Tim's New Home

Here is Tim's new home. He has been working at his new job since January and now has the opportunity to move out on his own. Albert and I are so proud of him!

It is a cute one bedroom/bathroom apartment with a living room and a dinning room.

He loves the kitchen and how it looks. This is truly his look! Oh, he also has washer and dryer hook ups and was able to get a washer from Tara (traded a tv for it) and a dryer from Robin. So he is all set!

He has a patio area as well. He is on the ground floor, which he wanted. He is still working for some churches and has equipment to carry, so a ground floor was a MUST for him.

This is his view when he sits on the patio. There is a cute area where he can even go and bbq. He is almost all moved in and is already enjoying being closer to work and having his own space. He can even go home at lunch time now. Congrats Tim!

Hard at Work

Albert and I have been working in our backyard. We wanted to extend our patio space so that we can have more room to sit when company comes over and to sit out there ourselves so we can enjoy the view.

We took out the old railroad ties so that we could put in new retaining walls. The railroad ties were rotted through and snakes liked to get in them, so I was happy to see them go! We loaded them up in the back of my truck - I love my truck!!

We were fortunate enough to get dirt from the Goode's. They built a pond, so they had extra dirt!! We got 4 truck loads from them! Off loading dirt sure reminded me of how old I am! It was HARD work!! But we got it done! And once again I must say, I love my truck!!!

Here are my stepping stones. We laid down a weed barrier and then put the stepping stones in place. I had to walk over them over and over again just to make sure they were in their right spot. Then we got 3 truck loads of River Rock to put on top of the barrier. Once again - I love my truck!!

Here is the brand new seating area! Albert is going to make the boot into a fountain for me. After that is completed, I will take more pictures. It is truly a blessing to have a husband who works so hard and likes to do home improvement jobs with me!

I will be adding more pots and plants (I got some new plants from my mother-in-law, so I will be adding them to this spot very soon!) and I also have to find a couple more chairs and the project will be totally complete! We are going to try it out for Easter when we have the entire family here - can't wait!

Charley and Cody enjoying outside

This is what Papa and I got Charley for his birthday. It is a water and sand table. He loves it! Of course he has to make sure the water is equal on both sides as well as the sand, so we have to clean it out after he is done playing - ha - he loves mixing all the water and sand together. This toy keeps him busy for at least 30 minutes - I love it!

Charley also has to play with the sand in the horseshoe pit. The weather has been really wonderful lately, so we go outside quite a bit these days.

I know that this is a dark picture, but I just had to prove that Cody will smile! :) He talks up a storm and smiles all day long until you put a camera in his face to take a picture of him.

This is what happened after he realized that I was going to take pictures - silly boy!!

He loved the swing, but from this picture you couldn't tell - ha! Once again, he was all smiles until I wanted to take his picture!

We have had Tara and the boys here for 2 weeks while their truck is in the shop. It has been fun having them here - we have enjoyed our time with them!

Charley and Cody

Charley loves to wear hats. He was wearing one of Papa's hats while riding on the tractor. He is such a big helper when we are outside and loves to work with us!

Cody sleeping in his mommy's arms. This was before he was 2 months old, now he is 3 months old. Don't worry they are all coming down this weekend, new pictures will be taken for sure!

Charley is such a good big brother!

Charley loves to play and Papa is his own personal jungle gym!

Here is Tantie holding Cody. He is a real talker, can't wait to hear what all he has to say this weekend!

I love seeing my grandbabies! It was fun watching and playing with them. Boy, they sure do grow up quickly!

Snow Day on LAST3 Ranch

We had snow - not a lot, but enough to make it feel more like winter! Here is a picture of Charley and Cody's fort - I am thinking that Charley would have loved to slide down that snow slide!!

Here are the horses water buckets (don't worry there is another one that is not frozen - they can drink!), the hose is frozen inside the bucket.

Love the snow covered roof!

Albert wrote "Snow Day" on his car. Had to take a picture of that!

The greener part is where Tim was parked this morning. I love our "frosted" driveway!

The Boys were Back in Town!

Tara, Charley and Cody came down this weekend. It was so good to see them! It was so fun to play with them and have a houseful again. Now, it is quiet, ha, I enjoy that too!! Charley loves his Papa!!!

Here is Cody - one month old! Wow, how times flies! He was having some tummy time on the couch, I was trying to capture his cute little dimple, but he was not cooperating! He would just show it off after I already snapped the picture!

Tara, Charley, Cody, Tressa, Mickey and I went to the zoo on Friday. It was a gorgeous day for sure! Charley loved looking at all the animals, but he really enjoyed running back and forth as the sea lions were playing. It was too cute! Tressa wants to bring one home, she thinks she can keep it in the tub - ha - don't think so!

Charley and I enjoying the elephants. He had to get up on the stand next to this one. I had Tara take our picture, since I am the one that takes most of the pictures, I needed to have one taken of us at the zoo!

And this is my favorite! Charley and Papa working! Charley ran out to Papa after we got home from the zoo. He had to go right out there and help him! He also loved playing outside with Papa!!! They had a great time! I think the next time they come to visit it is Cody's turn on the tractor with Papa, he will be a month and a half - I think that is the right age to start him working on the Ranch! lol :)

Changes

Well, Tara and the boys have moved up to Ft Hood and the house is very quiet these days! I guess my blog will be very different from now on, unless they come to visit, then I will have pictures to post of my awesome grandbabies.

A change is definitely going on at our house - the quiet - more space - less to fix for dinner - all sorts of changes.

I am going to work on some projects in the house, I will be taking before and after pictures, so then you will be able to see all the changes inside!

Albert and I will be working on the property, we will be getting it ready for Tara and Jeff's wedding reception in April, so there will be pictures from those projects as well.

Tim has a new wonderful job that he loves. He is doing video and sound editing and will be going around America and the world for this job. He had to get his passport renewed, looks like this summer he will be traveling to where he will need it. He is planning to move out either this month or next.

Tressa is working at Kroger and for a daycare. The daycare is only a few hours per week, but she wants to pay her car off as soon as possible, so she is thankful for the work.

Albert is working hard on some projects for U S Bank, so that all is going well.

We are working in the man cave, trying to get that all nice and pretty. Well, I am sure Albert doesn't want a man cave that is pretty, but you get the idea, we just want it done.

I am working a few hours a week for Women's Pregnancy Center, helping them with fund raising events. I really like that, plus I get to spend more time with my sister. So that is nice.

Ok - that those are my updates and changes so far for 2011. I will keep you posted about what all is going on at the Ranch!

Hope that your New Year's was a great one and that 2011 is full of love and laughter!