The Family Bday Party

Tonight, the family gathered to celebrate Kadyn. We had chicken my mom had smoked-- corn we grilled-- which was so good-- beans- chips-and cake. I think we all had a great time! Kadyn was showered with gifts-- she got LOTS of things to do. That is what she wanted. She got a new Hannah Montana outfit and the Wii game for HM as well. I love the first picture-- Elizabeth was loving all over Kadyn! I caught her lean in to get a kiss.



After food and presents, most of us got in the pool to swim.

I asked Kadyn right before she headed to be if she had a good birthday-- she said she had-- she was tired! Now, she is having 3 friends over Friday night to go to Build A Bear and spend the night! We decided to do her party in 2 stages this year-- I couldn't see us all going into Build A Bear-- they wouldn't know what hit them! I will post pictures after the slumber party!!

Happy Birthday Kadyn-- I can't believe you are 7!!

Hooray!! Kadyn Turns 7 Today!!!

Do you see that sweet angel in red? Today, she turns 7-- where have the years gone? I cannot tell you how much this little girl has changed my life! She brought me back-- made me take time to search and find who I really was. She is my living angel for sure.

Kadyn- you are a treasure to all who meet you. You have such a sweet and tender heart. You are a good friend, you care for others- even those you don't know. You are an awesome big sister, you are great with your cousins. I could not be more proud of you! I can't wait to see what happens over the next 7 years-- but I have one request-- can we slow them down a bit? These past 7 years have gone by WAY to fast for you mama!

I love you Kadyn!

Love,

Mommy

(I will post pictures from her party after we have it!)

Happy 3rd Birthday Jonathan!!

Today is my nephew's 3rd birthday!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY JONATHAN!!!
We celebrated with lots of his friends with a pool party. The best part was when he sang Happy Birthday to himself-- the very first picture show this! I wish it had sound!! Everyone had a great time! I managed to steal a picture with my niece as well. The pool felt wonderful in the heat. We all got in and enjoyed! I even caught a picture of Eric going off the diving board!
We are so blessed to have Jonathan as our nephew and cousin. He brings such joy to our lives!! We love you Jonathan!!!

July 4th, 2008

This year, we grilled out at home-- Eric's mom and husband and one of his brothers came as well as my mom. We had a great time! We did not go see fireworks-- we will definitely go next year! However, we had poppers for the kids to do-- although the adults enjoyed doing them as well.



After food, we all played the Wii-- Kadyn beat the guys at bowling! Many games were played-- here is a shot of doubles tennis being played. We had a great night of fun and relaxation!

Camp Thurman 2008

Kadyn just got home from Camp Thurman . Her counselors were Capri Sun and Livewire. She had a great time once again! She is always so excited when she comes home. Here is a picture of her group and one with her counselors. (Click on picture to enlarge)


Kadyn loves to go the week of July 4th. They always have a 4th of July parade. Each group dresses up differently. Here is Kadyn's group this morning ready for the parade.

The camp also takes pictures throughout the week. Here is a link to the group of pictures Kadyn is in. If you view slideshow, she is in the following pictures :
http://www.shutterfly.com/progal/album.jsp?aid=768a5498cf43abdb7a46
picture #: 17, 20, 75, 76,89,91

She has already started talking about Camp next summer!! That will be new for all of us-- Dylan will go as well!!

Superman's Inner Cowboy

Did you know that secretly Superman was a Cowboy at heart? I have the pictures to prove it!!

You Know You're Tired When......

Can you see the ketchup all over his mouth, the hamburger bread held firmly in his hand? Of course-- he was asleep only about 5 minutes in the car- and has not been back to sleep since!!!!

A Week Without Kadyn

This week, Kadyn has been at Camp Thurman all day. Dylan and I have had a great time together this week. We swam in our pool, played super heroes-- which he told me I was Wonder Woman-- I thought that was so sweet-- and smart! :o) While we have missed Kadyn, I have enjoyed getting to have some one on one time with Dylan. That doesn't happen very often!!

We went to Happy Hopperz with Kaci, Jonathan, and Elizabeth during toddler time. It was not crowded at all! The boys had a good time bouncing and sliding! After bouncing, we went back to their house for lunch and a bit more play time. Dylan and Elizabeth both wanted to color--
It was a great time to be with them......Dylan cried for Aunt Kaci all the way home.






Dylan and I also found a new park. I love it because it has mesh covering-- so it helps keep the heat down-- a bit anyway. Here are a few pictures of my sweet boy playing at the park.

The Wii Revolution

We finally joined the Wii Revolution! We have had so much fun this week playing! I am quite sore-- but it is worth it! Dylan had a hard time at first, but after a day he was holding his own! Eric scared us all as he bowled! We thought he was going to go through the TV!! Kadyn was a natural at bowling-- put us all to shame the first night! This has been a fun family activity each night for us! It isn't hurting for Eric and I to be getting the exercise as well!

A Dylan Story

Disclaimer:
This contains the anatomical word for a boy -- and yes I know how to actually spell it-- i am writing it all the way through as he says it-- with a "U" instead of an I

So-- we intriduced Dylan to the word penus about 2 weeks ago. He has reached the point as a boy that he is CONSTANTLY holding himself. We introduced him to the real word and told him that boys don't walk around holding themselves. He hasn't embarrassed us in public yet by yelling it out-- but he did make Eric and I laugh hysterically tonight. He came into the living room holding himself. Eric asked if he needed to go to the bathroom-- to which Dylan said no. So Eric said, then you need to stop holding your... and Eric stopped. We are both getting used to using this world with him and it throws us from time to time. Dylan walked up and said: "It is a Pe-nus daddy." He looked at me and said, " Mommy, Daddy didn't call it a pe- nus." He then asked me where my penus was as he squatted down-- trying to figure out where it was! (I am in jean capri's- not that he could tell!) I told him God did not give girl's a penus to which Dylan replies-" Do you have to go buy your own penus mommy?" Eric and I laughed SO HARD!! THis is one to remember!!

It's A Hard Knock Life

Today was the National Competition for Dance. We had to be ther so early-- at 7 am!! The girls were the first to perform today. They did a great job again- especially for it being so early in the morning!!!

After the competed, we had about 3 hours until awards. We all went to IHOP-- Granny Lou, Pop, Granny Leen, Bob, and all 4 Branches. It was a good time of fellowship.

Kadyn and I stayed for the awards. We got to watch a good number of groups that were also competing. They were older and had been dancing longer, but it showed Kadyn what she will be able to do if she keeps it up.

So the awards start and Kadyn's group placed Platinum First again! Kadyn was the one from her group that went to get the trophy! I realized too late she was the one walking up-- so I only got her walking away with the trophy. Kadyn had a great time. She is ready to compete more! This is definitely a new world for Eric and I!!!

We are not allowed to take pictures or video during the performance. However, they take professional pictures-- TONS of pictures that you have the opportunity to purchase. We bought two-- here they are!

Miracles Still Happen

So, today would be my 5 year anniversary-- June 28, 2003 Eric and I married. Most people who read this know we had a very rocky road. However, God still performs modern day miracles!! Today is a day that we will hold dear, but will not "celebrate" as our anniversary. That day for us is now Jan, 18, 2008. We have been asked how we will count the years we have been married? Well, this next Jan, we will celebrate 5 years. No, they were not all wonderful, but they are a part of who we are. Those years as tough as they were did have good moments-- ones we will treasure. They have helped shape who we are today. So the picture of the rings.. these are my original wedding rings. When we decided to remarry, I did not want to wear that same rings... it reminded me of the past and I wanted to move forward. However, we did not need to go spend money on a new set of rings. So, we found a beautiful set-- that well, wasn't real-- although I got lots of comments on how beautiful they were! However, this past week, I pulled out the original set--- I am now wearing them proudly for all of the reasons I mentioned above. Those years are a part of us--- and I am glad to say that we are here today-- married and committed to working through life together!