Summer Time!!

Well it's been nothing short of hot and dry here. We've been busy with different activites to aquaint us with everyone down here.  It's been nice and has kept us cool.  During the day is a different story.  Ryker and I have spent a lot of time setting up his little pool.  It took awhile but he has really taken to it.  I think he likes the water hose the best.

Even the dog wanted to get in on it.  What are you doing to stay cool??

Mandi Lou

Home Sweet Home

As promised... Our House!  (and a few extra things...)


I start with the first... Here are some photos from Tres' graduation party before we left.

So excited for Tres to graduate.  Amy (his oldest sister) was thrilled to be able to hood him!

 Big thanks to our friend Brandon who helped me with all the labels for the party!

Check out the brain cubes we were popping weeks in advance.

 The stethoscope on the top was a gift from me and my entire family for his graduation.  His mom gave him a beautiful leather doctor's bad that I don't have a picture of him with.

 This is the first time he had seen the cake.  The doctor's bag first aid kit was from Ryker... very fitting I thought.

 My mom found this shirt at Penny's and thought it would be perfect for the occasion.

Alright.  Now for the House.

The bar's a little messy but here's the back living room.  The view out the window is the backyard.

 One side of the fire place.

 Notice my cute cookie jar... it actually has cookies in it! 

My family left us messages before they left for Oklahoma.

 On the other side of the kitchen. 

 View from the other end of the room.

 You can partially see the other side of the fireplace. 

 I guess you would call this our "formal" living room.  I wouldn't really say anything is too formal in our house though.

 Here's my Aunt Claudia's favorite piece of furniture in our house. 

 Guest/Ryker's bathroom. 

 Ryker's room!

 The only thing lacking in his room are curtains, which I am in the process of trying to figure out.

Any suggestions?

I left off our bedroom and bathroom because it is far from finished.  It's extremely plain right now.  I will post about it after I get working on it.

Well there's lots of pictures.  Hope you enjoy!!

What's going on with you??

Mandi Lou

It's Official...

Well we are all moved in and unboxed thanks to my mom. She has been down here with us for the past week. I would not have the house in the order it's in if not for her. My dad, sister, and two nephews will be here later this afternoon for a few days before we all head back to OKC. I will post pics of the house once we get the last piece of furniture in and arranged. It's all coming together so nicely. Can't wait to share.

Mandi Lou

Almost time

Well we are down to the last few days.  Tres and I, with the help of a very energetic mother and helpful father, have our entire apartment packed and ready to be moved.  We have over taken my parents house for the next days.  Thursday morning we are picking up the truck and getting some help from a few good friends to load up.  Tres will be driving down Thursday to unload.  Ryker and I will be coming down Saturday to join him.  My wonderful Mom will be staying with us for a whole week!!  I am just thrilled about this.  If you know me at all I'm not exactly the stay on task organizer that she is.  That is a trait I unfortunately did not inherit from her.  I will post pics of the house once we're done and settled... hopefully early next week.  Wish us luck!!

Mandi Lou

Babies, Babies, Babies!

Well I just have to share the wonderful news that we received... No I am not pregnant with #2, but my sister is with #3!!!!!  This was a rather shocking announcement for EVERYONE.  That's including mother and father, but also very EXCITING!!  I just burst at the seams every time I hear about a friend or family member being pregnant.  Babies are one of the joys in life I have always loved.

Who wouldn't want another one of these sweet faces!!  I can't wait!


Mandi Lou

Family Pictures

We took family pictures today.  We went to a local park close to my parents house.  These pictures turned out fantastic!!  I have to plug Eric Lyons on the fantastic job he did!  It was a little hot and windy, but I think we did well of disguising that.  The boys were so good and did so much better then I could have dreamed. 

 Ryker was really enjoying the grass.  It was really soft.

 Here's my brother and sister-in-law.  Such a cute couple.

Sweet Micaiah

 Lolly and Pop with their three Grand-boys

 All the boys checking out how strong Pop is.

 My wonderful sister and sweet family!

Hope you enjoyed my family!  They are the best and I will miss being so close for the next few years. 

Mandi Lou

Happy Birthday JR!

Saturday we spent the day with family celebrating JR's first birthday!   We had a blast.  Here are pictures from the day.

Talsie made the cake and mom and I made the horse cupcakes you saw in my last blog.

The reins are long licorice I bought at a candy store.  Very hard to find.

 The heads are chocolate dipped circus peanuts and chocolate and vanilla wafers for the necks.

 Mom decorated some tins with cowboy stickers to hold peanuts.  She did a great job!

 Here's a view of almost all of the table.  Talsie used pie tins for plates.  Such a cute idea!

 Here's the birthday boy in his cowboy attire.

 Lolly and Pop with the downs boys.

 JR and Ryker crawling towards the sandbox.

 Opening gifts.

 Ryker ended the evening passed out in the swing on the back porch.

We had a great day with family and a few church friends!  Such a fun party.  Next we're on to Tres' graduation party!! What fun parties have you been to lately??

Mandi Lou