Keepem' closed...

Are they still closed?

Wait.

Wait.

Okay,

NOW!

Wood-deeeeee!!!!!

"He's mine?"

Ridin' their horses!

I never.

And I do mean, NEVER, buy Raegen toys.

Why?

Because the kid has soooo many that we've picked up

here,

there,

and everywhere.

BUT,

I just couldn't resist Woody.

and he talks!

Double Trouble strikes again!

Billy's Aunt Bea & Aunt Betty came up for a visit this past weekend. If you recall from here or here, when they're around...

anything goes!

It was their first time to meet Lynden...

It brought back a few memories of the first time they met Raegen

{back before I had a blog}...

{and back when my house looked a LOT different!}

Raegen was almost six months old here, and just 16lbs.

That means Raegen was older and weighed less than Lynden does at three months!

We had another great visit. They were at the house when we got home from church and I got busy finishing up lunch, chicken & dumplins!

Raegen had a great time entertaining Aunt Bea with his "magic" {Color Wonder books}.

It truly is the best invention for an OCD mom.

And Lynden got and gave lots of lovin'...

It was good to see everyone again...

It's always crazy and chaotic, but lots of fun.

So much fun, that the little king didn't want to see the party end.

To say the least, he was heartbroken.

So...

Aunt Betty will be back soon to take him home with her for a few days. And believe me, Raegen won't let her forget it!! :)

Oh. me.

Raegen, you need to find the cap to that brush or I'm going to take all those away

{his Color Wonder books and markers from Aunt Jenn...strewn all over playroom}.

I can not find it.

{not looking, just walking around}

Well, you better look under some of that stuff or I'm going to take them away.

Take it away.

Take it away?

Yes. Take it all away.

**sigh**

Little Red Caboose

While B was on his fun-filled GUYS only trip a few weeks ago,

the boys and I hopped over to my parents for a few days.

First on our agenda was the train depot...we've been wanting to go for months, but usually our visits are too short to fit in time for "extra's".

I'm so glad we finally made time because it was sooo nice!

It. was. so. nice!

Did I mention it was nice?!

You will want to go too...whether or not you have kids.

an aerial shot of the depot and railroad tracks

Waitin' at the train stop!

There are three train cars on site, including two caboose's.

Raegen enjoyed climbing aboard and exploring...

But the real fun was inside the depot! It's been converted into a model train shop.

The owner gave us a 15min demonstration, complete with changing tracks and engines!

Raegen enjoyed watching the trains, but of course he prefers to be the engineer...

Because it is a train depot, there were several trains that passed by in the short time we were there...

The "freight" room {where freight would come in to be weighed, then put on the trains} has been converted into a mini-musuem. It's full of pictures and artifacts from the town's heyday.

My dad has spent his entire life in this town so there were many pictures of folks he knew...

He was even there the day Roy Rogers and his horse, Trigger, visited...

Dad also recognized a few of the kids in the below picture. They were a year or so behind him in school. We counted 35 kids in this picture. That seems like an awful lot for just one teacher. Then dad realized some of the kids were in two different grades, so we concluded it was two classes...and the other teacher got stuck with snapping the picture! I'm sure she regrets that! ha Too bad they didn't have self-timers back in the day. ;)

There is a short video documenting the depot's renovation.

And, of course, there is plenty of merchandise for sale.

My dad is helping me locate a model train for Raegen. My dad still has his from when he was a boy and I always enjoyed him setting it up for us to watch. I look forward to giving Raegen such a treasure to enjoy.
{shhhh...it is a surprise though!}

This is where the cowboy rides away...

We had our closing ceremonies at Ranch Do-Right last night.

Like last year, the two's and three's were first to perform.

THANK YOU WHOEVER MAKES THAT HAPPEN!!

Bronco Billy had to mosey his way up to the stage to help corral the kids.

{next year we should really think about moving the "offering scale"...major distraction for little 2 and 3 year old minds...umm-kay, what ISN"T a major distraction for 2's & 3's?? ha!}

Raegen participated in a few hand motions, but I didn't notice him singing any. I'm just glad he didn't have a meltdown. You never know.

After they were done with their songs, another EXTREMELY wise person decided to announce "if you have a two or three year old, please come get them now and let them sit with you". Hello genius!

Raegen was thrilled to see his Grandaddy and Mimi.

he told me later... "Mommy, Mammie is a 'Grandmother'"

After all the other children performed their songs, we had a slideshow, Bro. Tim spoke about the work in the Philippines, and then we dismissed to pick up our "crafts".

These children,

these KIDS,

these little two year old through sixth grade miniature adults

raised over NINE HUNDRED dollars for the Philippine orphanage. Bro. Tim let them know that that money would feed those children TWO rice meals a day for

ONE YEAR

AND

THREE MONTHS.

amazing.

Raegen's wall of crafts:

{on the right}

Mrs. Kim and Raegen

2010

{not sure where Mrs. Cindy was...}

Mrs. Cindy, Raegen, & Mrs. Kim

2009

It's amazing how many things can change...

in a year!