this was our bathroom before........YUCK!!!!
















bye bye brass.....gag me:)

this is our bathroom now!!!!!










we love it, we love it, we love it. thank you greg. (i forgot to put a picture of the sink area...oops.)

home

is this not the cutest thing....not just the hat, but the blue eyed girl wearing it. my poor kylee has not been in front of the camera for a while. i need to get on that. i am realizing that being a photographer i have been neglectful in taking pictures of my own kids. i have so many pictures, a lag in shouldn't harm too much.

kylee had so much fun in new mexico, i'm not quite sure that she wanted to come home. we are definitely having a time readjusting to real life at home:). i must say i missed her terribly....it was almost too quiet. but lainey, we did have such a wonderful time with you. that one on one time with you was so great. i think you really enjoyed.....you still think it's supposed to be that way. life is getting back to normal.

for being willing to tackle this job. you are so great at what you do. not to mention, it's just been nice i am on a mission to find pictures of our master bathroom after we moved in to our house(four years ago). my uncle has been working hard for a week and a half remodeling our NASTY bathroom. he'll attest to that i am sure. not to mention all the things he has found wrong with the way it was put together in the first place. he is almost done and it looks sooooooo great! i am so excited to see the end result, not to mention have our bathroom back. after sharing the girls bathroom for that long (which really isn't that long) i have had enough......too tight! not enough room for all our (my) crap! i'll post pictures soon. thanks greg for tackling this job. you are so great at what you do. it's been great havin' you around....alaina would definitely agree...."Gag" or "the man." we'll miss you when you are done.

how long has it been? seriously, it feels as though we've fallen off the face of the blogging world.
i wish i could say that we've just been hangin' out, but that is not quite the case. i am so excited this year for the holidays. the kids are growing so fast and it is so fun to enjoy it with them. the fall leaves, making christmas tree chains, hanging ornaments, cookies, chocolate covered pretzels....i could go on and on. kylee has grown up so much. i am being literal, i can't keep the poor child in jeans....she grows too fast.










lainey is also getting too big too fast. she is still our little clown, always good for a laugh. she talks so much, always imitating big sis! what are we going to do with just one child for a week? kylee gets to go to new mexico with ohie for one whole week! i don't think i have been away from kylee for more than a night....now a whole week? she is going to have so much fun. she even got a fancy party outfit (she will be attending papa's christmas party at work)....she's not in the least bit excited:) we will miss you. but lainey, we are going to have so much fun too (watching my uncle remodel our bathroom!)....really we will.

happy halloween

a belated "happy halloween" from the rimbo girls. our little barbie princess (big surprise....seriously!) and raggedy ann (how do you spell???). this was alaina's first year to actually trick or treat. she loved it. after leaving each house she'd reach in her bucket, pull out whatever she got and say, "got, got!" she actually went a lot further than i thought she would. i'm sure it was much more fun with big sister.

we are all sick around here. in fact, i am leaving you with this small post because i am tired and don't feel well. hope all is well with everyone.

punkin' patch time

though the fall seems to get shorter every year....i still love going to the pumpkin patch. my husband doesn't feel the same, yet he did "take one for the team." we went all the way to lawrence to schaakes pumpkin patch. i know it was a little out of the way, but it really was a great pumpkin patch. i've never seen pumpkins that big at any of the pumpkin patches around here. kylee really liked the green and white ones. lainey didn't care too much, she just liked the baby calf and the bulls. hopefully next year it will be a bit cooler....it'd be more fun for everyone:)

aren't these kids getting big....it is fascinating to me how fast they are growing!

31

okay, is everyone ready for a lengthy post. seriously....where does the time go. i am exhausted, and it's only the second week in october. speaking of october, today is "my sweets" birthday. since you don't like a big "ta' do" on your birthday, i'll keep it simple. nothing beats an apple pie, and your daughter thinking you are her superman! i love birthdays with kids....they make it so much more fun. for example....the presents, they are ten times more interesting. there is no telling what they'll pick out. in this instance, kylee had her eye set on these superman pajama's. she could barely stand it not telling him what her gift to daddy was. she even made him a birthday card at school today in which she drew a picture of him wearing his "super" pants.....so cute. i told alan it was either that or a "hula girl" tie.....at least this way he can wear it at home and not have to go out in public.

oh, and wrapping the present was so fun too. although my type "a" personality had a hard time. i just told her that i would hand her the tape and she could put it wherever she thought it needed to go. she really did a pretty good job. i am really trying to encourage her independence, it's just so hard to do sometime....okay, most of the time!









"superman pants"











....fun halloween nails (lainey, just can't miss out on an opportunity to have "pretty" nails....and as soon as she's had them painted she goes straight to daddy to show them off.)









happy 6 yr anniversary sweet heart.....what a WONDERFUL time together. a nice quiet dinner with the man i love.....lovely!!! i am so glad that you are my husband.










lainey, just "hulkin' it" up.....after eating all of my eggs and two more. the kid loves eggs! come to think about it, the day after this picture was taken she had had eggs for breakfast, eggs for lunch (had breakfast/lunch after church), and eggs from lo mein for dinner. she's going to start clucking before we know it.









and miss kylee, just being the social bug that she is. she wants a new friend to come over daily. she loves school and is learning so much. her handwriting just amazes me....from where we came from this summer....awesome. the girl loves to color and draw....hmmm i wonder where she gets that:)

still here

oh my goodness......can i please take a breath? i so need to update this poor neglected blog. my girls are growing before my eyes and i haven't written a darn thing. but what can i do? fall is upon us....(well, sort of) which means business for me is picking up (YEAH!!!). fall foliage, christmas cards and babies....quite a few babies. oh how i love this. needless to say it may be a while before i really truly post something worth while. just wanted to let everyone know that we are still here!!!!

(photo compliments of alan's cousin karen....thanks girl! great shot!)

37

i am so honored to make this post. thirty seven years ago today my husbands parents (mom and dad r.) tied the knot. what an accomplishment, what a blessing! God sure knew what he was doing when he brought you two together. There is so much love between the two of you....God's love....selfless love....it just pours out. i am so lucky to have been able to par-take in that love (still par-taking :)) what a great example you are. not only to us, but to the girls and everyone else who is watching. i watch, i've watched for a long time now. just seeing the two of you last night in the parking lot hand in hand. showering each other with love and respect. you fit together like a glove. the way you look at one another....when you dance. i love watching the two of you dance. so graceful...so beautiful. you two are great. we don't tell you enough. mom, dad, thank you for your marriage, and for your gracious love. without it, i would not be married to your wonderful son whom i long to be married to for 37 years too(and them some.) we love you so much. we hope you have a wonderful day!

18 mo

my sweet funny face. i could just eat you up. today my dear marks eighteen months of pure bliss! you are so darn cute, i can barely contain myself. i never knew that having a second child bring so much more love and laughter into our house. you are our little clown....spinning 'round and 'round then falling over on purpose, wearing your high heeled shoes, blowing lainey sized zerberts on my belly...you make me laugh. your big blue eyes and your big front teeth, sparse hair (very sparse on top...just like your daddy, but you do look just like him). just looking at you makes my heart swell. really swell! when you look up at me and smile, i absolutely melt....holding up your arms "mammy, mammy." you are my little buddy. i love you so much. i am so thankful for the gift of wonderful you!

golden aspen

harley, harley, harley......they are every where. i am in ruidoso, new mexico visiting my in-laws. donna and i headed out yesterday morning to have a short but sweet weekend up in the mountains. this weekend is the golden aspen motorcycle rally. motorcycles from all over come to just hang out i guess. i'm not sure i really understand why, but it is pretty interesting. it truly is a site! it's just a good thing alan isn't here....he would get back on his "wanting a motorcycle" kick....and i don't think i could handle that again.

the weather is beautiful, no one is screaming or crying....it's quiet (with exception of the rumbling of the motorcycles.) i love my family so much, but this really is a much desired and needed little break. thank you. mommy will be home soon. love you alan, love you girls.

de-sterilization

before.....(as you can see above that kylee was allowed....just this once, to color all over the counter tops. did i emphasize "just this once?")

after......

before...white and very sterile. maybe not clean per say, but hospitalization or psych ward WHITE! but now there is more warmth, the room is more tied together. i felt like a little kid waiting for christmas morning to arrive. i can honestly say that i have hated those white counter tops....they showed everything, not to mention, not very fun to clean. i love the darker counter tops. and good bye nasty white porcelain sink, hello stainless steel. as much as i am loving the new counter tops i can't forget that they came with a price. several trips to lowes, a few thrown tools and plenty of nicks on my husbands head from those nasty child proof locks on the cabinets below the sink. my husband had a heck of a night. i can't thank you enough honey for persevering....you did a great job. i thank you so very much.

perfect fit

earlier this week i had the privilege of taking pictures of my cousins newest edition....sweet callie! i just loved these picture of her with her nini (alaina's nini too if you ask her.) such a sweet and beautiful baby. though her first week in this world was a little difficult everything has fallen right into place....bliss! we are all glad you are here, happy and healthy.

little piggies

i know this may seem a little ridiculous, but i just had to do it. the poor girl has no hair on top, it's all in the back. she is all about looking "pretty." i asked her if she wanted "pretty hair," she said, "uh huh." i asked her if she wanted pretty toes and nails...."uh huh." you should have seen how proud she was to show daddy her nails...bent wrist and all (unfortunately after being in the pool a few hours later it all came off.) such a pretty little girl, and so darn funny. she really is a clown.

as for poor kylee, she is sick AGAIN! what is going on? i feel so bad when they are sick. please pray for her....and that the rest of us don't get it. if she still has a fever in the morning we will be one our way to the clinic....happy labor day. hope everyone else has a great holiday!




here's lookin' at you kid!

"rolling"

so we could have a little more one on one time with first let me say, "thanks dad" for watching alainakylee. we had a date with our oldest tonight. a little pizza at minsky's (love it!!!), and bowling. kylee wasn't really thrilled with the idea of going "rolling" but once we walked in the doors her mindset changed. i haven't laughed so much in a long time. she was hilarious. she didn't just roll the ball, she threw it (up in the air that is....alan, even had to catch it mid air) it sounded like the floor cracked everytime the ball hit down. she loved it and had a great time....not to mention a chocolate chip cookie from the guy behind the food counter and ice cream on the way home...what a night out with mom and dad. we had a great time with you kylee. you are such a sweet girl.

dough girl

i remember afternoons when my mom would decide to make a batch of chocolate chip cookies....licking the spatula and the beaters was the best part! that sweet, soft dough and bittersweet chocolate chips...mmmmmmm. it's still my favorite part of making cookies.

kylee has had a rough few weeks. she's been acting out a lot more than normal....i think we're dealing with a bit of sibling resentment. lainey, i know kylee loves you so much, but being the big sis' is tough, just as it is to be ther little sis'.

anyway, i thought that today since kylee doesn't have school on fridays and i got canceled at work last night...that it would be a great idea to spend a little one on one time with her (instead of a nap.) so, we make cookies and watched "dreamer." (i still can't believe that i sat next to kris kristofferson and his wife on the plane ride out to hawaii.) what a great movie, always makes me cry. thanks kyleebug for a fun and yummy filled afternoon!

first day of school (pre K)

said it before, but who are you and what did you do to my "little" kylee???? i don't even realize it sometimes until i look at a picture of her....she is growing up so fast. and in the blink of an eye i'll be taking pictures of her as she heads off to college. please stop for just a minute, i need to drink you in. it really reminds me that instead of "stopping to smell the roses," i need to stop and see my girls. see them in all their glory, the way god made them. see what they are doing, what they are saying, what they love. to stop and play, or just sit and hold them. just be still! why is that so hard to do? i get so wrapped up in having "to do" things, that i don't take that time. i know i'vei'll keep saying it as long as i have to....i am sorry for being so busy with the things that aren't very important, from expecting so much from you....i can only expect the great things god has in store for you. i love you both so much. i am sooooo lucky to have two beautiful, funny, sweet, smart, creative, energetic and enthusiastic (i could go on...) daughters. thanks for being mine! i love you..........xoxo

miss hollywood

look at miss hollywood! i barely got this shot. alaina really gets excited when you start pulling out all the dress up stuff, but she'll only leave it on for a few minutes......except the shoes. she'll wear those silly things all over the house. you'd think that being pigeon toed and high heels wouldn't go hand in hand, but she pulls it off quite well. she even tries to run in them. she is such a character...what a clown. lainey, you make me smile. love ya lou!

self portrait

i have been completely neglecting this blog.....been a little busy. but i thought i would break in my new chair. i hit the jackpot at the goodwill store today. i have been looking for a simple wood chair, one that i could paint and use for portraits. well i found one (for $5), then i found this awesome piece, the one i'm sitting in. i payed a little more than i would have liked, but i just couldn't pass it up...it was too great. i love the print....even the colors (though you can't see it now.)

the picture below pretty much depicts how i'm feelin' right now. for the last three months i have not physically felt up to par. i haven't been able to put my finger on it. i keep thinking "hypothyroidism," i definitely have at least 5-6 of the signs and symptoms. so i called the doc and now i'm just waiting my blood results. i just want to figure out what the heck is going on so i can feel better....more normal anyway. not to mention, we had a really bad wednesday. we had to put our payton to sleep. if anyone has experienced having to do that, you know what we are going through. it is awful!!!!! so i think i'm just going to stuff for a little while.
kylee starts school monday, i can't believe it. we went up to the school to see her classroom and meet her teacher. anyone who knows kylee, knows that she is not very shy....but as soon as we walked in there she completely clammed up. as soon as we left she was dancin' around saying, "i can't wait to start school....my teacher is awesome!" i'm so glad she likes school....for now anyway!?!

lainey wants to talk so bad. she'll try to say just about anything. new words.....book, butt (buh), big butt, cookie, kylee, thank you (sounds like "kunk koo"), more, yeah, juice (sort of), grama and bagel...i know there are more. i'll keep ya posted.

priority or first class? or are those the same thing?

i just thought these were so funny. the simplest things make the most fun! a box and stamp...who would imagine? this child makes so many facial expressions in a matter of minutes...has since she was a baby. serious...happy (smilin')...and her newest "oooh." that "oooooh" expression came with two blisters on her heels. every time you make mention of her boo boo, she'll look at her heels, then back up at you, pucker up her lips, scrunch her eyebrows and say "ooooooh." so dramatic and a little exaggerated if you ask me....but darn hilarious. she really is a little clown. last night she had the best time just spinning in circles and falling over. she thought it was so funny....so did we. when she realized that she was making us laugh she she started falling over on purpose....doing a half turn then fall on the ground (on purpose), completely faking it...then she'd start laughing. what a goof!

poor kylee on the other hand had a rough weekend. all weekend long she had a fever that would not break, but she acted fine....so weird! so yesterday i took her to the doctor and sure enough she had strep throat. and after dinner last night her temp peaked to 103 degrees (that was after seeing the doctor.) i carried her upstairs and put her in a cold bath, that was fun! but thank goodness last night after a bowl of ice cream (and popsicle) for dinner and a little rest, the darn thing finally broke! she's much better now...i just hope she doesn't think she's going to get ice cream for dinner again tonight!







the newest facial epression i was talking about....."ooooooh."

my little fish

fish one....and fish two....(she thinks she is anyway)!

i think kylee swam with water wings for maybe two weeks before she was off on her own....and now look at her....jumpin' in all by herself! amazing. she is growing up so fast.

i don't think i have really posted an update on her lately, so here goes. kylee has been a busy little girl this summer. she learned to swim, ride her bike (still needs a little more time) and still in the process of learning all her letters and numbers (writing them too.) oh, and she has finally stopped sucking her finger and biting her nails! yeah!!!! one of her favorite phrases is...."please, you have to give me a second chance (pleading)." she is such a little negotiator. it seems that we rarely ever have the last word...."but, but, but..." or "well, well, well..." well, well WHAT i ask you! such a sweet girl with such a strong will. we have had and are having many challenges, but she is worth everyone!

she starts preschool again in a few weeks, she will be attending the elementary school in our neighborhood (that is where she will go to kindergarten), four afternoons a week. thank goodness for that! now i don't have to fight nap time anymore. nap time has been such a challenge this summer. i have been very reluctant in giving up on them, so we compromise...."quiet time." (mommy needs a little break in the day) if she doesn't want to sleep she can play quietly in her room. however, it doesn't always run so smooth.

i know there is more, but my mind is drawing a blank....on to lainey......

she is still ornary as ever, but talking a lot more. if you say something that she thinks she can say, she will try it! unfortunately, a week or so ago she learned how to really use the word "NO!" yeah!!! so much fun being told "no" all the time by your 16mo old.

she is now climbing on everything....and into even more stuff. she will only eat if she has a fork (which is a good thing), and she loves it when we pray at dinner. she holds our hands, even bows her head a little, then at the end she says "men!" so sweet.

well, i better go so i can finish doing the laundry. whoopi!!! stay tuned for further updates....i know there is more that i have forgotten.