"The Ranch"

I like to call it "The Ranch" like it's a place we always visit.  Like it's our ranch that we visit on the weekends.  I wish.  "The Ranch" belongs to a couple out of Houston who are good friends of the family. I feel very blessed that we got to stay there for a couple of nights.  It was honestly a slice of Heaven on Earth.  The cousins ran away and played without a care in the world while the adults played along or just spent time sipping something nice on the porch.  It was perfect.  Brooks and Delaney were definitely surrounded by everything they love - family, the outdoors, and good food.
Here are some of the Highlights:

• Celebrating Megan's Birthday
• Making S'mores by the amazing fire pit/outside kitchen (seriously...amazing)
• Playing in a 2,000 square ft/ multi-level tree house
• Riding the Four Wheeler
• Watching Uncle Craig shoot a snake
• Fishing
• Shooting guns
• Eating steaks (Did I mention that "The Ranch" belongs to the couple that owns The Taste of Texas in Houston - yeah...the steaks came from there.  Yum!)
• Drinking wine on the porch at night and just star gazing (an adult activity of course)
• Watching the kids run and play
• Being with family
• Having absolutely no schedule and no plans

Here are the pictures to proof it:

Delaney

I can't believe that my little peanut is already 16 months old!  You would never guess that she was ever tiny considering she is off the charts now.  At her 15 month appointment she was 34 inches (100+%) and 25 lbs. (65%).  I looked up Brooks' stats to see how they compared.  I couldn't find his 15 month stats, but I found his 18 month stats and they were exactly the same.  So...my little 4 lb. 7oz. preemie is 3 months ahead of where her brother was at the same age...and she's supposed to be smaller because she's a girl.  Holy cow, folks!  I'm worried she's going to outgrow us all.
She still has those amazing blue eyes which I just love to pieces.

Her hair is growing like crazy.  It's not often that I don't have it pulled back with a bow or in pigtails.

See the pigtails...

This was Delaney when I was drying my hair one afternoon.  I think she was trying to give me a hint that she was tired.

Laney loves to be outside just as much as her brother.

Part of playing outside means trying to keep up with everyone in the neighborhood.  She loves to try and "ride" the scooter.

She's not talking a whole lot, but she's definitely learning new words.  In her own little language she says: I love you, Mama, Dada, Buba, Brooks, dog, Kansas, woof, horse, high five, please, thank you, yes, uh-uh (instead of no), shoe, book, paci, ball, uh-oh, bath.  About half of those words are only recognizable by us, but it won't be long before she's talking up a storm.  She sill has all that spunk in her that tries my patience daily.  She's constantly showing us how stubborn she is.  Those traits make me nervous when I think ahead to her teenage years.   For now I am going to soak up every ounce of her.  Gosh, I love you - Delaney Ann.

Brooks

I love this little boy so much. Right now Brooks is totally into exploring outside, chasing his sister, and anything that involves being a silly boy. He can write his own name and navigate my iphone better than his Pops - he's one smart cookie if you ask me! He's growing so fast, and I'm just trying to hold onto everything that's so wonderful about him through each stage of his life. One way a friend did this was by asking her daughter questions. I thought I would try it with Brooks. He loved the interview process and kept asking for more questions. I recorded them exactly how he answered them.

Favorite Friend: Aubree

Favorite Place: What's that place where I went with Birdie? Yoyo's! (its a yogurt place)

Favorite Color: Orange

Favorite Movie: Lion King

Favorite Music: When You Move I Move ("I Will Follow" by Chris Tomlin)

Favorite Food: Bread (really??)

Yuckiest Food: Green Beans, but I them a lot.

Favorite Animal: Cheetah

Favorite Song: Ummm...Hey-ey-ey-ey...that song ("Hey, Soul Sister" by Train)

Favorite Toy: Train Track

Favorite Thing to do with Daddy: Tackle

Favorite Thing to do with Mommy: say, "Hi-Yah!" (imagine that with a karate kick)

Favorite Thing to do with your Sister: Chase her

Favorite Sport: Basketball

Favorite Book: Chick-Chika Boom Boom

What are you really good at: Sports

What do you want to be when you grow up: A Monster

What makes you happy: By not taking my toys away 

What makes you sad: By taking my toys away

Favorite Thing to do outside: Soccer