Silly photo uploader forgot this one too. :)Thursday, June 9, 2011
Quinn on the horse.
Quinn was not afraid at all to get up on the horse. Grandpa Riley would love it!!Tuesday, June 7, 2011
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
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)
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Having a swinging good time!!!
Thanks to a hand me down from cousins the girls acquired a swing set. Jared started putting it together yesterday, with Claire's help of course. Quinn and I watched and played catch with a ball. Claire was a very big helper and we only had to search in the grass for one bolt that she dropped. She really liked helping Jared with the ratchet and enjoyed bringing him nuts and bolts. Claire was so excited to swing and slide she could hardly contain herself and was a little disappointed that we did not have it ready yesterday. Jared finished getting it together this afternoon and it was so much fun to play with the girls. We bought Quinn a baby seat and she just sat back and relaxed as one of us pushed her. Claire even joined in on pushing her. I really thought the slide would be Claire's favorite but she really took to the glider. (I have no idea what the real name for it is) We spent a majority of the afternoon outside today. Thankfully it wasn't too hot. Claire has already told me that tomorrow she wants to swing on the swing set and slide down. I get the feeling we will be getting alot more use out of our backyard. :)
Warning: Lots of pictures below
Warning: The girls just woke up from their nap...so Quinn's hair is crazy and Claire's socks over her pants is just too funny!!!!!)
The pacifier fairy.
It has been 6 days since the pacifier fairy has been to our house and taken away the girls' paya (that's what Claire called hers) and baba (That is what Quinn called hers). Jared and I felt it was time to get rid of Claire's because she would wake up in the middle of the night looking for it and would wake completely up and we would have a hard time getting her back to sleep. Plus it was a real pain in the yaya (excuse my language) to look for one of the girls' paci's every time it was time for bed. Quinn was notorious for dropping it in a drawer and shutting it or putting it inside a bag. Then it would take 30 minutes to try and find it. Anyway, so since we were going to get rid of Claire's we figured we might as well get rid of Quinn's at the same time. So on Tuesday at nap time the girls put their paci's on the couch and I talked to them about how the pacifier fairy was going to come and take their paya and baba and that she would leave them a special surprise. (Claire's ears perk up anytime you say special surprise or special treat) I explained that the fairy was going to give their paci's to new baby girls that needed them. Claire said "Tinkerbell is going to take my paci away so those babies can take a nap." Two things about this statement. 1. I never said anything about Tinkerbell and almost panicked when she said that. I guess she put it together because I said fairy. I didn't want her to be upset every time she saw something with Tinkerbell but I went with it and said Yes Tinkerbell. 2. How sweet, she knows that the paci helps her take a nap and that it will help the new babies. So, Quinn cried for 25 minutes it felt like 25 hours!!!! Claire never took a nap, she kept getting out of bed asking for her paya. Somehow between me putting Claire back in bed and her getting out "Tinkerbell" came and took the paci's and left a special surprise...bouncy balls and yummy snacks. She also left a note!!!! Claire was so excited about her surprise that she forgot about the paci until bedtime when she very calmly said "Tinkerbell took my paya away." I wanted to cry!!! I have stayed strong and even though they have asked every day for them it has been alot easier than I thought it would be. Quinn gets most upset when we are in the car, she always got it in the car. Claire always asks when it is time to go to bed. I have to admit it has been harder on me I think. I hated taking something away that comforted them. I know it's for the best. Praying they will soon forget. Luckily for me, and for Tinkerbell, Claire doesn't seem to be too upset at her. 
Last time with pacifiers.
Comforting each other before it was time to give them up.
Letter from the pacifier fairy. (Yes she signed it Tinkerbell!!!!)
Their special surprises.
Last time with pacifiers.
Comforting each other before it was time to give them up.
Letter from the pacifier fairy. (Yes she signed it Tinkerbell!!!!)
Their special surprises.Bracelets for Craft Hope
I have been following the Craft Hope's blog for awhile. They organize wonderful projects that people, like myself, can do at home to help others all around the world. Our MOPS group did the last project and helped out pregnant women in Haiti. This project (Project 12: Orphan Outreach) caught my eye because I thought it could be something that Claire and I could do together. We made bracelets for orphans in Russia. They are very simple and not fancy at all but Claire loved making them and loved to wear them, so I think they should appeal to a 2 year old. I told her who we were making them for and she really got excited. The whole time she kept telling me we were making them for little kids in Russia. (It is really cute to hear her say Russia.) She helped me get them all packaged up by counting how many we had made as she dropped them in the envelope. (13) It may not seem like much but it was a fun thing to do together and I like being able to show the girls that we can do nice things to help other people. I am very proud of her.
(If anyone wants to make bracelets the deadline is June 15, 2011. Go to the link above to get information)
Quinn got to play with the bag of beads. She still puts EVERYTHING in her mouth so she couldn't help out too much. 
Claire concentrating on getting the bead on the string.
All 13 bracelets. Mother's Day
I had such a wonderful Mother's Day this year. I loved my sweet card and the gifts from the girls but I really enjoyed the 4 of us spending time as a family. I am so thankful that God has blessed me with two beautiful healthy girls! I love being their mommy and wouldn't trade it for anything in the world!!!
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