Ear Piercing

Time has flown by lately! Be sure to look at the follwoing posts- I have added Halloween and our Christmas Tree!

This post is to celebrate a milestone of Kadyn's. She has been asking for several weeks to get her ears pierced. I was very honest and told her it did hurt- but she still wanted to!
The following pictures share the story of her adventure-

Here she is before anything has begun. She finished picking out her earrings- flowers that have diamonds as she calls them with a ruby in the center, which is her birthstone.







The circles have been drawn and this is the action shot. She has counted to three and the piercing is happening at this very moment.














One ear is done and she can't decide whether she wants to cry- but she didn't! She sat very still and then grabbed my neck when it was over. She never cried- just got teary eyed. I however cried-- not hard- but a little!











This is Kai- she was the one who pierced Kadyn's ears. Fifi- the purple dog is also in the picture. Fifi has her ears pierced and is there for the girl's to hold.
Kadyn is being so responsible with her earrings. She wakes up every morning telling me we have to clean them and turn them! She is very proud!
My little girl is growing up so fast!!

2006 Christmas Tree

This year, Kadyn wanted to decorate the tree all by herself. She was so proud! This is Dylan's first year to be aware that there is a tree. So far, so good! He loves the "ball" as you see him touching here and also a nutcracker. He points and says cracker over and over! He is doing great at looking and not touching! I am hopeful the tree will reamin upright!

Halloween 2006

Halloween 2006

Kadyn went as a 50's girl. Dylan was a bear. They had a great time. We went to a friends house with MANY other kids. We all had pizza, made a halloween craft and then set out on the trick or treating adventure. Dylan LOVED going up to the door- however he quickly learned that all you had to do was stick out your bucket to get more. He did say trick or treat a time or two- but quickly left that at just "more!" He started out in a wagon- but wanted to walk like all the other big kids! kadyn had a great time with lots of her friends!

Sleeping Angels

Before having children, I would hear parents talk about how they could sit and watch their children sleep. Oh how true this is. They are so peaceful. The only trouble I have is that I want to gently touch their sweet faces, to talk to them

as they sleep-share s0 much with them. This tends to disturb them. However this night I could not resist capturing their peace. Angels-- this is what they are- such a blessing and a gift from above!

Quite a Little Lady

Kadyn went to a birthday party on Saturday. The place they went did their hair and a slight touch of makeup and nails. The girls had a blast! I am not sure I am ready for all of this! I must say- she is gorgeous!

A close up of her hair! She sat quite still and left her hair up all weekend!

Pumpkin Patch 2006

Last Saturday we headed out to the pumpkin patch. We had a great time! The kids loved running around throuhgout the pumpkins. Dylan had to try and pick each one up! Kadyn had a great time doing many of the activities. I managed to get Dylan to sit still for this one picture!














Here he is! I caught the determination! He really believes he can pick this pumpkin up!















Kadyn loved all the pumpkins and wanted her picture taken with all of them! Don't you love her hair! She had been to a birthday party right before this!











I believe this will become a family tradition!

Ballet Performance October 2006

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Kadyn had her second true perfomance for ballet. It was to have been an outdoor performace at at festival in a neighboring town. However, the rain put that to a halt. The studio did not want to time the students had put in to preparing to go to waste- so they had the performance in the studio. It was bit crowded- but entertaining! I will let the pictures speak for themselves!

I love this pictures-- it is the young girls watching older ones perform! She dreams of being a true "ballerina" one day!

State Fair of Texas 2006

What a fun day we had at the fair! After almost a two hour drive to get there ( it should have been 45 minutes), we had a blast! The kids loved the animals the most. Dylan wanted to crawl in the cage with them, Kadyn wanted to feed everyone of them and Jonathan wanted to investigate the shovel that fed the animals!

Have you ever seen a kangaroo with her baby in the pouch? I never had except in pictures! I can now say I have seen one in person! I am so glad I do not have to carry my children around this way after they are born!

Kadyn loved the rides. She rode as many as she could and would have ridden till the cows come home had the tickets grown on trees!

This was one of the best moments for me. On most rides, I watched Kadyn because an adult had to pay tickets to ride with their child. However, Kadyn wanted to ride this roller coaster and it was one she missed the height requirement to ride by herslef by about 1/4 of an inch. So off I go with her! As you can see by our expressins as we came down the hill we had a blast! I am glad I caught the pure joy as we are barreling down the hill!

Ok so this is not the best photo of any of us- but yet it is so us! Here is my mom and all her chickens! My sister and I with our kids- and even her one on the way! What irony- she is wearing a bundle of boy shirt in this picture---she found out 2 days later that they are having a girl! YEAH!!!

Here is Kadyn on the ride home- wiped out! She had a blast! Then there is Dylan who has been going strong the entire day..... and is still ready for more!

I am so thankful for my family who likes to go and do things! To be able to experience life and make such special memories with my kids -what a treasure!

Not going to be beaten down

So-- time has gone by so quickly lately! The daily routine in our house is different now that Kadyn is in school. Sure we always had to get the kids down at a reasonable hour since they were in day care, but they had good naps during the day. Kadyn does not get this anymore! So, the pressure is on to make sure she is in bed by 8:00 each night. She is still loving kindergarten. She shows such pride in the work she brings home and must show us each and every paper in the most intricate of detail.
Dylan is doing great at his day care. He is so happy and still has not yet cried when I leave him. He did not even cry this past week when I had to pick him up because he was running a high fever! They said he was happy the entire time!
I am so happy and blessed that my kids are so happy in there current situations.

So how am I? Well, I am determined not to be beaten down. It seems that the rain started coming down on me about 3 weeks ago and well now the flood gates are open! Nothing major has happened, but all of the events combined have come close to pushing me over the edge-car window not working, brakes going out overnight (literally), finding out I was sold a car that put me and the kids in extreme danger, confronting the car company that sold me the car, confronting the company about being reimbursed for the cost of fixing the car, having a car company back me into a corner where I am at their mercy and not knowing if I will get my hundreds of dollars that are owed--the car window going out again a week after it was fixed the first time--Dylan getting a high fever that is still going on-day 3 now, hitting a pole in the drive through line because a guy behind me would not back up to let me make the sharp turn which yes it is my fault, but ticked me off because I now have a HUGE dent in the door of the van--that I have had for 3 months--Kadyn throwing up in the hallway at church tonight while a friend was watching her until choir so I could go get Dylan who is sick and was with my mother--of course none of this takes into consideration anything from school--so where am I? Well, I could let this get me down and I was doing a great job of that for about a week or two. However, I have realized that my attitude is getting me nowhere! I should be praising God throughout everything--I have so much to be thankful for. But most of all- I know whose I am--nothing or no one can change that-- so I praise God that I am His child. I praise God for the gift of being a mom- for having the blessing of taking care of my kids even when they are sick-- I praise God for my van- even though it has been such a headache lately- but I have 4 wheels that get me around and meet the needs we have. Things could be so much worse--and all in all I really do not have it that bad- frustrating at times- but not bad at all! So thank you God for the dent in the door of the van--it is my reminder-- I may be dented by the in and outs of daily life- but my frame--my support is steady and strong--for you are framework of my innermost being!

1st day of Kindergarten

Kadyn started Kindergarten on August, 14, 2006. She has loved every minute of her first two weeks. She has made several new friends and has already been "Queen of the Day." This was neat. She brought home her own book of the pictures her classmates drew of her. They all practiced writing her name as well as their own. It was quite interesting! It has been a change for me having her at the school with me each day. We do not see each other much other than a chance encouter of our two classes at the bathroom. Her teacher is a blessing! It is still hard for me to believe that she is old enough to be in school!

Debbie

Life is so fragile and at times seems so unfair. Today, I learned that a friend and sorority sister passed away from her struggle with breast cancer. Debbie was a believer and is rejoicing with the angels tonight. I have not seen Debbie in about 10 years, but I remember her vividly. She was beautiful both inside and out. Debbie was an angel here on earth. I do not remember Debbie without a smile on her face....always encouraging.... always cheering on. Debbie you will be missed. Thank you for being an example while you were here. Mizpah.

Not so little anymore!

Ok so it is not his first haircut, but it was so cute today! I am not sure if you can tell, but the girl put gel in his hair and spiked the front. I know the paci is in his mouth, but without it- he looks like a little boy- not a baby boy! His hair was too cute and he was SO PROUD! I had to catch a picture! Who knows if I will ever get it like this again! He is growing up too fast--

Burger's Lake

Last Saturday, our Sunday School class went to Burger's Lake. It was about 30 minutes away. How have I lived here since 1998 and never heard of this place? It is a man made lake that is fed by spring water. There are things for kids of all ages--diving boards of all heights, a huge slide, a trapeze swing, a fountain and several sandy beaches to play in! Here are a few pictures of the kids and Eric. The kids had a great time--and Eric and I did as well!




Daddy duck with his ducklings.. Dylan, Kadyn and a good friend Lauren.









Daddy taking Dylan through the water that is bubbling! Dylan loved it!



Kadyn was a bit timid on the diving board at first. The water was no more than a foot or so below the board and you can touch the bottom and stand in the water. This is a picture of the first time she went. After a few times of having us stand right there, she was off and running and loved it. She never went on the slide you see in the background. It was just a bit to high she said--maybe next time!



Dylan had a great time as well. He loved being spun around in his float. He would have run everywhere had we let him. However, he has no fear!! Maybe next year he can come out of the float!

Kadyn's Family Party

We decided to have a separate party for the family. We did not think the men would enjoy the tea party, and to be honest two one year old boys could have wreaked havoc in there! So here are some pictures from her family party.
Here she is playing with some of her new art sets that her friends gave her. The rest of us are beginning to eat!










Here are the Branch boys--all eating together.













Now- it is time for presents. Kadyn chose to open her presents before having cake! Imagine that! She is definitely my child!












Pictures from Camp Thurman! She was so excited.










NEW CLOTHES!! Thank you Aunt Kaci, Uncle Clay and Jonathan!













Here is the birthday bear that was the beginning of her present from Granny Leen, Uncle Mikey, Uncle David, and Bob. There was lots more where the bear came from! Clothes, mermaid, and a ballet jewlery box!







How special that Mrs. Maryanne got the be here! She knew just what Kadyn would want! Her very own purse!!!













The last gift was too big to wrap. So it was sitting outside the front door. While Granny Lou and Pop brought it inside, Kadyn had to close her eyes! I was so proud of her! She did it! Here she is waiting.









Here it is-- her very own desk! She has been asking for her own desk since she is starting school. The desk even matches her room! The base and chair are painted purple. Thanks Granny Lou and Pop! Now it is time for cake!







Of course- we had to have the cake sitting on the new desk. This was quite interesting since the top of the desk slants! The last picture will show the cake. Kadyn decorated her cake with a little help. However, she decided what she wanted and what went where! It was definitely a one of a kind original! She was so proud!







Another year gone by..... Kadyn immediately began playing with all her new luit and well changing clothes numerous times over the next few days! I believe it was not even 24 hours later that she was already planning next year's birthday!

Tea Party Time

What fun we had today at Kadyn's birthday party. We had a tea party with 9 of her friends. The girls got to jump in a bounce house at first. This was hysterical! There was a dead bug inside and the girls were screaming to "bounce the bug!" When the party helper came and got the bug, they chanted "the bug is gone!"















The girls had a great time bouncing, but were very ready to get to the "girly" stuff! From the bounce house, they each got to pick out a party dress. They got their nails painted, makeup put on and got to pick out which beads they would wear! The girls had a blast picking out their clothes and getting pampered!

Kadyn loved the special attention she got today!
Check out the tongue as she is focusing!
The final look!


Next, Kadyn was crowned Queen Kadyn. The royal tiara was placed on her head and she was given the royal sceptor. It was with this sceptor that she "dubbed" each girl princess. Kadyn at first was saying I double you princess.... quite cute! Kadyn is thinking how cool everything is so far! Yet the fun was just beginning! We are dressed and ready, officially princesses and a Queen, the tea party can begin. There are instructions first about how to be a true princess at a tea party. The queen always goes first, you sip your tea with your pinky raised, and the Queen must give the royal nod before you may begin to eat. One other thing, princesses drink special tea called Giggle Juice and you must take you special tea sceptor and say the magic words!














The royal nod.


























The royal cake above and pouring the giggle juice to the left. Each princess had their own teapot. The royal party is shown below. Aren't they just beautiful!






Bottom left: Kaitlyn, Lindsey, Abby, Bailey, Jillian
Top Left: Lauren, Kadyn, Adyson, and Meagan. Kylee is not here and we missed her!



Next- it is parade time! First- proper princess
parade instructions!

















The royal parade is over. One last picture with the Queen Mother! haha! Now it is time to open the royal presents. The Queen has a royal throne to sit upon and the princesses must line up and present their gift to her.

As the queen was finishing up opening her presents, she had a slight mishap. She lost her balance on the throne and scraped her royal leg. So, the Queen Mother took a moment to comfort her and more than anything try to help her work through her embarrassment!

The time has now come for the royal court to depart. The Queen has one last duty before her princesses leave. To each one , she gives a royal sceptor. One to be a reminder of this special day......

Queen Kadyn is quite pleased with her tea party. She loves the princesses and promises to see them soon. Queen Kadyn now must gather her belongings and head to her palace. There her family is waiting for her..for they too want to celebrate her birthday! Queen Kadyn will share pictures from the celebration with her family at in the near future.