Don't Miss A Thing!

**** I have a tendency to write several blog posts in one sitting. I like to think of it as time management when I have a big block of time to sit down and get caught up. If you check in on the blog from time to time... be sure to scroll down, and you may have to even click onto the next page to be sure you've gotten all the latest Ramsey news. (Blogger has restricted the number of posts I can have on the first page, so I never know what exactly is coming up). Thanks for checking in with us, and following along on Our Great Life Adventure! ****

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

D is for Dallas, Dinosaurs and Dolls

The weekend after Thanksgiving we made a trip 4 hours north to Dallas to celebrate Great Grandma Gladys 87th birthday, and also had the chance to make it to Ellyson Newell's 1st birthday party! But before all the birthday parties, Grandma Paula, Braden, Vivian and I got there Friday afternoon to squeeze in a trip to Fair Park, at a Dallas Museum and see an amazing Dinosaur exhibit. If you know Big B... he LOVES dinosaurs!


Look at this massive, life-sized Triceratops!
I do not get enough pictures of them together, they are always on the go.
They had a "dinosaur dig", so future paleontologists can practice!
Braden had looks of awe like this all day. 
And here's a tip for parents... we got there about 2:30 on a Friday afternoon.  All the school field trips were heading out and NO ONE was in this huge exhibit.  We had the place to ourselves.  Awesome for them to take it all in at their own pace and not a worry to let them roam free!
My little lady...
Sweet and Sassy.
Braden is playing here with the box that has buttons for the kids to push and make those big dinosaurs move and roar.  Braden enjoyed it all so very much. 
Grandma Gladys with her daughters, their children and grandchildren.
See the big pink tree, that's a tree that Aunt Sabrina got for Reece and Addison.  They decorated it one evening and Braden got to help.  Then they all decided to pose with their dolls in front of the completed tree... and Braden, not one to want to be left out, asked for a doll too.  And there is Vivian, taking off ornaments, but heard us say "cheese" and stopped long enough to give us one of super cheesy smiles.
And just for the record, I think it's great that Braden decorates a pink tree and holds a doll, just like Vivian wants to play with Braden's tools and dinosaurs. 

Monday, December 27, 2010

Thanksgiving 2010

Have I mentioned how great this move to Texas is?  You know, the weather, the people, the neighborhood, the cost of living... and finally living near family again!!!  This year we had the pleasure of hosting the Courts... all of them!  That meant 15 humans and 3 dogs for 3 days!  Everyone made the trip to Katy and we really appreciated it.  Braden couldn't have been more excited to spend time with cousins Reece (age 6) and Addison (age 4, just a few weeks older than Braden).  We had Uncle Wayne and Aunt Carmen, and their children - Sabrina and fiance, Scott - Christine, her husband Chad (parents of Reece and Addison), Layne and his wife, Mitzi, and of course Grandma Paula hit town for her extended stay just in time!  I didn't take enough pictures... too busy talking, cooking and enjoying the moment.  A huge thank you, since the ladies really contributed to cooking and cleaning!  It was not stressful at all, everyone did their share and things ran smooth.  We are very THANKFUL to be close to such great people (and these ladies can cook!).
Christine had her birthday that week, so we sang... and had cake!
Addison, Reece and Braden finishing up one of many weekend projects... a Gingerbread House
We had three dogs for the weekend... two of which are quite small and sleep in crates over night.  Well... this is what happened.
Aunt Sabrina with Miss Vivian... look at how grown up my little lady is getting!
The three older kids had a balloon party... and Viv couldn't be left out of the fun! 
Here (in the playroom) are my two children.  Completely of their own doing.  Vivian in the cage on the left... Braden on the right.  Silly kids.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Tis the Season

 It's that time of year, while this year feels different for a few reasons... 1) we're close to and celebrating at our home, but will also see some Texas family, the perks of living here.  Last year we were in Illinois... having left Washington and not quite to Houston yet.  The year before we were in Canada without any family around.  2)  I still can't believe Christmas is next week and I was in short sleeves today outside.  3) We have a real tree! (Thanks Grandma!).  And this year, two very special little people participated in decorating the tree.  (Thank goodness for shatterproof ornaments!)



 It's also been a time for Holiday Art Projects.  Braden is really into this kind of stuff these days.
 

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Splish Splash

One of my longer absences from the blog... things have been pretty busy (but if you know me, I like things busy).  I've got so much to share... and almost done going through uploaded photos, including Big B's 4th birthday. 
From Thanksgiving, Braden's birthday, Christmas and through the New Year we're lucky to have Grandma (Paula) here to visit from Illinois.  I feel spoiled as I've gotten a break on cooking and laundry on many days!  The kids are happy to have her here too... as well as her sweet pup, Marley.  Grandma planned the trip to avoid some of the brutal cold in Illinois as well as continued research on the family tree since most of the family is originally from Texas.  On her first day in town, while Braden was in school, Miss Vivian was a bit clingy and wanting to be held.  What did Grandma do?  Well she plopped her in the sink and let her play in the water.  Something only a grandma would think of... as moms we're always too preoccupied with making a mess or something... I wish I had more of a carefree attitude day to day, because the simple act of playing in the sink brought such joy to my sweet little lady. 

Mesmerized...
 Curiosity...
Goofiness...
Silly Girl...
Beautiful Bliss...
Innocence.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Halloween 2010

This year was a great Halloween.  The weather was amazing (mid-80s... probably upper 70s during trick or treat time).  A nice little Sunday, Chad did lawn work, washed his car, I made appetizers (brushetta... can you believe some of the neighbors never had it before?), then around 5:00 got the kids dressed up.  I learned that trick or treating here didn't really start to pick up until 6:45 or so, maybe because daylight savings is later.  Big B and I took a stroll with Vivian, then dropped her off with Chad to finish.  He was so, so excited. 
The Bounce House we rented with the neighbors... what a great way to entertain the kids!  Some of the moms had also put together games, like the three-legged race, bobbing for apples, etc.
Our little BumbleBee
The only full body view of Miss Vivian with the antennas an all.  She wasn't into keeping those on.
Instead she spent more time doing this... poor girl is having some major teething issues.  (On that note... girl is not sleeping well.  When all these teeth are done hurting my baby girl I will be so relieved)
Vampire Braden ringing the doorbell while BumbleBee Vivian looks on.
A quick stop on our stroll.  No, I wasn't giving BumbleBee any candy, but she was content playing with them.
The handsome Vampire. 
 I had vampire teeth for him, but of course put them somewhere so the kids wouldn't get into them beforehand, and then couldn't remember where.  I just found them this morning.
Vampire Braden with his BFF, Dolphin Mallory.  She's 5 and she lives next door... and Braden wants to hang out with her all. the. time.
All the neighbor kids!  Braden is really enjoying this family/kid friendly area, and so are we!  And the older girls are 12, and they love, love, love to take care of Vivian.  So fun!

Monday, November 1, 2010

The Oil Ranch

This past Saturday we were able to finally get away to a pumpkin patch.  It's probably a good thing we waited, while it was still in the 80s, it was better than trying this out when it was in the 90s!  The place was about 45 minutes from the house, reasonably priced and included all the activities.  Braden had a blast, and since we didn't have to fight mass crowds, Miss Vivian got a chance to roam around too!  I'll let the pictures do the talking.
Right from the start, Big Brother is showing his Little Sister what it's all about.
Smiley little lady... so happy when she doesn't have to be cooped up in the stroller! (Here you can really see how long her hair is getting!)
Looking at him like this... just makes me smile.
Poor kids... it's over 80 outside and I have them in long sleeves because that's the Halloween gear I had for them.
Already tired... sat down to take a rest.  And she's "talking" to me here, from her tone, I'd say it was pretty important!
I love pictures of them together...
I even got out from behind the camera...
What is this kind of event without a pony ride (or three!)
Viv's first ride!
While Braden is in the bouncy house... Miss Vivian and I explore
This may be one of my favorite pictures ever... it captures her absolute joy as she giggles!
Dad took her in for her first petting zoo experience!  She loved it.  Better him than me... anyone remember this?
Dad with his two little people.  
One of these days we'll try and get more pictures with all four of us!
Great time at the Oil Ranch!

Friday, October 29, 2010

Unexpected...

We had a visit with old friends when we were in Illinois.  You see... The Boyds (Justin, Heather, Olivia, and baby due in March) live overseas in Rota, Spain.  We've been in Canada, Washington and now Texas.  Needless to say, it hasn't been easy to try and coordinate a time to see each other.   But something unexpected happened.  We were all going to be in Illinois at the same time... and not just that... just 15 minutes away.  How lucky were we that we got to see each other in person?  The last time we saw them was summer of 2008, Olivia was just 11 months old (almost exactly the age of Vivian when they got to meet her!).  
Many thanks to the Boyds for reaching out to let us know we'd be in the same place at the same time.  No matter the time that passes, we always just pick up where we left off!  Love and Miss!