Hiking in Big Bend National Park

With the New Year here and the start of the New Year not being what we wanted/expected it to begin in such a way, E decided to take us down to Big Bend for a day trip.

He wanted us to get out and get some fresh air and forget about the real life and pain for a few hours. 

Big Bend is a only about 70 miles or less from where we live so the drive was nice. The weather was perfect. The VIEWS were amazing as always.

Once we got to Big Bend we decided to do the Window Trail. Its a pretty lengthy trail with a pretty good elevation coming back out of the trail. The view is PERFECT!!

The 'backpack' Ryleigh is in was given to us by my God sister. She used it with her boys. Then she gave it to her friend who used it for her son, and then we got it. We've used it a short amount of times but every time she's really enjoyed the ride.

If you've never been to Big Bend you need to get out here and go! Go camp! Go Hike! GET OUTDOORS!!

Start of the New Year

Hi All!

Sorry I've been MIA again. School this semester really kicked my butt but I kicked it back making the Dean List! I worked hard and it paid off!!

We celebrated Thanksgiving this year at our tiny home. My parents and family went on a cruise and only E's mom came for dinner. It was nice and yummy as always. My turkey fell off the bone. It was wonderful.

This year for Christmas we celebrated at my parent's house. We got up and my parents came over to watch Ryleigh open all of her gifts from Santa. Then E had to go to work to cover for a few hours. Once he got home he needed to go to sleep as he had to go back to work that night. So Ryleigh and I went to my parents for dinner and to just play.

For Christmas Ryleigh got a cool Frozen quad from her God Father. She really enjoys riding that thing! We let her take it down the street for a ride and she had a blast doing tricks and such on it haha.

Though on NYE my mom called me mid morning to tell me the news of my God Brother John passing away. It was definitely sudden and heartbreaking. He along with my Dad, myself, and a few others were planning to tackle the Spartan Trifecta and race this coming year.

John was loved by many. He was Ryleigh's best friend. He would go to my God Mother's during lunch everyday. He would eat lunch with Ryleigh and then take her for a walk outside to play. He would post pictures of the two of them all the time. He sure did love our Ryleigh.

Here are some pictures and John together. He will truly be missed.

October 14th

 

 

Last night we celebrated Ryleigh's 18 month birthday.

 

I cannot believe she is 1.5 years old already.

 

She is so smart, so silly, so beautiful, so PERFECT

 

She can jump, she can roll over her head. She runs so fast. She can climb to the top of a playground set and slide down all by herself.

 

She can say: Nana (banana), momma, dada, gramma, bebe, SAKA (Kassandra), and many other words that I've lost count on. She has also mastered repeating what others say. LOL

 

She knows and she'll tell you she is BATMAN!

 

Some of her favorite people are her gramma Laura, who she probably loves the most. SAKA, who she knows instantly. And her best friend, her cousin Adayna.

 

Her favorite foods are: bananas, spaghetti, beans, rice, and oatmeal.

 

She tells everyone in passing "HI."

 

She also just learned how to tell people "Peace" and throw up the deuces. (Well she throws her pointer finger but good enough).

 

She loves to give kisses to those she loves. And she has almost mastered "I love you." 
She loves her Bebe dolls and her kitchen, but she also loves the dirt outside.

 

 

She is such joy to have and be around. She turns all the bad days into good nights. 

Labor Day Weekend

Now that E is home we get to spend lots of time as a family.

Of course we get Labor Day off so E and I decided to drive to San Antonio Friday night and stay for the weekend.

We took Ryleigh to the Alamo and to the Zoo. We also visited the Wax Museum and Ripley's.

We also had the chance to take Ryleigh on a carriage ride pulled by horses. She loved the weekend as did E and I!

First Day Back...In a Classroom....Learning

So today was my first day back into a college classroom and it was to learn!!

My mother. She is wonderful and crazy.

She is the secretary for the English Department. This mornings first class was Forms of Literature with her boss.

So what does my mother do? She has her boss bring in her phone to take a picture of me at my desk for a "first day of school" pictures.

Ha Ha Ha

But lucky me, I wasn't the only one she stalked. She also got my baby sister who is a Junior in high school but taking a few college courses. ;-)

I love her smile in this one.

She was definitely not happy about the pictures lol

It was a good day! My class load though I'm taking a total of 15 hours I feel like I can do it. My goal is to make all A's!!

I'm taking the Forms of Lit., Zoology, Zoology lab, Technology in the Classroom, and Texas History. 

Wish me luck!!! I'll be on campus from 7 am until about 6pm some nights and Wednesday until 9pm as my Texas History class is a night class from 6pm until 9pm. I'm still working in the purchasing department as a buyer so I have to make up my hours while I'm away in class. ;-)

Ryleigh's Second Trip to North Carolina

Every Summer we visit North Carolina and Grandma Casper!

Unlike normal people we also drive the 24 hours across the country.

But it is fun!!

Y'all remember last year's trip was Ryleigh's first trip.

We saw a baby Black Bear outside my grandma's house

Ryleigh loves to ride trains

We went to Santa Land! 

Ryleigh's first little roller coaster ride. 

Ryleigh and her Poepoe (my dad)

All three grandbabies on the boat ride

Gamma (my mom) and Ryleigh

Check out the gold fish

This year on our way back through Texas we stopped to watch a Texas Ranger's baseball game. It was sooooo hot poor Ryleigh was a sweaty toddler!

First Baseball game!

She is still a wonderful travel buddy.