A Visit to the Ranch

Yesterday, my mom and I took the kids to Stapp's Circle S Ranch.  It is just south of Greensburg, and we've driven past several times in the past, but really didn't know what it was.  Well, come to find out, my cousin, Scot, pretty much maintains the ranch and cares for all of the animals (he's their number one hired help!)  He lives there too, and was an awesome tour guide for the kids.  We spent ALL afternoon there and the kids got to spend a lot of time with each of the animals.  The place is like a zoo, only the kids get to feed all of the animals!  And... We had the whole place to ourselves, which was wonderful.  Here are just some of the pictures of our experience:

Silas was feeding the lemurs.  The turkey was also wanting to be fed!

The lemur would pull the carrots out of the tube.

Avery fed it too.  He said he got the tube clogged, so the lemur should be good on carrots for a while!

Cinnamon, the monkey was quite hilarious.  Here he is eating a cheese puff that Scot threw to him.  He caught it in the air!  Impressive.

Avery feeding Cinnamon. 

This ferret, Moe, was Nolan's favorite animal of the day!  He kept going back to Moe's cage to visit and talked to him!

Avery leading Twilight, the newest llama on the farm. (or rather Twilight leading Avery... as you can tell, Avery was very timid!)

Silas REALLY enjoyed the experience.  Here he is just taking in the animals!

Nolan went back and forth between being terrified and brave.  They were all VERY good all afternoon!

These horses (donkeys) ended up getting out later in our trip.  Scot said that our trip went from being a tour to being a safari... Avery really got a kick out of that!

Chaille was so sleepy, but stayed awake the whole time, taking it all in!

Avery feeding Clyde, the male camel.  Bonnie is his "wife!" :O)

The water buffalo.  And in the background you can see the baby buffalo.

Silas is quite the "chick" magnet... LOL.

Nolan ready to feed the baby buffalo.

Silas feeding one of the babies.  He did such a good job!

The tractor tour.  Love this smile!

Chaille looking at the Wallaby.  She wouldn't let go of the fence.  By this point she was slap happy and laughing like crazy!

She started saying "cheese" today when we took her pictures!

Yes, that IS a bear that we are feeding!!!

Steve about had a coronary when I showed him the kids feeding this thing alone!

Avery was a bit more timid.

Yogi and BooBoo the bears.

The day was long and fun and warm.  As soon as Chaille got in the car, she crashed HARD!

Bubbles and Baseball (First Game!)

Yesterday after our day at the park and before soccer practice, we broke out the bubbles.  The kids had a blast, and we were all covered in bubble soap before it was over:

Silas' bubble pipe.

Avery really liked this square bubble wand.  The bubble here actually popped on our camera lens!

Chaille enjoyed watching.  Here she was deep in thought.  These eyes are so closely identical to Nolan's!

Look at her beautiful curls!

I caught Avery in the act of blowing a bubble.

Our handsome Little Bear!

Can you see the mischief on this ones face?  Silas STILL loves his boots, even though I have bought him a pair of velcro shoes and 2 pairs of crocs to slip on.

On to the baseball pictures, from Avery's first game of the season (he's playing for the Angels this year!):

Nolan climbed to the top of the fence, which was a good 5 1/2 to 6 feet tall!

This is how Chaille watched most of the game!

In the first inning, Avery hit a triple!  Here he is on third base.

Avery ready to go in the field in the first inning.

Silas and his best buddy, Dad. 

Grandma Darlene playing catch with Nolan and Silas.

A home run swing... literally!  His second at bat, he hit one over the infielders heads for a home run!

Heading to third...

And HOME!  Great job, Avery!!!

Proud Grandpa Bobby and his gal, Chaille.

In the second inning Avery was catcher.  This is a coveted position because the kids love the gear!

Steve was tickling Nolan's ear... LOVED this smile!

Just for Today...

Just for this morning, I am going to smile when I see your face and laugh when I feel like crying.

Just for this morning, I will let you choose what you want to wear, and smile and say how perfect it is.

Just for this morning, I am going to step over the laundry, and pick you up and take you to the park to play.

Just for this morning, I will leave the dishes in the sink, and let you teach me how to put that puzzle of yours together.

Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the telephone and keep the computer off, and sit with you in the backyard and blow bubbles.

Just for this afternoon, I will not yell once, not even a tiny grumble when you scream and whine for the ice cream truck, and I will buy you one if he comes by.

Just for this afternoon, I won't worry about what you are going to be when you grow up, or second guess every decision I have made where you are concerned.

Just for this afternoon, I will let you help me bake cookies, and I won't stand over you trying to fix them.

Just for this afternoon, I will take us to McDonald's and buy us both a Happy Meal so you can have both toys.

Just for this evening, I will hold you in my arms and tell you a story about how you were born and how much I love you.

Just for this evening, I will let you splash in the tub and not get angry.

Just for this evening, I will let you stay up late while we sit on the porch and count all the stars.

Just for this evening, I will snuggle beside you for hours, and miss my favorite TV shows.

Just for this evening when I run my finger through your hair as you pray, I will simply be grateful that God has given me the greatest gift ever given.

I will think about the mothers and fathers who are searching for their missing children, the mother and fathers who are visiting their children's graves instead of their bedrooms, and mothers and fathers who are in hospital rooms watching their children suffer senselessly, and screaming inside that they can't handle it anymore.

And when I kiss you goodnight I will hold you a little tighter, a little longer.  It is then that I will thank God for you, and ask him for nothing, except one more day!

Baseball and a trip to the park

I snapped a couple pictures at Avery's last "practice" of the season.  From here on out is is all games on the schedule.  His first game on Saturday was cancelled due to inclimate weather:

A picture of Avery waiting to bat (he hit a double!)

Here is Nolan practicing for when he gets older:

The rest of these pictures are from our picnic lunch and play time at the park.  Here is Chaille peeking around the monkey bars at my mom:

Peek-a-boo:

She had SO much fun:

Only 8 days until this big girl turns ONE!

Nolan playing with his soccer ball:

They were in a time-out (self-proclaimed!)  It was hot in the sun:

Three little monkeys taking a break:

Look at the red cheeks:

Avery was hot too, we rolled up his pants:

More red cheeks:

Happily playing with Grandma:

Heading out for the day.  It was a beautiful day: