Family Photos

Many, many weeks ago, my friend, Molly came over and captured some pictures of us. Mostly of Kannon, because he is the current family favorite. 

Enjoy our cuteness:

The End

Another Hurdle Conquered

I have been wanted to help Ailee learn to ride her bike without training wheels for a long time.  I think we started some time last fall.  I knew she could do it, but other things just kept getting in the way.  First I was a bazillion months pregnant, and my back just couldn't take it.  Then I had a baby, and I was always holding a baby in my arms while we played outside.  I felt like I was trying to juggle, and it was pretty unsuccessful. 

Last week, Kade was at a class for the evening.  For me, that means I don't have to wait to cook dinner…in fact it means that I don't have to cook dinner at all!  Every mom out there understands how great of a feeling that is.  So, in turn, that means that meal of the day is done and cleaned up by 5:30 (instead of our usual time of 7:00).  

Time to go play outside!

Luckily, Kannon was happy as a clam just sitting in the stroller.  Ailee asked me to put her training wheels back on her bike so she could ride it.  I looked at my poor, neglected 5 year old that didn't know how to ride her bike on two wheels, and told her I would teach her to ride it.

Within 10 minutes she had it down!

I'll never forget the bright smile on her face when she realized that I was just walking beside her and not holding on to the seat of her bike.  She was proud of her accomplishment.  It was like she suddenly had the confidence to go and conquer the world. 

The Birthday Boy

Just like every year, Kade shows up to overshadow my Mother's Day celebrations with his birthday!  

The nerve!!

Maybe next year will be different…or not.

Yes, there are 38 candles on that little ice cream cake.  38!!

I almost had to call the fire department.  

Luckily, Kade is a runner, so he was in good enough shape to blow out all those candles!

Maryn was sweet enough to make him a cute little bunny in Art class at school

The rest of us just got him the usual baseball cards.

Here's to another year old and wiser….or just older. 

A Texan Spring

I just love Texas in the Spring. 

It is SO beautiful.  If you ever visit Texas, do it in April.  The wild flowers are amazing!

After much tribulation, many fights with the kids, and a lot of tears over outfits that make my kids "look weird," (because I have no sense of fashion, but my kid who wears torn jeans that are 2 inches too short, does) we stuffed everyone into the van and went in search of a field of bluebonnets.

First up was Cora.  What a sweet little girl.  She melts everyone's heart with those pretty blue eyes and a bubbly personality.

That little head is full of mischief, and you can see it in her eyes.  She can be such a tease.

Next we have Ailee. This little body is brimming with love and compassion. Those brown eyes make me feel all gooey inside.

Though she's only five, this picture makes her look so grown up.

Maryn is becoming a beautiful young woman.  Gosh, I can't believe she is turning 9 this year!

She is smart and does things well when she puts her mind to it.  I had to get her picture in this patch of yellow flowers…I have always loved her in yellow.

And now my little man.  He gets three pictures because he is the youngest, and the "Golden Child."

This may be my mostest favorite picture of all time, ever.

Kannon loves to be around people.  He smiles with his whole body and you can't help but smile back.  He is strong and oh, so handsome!

Then, we took some family pictures.  All thanks to the tripod I scored for free at a yard sale last year.

I was reluctant to put up this picture because it shows off the baby weight I haven't lost because I eat non stop.  But, everyone else looks good, and I love that Cora is doing the Itsy Bitsy Spider on Kade's leg.

Then we had to get a silly one.

By the end of the photo shoot, the girls were still going strong because we were bribing them with the reward of ice cream.  Kannon didn't quite understand that no tears were allowed, and he'd had it.  One last picture of just the kids.

I was about to get a few more of just the kids, but the evening abruptly ended when Maryn sat in a fire ant hill.  Those things are vicious.  Luckily, the damage was confined to her foot, but she was pretty sad.  We will be more careful next year!

Blessed

 On Sunday, March 9, this little man was given a name and a blessing.

 Kade's parents drove down for the weekend, as well as his little brother, Cody and his family.  It was so fun to share this special moment with them.  I'm kicking myself for not getting a picture with the whole clan.  Doh! 

We did get a picture of our little family.

And Ailee needed a picture with her little guy!