Brayden First Day of First Grade

Brayden was excited for his first day of 1st grade.  He grew so much over the summer - socially, behaviorially, physically and emotionally.  The day before we went to meet his teacher and drop off his school supplies.  He was so excited, but also played it cool.

He informed me that he may not want me to walk him in the first day of school.  I told him it was my parental duty to walk him in for as many years as I possibly could with out causing permenant psychological damage and that first grade was not the year - maybe 6th grade, but definitely not first.  Good grief, kids grow up fast these days. 

When I picked him up in the afternoon Brayden said he had a great first day of first grade. During after school snack he said, "Mom, we have a smart board thing in our class. It's a giant computer we learn from. How could you even learn in the old days? I mean, it must have been hard with nothing but a chalk board in the old days".  Umm, excuse me, old days.

4th Family Fun

I LOVE the 4th of July.  It is usually toasty hot, but always filled with the sounds of laughter, splashes in the lake, boats roaring across the lake and more family togetherness and memory-making than you can shake a sparkler at. 

When the action simmers down we throw a giant ring pop at the kids and get them back in full action mode.

We enjoy God's gifts by baking delicious blackberry cobbler with blackberries we picked together one afternoon at Nannie B and Papa G's. Depending on how much we like someone they may...or may not...get a piece of the pie.

Brandon, Uncle Brent and Papa G taught Brayden how to run and check a trot line.  Brayden loved it.
The kid gets to do the coolest things.  It is an incredible blessing how diverse his activities are at the ripe age of 7.

Papa G loves every moment with his babies and they adore him.

Matney looks this stinkin' cute all the time.

Just proof that I do exist and occasionally escape the camera to enjoy some fun myself.



 

We enjoy watching friends and family (the Younger's are both) in the Sportman's Club annual 4th of July parade. 

 

And cherish opportunities to catch tough guys like Brandon wearing a patriotic feather boa. Priceless!

 



A Good Cause

Dates are rare for Brian and I, but a friend at church was competing in a fundraising event for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and another church friend had the bright idea for several couples to get together and host a table.  It was a great way to show support for a friend raising funds in honor of her daddy and for a great cause and a fun way to spend time with new friends.

I'll be remembering this in the future.

The boys wanted a picture with mom and dad.  Even though there is too much light it's funny this is
the one family photo we have with all three boys looking at the camera. 

Day Out with Thomas

Kennon enjoyed a belated birthday present when we went to "Day Out with Thomas" in Kansas in June.  The K-man loves trains and he look on his face when Thomas rolled into the station melted my heart.  Kennon is a precious, loving, thankful, ornery and wonderful little guy. 

 

 

Marshmellows by the Moonlight

Back in the 80's sitcoms ruled the small screen. My favorites were always the shows where neighbors helped each other and shared life.  They would waltz into each other's back door for a cup of coffee or to share a story.

Today, we are blessed to live a modern day sort of sitcom in our own neighborhood.  We have fun with lots of neighbors, but especially enjoy time with the Freverts and the Mooney's. 

In the spring Drew and Brayden rounded up lots of fire wood and packed it in tight to make a great campfire.  Once we found a weekend evening when everyone was home we lit the fire and stuffed our faces with smores.

It was firey, late spring fun with people we enjoy sharing life with.

Brian is a quasi-pyro and so proud.

Brayden and Drew.

Smore lovin' kids.

Time Stops

Some days time just seems to stop.  I adore those days.  They are days when we spontaneously meet daddy out for dinner.....

And spend long, beautiful Saturdays on the farm at Nannie B and Papa G's playing with new kitties.

And learning how to hold new kitties.  (This one is upside down and backwards. Poor kitty.) Matney Paige pants in cute as ever, though.

Crazy, lazy days when Nannie B channels her best superhero and looks great doing it.

Days for extended birthday celebrations when the fleet of vehicles is completed when Kennon gets a shiny new Jeep. (He had received it yet. We were staging for the big reveal.)

Days when we load up the trailer and 4-wheelers and head to the hill for a weenie and marshmellow roast.  These are the days we live for.

Happy Birthday, Kennon!

Kennon is two!  With the older boys in school today K-love and I headed to his favorite park for a visit with the ducks and a nice stroll.  Kennon loves to be outside.    

We visit the "duck ducks" often. He enjoys talking with them, feed them and taking everything any. Today he had an extra special visit as two Canadian geese had their new goslings out for a morning stroll.

Papa Goose wasn't very pleased with Kennon tagging a long, but K-man kept his distance and was so excited. 

At 2 you are 36 inches tall.  You love trucks, trains, tractors, four wheelers, riding your bike.  You love to eat and want to do so as soon as you get out of bed in the morning.  You love to read books, rock and cuddle at night before bedtime.  You adore your brothers and affectionately call them "Boom, Boom", rather than brother, Brayden or Grayson.  Daddy coming home is your favorite time of day. 

Happy Birthday, Kennon! You are a gift and blessing beyond imagination. Your energetic spirit, loving heart and inquisitve mind will take you far in life. You made our family complete.

The Going Rate for Teeth

Brayden lost is first tooth earlier this month.  The other kids in K had teeth falling out all over the place and Brayden was getting antsy. He rattled his little teeth nearly every day in hopes his would fall next.  Finally, one did.  He quickly wrapped it up and hid it under his pillow in anticipation of a hefty profit.

The tooth fairy showed up and left a handy tooth pillow with a nice crispy dollar bill tucked inside.

Easter Sunday was a perfect day in every way. The sun shined just like I imagine it shining on the opening to the tomb on the day the women discovered Jesus had risen. The energy at church - when people are packed in the pews shoulder-to-shoulder was incredible.

The day was simply beautiful. After church we shared the day together and spent the afternoon enjoying God's gorgeous creation.

Easter Eggs, Scallops and Cake Bites

According to this blog we do lots of celebrating.  In real life not so much, but when we celebrate we pack in lots of fun. 
Dad and I share birthdays near each other in early April.  Each year mom lets us place our order in advance and Dad and I always collaborate on the menu plan.  This year we chose an ace. 

Before the big feast, though, we dyed eggs with the kids.

We left the intricate work in the capable surgeon's hands.

Then, just before the big egg hunt we prepped our birthday meal.  Bacon wrapped scallops and red wine. Why, yes, I think that is a fine start. Apparently the appetizer was so good I got all caught up in the fun and forgot to take pictures of the rest of the meal, but you can never go wrong with shrimp, filet mignon, salad and twice baked potatoes.

Stinkin' cute adorable niece.

Dad and daughter. or #1 Daughter and Dad, I should say.

The #1 daughter reference drives my sister (#2 daughter) crazy. Really, it only refers to birth order rather than genuine love and affection, but because we know it drives her crazy we use every opportunity we can find to make the reference.

And, finally, who can expect children to show their maturity when their own parents encourage them to do things like this....

This from the same man who once (with the help of his brothers) cut all the "sides" off a round cake to make it square just because they wanted more icing.  Love you, Dad, for lots of reasons, but also because you are a kid at heart.



Minnie Matney Turns Two

Ashley and Matney

Matney Paige is such an awesome girl. One moment she is girly as can be showing off her new nail polish and sparkly shoes. The next she is playing in a mud pit with her three favorite cousins. She turns two on Tuesday. We celebrated her spunky preciousness with a Minnie Mouse themed party her mama worked very hard on. She loved it and entertained the guests for hours with her boisterous, fun, sweet personality and quirky little antics.

A new doll and stroller.

A shiny new set of wheels from Papa G and Nannie B.

Cupcakes and decor by Ashley.

Kennon and Matney Paige sharing the love.