the Cowboy way

Shane makes a great model...
when I do his photos like this it makes me think of how lucky I am to have him
and that he is so willing to do things for me that I LOVE.





when you think about the life of a Cowboy in the past you think how lucky they are to have everything they needed in hand...their saddle, rope, gun, etc...but





what I see is a lonely life...a life never settled or touched by loved ones





they had the freedom of open range





they had the companionship of a very loyal friend, one who is there to help the best he knows how and to just love them, no questions asked




so really they did have it all, to them anyway.
still to say the Cowboy life is a thing of the past, is not so around here




even Shane is a modern day Cowboy...not just because we have horses,
it is because he is a Cowboy at heart and lives the Cowboy way...





with dignity, honor, by his word, service and caring for.





most would not think of themselves as a Cowboy simply because they don't have horses, a hat, or some boots...but that is just the makeup, not the true Cowboy.





a true cowboy is anyone who wants to blaze a new trail, who has upstanding attributes and who is gentle at heart but strong enough to carry the world, if asked, without complaints.
I can thankfully say that Shane is one of those people.
I love you Shane and thank you for all you do for us and all you sacrifice for us...we would not be a family with out you at the head of it.
P.S.
you are the best looking Cowboy to me!!!

here is a sneak peak of the Cowboy Way...











more to come.

our home is all decorated for Christmas...at least the inside
just thought I'd share a little of what we have to help us get in the Spirit of things...
every year we hike and find our own tree...it is a tradition I can't seem to justify stopping just because I want a fake tree





Rylie enjoys putting the ornaments on...I have certain ones I put on this one and then she has a small tree for her room and all the FUN ornaments go on that one...
here are a few of my favorites











i took all these shots in the dark and with manual focus...messing around with new things that I have been reading about...


and lastly our Angel...she is tall, so we have to cut the top of the tree off for her to fit under our short ceiling...her wings move and change color...isn't she BEAUTIFUL?!





then I think this says it all





I so Love this saying...it really puts into perspective the true reason for the season...





Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight!!!

dancing is one thing we do allot of in this house
Rylie loves it when we just play music and dance around the house...
she is in dance this year again and has loved it now that she is bigger and they do more moves...
Her Dance recital was last week and I got a few photos of her





we weren't sitting in the best spot to see her the whole time...but i was glad I got what I did





bust and move girl...





you rock Rylie






she can't wait until she can be in the older groups so she can do this...





then there was the 4 year old tap...they were so stinkin cute I had to through this photo in





Rylie you sure can move...loved being there and watching you do something you like to do...just move it move it!!!

my little Chef

Rylie loves to cook...
so I let her make a pizza for dinner





she did all of it herself except for the oven part





she had so much fun
makes me think she might become a better cook than me...





i love the times I can just spend teaching her things that she will be able to keep with her forever
and also just being silly with her





she keeps me young and on my toes...always wanting to try new things or do what ever i am doing





she is so silly and i love it...she is the one that makes us a family





thanks for being my little helper...i love you roo!!!