Makayla & Prom

So not only did I get to help my niece pick out her prom dress, but I was fortunate to be in Stillwater the night of the prom, so she let me take pictures!  Yeah!  Of course, I didn't get any of my own son playing baseball over the weekend. The ball diamonds were not conducive to getting very good shots, so in due time, I'll have great baseball pictures to share.

But in the meantime, here is my beautiful niece on her special night with her super great boyfriend, Zach.

My brother, Troy. Love this picture.

her and her momma

awww......cute.

Brenley & Soccer - sure, okay!

So Brenley has tried several organized sports so far in her young life, and well, needless to say, hasn't been that interested in any of them.  At Northridge, a soccer organization comes to her school to teach them basic soccer skills and keep them active, so when this same organization posted that they have a spring league, I thought, well, why not.  Brian and I know zero about soccer, but she seems to like it.

She totally looks the part. Her Daddy bought her the shin guards and they are perfectly bright.  And well, take a look at the pictures, but I think she is kind of diggin' the sport!  She is definitely cute enough to fit right in.

Pouting. About something. Who knows what.

Giving the coach the "what have you" speech.

An Ice Storm. Really?

Yep. That's right. An ice storm. On April 10th.
Beautiful willow trees so sad, so droopy, and ended up so damaged.
Pictures are from the early morning. They got worse as the day went on.
They are clipped and cleaned now, but they look like a kid that gave themselves a bad haircut, and someone had to go in and "make the best of a bad situation."

We love our home, but our luck with trees is not good.

The big willow on the corner

Smaller one close to the pond and lines the deck

Baseball Season has begun

The Tigers are back in action this season as a 9 year old team. New rules. New field. We kicked off with a local tournament.  We run ruled our two play in games, which meant we were in first place in the upper tier bracket.

We didn't end up playing Saturday, but played Sunday morning and came from behind to win. Great win. Great performance by the team.

We were playing for the championship game that afternoon. Mom had to chauffeur Sis around, so I got there at the very end to snap trophy pictures. At this point the cold front had officially came through and it snapped the boys winning streak, and must have affected their hitting, throwing and thinking power because they kind of fell apart from what I hear.

So, the 2nd place tournament streak continues. Trophies, nonetheless.  Proud Mom, who right now is excited about the baseball season, but ask me this question in July. Holy moly.

Beau getting his trophy from Coach Craig

the Team!  Really can see Beau well here, huh? Great shot, Mom.

Brenley in all of her awesomeness

My artist. My soccer player. My cowgirl. Oh, the many faces of Brenley May.  I love them all. Every day is a new experience with her.

Her new jammies from Aunt Lori and Uncle Troy. She LOVES them.

This is my early Mother's Day present. She was so proud of herself.

This was the painting she did for Northridge Academy and their artwork is posted at the Wichita Westlink Public Library through April.  She did this unassisted.  AUH-MAZING!  So proud.

This was some of the other submissions from her class. Hers was totally the best!

This is her riding a mini pony at a birthday party. Sweats and cowgirl boots? I think so.

Big girl!

This birthday party was on a farm. So fun.

Potbelly Pig. Ahhhhh.

Another mini pony. So cute.

This girl and her chicken feathers.

That same afternoon we changed into soccer gear for our first practice/game!  She was a rockstar - and has quite the soccer athlete look going on.  The girl with many faces - and outfits!

Cheese!

And my randomness picture of me and B's new summer drinking glasses.  Insulated mason jars - I think so!

And the video of her "playing" soccer that she asked me to take.

Will's BD

William Grant is 3! And he is cute. Just so cute.
Had a great afternoon celebrating with him and playing in Kyle and Kate's backyard.
Here are some cute pic's of the birthday boy. We got him some outdoor play things. Broom included. We heard he put it to use after the party was over.

Sweet boy. He told his Mom that he loved his birthday!

This one makes me laugh. Look at that tongue.

chillaxing

March for Babies 2013

It's an annual tradition. One I hope we never stop. Last year we didn't get to walk with Dad and Beau because of a baseball conflict, but we were back together this year!

I had a tremendous fundraising year in 2012 because of a very wonderful group of family and friends that donated. As a result, I was named a Top Walker in Wichita for 2012. Yeah me!

This year the Grant Family raised $775 to date. I have until June, and I want to keep fundraising.  I want to beat my brother-in-law Kyle (again), and he is beating me right now.  Also, I am not listed as a Top Walker so far. Couple other newbies are beating me so I am a few hundred dollars behind and mama needs another sash for 2013!!!

I'm pretty sure we shed a tear every year when we look at the tributes made and even, sadly, memorials that are put up for this walk. My husband gets more emotional than I do, as we all know that first week of Beau's life, I gladly don't remember much.  Drugs. That will do it to ya!  I can laugh about it now, but believe me, none of us were laughing 9 1/2 years ago.

We are so blessed to have healthy kiddo's, and nieces and nephews.  We just want to prevent another family from leaving the hospital without their baby. It is not how it is intended to be, and with the March of Dimes research, it can happen.

My loves