CARRELL FAMILY

Memorial weekend 2011

2011-06-09T20:37:00.005-05:00

As usual, we had a great Memorial weekend with family. We met all our kids and grandkids (except Colten) and our niece Mandy and her hubby Jerry and baby Paisley at the lake on Friday! We all got up the next morning and (finally) made the trip to Stephenville to visit with Brandon and Cindy and their brood at their place in the country. We've only been saying we were going to make it that way, like FOREVER! The kids had the greatest time there, swimming and riding horses and generally enjoying the whole countryside. We even hiked the short way to the fort that Chris made for the kids (& where some of those kids slept the WHOLE ENTIRE night before our visit~~ we all thought they were quite brave)! I posted pics of Fort Carrdal, you can see how handy Chris is with scrap wood (pallets)! We also enjoyed visiting with Cindy's parents, Lawrence & Vanda, who were there visiting & it was an extra bonus that Chris was there on leave from Japan. We had lots of good food, good company and also fit a lot into that one day trip. All the little ones were quite worn out by the time we headed back to the lake! Sammie and I (along with Sam & Caitlin) ended the weekend on Monday with a quick trip to Mertzon on our way home, (it was Cathy's birthday~~ I won't say which one) but we wanted to get one last visit with Kenneth and Reggie and their kiddos before they left for China, since it's going to be quite a while before we will see them again. We're going to have to make do with keeping up with Kenneth and his family through their blog for the next few years. Thank goodness for technology, I can't imagine how much rougher their being that far away would be on everyone without it. I love being able to check on them everyday and see pics. Of course, I had to grab a few pics of them before they left, they are at the end of this post!

You have to admire the tenacity of cactus

Preparing some of that good food while enjoying some good company

Caleb bravely jumping to his daddy

Madison

Livi, Madi & Makynli

Wyatt

Caleb, Emma, Cade & Kaci

Matt & Caleb

Livi & Madi

Livi Kate

Kaci

Emma & Matt

Elle

Makynli

Brandon & Jerry

Cindy's mom, Vanda & Chris cooking up something good!

Chris

Cade

Mandy, Paisley & Jerry

My D-I-L Staci making mac n cheese

Cindy's dad, Lawrence

Mandy & Paisley

Caleb

Sammie, Wyatt & Brandon

Olivia (she's our critter girl)

Livi still lovin' that frog!

Makynli & Madison

Digging in to some good BBQ, along with other goodies

Brandon & Sammie

Caleb

Cade

Colton, Lawrence & Vanda (TC in background)

Chris swimming with the kids!

Who was it that you said was bringing back sexy Matt? HA!

Matt, Brandon & Mandy

Livi, Chris & Elle

Hubby~Sammie

Garrett

Staci & Caleb

Makynli

Mandy & Paisley

Livi

Chris's daughter, Elle

Garrett with Granddad!

Caitlin & Kaci

Uncle Bo (Sam) getting splashed by Cade

Paisley's new way to sit

Paisley

Checking out Fort Carrdal

Headed back to the house

Yep, everyone left me behind huffing and puffing at least Madi looked back to check on her old grandma!! HA!

At the barn for some horseback riding

None of the kids could resist the kittens!

Madison with Vanda leading

Livi with Cheyanne leading

Livi

Cade

Caitlin

Livi & Madi back with the kittens

Livi brought the kitten for a pic

Cheyanne

Makynli

Caleb

Cheyanne

Caleb

Sarah with Garrett

Love Emma's riding outfit! Who knew ...a tutu?

Mandy & Paisley

Emma and her tutu! ha ha!

Mandy & Paisley

Chris gave Wyatt's horse a slap and got some excitement going! Guess there is no age gap when it comes to brothers giving each other a hard time!! HA!

And off Wyatt goes!

Of course this only made Cade want to ride him!

And Cade did get a little action from him, which had grandma and mom holding our breath...

...and giving Matt the stink eye...

...and had Staci already imagining all the summer fun Cade was going to miss out on with a broken arm... but all worked out fine, (lucky for Matt)!

If all else fails ...BITE!! Watch out Cade!

baby goat

Caitlin showing us how she still remembers how to show sheep!

Matt showing the boys how the mama cat carries her babies

Paisley

Matt

Jerry and Brandon

Enjoying Brandon's guitar skills!

The girls loved listening to Brandon

Sammie & Lawrence

Garrett back at the lake!

Makynli at the lake

Poor Livi was upset

Sarah loving up Madison

Paisley

Hallie at her grandparent's house in Mertzon

Annabelle

Annabelle thought they should water the plants

Kellen

Grandfather Alvie thought the girls needed watering

Annabelle thought grandmother was a good towel

Reggie, Kenneth, Sammie, Sue & Alvie

Cathy, Hallie & Kellen

Hallie showing us how she shakes it! HA!

And Annabelle shaking it too!

Cathy & Kellen

Hallie & Anna playing piano for us

Kenneth!

Off the Beaten Path

2011-05-03T00:05:00.256-05:00

First thing I'm going to say here is, yes, I'm a bit of a hoarder. We decided to get some new patio furniture for my birthday, since what we had was looking a little tired! It's always fun to get new things, but then comes the decision of what to do with the old stuff. Not a real problem if I can pass it down to my kids or someone else I know, and I am getting much better at sending things to Goodwill but I still have a hard time making a decision on what to do with certain things. As I said the old patio furniture was looking tired but it is still in pretty good shape, it just needs to be re-stained and I also need to replace the cushions which I can buy at Pier 1, so we... (okay, I ...after much debate) decided to take it to the lake since the front porch of the cabin only has 2 children's chairs w/table on it. (Imagine my family rolling eyes and shaking their heads here, because I guarantee that is what they are doing if they are reading this), anyway this was our only reason for going to the lake this last weekend, so since there was nothing else planned I was finally able to explore the area with my camera in hand.

My dad was raised on a farm outside of Baird, Texas so there are several places around the area that I've wanted to photograph. We spent several summers at our cousins farm in Cross Plains and I actually found my way to their farm where my aunt and one of my cousins still live. Found the ghost town of Belle Plaine and even visited the cemetery there. I know I'm probably weird, but I love old cemeteries, I think it has something to do with my love of history. I use to have to try to talk Sammie into stopping when we would come across them, but now he enjoys looking around at all the headstones with their dates and inscriptions, about as much as I do. Just down from the cemetery I found the ruins of the Belle Plains College, although it was fenced off and since I didn't want to trespass, the photos I got of it were from a distance. I would have liked to go to the farm where my dad was raised, but I had no idea how to get there and there wasn't really enough time anyway, so I guess I'll get directions from my dad and save that for another time!

Photo of the sun from Abilene, Tx. We think the smoke must have come from the wildfire that was in Junction. Visibility was pretty poor in some areas of the Interstate

In Belle Plaine Cemetery. "sweet be thy peace, thy sufferings are over"

"One less to love on earth, one more to meet in heaven"

"How desolate our home bereft of thee"

So old the only word I could make out on the tombstone was "died". Such a shame that some feel a need to destroy for no reason.

Ruins of the Dean's home at Belle Plains College

Another view of the Dean's home

Road in front of Dean's home.

View of the college ruins from the Dean's home.

I think he was looking for some food. He was quite friendly!

Pretty much in the middle of nowhere

The top portion of the Belle Plains College ruins.

Belle Plains College in it's day!

Zoomed in view of college ruins

This coyote was really high-tailing it away from me.

Rock is much bigger than it seems in the photo!

Thought about it, then thought about what the hubby would say if I took my Expedition in there, so this road stayed unexplored until another day. Need to take Sammie's truck next time.

Not many bluebonnets this year because of the lack of rain, but the cactus flowers were really out!

Old barn on the way to the lakehouse.

Back at the lake! Yes I see you squirrel!

Cardinal was back. Bluejays were around this time too, but I never was able to get a photo of them.

First photo I've been able to get of this yellow warbler. I've tried many times but he is in almost constant movement!

Or hiding behind the leaves and branches!


Stopped by the cemetery in Baird and got a photo of my grandfathers head stone. "Blessed be the name of the Lord". He sang that song to us kids all the time.

Sammie found this Confederate Soldiers grave.

Spring Break 2011

2011-03-22T14:40:00.005-05:00

We had another great time at the lake for spring break. Missed Sarah and her family because she had to work, but they were able to spend some time on the last weekend of spring break with her in-laws at their place in Del Rio. Long time family friend Leroy and his kids, Jordan, Breanna & Anslee joined us, they are such sweet and good kids, ...good job Leroy! We even had day visits from Shirley on Friday, and Brandon & Cindy with their kiddos Kaci, Cheyanne, Wyatt and Emma on Saturday. It was a great visit with all of them but of course much too short! I felt like all we did was eat the entire week! Came home feeling like I never wanted to eat again, but unfortunately that didn't last long! The lake is definitely not a good place for me when I'm trying to diet! Everyone just brings way too many goodies!

Matt & Staci hanging out on the front deck!

Second cousin~~ Wyatt (Brandon's) & Cade (Matt's)

Cousins ~~ Paisley (Mandy's) & Kaci (Brandon's)

Happy 9th Birthday Cheyanne (Brandon's)!

Looks like Caleb is helping Cheyanne blow out her candle

Breanna (Leroy's) & Wyatt (Brandon's)

Emma (Brandon's)

Caleb (Matt's) Who couldn't love that face!

Cousins~~ Paisley (Mandy's) & Cheyanne (Brandon's)

This boy is the cutest bit of trouble you've ever seen!!

I'm thinking that Brandon and Cindy see this expression a lot from Emma!

No matter how many kids I see playing on cell phones I'm still always amazed at how young they are. Even Paisley at 7 months old is already interested in her mom's phone! I think it is pretty neat that there are so many educational games out there for the little ones!

Praise Baby to the rescue!

Super Moon? Best shots I could get with no tripod and my cheap lens! (that's a hint for my husband)

I guess it was a little brighter!

You might be a red neck if... you use the dry lake bottom to tube!

Pipevine or Blue Swallowtail butterfly on the wild plum trees we have on our lake property. If you've never had wild plum jelly then you don't know what you're missing! It happens to be my husbands most favorite!!!

There was a whole "orchard" on my dad's childhood farm in Callahan County (Baird, Tx. to be exact) he and my mom used to make pilgrimages there to gather up the wild plums and we would have jelly for a whole year! These grow wild all over the area so when my parents were no longer able to go to the farm, they went somewhere along a highway and gathered them.
We don't have enough wild plum bushes on our place to make much jelly yet. I keep trying to guard the small plants that come up every year from the men and their lawnmowers, but they don't always listen. Maybe a little sample of what they are missing would be a better way of getting their attention!

More views of the Blue Swallowtail

Oldest grandchild Colten (Sam's)

Paisley with her dad Jerry

Colten again. This was one of those times when he actually let me take some pics of him. His sister Caitlin, however, was not cooperating this time, so there are very few of her!

Cardinal

Paisley with her 'Welcome Aboard' pic at the lake.

A Painted Lady Butterfly

Colten

Paisley

Jordan, Caitlin, Breanna & Anslee playing on the dock! Yep, that's dirt you see under it!! We need rain in the worse way!

Jordan and Colten

Caitlin & Colten

Jordan & Colten

Bye Bye Sun!

Cade and Granddad

We LOVE babies!!!

Granny Carrell with Paisley

Sammie, Shirley & Matt

Makynli told me she wants to be a babysitter and ballet teacher when she grows up! I think she is already pretty good at the babysitting part!

We have many nick-names for Caleb, but I call him bull-dogger, because I believe he would try to bull-dog a calf if he could!

He may be rough and tumble but Caleb is just starting to appreciating a good swinging!

Leroy's daughter Anslee

Colten didn't catch these but he did cook and eat them with just a little help from Grandma! Anslee caught one of them, not sure who caught the other!

Caitlin & Cade playing on the lake bottom. Now we know why we avoid this area when we are in our boat!

Breanna and Anslee on the lake bottom too.

Caleb! I'm sure he trying to figure out what he can get into!

Pretty Mykynli (Matt's)

Paisley loved her first time in the lake.

She especially loved digging her toes into the mud!

Really concentrating on it now!

Muddy toes!

Cade skipping rocks in the lake

Looks like he's got his style of throwing down to a fine art!

And this is Caleb's style!

Looks like a shot-putter to me

He wanted the biggest one he could find!

Makynli gathered up shells!

Leroy's girls!

What's under this rock?

Leroy showing his own style of skipping rocks!

Makynli found her a good spot for watching!

Breanna, Caleb, Caitlin & Makynli

Cade with his dad Matt

You're so strong daddy!

This is where we discovered that Paisley was a fighter!! Thank goodness we won't have to worry about her holding her own against Caleb!

Loving that baby!

Makynli Reece

Another shot of the "super moon"!

Lake 3-11

2011-03-08T02:03:00.009-06:00

Got some treasured time with the entire family at the lake this weekend (except for our son in law T.C., who was at the State Playoffs~~ as a spectator unfortunately, ...they missed it by just one game). Temperatures were a little cool and we got a little much needed rain Saturday morning, so the kids were stuck in the house for a while but we still had a really good time. The cousins always get so excited to see each other and they always have non-stop fun, (with just a little bickering in between)! Brings joy to my heart that they love each other so much, even if it does mean that they are all too busy with each other to give Grandma much time! I'm torn between wanting them to stay this age forever to feeling I can't wait to see them all here at the lake as teenagers.

Caleb has already started practicing for T-ball even though it will be a while before he will be old enough to be on a team! He has always thought he was as old as the rest of the grandkids.

Look at that face, I love that face!

Cade getting in some batting practice with his dad Matt.

Granddad helping Caleb out

Abby~~ Sarah and T.C.'s dog, she is so good with all the kids

Cade, getting some instructions from Granddad

Uncle Matt helping Colten

The explorers!

Matt showing them how it's done.

Caleb watching from above.

Hi Caleb!!!!

Colten playing with Caleb

I just love how good the older cousins are with the younger ones!

Nice night for a fire!

Madison, just up from bed.

Grandma played some scrabble with the grandkids! Of course as soon as it was nice enough outside, off they went, so we didn't get to finish the game. HA!

Tried a little Upwords too

Granddad trimming a few trees

Makynli getting beautified!

Caleb loves dogs, he also loves babies. Anytime he was able to love up Garrett ...he did!!

Abby is such a sweet dog

Donut time for Makynli

Colten went for some yogurt. Love his bed head!!

Cade is a movie head

Sam enjoying the view, even though the water is so far away ...we need rain bad!

Caitlin getting some loving and a tickle from her daddy

This was Garrett's first visit to the lake, he loved all the kid noises!

He is just too cute. So I had to have lots of photos!

Oh yes, this boy knows his grandma!!

The best friends in the whole world are cousins!!

We always take photos of all the kids in front of the Welcome Aboard wall when they come for their first visit! Welcome aboard Garrett, we plan on you having lots of fun at the lake!

Went over to Thunderbird Bay and was able to grab some shots of some deer! There are always tons of them there.

I know the residents there don't like them eating all their landscaping, but we sure enjoy them!

First trip to the lake this year!

2011-03-01T22:34:00.004-06:00

Went to the lake for the first time this year, only to find lots of busted water pipes from the single digit temperatures we had in January. So the poor hubby had his weekend decided for him. Poor guy just did this last year. It was quite an experience having no water all weekend with our granddaughters, Madison & Olivia with us, but we all (except for poor granddad) still had a great time. Madi and Livi's parents and little brother Garrett were at dad's basketball playoff games in Ft. Worth. The Lady Dawgs won their first game but lost the second, very disappointing to be just one game away from the state playoffs and not make it, but they had a great season and every reason to be proud! Congratulations to our son in law T.C. and his girls for a great season.

Not much wildlife out at the lake at this time, but here's some pics of those who came by.

Black-crested titmouse

Our neighbors kitty cat ...thinking he is probably the reason I didn't see many birds during this time!

black capped chickadee

And this is what we got to come home to ...high winds, blowing dirt, fires, smoke and car accidents cause by low visibility. We were detoured off I-20 for a while because of fires along the highway. All of this made for a tense few hours on the road.

A shot from our street of the sun, ...so glad to be home!

When we cry "WHY LORD?"

2011-02-23T13:11:00.002-06:00

I found this in one of my many forays in the blog world. I have some very inspirational blogs I frequent quite often and this was recommended viewing on one of those. It's from a husband who has been caring for his young wife in her battle with a rare kind of cancer. It's for those of us who have ever asked God, Why?

"What does it mean, when one adheres to the Scripture, and follows it to the letter in promises of healing, and yet no healing occurs? If one believes with all his heart - and we know the Holy Bible says if you have faith, whatever you ask will happen - yet if it does not, what does it all mean?

It means God is sovereign.

We pray, we fast, we cry out to God, we plead, and beg for him to do what WE want. When he does not, we become disillusioned, disheartened, upset, and even angry. Some become furious and angry with God, even cursing him. Many lose faith, and even reject God, because he does not DO what they WANT. It can be very upsetting and confusing. I know, because I have been through all these emotions myself.

The reality is, however, God is sovereign. This means he is not a puppet. He cannot be controlled. You cannot “name it, and claim it,” to manipulate him. If God healed every single person who cried out to him to be healed, there would be no one sick or diseased. It would be a “magic formula” that everyone would use. If he saved every person from death, who pleaded with him, there would be no one dead, yet we know everyone dies. Consider everyone in the New Testament who Jesus healed. Did they not die eventually? Yes, even Lazarus, who God raised from the dead, again had to die. We all die. God is sovereign.

In my recent anger and hurt, the Lord taught me this. In Luke 4:25 Jesus tells us, “I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and there was a severe famine throughout the land. Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon. And there were many in Israel with leprosy in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed—only Naaman the Syrian.”

What this means is that in the day of Elijah, when there was a deadly drought, there were many widows dying of starvation, and the reality is, they died. God was acutely aware of that. Did God send Elijah to save them all? No, just one, and her son. Why? Because God is sovereign. This is the reality. Jesus tells us that there were many lepers in Elisha’s day, yet he healed only one. Why? Because God is sovereign. It is his choice, and we, as mere mortals, must honor and respect that.

Miracles are called “miracles,” because they are, in fact, rare. They never occur, or at least they don’t seem to. This is why, if a miracle does happen, we are able to call it a miracle. This is how God receives great glory. Quite honestly, in my lifetime, I have never seen a miracle. Do I believe they happen? Absolutely! This is what faith is for, believing the unbelievable.

These things are the reason Job said those great words, “The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:21b) We love to think that God gives, but we hate to accept that he also takes away. We have to accept that, trust him anyway, and bless the name of the Lord.

I know many who are sick, dying, crippled, and hurting. Does God know all this? Yes, he is acutely aware of it. Does he hear their pleas and cries? Yes, he does. Will he heal them all? No, he will not, or at least that is what it seems, based on his historical track record. Why? It is because we will all die anyway. It is not a matter of how, when, where, or why we will die. It is a matter of the heart. Will we die cursing God, or will we die blessing his name, as Job was prepared to do? This is what proves our character. Life is simply… a test.

Some of the best Christians I know are crippled, or infirmed and they love the Lord. They are godly, and amazing people. They are living miracles, or what I would call enigmas. The world looks at them and sees their mortal curse, yet they marvel at their great love, faith, and wisdom. The world cannot understand how these souls can “bless the name of the Lord,” in such great suffering and travail. This is what God does, because their mystery of suffering brings him greater glory. Yes, even greater than healing.

The book of Daniel teaches us a great lesson. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were about to be burned alive, for not bowing down to an idol. They answered and said to the king, “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.” (Daniel 3:17-18)

“But if not…” Those are three powerful words. They knew God could save them, if he wanted to, but they were wise and knew that he might not, just as well. Either way, they were prepared to live for him, no matter the consequences. That is what God wants from each of us as well.

So dear friends, I write these words with a heavy heart, knowing that my dear wife Lisa is in her final hour. I have been broken hearted beyond explanation. She is barely breathing, and holding on for dear life, and we are all hurting. Yet, I know that God is able to deliver her. But if not, bless the name of the Lord, because in all things, God is, and will always be, sovereign."

Basketball, Birthday Party, & A Bouncy Horse!

2010-12-19T21:09:00.002-06:00

Cade getting some instructions from his dad before the game.

Caleb doesn't think he needs any help ...EVER!

Cade shoots and SCORES!!!

And another score for Cade before he was knocked down. Granddad had the camera and forgot to stop rooting and start shooting!!!

Cade with his trophy!

Caleb turns two on Dec. 22nd, so he had his party on Saturday!

Caleb likes his cake

Granddad was chasing all the grandkids! It's Cade's turn!

Olivia

Decorating hard hats!

Cousins, Makynli and Madison having a small issue about how it should be done. One of many in their future I'm sure!!!

At least it stays friendly!!

Birthday boy Caleb getting some help from his Nana!

How do I look Nana?

Papa helping Caleb with his shoes

Madison's creation!

Makynli modeling her creation for me!

And now Olivia with her creation!

Papa John giving Madison a hard time!! haha!

The whole gang minus Hudson (who was too busy playing) haha!

And here's Hudson!!

Time for some cake!!

The look on his face says just how he felt about us singing "Happy Birthday" to him!!

Still not happy!!

Getting some help from dad with blowing out his candles since he was still a little embarrassed by all that singing!

Now he's interested ...cake is coming!!!

Yummy! He wanted the "red" piece!!

Pretty Makynli

Pretty Madison

Opening the presents!

He likes!!!

Matt is a sweeping demon!!!

Can't get past Granddad Caleb!!

Gotta get some gnawing on!

And a quick kiss!

And an even quicker escape!!!

Caleb running from the Nana with a Kleenex!

Help!

Made is safely to mom, but didn't escape the nose wiping! haha!

For the record, we DID give fair warning to all the Stephenson's before they allowed Matt into their family!! Poor Debbie is his target far too often!!! hahaha!

What's going on???

Okay Matthew what are you up too? (Notice Sarah and Matt in the background) hahaha!

The Lubbock Carrell's

Little man wanted to help!

Bye Bye birthday party trash!

Back home for his present from Granddad & Grandma! Happy but shy again!

Letting Dad know that he wanted it in the house!

Supervising the move!

And he's ready to ride!

It's beginning to look...

2010-12-06T20:29:00.000-06:00

Thanksgiving Part 2 @ Granny Carrell's

2010-12-06T20:11:00.000-06:00

Thanksgiving at home.

2010-12-06T17:57:00.001-06:00

2010-11-17T19:46:00.046-06:00

Fiddlesticks Farms 2010

Easter 2010

2010-04-07T15:06:00.090-05:00

Been quite a while since my last post,... just some shots of our Easter at my sister's house with cousins, 2nd cousins, etc. Really enjoyed our family time.

Caitlin

Cameron & Colten

Colten

Sam

Caitlin with Avary in backgound

Avary

Madison

Roy & Sammie

Madison

Olivia

Makynli

Grandma Knott & Cameron

Staci & Caleb

Colten, Ryan & Caitlin

All my grandchildren & Avary

Granddad & Caleb

Makynli

Cade

Granddad & Caleb

Caitlin

Caitlin with Andy

Caleb loves dogs too

Brandon & Christa hiding eggs

Sarah hiding egg too

Sammie with Cameron

Cade found him one

Makynli

Olivia

Cade & Olivia

Ryan & Carson

Caleb wanted to open every egg as he found them

Madison

Ryan & Carson

Cameron

Caleb was ready to get in the water

Cade

Madison with a basket full of eggs

She got a shiny one

Matt & Makynli

T.C.

Cameron, Brandon & Christa

Makynli & Matt with Zeida in background

Matt, Staci & Cade

Matt & Caleb

Olivia

She loves to jump

Caleb felt so big drinking from the water bottle

Best of friends and 2nd cousins, Madison & Avary

Matt spraying down the kids with sunblock

T.C. & Cameron

Olivia

Caleb's first time on the water slide

Caleb wasn't so sure

Caleb & Matt

Christa & Brandon's dog Andi, she's a cutie!

Caitlin

Cameron & Colten

Caleb & Caitlin

Getting warm in the sun

My brother in law, Roy

Makynli

Stephanie & Carson

Cade and Matt

Caleb

My wonderful mother

Carson

Carson getting some kisses from his nan

Carson

Madison & Cade

Olivia

Cameron

Carson & his nan

Polar Express

2009-11-27T11:04:00.037-06:00

We all had a great time on the Polar Express. We had a blast singing Christmas carols, dancing in the aisles and having cookies and hot chocolate, just like the movie! All the kids loved Santa and had plenty of time to tell him what they wanted for Christmas. Our elves were named Lollipop and Sparkles, they answered so many of the kids questions and even taught them a thing or two, such as Mrs. Clause's first name,.... Kristy!

All of us along with a friend of Cade's.

Sam, Caitlin & Colten

Matt, Caleb, Staci, Makynli & Cade (standing)

Madison, T.C., Sarah & Olivia

Can you hear the bells?

Makynli's 3rd Birthday and July 09 vaca on facebook

2009-07-12T21:18:00.008-05:00

Just some pics posted on my Facebook page, guess I'm cheating a little here, but I'll try to get back when I have time and make this a proper Blog post!

Makynli's 3rd Birthday
,
July 4th & Vacation 2009 facebook photos

Storm @ the lake

2009-06-08T19:07:00.008-05:00

I usually enjoy summer storms at the lake, but this was not one of them!

Pretty now, scary then!!

just before the downpour

Two very scared little girls!!

Some of the hail was quarter-size

Wasn't really liking being 12 ft. off the ground at this time!

Avary's 5th Birthday

2009-06-08T08:22:00.054-05:00

Caitlin & Avary

Victoria

Grandma Knott

She always finds the critters!!

My meany, meany, jelly beany husband!

Stephanie & Ryan (with her tiny baby bump). Can't wait for October!!

Cliff & Brandon Stephens

Connor

Cameron Ryan Stephens

Cameron

Sarah

She did it and managed not to hurt herself

love the look on Livi's face!

Madison

The dads got the hottest job!!

They loved each other

Playing hide n seek

1 2 3 4 5... better hurry because that's as high as she goes!!

Livi Kate

Little man is in a hurry to get up and get going!!

Cade's Pre K Graduation

2009-05-26T16:56:00.017-05:00

Handsome boy in front at the end!!

And this is how Makynli decided to do her performance!!

She told her mom "I not sing, I cry", and so she did (along with hiding behind the little boy)!!

STILL VERY CUTE!!!

This made me sad. Won't be long before it's for real!!

What a little gentleman

Makynli telling her teacher goodbye

Love that boy!

Makynli with Papa

Makynli and Cade

and of course we can't leave Caleb out, even if he is unhappy