Trip to Brenham

The summer playgroup from Sterling went to Brenham for a tour of the Bluebell Ice Cream Factory. Since ice cream is my favorite food in the whole world, we had to go! When we arrived at the factory, there was a two hour wait. Apparently everyone likes ice cream! We decided to have our picnic lunch and visit, while we waited. The kids were enthralled with all of the snails found in the dirt. Maddie was intrigued by the great climbing tree.

The tour began with a short film about Bluebell. Next we went and watched the packaging process along with the actual production of the ice cream. Maddie was full of questions about this process. Kinley had only one important question.

"When do I get my ice cream?"

We finally got our sweet cold treat and then loaded back in the car. The rest of the group went on to a miniature horse farm. However, we headed to Nana and Papa's house. They live between Caldwell and Brenham.

They have a wonderful place. The kids were bummed that we did not bring our swimsuits to swim in their pool. We did however get to feed the horses carrots. It was so good to catch up with Nana. I want the girls to know her and understand why she has been such an influence in my life. Mom and Dad met us there. We were all thrilled to see Pappy and Gigi. Then we all headed to Austin for Cade's big birthday party!

Me and the kids at the end of the tour

Cade wore his ice cream hat while we ate our picnic lunch.

Kinley modeling her bluebell hat

Check out this face!

Maddie climbing trees while we wait.
Cade trying out Cookies and Cream

Nana calling up the horses
The girls visiting with Nana
Cade loved the horses
I think Maddie wanted to bring this one home.

One year old!

Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him. Psalms 127:3

I can't believe that Caden is one year old today! It seems like only yesterday that he was dancing in my belly. In Madison's words "He is the best Christmas ever!". Since we told the girls Christmas morning that we were going to have a baby, it helps us remember the special gift God has given us. He is such a joy.

Here are some things we already see in his personality:

1. He is super affectionate. He probably gives me twenty kisses and hugs a day. With two loving sisters, he doesn't have a chance! He loves to cuddle, suck his thumb, and hold his lovie whom he refers to as "kitty".

2. He is talkative. At one year, he is saying Mama, Dada, ball, sissy, yeah, bye-bye, hi, puppy, kitty, see, look, Gigi, more, and that. He is trying to say balloon and Granna but he can't quite get it out yet!

3. He is smart. He is signing several words.. He knows whose phone belongs to whom. He is already taking things a part and putting them back together again.

4. He is active. He started rolling over at two weeks old and he has not sat still since!

5. He is funny. He has a great sense humor already. He loves to make everyone laugh especially his sisters. His favorite joke is wearing things on his head.

6. He is tough. He rarely cries when he falls down. He barely makes a peep when he get his shots. He loves to butt heads and has already given me a bloody nose.

7. He is a charmer. He can convince his sisters to share anything with him, usually it's food. He has a way of getting you to break the rules just for him. (Sound like his Daddy?)

8. He is observant. He notices everything. We can be walking outside and he will notice a tiny bird in a tree and sign bird. He has always been very alert and in tune with what is going on around him.

9. He is sweet. He smiles at everyone and everything. He even smiles at all of his stuffed animals. He is always wanting to love on any animals especially dogs.

10. He is spoiled rotten but we would not have it any other way. We love him so much.

We can't wait to see what God has planned for him.

Our family the day he was born.

First smiles!

Our lil' Christmas present.

All wrapped up for winter.
My friend Tanya with Cozy Impressions photography

took this one when he was six months old.

Our little joker.

Visit to the Butterfly Farm

This summer we have taken several trips with the families that will be attending Sterling this Fall. It is such a blessing that Madison will be starting kindergarten with a group of friends. We are so excited about this school. Our new friends at Sterling have the same expectations and dreams for their children that Rob and I both share.

One of our recent trips was to the Butterfly Farm in South Austin. We started our visit with a hike. Madison spotted some animal tracks that she was sure Pappy could identify properly. Next we watched a short film on butterflies, followed by a visit in the protected greenhouse for the butterflies. We were disappointed to find that they are having a major shortage of butterflies this summer. We did however befriend a turtle that the children followed everywhere. We ended our visit with a picnic lunch. It was overall a great day.

A part of our group from Sterling
Getting ready to go on the hike
The kids checking out the turtle
Here is our new friend
We were all wore out from the hike especially Cade and Hudson!

Hooked on Fishing

We have a new little pond in our subdivision that just opened up. It is stocked with catfish, perch, and bass. I have been dying to take the kids fishing! Woody joined us after stopping at Academy to buy the girls each their own fishing pole. He chose a purple and pink Barbie one for Maddie and for Kinley, a red and purple Dora pole. They love them. He even got them their own Barbie tackle box. I'll admit, I am a little jealous!
We picked up some night crawlers and were on our way. We were there for maybe five minutes and Madison caught a little catfish. She caught three in a row. We decided she had found the hot spot. Kinley caught two little bluegill and Maddie caught two more. They had a blast. Cade clapped his hands at each catch but really wanted to get in the water. He was so cute. As we let them go each time, he would start signing fish.
By the end of the evening, they were quite the little fishermen. Madison can cast her line almost as far as me. She even helped take the fish off of the hook. However, the best part of the evening took place after I put away my camera. Maddie slipped in the mud. As she was cleaning herself off, she fell into the water. Guess who quickly joined her? You got it! Kinley! Then I got all muddy getting them out. They thought it was hilarious. I think their favorite part was riding home in nothing but their panties. Note: I rode home fully dressed!

Madison showing off a little sun perch.
Maddie's first catch- a catfish
Kinley and Daddy waiting it out.

Kinley's first catch
Rob teaching Kinley how to cast her line.

Just being a kid

After Library story hour at HPF, we decided to go to Wich Wich for lunch. I am not sure if the kids enjoy the sandwiches or the water fountain that is outside the restaurant more. We went with Tiffany,Hayden, Hudson, Andrea, and Abbie. Tiffany and I had talked about letting the kids play in the fountain in their clothes. So I planned by bringing extra clothes for my girls along with Abbie! That way Aunt Andrea had to let Abbie play! hahaha The kids had a blast. Somehow when you are doing something that is not usually "allowed" you have twice at much fun! I know these are things I remember the most about my childhood. Dancing in the rain, jumping in the pond with all of our clothes on, and a having a shaving cream fight at church camp are a few of my favorite childhood memories. How about you?

I love this one! Look at their faces! They remind me of the hands on a clock.
Hayden daydreaming on the sculpture.
My own little Marilyn Monroe!

The Motley Crew

Kinley's weed

Early this summer, a strange plant appeared in our backyard. We assumed that it was a weed. As we were pulling the weeds in our yard, Kinley claims this plant as her tree. We tried to convince her that it was just a weed and that we needed to pull it. She would not hear of it. So we gave in and decided to let the weed live a few days longer. Rob and I planned to slip out one night and pull the weed once Kinley had forgotten about it. However, Kinley did not forget. She actually started nurturing the weed. She was diligent in watering it each day and I found her singing to it twice! She kept telling us about the beautiful flowers that it would soon produce. The "weed" became a family joke as it towered the peach tree in our backyard. However, about a week ago, huge bright yellow flowers bloomed all over the plant! We were all shocked! Well, all of us except Kinley. The irony of the story is that a few months ago I studying about the parables of the weeds in Matthew. I specifically prayed that my children would be able to recognize the weeds in their lives. It looks as if Kinley has it figured out better than the rest of us.

Kinley watering her "tree"

Look how Big this thing has gotten already!
Close-up of her flowers

Swimming

Our swim playgroup-The Warpula and Sanders Families

We have been swimming a ton this summer. We have so many friends and family with pools. We have been going at least three times a week. The kids are doing really well. Madison can swim across the pool. She has learned some breathing techniques and can come up for air between strokes. She loves slides, doing cannonballs, and she is trying to dive. Kinley has really impressed us over the last two weeks. She is a little fish. She can stay under a long time. It is a little scary. She is swimming about seven feet under water now. She is also jumping into the big pool and swims to the side on her own. Cade loves the water. He will go under the water without any trouble. He is doing his kicks and can pull himself out on the side. We have been working on floating.

At the pool with Melody and Saira

Madison swimming underwater
Kinley grinning at the pool

Uncle Reg and Cade in the pool

Cade working on swimming
Madison diving off Mimi's slide

Cade's First 4th of July

We had a great time hanging out with the family on the 4th of July this year. In years past, we have gone to Centerville for their annual celebration or we have hung out with Reg and Andrea. This year we decided to stay in Austin. Early in the morning, we went to the Pioneer Days parade in Round Rock. Gigi went with us which made it even more fun. We were at the very beginning of the parade line where all of the parade participants are a little over zealous with the candy!! So we came home with pockets full of candy! We had so much candy that they started choosing what candy was worth picking up. Kinley only remark about the parade was that she did not like the gun fighting.
Later that day, we had friends and family over for fajitas. Woody, Brandon, Reg, Andrea, Abbie, Chris, and his wife all came over to hangout and eat with us. Then we all headed to the swimming pool. The kids had a blast playing in the pool with the guys who are all big kids themselves!

Our favorite part of the day was watching the fireworks! We walked down to the park to see if we could see the Leander Firework display. The only show we saw at the park was Madison chasing a huge frog so we all loaded up in Woody's trooper. We were quite a sight I am sure. The kids loved it! We drove to the back of our subdivison to the Fairways. We found the perfect spot; as we were able to watch the fireworks in Cedar Park, Leander, and the display on the lake. They were gorgeous! Kinley loved the fact that we were too far away to hear the loud noises! It was a great way to end our day! The only picture I could get of the 4 of them!

The girls watching the parade!
We Love candy!
Our Little firecracker!
My Sweet boy!
Gigi and her girls watching the parade

FBA 2008

This week Granna took the girls to FBA at Westover. The theme was on Rescue. They compared how Jesus rescues us from this world to that of Community workers who rescue us from danger. Kika was the helper in Madison's class which was a major highlight for her. Kinley was blessed to have Abbie in her class.

Cade was sick most of the week with a fever of almost 104 degrees. His virus was finally over and he got to attend the last night. Granna picked up the girls and let them spend the night at her house one night. They had a blast and even went to Chuck E Cheese.

Kinley's favorite part of FBA was playing with Abbie and eating at Wally's. She has asked to go to Wally's for the past three days. She has also talked nonstop about the scary fire at church. They built a fire station and reenacted a fire each night where the firefighters rescued someone. This was Kinley's least favorite part of the week.

Madison's favorite part were the skits they performed each night. Aunt Penny would be proud since she was a part of those. Madison really enjoyed all of her teachers and the crafts she made each night. They had a great week at the Hippopotamus Church.

Madison singing "Deep and Wide"
Cade feeling much better!
Caden giving me sugar!

Me and my girls
Thank you Granna for a great week!
The girls dancing in the aisles.
The girls chatting with an EMT worker.

My God is sooo Big!! One of Kinley's favorites!