Family Pictures

Our friend Sara took some family pictures of us the week of Rayna's birthday. It was nice to finally get a few good ones together! She is such a ham, but it sure was hard to keep her in one spot!!

The 4th of July and a Play Date

Ava would not take off her sunglasses. In fact, there were a total of 4 pairs of sunglasses on her face at one point. haha!

It was Rayna's turned to be pushed. I think they would have done this for days if Ava didn't have to leave.

Our friends Dave and Toni came over with their daughter Ava. Rayna and Ava made up this game where they pushed each other in her "mailcart". It was HILARIOUS to watch them. They'd push each other to one end of the room, the "rider" would get out of the cart, and then walk around the cart to push the other back across the room. haha!

Daddy and Ray Ray. She was wearing her bandana because it was misting outside, but I'd have to say, I think it just looks plain cute on her!!

Rayna and Mommy at Jen's getting ready for the fireworks!!

Rayna Lynn in her carseat getting ready to go to Jen's house for a 4th of July party and fireworks!!

Our first public pool experience - Castaway Bay

After swimming, we were sitting down and having some snacks. I was experimenting with some different things, and thought that the picture, though different, looks kind of cool!

Relaxing in my pool robe after a swimming!

She just LOVED the water!

Kaden and Rayna relaxing together!

I couldn't get those kids to look at me for anything! haha! But they still look awfully cute!

She just looks sooooo darling!!!

Random pictures and outdoor fun!

My little Angel face!!!

Rayna LOVED the bouncer at her friend Riley's birthday party!!

She is such a happy little girl!!

She loves this oversized bunny that Auntie Susan got her for Easter!!

She is always willing to pose for the camera!!!

Memorial Day, Great Grandma and Great Grandpa's Anniversary, and a Weekend with my Cousins

Just swinging right along.....

She is looking more and more like a "little lady!"

Her cousin, Britten, was making her smile!!

Britten and Rayna sure had a great time playing together at the park!

Getting more and more brave with each passing minute. She used to hold onto everything with two hands, and now she's turning around and only using one hand. Just this weekend she's started to let both hands go, and has taken a few trial steps!

Britten let her play with her soccer ball. Will she be a soccer player like her cousins Britten and Kevin???

On the slide with her cousin, Beth. I think that Beth likes her just a little bit...

WHEEEEEEEEEEEEE! Rayna and Britten went down the slide together quite a few times. I think that Rayna is very lucky to have cousins that love and adore her!!

Great Grandpa and Great Grandma Werner at their 60th Anniversary celebration! What a great milestone! We also celebrated Great Grandma's 80th birthday. It was such a nice party, and was even better to have the chance to visit with everyone! Grandma said the key was to find a man that does not argue with you. haha!

The cake...YUMMMY!!!

Grandma Werner and Rayna swinging on Aunt Carol and Uncle Leonard's swing. You can not see it in the picture, but the swing is attached to a two story barn that Uncle Leonard built for Andy's cousins when they were kids. Yes, in case you were wondering, the wheels in Andy's heads are turning, and there have been talks of building one similar in Americus. But it would be very nice for Rayna to have a playhouse, and a place to store all the outdoor "things."

Rayna using daddy as a crutch. And she's chewing on her finger, as she is always doing these days. She is such a ham for the camera these days!!

Doesn't she just look so cute and innocent?

Well, who could believe that Rayna will be 11 months in a couple of weeks! I can NOT believe how fast time has gone by! She had a bit of a cold the past week, but she seems to be getting better with each day! We had the pleasure of watching Beth and Britten this weekend, and Rayna really enjoyed having her cousins here! And Beth and Britten seemed to be pretty fond of Rayna, too. They were constantly telling me how cute she was, and playing with her all the time. I am sure they will have loads of fun as the continue to grow up together!

Andy has finished our patio, and he added a big sandbox next to it for Rayna. That will surely be a hit at her birthday party! And it's hard to believe that her birthday is right around the corner!!

This coming weekend we are going to my cousin Katy's graduation party. It's hard to believe she's already graduating! I remember when she was born, and here she is...all grown up! Then, on Sunday we are going to Rayna's friend Riley's first birthday party. It is a pool party, and will be a great time (weather permitting).

9 months and Swimming Pools!!!

I loved pulling up grass to put into the pool with me!!

I LOVE MY SWIMMING POOL!!

Rayna Lynn went for her 9 month check-up on April 20th, and she is growing right along!! She weighed 18lbs 8oz and was 28 1/4 inches long! It is hard to believe that she is that big already. One 3/4 of an inch left and she'll be in a "big girl" car seat!

We have started giving her little amounts of table food. So far she's had mashed potatoes (loved), bananas (which you would have thought were poison to her), cheerios (loved) and some vanilla ice cream (loved). We have also started using some third foods, which have little chunks of food to help her learn how to chew. We have also started givng her some puffs (like cheerios) and yogurt bites. She is also drinking some water everyday between feedings, and she really seems to enjoy the change!

Rayna is standing up against everything, and scoots around the entire room now. She is actually crawling vs. army crawling, and she is getting so fast!!! She still loves talking walks, and we are taking walks everyday that the weather permits. She has started saying "da-da," so now we hear "da-da" and "ma-ma" all the time.

She got to try out her pool for the first time last weekend, and she just loved it!! She seems to love being in water, and she had a fasination with pulling up grass to put into the pool with her. I am sure that we will spend a lot of hot summer days outside in the pool.

We hope that all is well with everyone and I am looking forward to my first Mother's Day this weekend!!! Happy Mother's Day to all the mother's out there!!

In Loving Memory

The Day God Called You Home

Anonymous

God looked around His garden,

And He found an empty place.

He then looked down upon His Earth,

and saw your tired face.

He put His arms around you,

and lifted you to rest.

God's garden must be beautiful,

He always takes the best.

He knew that you were suffering.

He knew you were in pain.

He knew that you would never,

Get well on Earth again.

He saw that the road was getting rough,

And the hills were hard to climb,

So He closed your weary eyelids

And whispered, "Peace by Thine."

It broke our hearts to lose you,

But you didn't go alone.

For part of us went with you,

The day God called you home.

We miss and love you very much Grandpa!!

The Lord has called you home and it is

within the embrace of His loving arms that

you shall reside forever.