Caleb's Touchdown

Our Caleb caught his first touchdown last weekend!  Look out Cowboys.  With recent market performance, professional football is our best retirement strategy! Posted by Chris

Costume Parade and Carnivals

Kate loved the cookies and candy at her KK Costume Parade and Party yesterday.  In fact, I do not think there has ever been a cookie she has not loved!!!!!
Superman, Indiana Jones and Supergirl getting ready to go to our church's Block party carnival.  Yes, I finally had a girl that could wear a princess costume, Snow White, Tinkerbell, fairies, cheerleader, etc. I mean the list of girlie things is long but NO ... the boys had her completely convinced that Supergirl was the "most awesome" costume ever ... I negotiated the pink one instead of the blue one for a sucker!!!  To brothers ...

Backyard Movie Night

Josh turned SEVEN yesterday.  We had a backyard movie night party.  Fourteen boys ate hot dogs, cake, busted a pinata and more before watching The Return of the Jedi on a big screen in the backyard.  It was so much fun.  Darth Vader (thank you, Papa) made a special appearance and took pictures with all of the kids!  

Here are seven of the many million things I love about Josh ...

1.  He loves his family.  Even at 7, Josh is still a snuggler!!!  And we love it!

2.  He tries his very best at school ... I mean what mom does not enjoy hearing such great things when she picks up her kiddo at school.

3.  He is funny ... at all times ... even when you are wishing he wasn't (like potty humor in front of the grandparents)!!

4.   He loves to talk ... just like is mom!!!

5.  He loves Texas A&M and decided to decorate his entire room in Aggie fan memorabilia.

6.  He smiles A Lot!!

7.  He loves Jesus!!

Field Trip Fun

I went with Josh's first grade class to Moore Farms.  It was a beautiful day and we celebrated Josh's birthday with our snacks.  Josh was so sweet and sat with me on the hayride ... some of the kids are starting to not want to do that anymore!
I went with Caleb's third grade class to the zoo.  What a sweet group I had ... we had a safari hunt to complete and the kids were super.  I was amazed at just how smart they are ... glad I am not competing with this group to go to college!!

To field trips with my boys, beautiful weather, and a few breaks from the 2 year old (that we love very much) ...

Sixteen years ago today ...

I know the picture is a little hard to see (I took a picture of a picture).  On this day, October 22, sixteen years ago my sweetie asked me out on our first date.  We went to a movie, The Last of the Mohicans, and had hamburgers at the Chicken Oil Company.  Then, he dropped me off at my dorm bright and early.  I loved him instantly but could never have guessed that night when I went in to tell my roommate about my date that he was going to take care of me for the next sixteen years like he has.  He is the father I dreamed of for my children but even more than that he is still my "knight in shining armor".  I have no idea why God has blessed me so with the gift of him but I am so so thankful for it.  Still making me laugh after all of these years ... I love you!!!!

It's been a week ...

Well, one week ago our dear friends left for Quito, Ecuador as missionaries for a boy's home.

The leaving was gut-wrenching hard.

Our hopes and prayers for them are so genuine.  As much as we will miss them living a minute away, we truly can't wait to see the impact God makes through them.

Josh went to school the morning after saying bye and had the biggest, puffy eyes because he cried himself to sleep saying "Why? Why can't they tell people in Tyler about God???"  

He is our dramatic one!

Caleb got sad and quiet.  Then, he started drawings and notes for his buddy 

which made him feel much better.

The one that gets my heart the most is Kate.  

She cannot figure out where her buddy went ... everytime we drive by their house she calls her friend's name.  We went into their empty house and she ran through it calling her name looking for her.  I said calmly for the 100th time 

"Remember, she moved to Ecuador."

I guess Kate got it a little bit more because she stamped her foot and said,"NO ECUDOOR!!!" and then she started crying and would not leave my side until we left.

Then, we set up Skype. 

 Oh, how awesome is that.  We chatted and saw them on the computer and the kids all pushed their way into the camera laughing - felt good!

So, if you have a moment, stop and pray for our friends and you might just pray for those who stayed behind, too!!! :)

We love you, Bryans family!!!

Toddler Fair

Kate and Ellie going for a "ride" at the Toddler Fair.

Thanks Dads!!
When all of the fairs start in Texas, Kids Kaleidoscope has its very own Toddler Fair!

Chris and I came for the fun and lunch (thank goodness for the Adams who ate with us later at Heartland Ham because the mini corn dogs just didn't do it)!!

Kate and Ellie had fun eating cotton candy, dipping apples in caramel, entering the livestock show with their stuffed animals (and yes, her cow got a first place ribbon), making picture frames, and much more!  Those are little tickets sticking out of Kate's overalls - each booth "cost" a few tickets - too cute.  Here is Kate putting her tickets in to get some caramel apples.

Picnic with Mom and Dad

As we go through this with Kate, I can't help but think "Oh ... my last Toddler Fair ..."  Time is flying by so quickly!

Flag Football Season

Flag footballl season is here!

We are having a blast watching the boys play on Saturday mornings.

Even Kate has fun yelling "Go Josh!" and "Go Caleb!" and shaking her pom poms.

She got in front of the crowd last weekend and sang shake your "bo bo"...I have no idea where she gets that unladylike behavior!!! It was a little embarassing ...

Here is Josh ... who plays as hard as anyone! He concentrates, grits his teeth and runs with his fists clenched! He is not necessarily the fastest on the team but he tries hard :) !!

this is Caleb's favorite position ... rushing the passer ... I think that is what it is called ... anyway, he loves going after the QB!!!

And here is the cheerleader having fun!

We love football, cheerleaders, pom poms, Aggies, Cowboys

and that pigskin ball at our house ...fun times!!!