Monday, August 16, 2010
Take me out to the ball game!
Ryan has been able to enjoy 2 weeks of vacation after a summer of craziness! The first week of August we spent at home and then went to Sonora for the weekend for the fiesta shower. And now he has off this week too! It has been so special to have him home. Both Jack and I have had a blast with him! We have gone to 2 Astro's baseball games together, which has been so much fun. Jack loves going to the ball game! Ryan downloaded the Alabama song "Cheap Seats" and Jack insists on listening to it over and over on our way down to the game.
Fiesta for Baby Girl Malone!
Grandma Texas and her friend, Lenora, hosted a beautiful fiesta celebration for Baby girl Malone in Sonora. It was so sweet and thoughtful of them to think of us and the arrival of our little girl. The idea started on the day we told Ryan's mom that we were having a little girl. She went into a shop that day and saw the precious pink elephant pinata in the picture below, and she decided to host a fiesta in honor of the baby girl to come!
My mom and sister, Lisa, surprised us! We had no idea that they were coming and all of the sudden on Friday afternoon, they walked into the door of the ranch house. It was so special to have them there for the weekend!
Jack even enjoyed a big brother toy!
The fiesta was decorated so beautifully despite the rain that moved the decorations inside.
My mom and sister, Lisa, surprised us! We had no idea that they were coming and all of the sudden on Friday afternoon, they walked into the door of the ranch house. It was so special to have them there for the weekend!We received so many adorable things for baby girl Malone! We can't wait for her to enjoy them all!
Jack even enjoyed a big brother toy!
The fiesta was decorated so beautifully despite the rain that moved the decorations inside.
July Indy visit
Jack and I were able to head up to Indiana in July for a visit. It was great seeing everyone and catching up with friends and family!
Jack had fun running through the tunnels at the park by Grandma Indiana's "Red" house. He also loved the clock towers in the park and listening to the bells chiming.
Jack with Grandma & Grandpa Indiana and all of his cousins on the porch in front of the Red house.
Jack and David ready to head to the pool! We spent a lot of time splashing at the pool with all the cousins.
Jack and Rachel playing at the Children's museum.
Jack and Gretchen playing with the trains. This visit in particular was so much fun now that Jack is at an age where he is really enjoying playing with his cousins. It was so special to all be together!
Jack had fun running through the tunnels at the park by Grandma Indiana's "Red" house. He also loved the clock towers in the park and listening to the bells chiming.
Jack with Grandma & Grandpa Indiana and all of his cousins on the porch in front of the Red house.
Jack and David ready to head to the pool! We spent a lot of time splashing at the pool with all the cousins.
Jack and Rachel playing at the Children's museum.
Jack and Gretchen playing with the trains. This visit in particular was so much fun now that Jack is at an age where he is really enjoying playing with his cousins. It was so special to all be together!Summer time!
After the centennial celebration, my parents came back to Houston to visit for a few days. We took Jack to a baseball game, and he had a blast cheering on the Astros! He wanted so badly for the baseball players to throw the ball to him. My dad felt bad for him and went down to the gift shop and found a baseball just for Jack! He was so happy!
In July Ryan's parents came to Houston to visit. We enjoyed spending time with them, and Ryan's mom helped me get Jack adjusted to his new big boy bed. Grandma and Grandpa Texas bought this special bed for him, and it has allowed the adjustment of changing beds to go smooth. Jack loves his baseball bed and shows it off to anyone who comes by the house!
Dinner at Babins with Grandma & Grandpa Texas. A tradition every time they come to town.
Despite the hectic summer and work schedule for Ryan this summer, we were able to enjoy some days here and there together as a family. Jack loved going to the neighborhood pool with daddy....he does so many more cool things than mommy does at the pool! =)
In July Ryan's parents came to Houston to visit. We enjoyed spending time with them, and Ryan's mom helped me get Jack adjusted to his new big boy bed. Grandma and Grandpa Texas bought this special bed for him, and it has allowed the adjustment of changing beds to go smooth. Jack loves his baseball bed and shows it off to anyone who comes by the house!
Dinner at Babins with Grandma & Grandpa Texas. A tradition every time they come to town.
Despite the hectic summer and work schedule for Ryan this summer, we were able to enjoy some days here and there together as a family. Jack loved going to the neighborhood pool with daddy....he does so many more cool things than mommy does at the pool! =)
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Centennial Celebration!
In June, my dad's side of the family gathered in West Texas to celebrate 100 years of ranching in Texas--a centennial celebration! My great-great grandfather started ranching the land known as the Hayter ranch 100 years ago, and we celebrated with a weekend full of fun activities and good times with family. All of my sisters and their husbands and children came too...it was so great for us all to be down there together. Below are some pictures from the weekend:
Packing up the truck! Since Ryan was unable to travel with us, my mom flew into Houston and drove with Jack and I out to West Texas. We packed up the truck with all sorts of snacks, water, toys, beach towels and more!
Me with all of my Kenley cousins and Hayter second cousins.
My dad with his siblings, Hayter cousins and great Aunt Margaret.
The Kenley Clan!
We stayed at Balmorhea state park for the weekend and had so much fun splashing around the natural, spring pool in the middle of the desert.
Jack and I at the entrance of the Hayter ranch. A legendary photo spot as I have had many a photo taken there.
Jack with his cousins. We are at Ft. Davis getting ready to explore the fort and museum there.
After a yummy bbq at the Hayter ranch, Bob hooked up his horses Mike & Ike and took the kids for a wagon ride on the ranch.
My sisters and our children at the entrance of the ranch.
Jack and I.
The Kenley girls with my parents and Katie's new baby, Max.
Jack and I outside of my great-grandparents home. Joe Bob and his wife, Amanda, now live there and have done some amazing work on the house and ranch!
Joe Bob and Amanda hosted a ranch rodeo and Jack even got to participate in the stick horse race. It was so cute watching him run to the barrel! We also enjoyed the other rodeo events earlier that day....team roping, barrel racing, goat tying and more!
Ryan was able to fly in for the day and take a little time off from the oil well for the ranch rodeo. It was so good to see him and spend time with him at the ranch! It was also so sweet of him to make the trip with all that is going on!
Jack at the ranch rodeo! That hat not only made him easy to spot in the crowd but also provided much needed relief from that hot, Texas sun!
My parents with the grandkids at the entrance of the ranch.
Jack and his cousin Gretchen.
Packing up the truck! Since Ryan was unable to travel with us, my mom flew into Houston and drove with Jack and I out to West Texas. We packed up the truck with all sorts of snacks, water, toys, beach towels and more!
Me with all of my Kenley cousins and Hayter second cousins.
My dad with his siblings, Hayter cousins and great Aunt Margaret.
The Kenley Clan!
We stayed at Balmorhea state park for the weekend and had so much fun splashing around the natural, spring pool in the middle of the desert.
Jack and I at the entrance of the Hayter ranch. A legendary photo spot as I have had many a photo taken there. 
Jack with his cousins. We are at Ft. Davis getting ready to explore the fort and museum there.
After a yummy bbq at the Hayter ranch, Bob hooked up his horses Mike & Ike and took the kids for a wagon ride on the ranch.
My sisters and our children at the entrance of the ranch.
Jack and I.
The Kenley girls with my parents and Katie's new baby, Max.
Jack and I outside of my great-grandparents home. Joe Bob and his wife, Amanda, now live there and have done some amazing work on the house and ranch!
Joe Bob and Amanda hosted a ranch rodeo and Jack even got to participate in the stick horse race. It was so cute watching him run to the barrel! We also enjoyed the other rodeo events earlier that day....team roping, barrel racing, goat tying and more!
Ryan was able to fly in for the day and take a little time off from the oil well for the ranch rodeo. It was so good to see him and spend time with him at the ranch! It was also so sweet of him to make the trip with all that is going on!
Jack at the ranch rodeo! That hat not only made him easy to spot in the crowd but also provided much needed relief from that hot, Texas sun!
My parents with the grandkids at the entrance of the ranch.
Jack and his cousin Gretchen.Thursday, June 3, 2010
April/May....
Well, it has been some time since I last blogged, so I thought I would do a catch-up post of sorts. I must say that April and May have been anything but ordinary as so many different events have affected our lives. Soon after we returned home from Easter, Ryan left for London for a business trip. What we thought would be a 5 day trip turned into an 11 day trip all due to a volcano in Iceland. This particular volcano was spewing ash into the atmosphere shutting down most of European airspace. We lived in a state of limbo wondering when and how Ryan would make it back home. He finally did on April 21st! We were so grateful and so excited to see him!
Below is a picture of that volcano that impacted our lives:
When Ryan boarded the plane to come home, he received an email from a friend whose husband had been working on the Deepwater Horizon. She wanted us to know that he made it out safely but that the rig had exploded and was in flames with 11 people missing and who were soon presumed dead. A day into Ryan's return from London, he was working in the crisis center dealing with an oil well that was spilling oil into the Gulf of Mexico as a result of the explosion. Another incident that again deeply affected our daily living. It has been 45 days now since the explosion, Ryan has been working long, hard hours and I must say that we have grown a lot during this crisis. Just today I was reading Ephesians 5:15-21. In verse 15-16 it says "be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity...." I feel that even though this crisis is difficult and makes me anxious, I know it is preparing Ryan and I for the plans God has for us. I find that trusting in Him, keeping my eyes on Him and knowing He knows the end result has given me a certain amount of peace and contentment. He has provided us moments of joy in the midst of all of this and below are some pictures of those blessings:
Ryan and I had scheduled a getaway to the Florida keys back in February knowing that we wanted to take a trip together before the arrival of our second baby in October. Ryan's parents graciously agreed to watch Jack, and we planned our trip for the last week in April. With Ryan stranded in London, we wondered if we were going to be able to even make the trip. Then with the oil well crisis we again wondered if we were going to be able to go. We were able to getaway, and we had a fabulous, relaxing time. Above and below are pictures from our beach side balcony.
We enjoyed sitting by the beach, kayaking, playing tennis, golf and eating lots of good food! The time together was also so very refreshing!
At the end of May, Jack had his last day of school. We had such a wonderful experience at Holy Covenant and were so blessed to have had Ms. Michelle and Ms. Juanita as teachers. Jack learned and grew so much over the course of the year. They made a special memory book for each student with pictures from the entire year. I cried looking over it and seeing how much my precious Jack had grown!
On May 19th, Ryan and I celebrated our 9 year anniversary! We were able to go on a dinner date to one of our favorite restaurants and celebrate!
I don't think I have mentioned this on my blog yet but we are expecting baby #2 in early October! On May 25th, we had the ultrasound and we have a precious baby girl on the way. Below are some pictures of her profile. We are so excited to meet her and for Jack to have a baby sister. She is a blessing from the Lord! A precious gift!
Memorial day weekend we were able to go to the ranch for some rest and to celebrate Ryan's mom's 60th birthday! We had such a nice time. It was so good to see Michael and Barbara and to spend some time by the ranch pool.
Jack was fascinated with Uncle Michael playing the guitar.
Uncle Michael and Barbara
Jack and Ryan pictured with the birthday girl! We enjoyed a yummy Italian cream cake that night! Delicious!
Jack playing in his blowup pool. He loved it so!
Jack with Grandpa Texas.
Below is a picture of that volcano that impacted our lives:
When Ryan boarded the plane to come home, he received an email from a friend whose husband had been working on the Deepwater Horizon. She wanted us to know that he made it out safely but that the rig had exploded and was in flames with 11 people missing and who were soon presumed dead. A day into Ryan's return from London, he was working in the crisis center dealing with an oil well that was spilling oil into the Gulf of Mexico as a result of the explosion. Another incident that again deeply affected our daily living. It has been 45 days now since the explosion, Ryan has been working long, hard hours and I must say that we have grown a lot during this crisis. Just today I was reading Ephesians 5:15-21. In verse 15-16 it says "be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity...." I feel that even though this crisis is difficult and makes me anxious, I know it is preparing Ryan and I for the plans God has for us. I find that trusting in Him, keeping my eyes on Him and knowing He knows the end result has given me a certain amount of peace and contentment. He has provided us moments of joy in the midst of all of this and below are some pictures of those blessings:
Ryan and I had scheduled a getaway to the Florida keys back in February knowing that we wanted to take a trip together before the arrival of our second baby in October. Ryan's parents graciously agreed to watch Jack, and we planned our trip for the last week in April. With Ryan stranded in London, we wondered if we were going to be able to even make the trip. Then with the oil well crisis we again wondered if we were going to be able to go. We were able to getaway, and we had a fabulous, relaxing time. Above and below are pictures from our beach side balcony. We enjoyed sitting by the beach, kayaking, playing tennis, golf and eating lots of good food! The time together was also so very refreshing!
At the end of May, Jack had his last day of school. We had such a wonderful experience at Holy Covenant and were so blessed to have had Ms. Michelle and Ms. Juanita as teachers. Jack learned and grew so much over the course of the year. They made a special memory book for each student with pictures from the entire year. I cried looking over it and seeing how much my precious Jack had grown!
On May 19th, Ryan and I celebrated our 9 year anniversary! We were able to go on a dinner date to one of our favorite restaurants and celebrate!
I don't think I have mentioned this on my blog yet but we are expecting baby #2 in early October! On May 25th, we had the ultrasound and we have a precious baby girl on the way. Below are some pictures of her profile. We are so excited to meet her and for Jack to have a baby sister. She is a blessing from the Lord! A precious gift!
Memorial day weekend we were able to go to the ranch for some rest and to celebrate Ryan's mom's 60th birthday! We had such a nice time. It was so good to see Michael and Barbara and to spend some time by the ranch pool.
Jack was fascinated with Uncle Michael playing the guitar.
Uncle Michael and Barbara
Jack and Ryan pictured with the birthday girl! We enjoyed a yummy Italian cream cake that night! Delicious!
Jack playing in his blowup pool. He loved it so!
Jack with Grandpa Texas.Well, that wraps up April and May! Despite all of the unusual circumstances and the events that have affected our lives over the last 2 months, God has been good and blessed us with so much! To Him I give thanks and glory!! I pray I make the most of every opportunity!
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