Mommy and Me Swim Lessons

Well not mommy this time!! Daddy was able to make it to her last swim lesson, so it's really Daddy and Me Swim Lessons. Gwen was in a weird mood that day. I had to hide so she wouldn't see me and enjoy her time with Daddy in the pool. (ok spa)

Untitled from Kristina Rickard on Vimeo.

Playgroup

Every week our squadron gets the little ones together to play at someone's home. This week was at Eva's house. Gwen loves going over there. The big hit is the piano. I think we might have a piano player on our hands. She was also in love with the playhouse outside. Hmm... what to get for Christmas and her birthday??? We got her an easel already for her birthday because she loves to color and paint. I'm not a big fan of her birthday being so close to Christmas. I have to start shopping now. If we don't we'll be broke.

Big girl going down the stairs by herself

Raise your hand if you're sure!! Gwen's Sure!
Eva and Gwen playing us a tune


The love of this outdoor playhouse. There is a little girl in her I think! Whew!

Uh oh! Gwen thinks she can drive already.

Little Diva waiting for Daddy to come home

Almost everyday Jayson will call to say he's on his way home. Gwen's seems to be catching on to it too. When the phone rings she says Daddy?? Then shes off getting her shoes and running to the front yard to wait for him. She could care less that it's 100 plus outside. 20 minutes later Daddy arrives. She gets sooo excited to see his truck coming down the street.

Posing for the camera with her shades on

Who knows what she's saying???

Untitled from Kristina Rickard on Vimeo.

Horses for Heros 9/11

We took a trip about 45 min from the house to an event called Horses for Hero's. Jayson and I really don't know much about horses and what goes on with showing and riding them, but we thought it would be a great way to get up close to a horse for Gwen. The first horse we saw was a miniature horse. Gwen was in love. Apparently, he was adopted because his previous owners abused and neglected him. So sad. The grand showcase was suppose to start at 10am but I think it finally started at 10:30. Gwen was enjoying herself so much. As we walked around and saw the many beautiful horses she made the sound that a horse makes. It was really cute. We also got to check out a really cool firetruck. When I put Gwen inside she was not thrilled about coming back out. She was enjoying herself and especially when she got to put one of the helmets on. It was a great morning to remember all of the fallen hero's from 9/11 and spend time as a family. God Bless!

The miniature horse

This guys name was peanut. He wasn't a miniature horse, but close to it. He was too cute!

Giving a little love to the horse

Loved watching all the horses gallop by

Daddy and Gwen

A Sargent in the Army was given the purple heart. Look closely at the horse with no one on it. It has a boot in the saddle going the other direction to signify all of the loved ones killed or missing.

Fun little fire truck to ride around in. We never got to do this because we could never find where it was picking people up. Oh well, next time.

Mommy and Gwen outside the huge firetruck

Gwen and her hat

Labor Day Camping

We did it again, another camping trip. Our family, the Culbertson's, the Ross's, and the Neitzke's all went up to Mt. Charleston to camp for the weekend. We had so much fun getting to know one another even better, had some yummy food, got some excercise, played lots of games, and just plain old had a darn good time. I have never seen Gwen that dirty in my life. She was enjoying playing with the older kids and making mud pies everyday. Thank goodness for a trailer and a shower. If Gwen hadn't taken a shower all four days we were up there... well she just wouldn't look like our kid.

Enjoy the pictures!

Our campsite

Daddy and Gwen
Gwen playing in the dirt


Views from one of our hikes

Daddy and Gwen again.

(notice who always seems to take the pictures and never gets in one!)

Rooney going for a ride in the backpack

The whole crew minus the Culbertson's

The Ross's

Gabriel, Dave, Andrea, and Keegan

The Rickard's

The Neitzke's

Erika, Sean, and Sierra

Views on our hike up to Cathedral Rock

Gwen enjoying the ride

Gwen helping daddy

Another picture mom!

Baby Sierra and Gwen enjoying the mornings fresh air and some good ole oatmeal