Father's Day

This year we celebrated Jared on the Saturday before Father's Day. We had presents and went out to eat at a restaurant of his choosing. He picked Cracker Barrel...not my top pick ever but it was not my day! :) The girls and I are so blessed to have such a wonderful man in our life. We are very thankful.

On Father's Day we went to my parents house for a surprise lunch for my dad. I am so lucky to have such a godly man as my daddy and I am truly proud to be his daughter.

 I am grateful for the two men in my life that I couldn't do without.

Happy Father's Day, Jared and daddy!

Sleeping Beauties

Is there anything more precious than a sleeping child? I was so thankful that while in KC the light coming through during nap time was perfect for getting these pictures. The girls were so tired they didn't even hear the click of the camera. I love these pictures!!!

The Beck Family Reunion

We left Great Bend after my friend's wedding dance and drove to Kansas City for Jared's family reunion. We made it to the hotel about 1 a.m. We spent the next 2 days with the Becks. We went to Lego Land, the aquarium, had KC BBQ (with a live band), went swimming,  visited, played  Mexican Train dominoes (Beck tradition), and went to a Royals game. It was the girls' first major league game. They liked it but every time a vendor came by they wanted whatever he was selling. Somehow we made it out of there without going broke. We were able to meet new cousins and see others we had not seen in awhile. We look forward to everyone getting together again next year! Hopefully next year we won't be having another 9 day stretch of vacation and 24 hours total driving in the car like this year. We had fun but it was so good to be home.

Lego Land

The Lieser girls.

Great grand children with Nana.

Go Royals!

Wedding Time

We left our family vacation in Ardmore and headed to Great Bend, Kansas for my friend Shannon's wedding. She asked me to be a bridesmaid and I was so excited and honored to be a part of her day.

 It was a 6 hour drive and I was a little worried that it was going to be a horrible ride but as always the girls surprise me. The girls were wonderful during the wedding as well. Jared had pads of paper and pencils to keep them busy but they liked watching mommy in her "purple wedding dress". The girls talked about how they were getting to go to the "wedding party" all day. The girls danced and played games at the reception/dance. They had a blast! I had so much fun watching them. They loved spinning in their dresses and loved dancing with mommy and daddy.

We left after the dance and drove to Kansas City for the Beck family reunion. That was another 4 hours in the car. Luckily the girls danced themselves sleepy and slept most of the way.

It was so great to see some of my Great Bend friends again. It was great seeing Shannon. I miss her dearly so it was wonderful seeing her again and especially on her special day. Best wishes to the happy couple. :)



Riley Family Vacation 2012

I look forward to summer time every year because I know I get to spend vacation with our families. This year my whole family got together at Lake Murray in Ardmore, Oklahoma. We had such a good time spending a week with everyone. We went swimming, played miniature golf, went on walks, played at the beach, and just had fun. The girls love being with their cousins. Claire and Malachi were buds all week long and Quinn attached herself to the big girls and followed them around. This was probably my favorite spot we have vacationed with my family. The cabins were nice (except for a few scorpions and spiders), it was peaceful, beautiful, and there were plenty of things for us to do. The girls were not wanting vacation to end. Me either...

The Thunder were in the playoffs this week so we had to Thunder Up.

Big girls.

She was sad after she made a hole in one because she wanted to hit her ball again.

Mama, daddy, and me.

The whole gang.



One week down...One more to go.

Well, today was the end of the first week of swimming lessons for the girls. I will say that it has gotten better but the tears are still there. They both cry at the beginning and Quinn will even hang on to me for dear life. Today they both stopped crying once they got started.

Claire convinced me to get her goggles by the 4th day. I hesitated getting them but she assured me, as much as a cute 3 year old can, that it would help her put her face in the water. After talking to her teacher on Wednesday and him saying it was ok we went out to find them so they could have them the next morning. Both girls did wonderful with them and they love them. Plus they are so cute with them on.  

Wednesday they had all the kiddos walk to the edge of the diving board and wave to mama's and daddy's. I was a mess thinking they were going off but they didn't...until yesterday!! I am assuming they are helping the kids to not be afraid. This mommy was afraid but both girls went off without any tears, until they came out of the water. They were dropped in by a teacher or mommy volunteer. Claire had the option of jumping off by herself but opted to have someone help her. I think they will be practicing on them jumping off themselves next week.

The girls also had VBS this week and have been learning about how God is always with us and that we do not need to be afraid. I tried to apply that to swimming lessons and we also pray together before each lesson. If anything the praying has helped calm me and the girls really are doing better. I just wish it was like the first day when they were all smiles and giggling...before they were dunked.

It has been fun watching them learn and follow direction. They really are doing a good job and talk about what they learn with a sense of accomplishment and as if they enjoy it. Hopefully by the end of next week they will be two little swimming fishies.

So cute with their goggles.

Waving before going off diving board.

Cold...after diving board jump. Awww, poor baby!

Blue Chair

You may already know this about me but I go through spurts of wanting to do something crafty or creative. We had this chair in the attic and I decided to paint it to use as a prop for pictures. I am still trying to decide if I should put the brown stain on top like we did Quinn's dresser. It will darken it up a lot. If I decide to that I will post a picture. Isn't it such a sweet little chair?

Goofball

Felt I should have her in the background again.