First Camping Trip!!!

We have officially started making our camping memories as a family!!! We got an old camper this summer and took it for our first run-we had a great time! Ryder loved it-we "hiked" or walked, cooked out, played football, made smores, and had a great time! We went to Tyler State Park-so it was nice to be close with the kids-not too much car time. We had some issues with the awning so this will probably be the last time we see it out!
Our "new" camper! Bumper pull with pop outs-pretty cool!!
Rylee's 1st camping trip-ready for the big "hike"!
Ryder & Jay taking a break from the hike!
Father/son campfire lessons!
Cutest little monkey I ever saw!
Mommy & Ryder getting ready to cook up some good breakfast!

School's Back-Summer Update!

I have honestly tried to upload and update this for a month now and the website was giving me trouble-so I am compiling a ton of pics in this one! Sadly, school has started back but we had a great summer! Full of family, friends, swimming, FCA camp, and lots of fun! Ryder and Rylee are both going to a mother's day out 1 day/week while I get to do a little science work at the high school-fun for everyone! Ryder is growing and getting so smart! We have the best conversations and so much fun! Rylee is almost 6 months old laughing and giggling and sleeping through the night :) Yes-she still has red hair-looks like it is going to stay! She is currently cutting 4 teeth on top right now!! Aaron has started back and seems to be having a good start to the school year-it has been an adjustment for the household not having him around as much as summer :( Enjoy the pics!!!
Family trip to Kema on the train ride!
Casey and I with our kids (Rylee & Ryder don't know where the camera is, Cole wants a toy & Morgan is at least looking at the camera :))

Ryder's 1st day of "school"-so big!!!
Rylee getting a ride in the bumbo in the wagon on our visit to Houston.
Rylee's 1st introduction to real food-sweet potatoes-loved them!!
I know they are mine-but OMG how cute!!!!!
FCA Camp with the Steeles!!!
Ryder & Cole-partying it up for Cole's birthday!!

School's Out for Summer!!!

It is officially summer-and it is officially HOT in Tyler, TX!! We are super excited to have Aaron home for the summer-Ryder has been singing that song and screamin "Summertime!" I started this post a few weeks ago but had trouble with pics so this is going to be full of pics! Ryder has taken swim lessons this summer and is swimming like a fish! Diving and everything!! We have been to Beaumont to visit and pick blueberries!! Had a great time! Rylee is already 12 weeks old-sleeping great-getting up 1 time a night to eat!!!YEAH!!! She is smiling a lot-always trying to follow Ryder with her eyes and keep up-that is quite a challenge! She seems to be very laid back-pretty content most of the time! I am teaching health and biology online and staying busy. Aaron is still buying and selling old cars and keeps a full schedule! We are excited about our summer-spending time at the pool, lake, camp, visiting family and friends! We leave for FCA camp this weekend with 2 kiddos!!! Can't wait to see how God moves at camp!!

1st family of 4 picture in the pool!
Aaron taking Ryder and his buddy Cole for a ride!
Great big brother Ryder with sister Rylee in my old room :)
Mommy and Ryder working on the blueberry farm!
Casey, Heather, Elena and I with our kiddos at the farm! We used to party-now look at us!
Rylee's summer outfits!
Cutest little man ever!!!
Ryder sliding and having a blast with his daddy at the lake!

Rylee's 1st swimsuit!!

Steeles are growing!

It is hard to believe summer is fast approaching and teachers and students are more ready than ever before it seems like it! I remember those days...don't miss this count down though :) We are ready and excited to have Aaron home this summer! Well we officially have a 2 year old boy! He had a great b-day. All grandparents pitched in to get him a John Deere tractor which he thinks it totally awesome!! He is a great big brother-loving, kissing, sharing, and not hurting too much! Rylee is really growing-she has really started to smile on purpose, sleep a little better, and really become content with her environment. She is really a good baby! We do look forward to sleeping through the night in the prayerfully near future! Our summer is loaded with swim lessons, FCA camp, visiting family and friends and lots of time on the water at the lake!! Hope you enjoy the pics!
Check out the RED hair-where did it come from?
Neither one is too sure :)
Bright eyed Rylee!
Ryder turning 2 with the famous chocolate cake!
Ryder still in shock with his awesome John Deere tractor!
Checking out cars with Mimi!
Ryder's 1st car show with Pop!

Easter Fun!

What a fun easter with our new family! Ryder is such a fun age and lots of fun to be around! He loves to be outside... Helped plant the garden, water flowers, rake leaves-of course each job lasts about 1 minute before he is on to something else! We had a great time dying easter eggs, hunting at church and at home! He is the best big brother-loves Rylee, kisses her, checks on her, helps me a ton!! We are having so much fun with our new family-we are just praying for a little more sleep :)
I think he thinks both baskets are for him!
Learning the farmer lifestlye with Pawpaw!
Sweet little girl taking the world in!
All dressed up and ready for more candy!
Easter best!
Ryder wanted to crack the eggs together once they were colored!
He concentrated very hard-took his job very seriously!
Easter egg hunt at church.
Ready dad!

Dramatic story teller...

OK-so Ryder has a little Bible and has about 4 favorite stories that he dramatically tries to share with everyone. I can understand every word but I realize that is not the case for everyone. He is talking about Zacchaeus, Noah, Jonah and Goliath. Hope this makes you giggle a little. And yes we had been playing outside and eating pudding-that is why he looks so awesome!

New Arrival!!

Rylee Elizabeth Steele arrived into the world at 6:02 pm March 25, 2010. She weighed 6 lb 6 oz 18 in long! She is a skinny little girl!!!! Things went well-we are all doing well-Ryder did great meeting his new little sister! We are now preparing for the whole newborn world of no sleep and crying again!!! Ryder may not be so excited when he realizes she is not leaving! Please keep us in your prayers as we all adjust to our new world! We are so excited and feel so blessed to have our "perfect" family!
Long and skinny pretty girl!
Peaceful with 1st bow on!
Big brother was excited to meet his new little sister!
New family of four!
Taking it all in...
Ryder and mommy's last day together-making bird feeders!
Ryder rolling peanut butter and bird seed leaving plenty on the table!