Introducing New Foods

Does fudgesicle count as a food group?Our sweet boy sure hopes so!
He did NOT want his bottle after a few licks on this!! Mommy's mistake.

Deer, It's What's for Dinner

Russell and I are not opposed to eating meat. In fact, we scarfed down some tasty elk burgers and deer chili just in the last couple of days. Russell took me to Jim N Nick's, a restaurant known for good bar-b-q, for our second date, a few years back, and when I ordered bar-b-q (MEAT!!), I passed the test for date #3 and so on!! :)

Anyway, the point is...we enjoy meat, and Russell has just taken up the very useful hobby of hunting. Useful because what he shoots, we get to eat! He went deer hunting for the first time last week with his dad, uncle and cousin. He was so excited leading up to the trip that he could hardly sit still at home! Before leaving for Louisiana, he spotted three deer in our back yard! We live in townhouses on the outskirts of CITY life, so that's rare!

Our tiny townhouse yard...So, Russell comes skipping through the house like a little boy, asking if we have some peanut butter to spare. I gave him our extra container. Next thing I know, he's outside, smearing peanut butter onto the trees in our yard...Later that afternoon, he comes home from a 'stroll' through Bass Pro Shop with a mineral rock... (see the gray rock below?)

No worries...Russell has NO intention of shooting from our back yard...only hopes of enjoying the company of our neighborhood deer.

The Thanksgiving hunt was a success! On his FIRST afternoon hunt, he got a doe, and we have a freezer FULL of deer meat to prove it! On top of that, Russell's sweet cousin's husband stocked us up with a load of elk meat, which he just recently got on his first hunting trip out to Colorado.

So, cheers to deer meat fans!! :) (Sorry if I've offended any non-meat-eating fans. I'm really just proud of my husband and thankful for the yummy meat!)

A Good Day, Indeed.

We drove out to Little Rock, Arkansas yesterday to spend some good time with a very special couple, soon to be family, Chris, Tara & Crosby Kear!

Sweet Tara has been having contractions, and their little man, Crosby, has been threatening to come 7 weeks early! Chris & Tara have been living in the hospital since last Tuesday! They've been successful at slowing down the delivery process and speeding up Crosby's development with necessary meds and lots of caring hands between the doctor and nurses on staff. They are in great hands, and Crosby has just made 34 weeks! We are celebrating and praising the Lord with them!!

Russell and one of his best friends for years...Chris, Tara, we enjoyed our visit, and we look forward to meeting Crosby 'in person' :) next time we see you guys!

Love y'all!

P.S. Chris, you have my permission to call me by my 'Chris-given' nickname...you know what I'm talking about...I'm 'over' not liking it, and I miss it! Go figure! :)

Happy 10 Months!!

Happy 10 months, Rhys!!!

How is it possible that you're already 10 months old!?!? You are such a big boy, now!! Almost 22 pounds, eating lots of solids, including yogurt and just about anything we're eating from the table!! You still only have your two bottom teeth, but we know your others will come in time. You're scooting in a low-army crawl all over the place! Gone are the days when Mommy could leave you for even a second!! I turn around, and you're pulling yourself up furniture, eating anything off the floor, crawling across the room and getting in all kinds of trouble!! Oh, the entertainment you offer!! :)

You are Mommy's best little friend each day! We have fun together!! Going for walks, running errands, eating, singing, playing, reading books, listening to music and more! You still LOVE your bath time! You could play in your tub for hours!! Well, the water might get cold after an hour, but I'd willingly refill with warm water. Anything for you, sweet boy!! ;)
You still enjoy your exersaucer, the Johnny Jump Up, new block toys, and anything that lights up and makes sounds.

We praise the Lord for your presence in our lives, sweet Rhys! It's been so much fun, and Daddy and Mommy look forward to months and years to come with you!!!

We love you and wish you a happy 10 months!!

Love, Daddy & Mommy

Fun Visit with Poppa & Grandmom

Poppa & Grandmom came for a fun visit last week!Wouldn't you agree that this little man looks like he had some fun with his grandparents? Yeah, me too. :)

Poppa & Grandmom were SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO sweet to come see us, especially considering we'll be traveling their way in less than a month for Thanksgiving! We enjoyed the visit...lots of Joker, yummy foods, good visiting, fun play time with Rhys, and they kept Rhys one evening so that Russell and I could have a sweet date night!

Thank you, Poppa & Grandmom, and Happy Anniversary!!! :)

Family Pictures, Fall 2009, Bluff Park Barn

More pics here.

Thank you, Ashley!!

Happy 9 Months!!!

Rhys!!
How can it be that you're nine months already!?!?!? You've gotten so big so fast!! I love to watch you grow, my sweet boy! Daddy and I are so thankful for you, and we're excited for all that the Lord has in store for you!

You still enjoy your exersaucer!

...as well as your activity mat, as you continue to 'perfect' your scoot! Aunt Britney would love to know how much you enjoy your "Britney Bunny" :)

And, of course, like father like son...you enjoy your Jeep! :)
I found Daddy fishing for you today! Looks like he caught you!! :)

Rhys, you're a blessing to our lives, and we enjoy our days and evenings with you!!! You are so laid-back, and you're a social butterfly, especially with the ladies! ;) Daddy and I have much to learn through your life, and we look forward to many more months and many years as your parents!

We love you and wish you a happy 9 months!!

Scooting

Rhys has been "scooting" for several weeks. Yesterday, I couldn't help but stop and snatch these pictures of him scooting himself underneath our sofa...

further...and further...and, obviously, he thought it was fun! :) Mommy evidently thought so, too!

I love this little man! He keeps me on my toes, and he keeps me great company every day!!!

The Great Pumpkin Patch

Rhys & I adventured the Great Pumpkin Patch in Hayden, AL this passed Friday with Ashley and Nathan and several other moms with their youngsters! It was a fun experience...lots of kiddos running around, pumpkins and gords and festive flowers, good ole country music playing in the background, and, of course, the traditional hayride pulled by a big John Deere tractor taking us to a huge field of pumpkins ready to chosen by the chillens!

Rhys smiling, as we unload from the van, not having a clue what's going on! :) {Next year, he should have a better understanding of the festivities.}Notice Rhys' 'stare' through the rest of the pictures...he is really laid back, but I think it was just a lot to take in for such a little guy...
Oh, yeah, I must mention that it was in the 50's outside...hence, the red nose. :)

Look how tiny and cute he is! :) {Yes, I'm definitely partial to this sweet boy.}

This picture is for Daddy!

Finally, we made it to the hayride!!

Ashley & Nathan; Heidi & Isaiah...such CUTE boys and their pretty mamas!

On to the field of pumpkins (behind us)...

What a fun date with my little boy and good friend!! In the meantime, Russell was camping in the Sipsey Wilderness with a few guys, livin' it up in the FRIGID temps until today! He's home, and we're all together again!!

Happy Sunday!!!

Leave It To Daddy...

Russell LOVES this little guy!! Last week, under Daddy's care, I found Rhys like this...("Uh, Daddy, Rhys' shorts go on his bottom, not on his head!!")and this... (sportin' Daddy's beanie cap)

These men keep me entertained!!!

Four Generations

Last weekend, my parents came by, picked me and Rhys up and took us to visit with my granny and great aunts for lunch. It was such a sweet time of fellowship, as we laughed, caught up, and they just doted over their great-great grandson and nephew.

My sweet mom made sandwiches and cut fruit, and my granny baked a fresh apple pie. Everyone took turns with little man... My dad can't get enough of Rhys! :)

Then, Aunt Annie Ree had her turn.

Rhys was ALL ABOUT the attention...

Of course, I couldn't let us leave without snagging a group shot. Just pretend that I'm in there :), and it's four generations!!!

Picture Moments

Russell went canoeing this Sunday morning, so as he was loading the canoe onto the Jeep, I had to take Rhys out to learn a bit about 'man toys.'
Rhys can't wait till he reaches the peddles...might take several years!!
For now, Daddy will have to drive him around, and one day he can try out the passenger seat 'for real.'

I caught Rhys in this little 'get-up' earlier this week...Russell was skyping with his parents, while I was cooking dinner. Evidently, Russell needed a little help (ie, free hands), so he strapped Termite* into a car seat and propped him up in front of the computer so that Poppa and Grandmom could have a good view of him, as well. We skype often with Poppa and Grandmom!!With the exciting cold front that came in this week, I had to pull out some cold-weather clothes for this little man...looked so cute for our cold morning walks!
We got to visit with Baba and Mama Nili and Aunt Soraya this week...look how laid back Rhys is with Baba...they have a great time together.

He's starting to scoot around, almost to a crawl.

He always wants to STAND. We try to sit him on his bottom, and he keeps his legs so straight and rigid, not budging! Only wants to stand these days {of course with someone's help}. :)

My good-lookin' men...like father, like son! I am very blessed...I don't even know the half of it...but, oh, how thankful I am!

*Termite - Russell calls Rhys a little termite because when we change him in our wooden changing station, he rolls over and starts gnawing on the wooden rails. Of course, he gnaws on anything and everything he can get his hands on, but the "termite" comment cracked me up so much! I couldn't wait to tell you, girl! ;) Rover has a friend! :)