More summer fun!

Two summers ago I bought a cheap blow up pool for Claire, I think it cost $5 or less. She had such a good time in it. We did not use it at all last year with Quinn being a new baby. Jared blew it up last night and we ventured into the backyard to swim today. The girls were, as usual, hesitant at first. Quinn sat down way before Claire did but once they were in they enjoyed it. Samson would walk around the pool every once in awhile but mainly stayed in the shade. The best part about playing in the pool was that it wore them out enough that they went down for a nap without any problems. Yeah!

Theft in broad daylight

Can you tell what could be missing from Jared's pick-up? If you guessed tool box, you would be right. Jared was leaving work yesterday when he realized his tool box was gone! Someone or someones (not sure that is a word) stole it from the Tulsa Police Department Forensic Lab parking lot while he was at work. He tried to get camera footage because the parking lot has cameras recording at all times....unfortunately the camera was pointed another direction all day. So there is no idea who could have done it. The latent prints examiner was still at work so they decided to fingerprint Jared's truck. It is a LONG shot but it's nice to have friends that are willing to try. Jared filed a police report but he realizes it is all probably long gone by now. He was bummed it happened but the more he talked about the different tools he had inside it the more upset he got. At this point we are just grateful that they didn't break into the truck or steal the truck itself. Have fun with the jack, tire iron,hitch, and other tools whomever stole Jared's things. At least I now have ideas on what to get him for his birthday, anniversary, and Christmas.
This is a sweat smudge made by the person who stole the tool box.

Finger print examiner dusted the truck for prints.

Summer Fun

This summer has been going by so fast with just about every weekend planned on going out of town somewhere. I was hoping to do more stuff here in town and really get the girls outside and in the water more. So far it has only happened once but it was fun. We met up with friends at the park at 41st and Riverside for story time and then played in the water. The water was a little cold and it took the girls awhile to really get into it but once they did they had fun. It was difficult to get Claire to leave she was having such a good time. We look forward to visiting again and hopefully a couple of other splash pads and pools before the summer is over. They were content with splashing in puddles on the sidewalk at first.
Alex and Claire

Jaycen, Alex, Quinn and Claire waiting on the water to come out.

Whoops! It came out...3 out 4 got it in the face! I love this picture, cracks me up.

Father's Day

I am truly thankful to have such a wonderful husband that is a great daddy! The girls light up when he comes home every day and squeal with delight as soon as he walks through the door. He is so good with the girls and it just melts my heart to see him playing with them every day. He loves his girls and we all love him very much!

Lieser Family Vacation

The Lieser family got together this past weekend in Pauls Valley and spent a couple of days exploring the surrounding area. We had such a good time visiting the Pauls Valley train depot museum, Arbuckle Wilderness, Turner Falls, Field's Pies (It wasn't open to tour but we did buy one of the best pecan pies I have ever had), Bedre Chocolates (They were not making chocolate when we got there but they were handing out free samples, awesome!!!), Chickasaw capital and their beautiful cultural center (Outside of Sulphur), and on our way home we stopped at the Sam Noble Museum of Natural history in Norman.

It seemed like a lot of driving in 3 days time, but maybe that was because the girls were not fond of their car seats...all though they did enjoy the new portable dvd player and the Backyardigans dvd we bought. I told you we would be buying one in the near future...I wasn't kidding. :) Once we were at our destination and they were out of the car they were almost perfect little angels. If you are ever in that part of Oklahoma I recommend everything we did. It was a good time had by all. Pictures??? Of course... Pauls Valley
I loved this train...great photo op and you know I took advantage.

Arbuckle Wilderness

Claire was a little nervous when the animals came up to the windows. That is an emu neck and I must admit emus and ostriches give me the willies...they have crazy eyes!

Quinn enjoyed the animals. The girls were a little young because they couldn't see everything because they were strapped in their car seats. Overall, I think they enjoyed watching their parents freak out when the emus would come peck the windows. Scary birds I tell you!

Claire was tired.

Inflatable slide.

She did it all by herself!!

Yummy fruit punch! First time and she loved it!

So much she licked the outside because it was cold on her tongue.

Sulphur, OK

The Lieser Family

Family picture at Red River

Silly photo uploader forgot this one too. :)

Quinn on the horse.

Quinn was not afraid at all to get up on the horse. Grandpa Riley would love it!!

Riley Family Vacation 2011

This summer the Riley family made their way to Sayre, OK to stay a week at the Red River Ranch Retreat. It felt like we drove all the way across Oklahoma, and the 3 1/2 hour drive took us closer to 5 because the girls (and maybe me too) needed lots of breaks and we stopped frequently. I think a portable dvd purchase will be in our near future. I never would have thought I would buy one but those girls need to be entertained and me turning around singing and making silly faces only lasted out of the neighborhood. The ranch offered lots of things to do, so I will tell you about our week...with, of course, pictures! This picture is actually when we packed up and were on our way home but as you can see the car was just as full when we left the ranch as when we arrived. Jared makes fun of me for the way I pack because I tend to "over" do it. It's fine with me because we did not need anything at all while we were there because I practically packed our house.
We went for a walk to check everything out on the first day. (Quinn was taking a nap so she missed out on the cousin photo op) Just a word of warning, strollers are a big pain in the yaya when you are carrying them over cattle cards while children are sitting in them. I guess I should have thought of that...we were on a working cattle and horse ranch so naturally we had to cross 4 of them just on our short walk.

Across from our cabin was a fenced in petting zoo with sheep, geese, chickens, ducks, and cows. Claire had the best time feeding the ducks. Malachi had the best time chasing the sheep!! It was too cute.

They had a salt water pool with a diving board and slide. This was the picture right before we left. They look like they are ready to go.

Both girls spent most of their time in a floaty or having Jared or I (mainly Jared) hold them. The water was freezing so I tried my best to just have my feet in. Claire did, however, manage to fall in from the steps while trying to catch a floating away pool noodle. I was able to get to her and rescue my little princess. She was kicking and kicking but her head never made it above water. She was just fine but did tell me it scared her. The best part was that as soon as I realized she went under I was very calm and collected. (Ummmmmm....that may not be entirely true.) ;)

I actually had to get into the freezing water because my brother pulled me in, so I figured I would freeze out Quinn too. (The girls actually didn't mind the cold water. I am just a big baby.)

Lounging

You could ride horses while there. Claire fed the horse and it scared her to death. So when it came time to sit her on a horse for a photo opportunity she refused! (I just realized the picture of Quinn with a horse did not load...it will be on a blog by itself.)

The girls loved this trip because they were able to be outside a lot. One of their favorite things!

This is pretty typical for Quinn. She loves the wind in her hair. When outside she often just stands or sits there and lets the wind blow. Super cute!

They also had bunnies! We were so excited when we found out we could hold them. Claire tried but the bunny was nervous and it made her nervous so she decided petting it would be best.

Quinn liked the bunnies too!

Love it.

The ranch also offered fishing in ponds and we were right on the Red River. As you can see the river was down.

They did not like the sand on them.

Yuck!

Quinny wanted nothing to do with putting her feet in the river.

Looking for shells.

Chilling as far away from the water as possible.

The Riley Family

(-Josh & Larry)