Merry Monday

Townsend Holidays!!!

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Merry Monday

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Trick or Treat 2010

We had a busy Halloween this year! Hailey really wanted to attend Hannah and Morgan's girl scout party so we did. The party was a big hit with the girls, however, not the boys. It was crowded and both Sam and Tyler were in need of a nap so Todd and I left early to take them home. Hannah and Morgan got to dance and spend time with their friends and Hailey won a door prize. This is some pictures of the kids dress up for the party. They did not want to pose for a picture so this is the best we could get.

We came back to Houston early on Sunday so we could trick or treat here since it was a school night. The Zamora's invited us to come over for dinner and trick or treating. Hailey and Tyler were really excited because they think Zara and Violet are lots of fun. We all had a good time and I think we will have enough candy to last us a year. Tyler is very happy about that. I have not been very good about taking pictures but here are a few.

This is Hailey, Tyler and I outside our apartment.

The kids walking up to a door. I'm not sure if you will be able to see anything or if it is too dark.

Some pictures from trick or treating! Sorry they are not the best pictures:(

Girls just wanna have fun!

This month Todd had to attend a two week long training class for his new job. The class was here in Houston however, he was required to stay in a hotel for the entire TWO WEEKS. That ment that the kids and I were on our own. We had a goo time together. We enjoyed a few different parks and went to my Mom's house for the weekend. The second week Hailey's class was going to take a field trip to a pumpkin patch. I was disappointed that I would not be able to attend because they don't allow younger siblings to go along. The day before the field trip Hailey was very sad when we talked about me not being able to go so I called Goo Goo. Well, Goo Goo, being the devoted Grandmother she is dropped everything she was doing to come get Tyler! When I told Tyler he had to get ready quickly so that we could go meet Goo Goo he quickly found his suitcase and pack all of his underwear, P.J.'s, and his cowboy boots. My Mom and Sam met me half way between SA and H-town to get Tyler and take him back to her house for the rest of the week. Thanks Goo Goo, your the best:). Hailey and I had three days of fun without the boys. We had great fun at the mall shopping, putting on make-up, going out for dessert, and watching Twitches 1 & 2. Yes, that's right Twitches as in twin witches. Hailey loves the Disney channel:). Here are so pictures from Hailey field trip.


Hailey at the petting zoo.


Hailey trying to break out of jail.



My pretty girl:)


Hailey's class. That is her teacher in the middle in the blue shirt and Hailey is in front of her with the red bow in her hair.

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My Little Cutie!

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It's that time a year again!

Halloween time always brings out our inner party animal. Here is some video from this years Halloween party.

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Tyler's 3rd Birthday!

Tyler turned 3 years old!! I can't believe it. My little baby boy is growing so fast. We celebrated his Birthday in San Antonio by going to Sea World. It was really fun to take all of the kids and spend the day. And now Tyler is actually tall enough to ride some of the rides. He enjoyed riding the Shamu roller coaster and the log ride. I don't know why we didn't buy any of the pictures so we could keep them for him, but his face was hilarious on the photos they take during the rides. After that we had pizza, cake, and presents back a Goo Goo's house. We love you sweet Tyler!!! I hope you had a Happy Birthday!

School Lunch

Hailey's school invited Grandparents to the school for lunch because today was Grandparents Day. Since I didn't know about the lunch invitation until this Monday and all of Hailey's Grandparents live out of town Tyler and I went and had lunch with her. She didn't know that we were going to be there so she was very excited to see us. I am so glad that Tyler and I were able to bring joy to her day. Tyler also really enjoyed eating at the school. He didn't want to leave after lunch. He wanted to go to the playground with Hailey.


Tyler didn't want to take a break from eating for a picture:-)-- Post From My iPhone

Hailey's First Day Of Kindergarten

This is Hailey the morning of her first day of Kindergarten;-). She picked out her outfit all by herself. She was so ready to go that she didin't even allow me to walk her in. She had a great first week of school. Hailey loves school but don't love to wake up for it every morning. She will get back into the swing of early morning soon, let's hope. I hope you have a great year in Kindergarten sweet girl:-).-- Post From My iPhone

Here We Go Again:-/

While I can't believe it, but it is true. We are moving again. Todd has been offered a great job in Houston. He will be working in electrical engineering design, which is what he has always wanted. We are both very excited about his new job, however, I am not so excited about moving again. I Wish I was not moving away from my family, selling the house I have LOVED living in, and leave the city that will always be home to me:(. It is a really difficult transition time for us, but I am trying to stay focused getting moved. If I let muskeg think about it too much I just fall apart. I just can't look back, I have to keep moving forward.


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Wordless Wednesday

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Sugar and Spice

Congratulations to Kelly and Blake! My sister-in-law Kelly and her husband Blake are expecting triplets! We were so surprised when we heard the news. We were even more surprised when we found out that it is three girls! Can you imagine anything sweeter then three sweet little princesses. Kelly is now twenty-seven weeks along. She has been put on full bed rest but is doing well. As we anxiously await their arrival we ask for God's Blessing over them. Father please help Kelly to carry Brennyn, Brooklyn, and Brylee to full term. Please give Kelly and Blake three healthy baby girls. Please give Kelly a pregnancy and delivery free of complications. Lord pour out your blessing over them. We ask these things in the name of your son Jesus Christ. Amen
Please join me in praying for this sweet family!



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Rootbeer Floats?

Hailey and Ryan came up with a new way to drink their shakes at lunch today. They would drink their rootbeer and their shake at the same time. Hailey didn't drink all of her milk shake so I thought I would take a little sip of it. To my surprise it tasted like rootbeer:{. That is the last time I share a drink with a kid.


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Hailey's Five Years Well-Check

Today Hailey had her yearly wellness check-up. She is growing up so quickly. She has gained 4 1/2 pounds and grown 2 inches taller since her wellness check-up last year. The Nurse Practioner had all kinds of questions for Hailey to answer. They were mainly dealing with safety. I couldn't believe how well she answered. She knew what to do in case of fire, medical emergancy, and how to deal with stangers. I guess that private pre-school is paying off:). The NP also asked her what she wanted to be when she grows up. Hailey replied, " a scientist.". The NP then asked "what kind of scientist". Hailey said, "one that watches things grow and know about sea animals". I don't know if Hailey has ever given me a reply to that question before. I was so surprised at how intelligently she answered the question, but at the same time, I was not surprised at all. Anyone who knows Hailey knows that she LOVES mermaids and everything to do with the ocean! She decided that at the ripe age of 1 and has never changed her mind. I came out of the doctor's office thinking that I can't believe she has already developed so much personality at the age of five! Of course, I know that she is likely to change her mind, but just the fact that she has decided all of this by her self and with such confidence really impressed me. I don't think I ever thought that much about any one thing when I was her age. You are such a special little girl Hailey. Mommy and Daddy love you!


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Hailey and Tyler

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Happy 5th Birthday Hailey!

This past Saturday was HAILEY'S 5TH BIRTHDAY! I can't believe that my little baby girl is five years old. She is growing up so fast:( She had a great party. We had a big waterslide in the back yard. I am pretty sure that all of the kids liked it because they all went down that thing hundreds of times. Hailey was so excited to have all of her friends over for her special day. On the day after the party she walked into the room and said, "Thanks Mom and Dad for my party. It was the greatest party ever!" That's what I was hoping for. Last year I was not able to have Hailey's party due to my Dad's health. She had a party at the office given to her by some of the sweet ladies that work for the company. So this year I told her that we would do what ever she wanted for her Birthday. Here are some pics.

Why?

Why do kids always put sunglasses on upside down? This is Ty after enjoying his chocolate mint from Olive Garden.


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Little Cousins

This is what happens when the older kids are in school. The little ones take over the toys! This video makes me miss my little sweeties Jack and Callie:(

Springtime Fun!

These are just a few picture we have taken this spring. In the first one Ty is helping his Daddy do some landscaping at Goo goo's new house. In the second pic the kids wanted to pose with Goo goo's flowers. They are so silly! And the third and fourth picture are just some pictures we took at church since we were all dressed up. We have been very busy lately. We have been trying to get things crossed off of our To Do List. We have are flower beds planted and Todd put shelves up in the garage! Both of those things were really needed and a big improvement. I have also gone through Hailey and Tyler's closets and weeded out the outgrown clothing. This weekend we are going to paint Goo goo's pool house and work on getting the pool ready for swimming. We still have a long list with our house, Goo goo's house, and the ranch. However, it does feel good to get some things crossed off. Hailey will be performing in "The Wizard Of Oz" next week with her Theater Club. She will play the parts of a munchkin and a yellow poppy. I can't wait! Tyler has been enjoying his Easter candy and hangin out with Sam. Sam has a new name for me. It is Mama Toot-toot. He is so much fun. Sam is always good for a laugh!

Wordless Wednesday

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Swans

I think that I have previeously posted a blog about our swans. At the ranch one day several years ago two swans showed up and they have been there since. They stay around the banks of the tank and keep their distance from us. We all really enjoy watching them. They are very pretty. We made a trip out to the ranch today just to check on things and we found a surprise.

We saw the swan sitting on the bank in the grass and I thought we should go over a check for eggs. Sure enough there was four eggs in a nest. Here is just a little information I found about the breed of swans at the ranch.

The Mute Swan is the common swan of parks and estates. It is native across Europe and Asia and has been introduced in many other areas, including parts of North America. In England, all Mute Swans were considered the property of the Crown until the 18th century. Actually, they're still considered the property of the crown, but you're no longer hung for killing one.

Mutes can be distinguished from other white swans by the triangular naked black area in front of the eyes and the black knob above the deep orange bill. The fleshy knob on the head of these swans is more prominent on the males. An adult male (the cob) can weigh 25 lb (10.5 kg) and an adult female (the pen) 21 lb (9 kg). Usually juveniles are pale gray with gray legs, which become black in adulthood, but there is a European population, known as leucistic or Polish Mutes, in which the cygnets are white with pinkish legs. Both forms may occur in a single clutch as the coloring is a result of a sex-linked recessive gene.

Although quieter than some other species, it is by no means mute. Among its vocalizations are a loud snort when annoyed, shrill trumpeting when really angry, and an aggressive hiss. They are the most territorial of the swans and two males will fight viciously if one intrudes on another's turf. Nesting territories can cover 4-10 acres and are reoccupied by the same pair year after year. In breeding season they can be quite aggressive to people approaching the nesting area, and their large size makes them somewhat dangerous in this situation, so it is best to avoid them at that time.

The nest consists of a large pile of vegetation, usually by the shore of a body of water. A nest may be up to 4 meters (15 ft) in diameter. The chalky greenish-blue eggs are laid at intervals of 48 hours and a clutch averages 5-6 eggs. Incubation can last 35-41 days, with the pen doing most of the sitting. The cygnets can't fly til 120-150 days of age.

Some Mute Swans have been recorded to live past 30 years of age.

Happy Birthday Dad

Today would have been my Dad's 81st birthday. I woke up this morning and had about fifteen seconds before I thought about him. I miss him so much. But I am going to try not to be sad today. I am going to try to just remember his life and celebrate it, not mourn his death. I love you Dad and I wish you a happy happy birthday.

Rodeo 2010

So I know I have not been great at blogging lately. Life is just so busy I have not had time to take pictures of all of our activites. We had three trips to the rodeo this year but I don't have many pics. And the pics I did take were just with my phone and not very good quailitu. Sorry:(. Hailey was able to visit the fair grounds with her school and had a great trip. It was a little stessful for me. It is just hard to keep up with my child plus other students at a place with so many things to grab their attention. All the kids wanted to go in different directions. But they all had a great time.


We went a second time on a weeknight and left the girls at home with a babysitter so they would get to sleep at a good time. Sam and Tyler did go amd loved every minute of it. Tyler didn't talk durnung the rodeo. His eyes were glued to the action, and he would not take off his black cowboy hat for anything.


The third trip we made to the Rodeo was on a Saturday and everybody went. The girls loved all of the rides and especially the fun houses. Liz and I didn't love the fun house slides so much. I will NOT be posting a picture of that. Fun was had by all little cowboys and cowgirls.


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It's Finished!!

It's been a long wait. Well, only four months of actual build time but long time desire for a new house. My Mom's new house is finished. She got the OK to move in tomorrow. It looks great. I think it is everything she hoped and dreamed for. Some might think that we would be really sad to see the home we lived in for twenty-seven years demolished, and we are a little. But just a little. That house now had too many sad memories in it. It is better that my Mom moved on with a fresh start and a fresh house. We still have the ranch house to help us feel close to my Dad and we don't have to be reminded of his last day over and over again. We are all really proud of my Mom for having the courage to move forward with the plans that her and my Dad had began. The entire building process went very smoothly for her. How many people can say that about their building experience. Mom knew what she wanted from the start and it made the decisions easy. We also had a great builder. Dale and his wife Debbie were great to work with and took care of everything. I would recommend them to anyone. Here are some pictures of the house. I am new to the photo editing stuff so this is as good as it gets.

Wordless Wednesday

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Western Day

Hailey had Western Day at school today. We was really excited to dress up for it. You know she is a real Texas Cowgirl, Yee Haw! Or atleaat that is what she told everyone in California. She asked if she could wear my spurs on her boots. I reluctantly agreed. When we arrived at the school and the lady came to help Hailey out of the car the first thing Hailey told her was about the spurs. She said, "these were my Mommy's spurs when she was a little girl and now she let me wear them"! I just hope she doesn't use those spurs on any on the other kids.


Tyler had to get into the action also. I know, he needs some boots. I am going to try to get him some next week. He has to get ready for school everyday also. He packs a lunch like Hailey, but it rearly makes it past our driveway without being eatten by a hungry little boy. He is so funny!
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A Year Of Change

As many of you know we have had a tough year. I attended more funerals than I can count on my fingers, including my Father's. We lost my Dad the morning following Hailey's fourth birthday. When he started having health problems six months earlier I clearly heard God tell me to prepare myself. Well, how can you prepare yourself for such a loss. My Dad was amazing. He loved his family first and foremost, was a smart businessman, and was never afraid to take a risk. He always tried to build you up and give you confidence while being real at the same time. My life has a huge void in it without him. If you ever wounder what he meant to his daughters just look at the names of his three youngest grandsons, Tyler Ranney, Jack Ranney, and Samual Ranney. However, there are many things that I am thankful for about this year. Tyler has grown into a playful toddler, and Hailey had her stage debut. She had her ballet and tap recital in June and stole the show as Squeaky The Mouse in her Theater Club performance in December. And my Mom, Sisters, and I have become even closer through our mutual heartbreak. I am also thankful for the support we received from our Husbands. We could not have dedicated so much time to my Dad without Wil and Todd really stepping up as Dads and Husbands. I am very thankful to know without a doubt that my Father is in Heaven with his son Ranney Jr., our sweet Baby Kate, and our Savior Jesus Christ. In the six months that I was helping to care for my Dad I had the privilege of witnessing to him and having many long talks with him. I have great peace knowing that there was nothing left unsaid between us. I was able to tell him how much I loved him and how proud I was of him, and he was able to tell me the same. I love my Dad and will always miss him. So I am ready to say goodbye to 2009 and am looking forward to the possibilities of 2010.