Ryleigh's Birthday

Ryleigh loves to carry around purses. Sometimes 2 or 3 at a time.
I thought a purse cake would be appropriate for her first birthday.

Avi's Shiner

Avi and I were wrestling on the floor. I reached around while she was behind me to tickle her and caught her right under the eye. Way to go, Mom!

Garden Bounty

The Lord has blessed with wonderful weather and a good amount of rain for our garden.
We have been canning, canning, canning tomatoes.
They are almost done, but the beans are coming on strong . . .


My favorite summertime meal -- BLT's and corn on the cob!

Lots, lots, lots of tomatoes!

4 1/2 gallons in one picking . . .

Spaghetti sauce and tomato bisque

July in Illinois

We also headed over to Illinois to spend some time with the Decker side of the family.


My Grandma Decker, her 9 children, grands, and greats all got together to play a baseball game in honor of her 75th birthday. The odd years played the even years. I think the odds won. G-ma's dog, Libby, was the honorary ump. : )

Spending time with Grandma Decker in her garden spot

Grandpa Decker, Ryleigh, and cousin Logan

4 generations

July in Ohio

We traveled to Ohio for the Henschen Family Reunion at the Pond.
It was great to see (and meet) everyone, and we look forward to the next one!

Keith's Grandparents, Victor and Pattie Henschen

At the Henschen Dairy Farm

Victor & Pattie, their children, the grands, and the greats

NEGLECT!

Aggghhhh!!!! Has it really been June since I last posted?! Dear me. Anyone who had been following has probably lost hope and given up. So sorry. My deepest apologies!

Poppin', Poppin'

Punching Balloon Pro

After Bath

Playing at the Water Park

Sisters . . .

Ryleigh's Musical Talent

Great Grandma Decker got this toy for Ryleigh at Christmas. She's definitely got the hang of it. Perhaps she and Avi can do a duet. Avi can whistle and Ryleigh can tickle the xylophone.

Rockin' Avi

Excuse me!

Avi doesn't have a large vocabulary, and for those who are not around her all day every day, she's probably very difficult to understand. But, seeing as I am her constant companion, I understand much of what she says. One of her most common phrases is, "Excuse me." (I must say that quite a bit to her.) Avi says it when she wants to get past you, when she hears Ryleigh burp, and when she passes gas. Tonight I was giving the girls a bath. Avi passed gas in the tub, and I tried to take advantage of the teachable moment to ask her, "What do you say?" She replied, "Bubbles!"

What does Papaw have?

Having Avi search for Easter eggs was lots of fun. She was very good at finding the ones I hid. I'll have to get better before next year! The one she had trouble finding was the one Papaw was hiding . . .



v

Roll Over!

I placed Ryleigh on the floor and headed off to another room. As I came back, Avi was on the floor lifting Ryleigh's shirt and giving her raspberries on her tummy. I wanted to get that on video, so I ran to the other room for the camera. I crawled on the floor around the bed so they wouldn't see me taping. Avi was no longer giving raspberries. Instead, she was helping Ryleigh roll over. You'll also hear the microwave or oven beep. It is a slightly delayed reaction, but that is what makes her jump up and run off to see what is ready to eat. What a kid!

Hole-y Bag

'Cause Wakin' Up is Hard to Do

I love watching Ryleigh wake up. It's quite the process every time.

S-T-R-E-T-C-H-I-N-G

Ryleigh Chattering

From Great Grandma Decker

Great Grandma Decker sent Avi (and Ryleigh) a Valentine.
She really enjoyed it . . .

Hats

I never cease to be amazed at the things that amuse my children.
Why do we bother with store-bought toys?

Snow Day!

Avi, Keith, and I had a great time playing in the snow the other day.

Rotten Ryleigh

Sunglasses are a Must

Mission Conference

Back in October, our church had its Mission Conference. It was a special blessing to hear James Zenker, our good friend. Avi wore her China outfit from Tami and enjoyed the events in the Great Hall with the Ewings before the evening services.

Henschen Family Christmas

Dad made Avi and Ryleigh a table for Christmas. (Chairs to come later . . . ) And I got Avi a tea set. Avi called Grandpa Decker that night on the web cam and had a tea party with him sitting at (actually on) the table. I think both girls will really enjoy the table for years to come.

Christmas Photo Shoot

We asked our friend Garan Wallick to take some pictures for our Christmas cards this year. He did a fantastic job and got a few other candids along the way.