Happy Birthday to Will

Happy Birthday to Will!  Happy 4th Birthday to YOU!!! 
Since Daddy had to leave town (for work), Will opened presents FIRST THING!!

He was excited about his "scooter without training wheels"!

 Lego forklift from Nana/Pawpaw

Daddy reading Will the card from Grandma/Grandpa.

We wish we could see them more often.

Will got home from school & was SURPRISED to find this in our back yard! 

Let the P A R T Y begin!!

Will jumping with his Best Buddy, Andrew

Mommy had to try it...so much FUN! 

Adorable!  Eating pizza together...

Happy Birthday to our SUPER BOY!

After cake, Trent was a SUPER mess!

We missed having Daddy at the celebration!  This party would not be possible without his hard work and dedication...THANK YOU!!!  We had a BLAST!

* sunshine + bouncing + sliding = NO SHIRT!  

Happy Birthday to Kelsey

November 4
Happy Birthday to KELSEY!!!!   HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!  You are beautiful, smart, and creative.  We are so blessed to have you as our daughter! 

I put signs up - for all to see it was a special day!

We visited you at lunch...

made you a party hat & blinking Happy Birthday button!

You have a beautiful smile!

We wish you much Peace and Love!

Happy Birthday Kelsey!  We LOVE you!

I have no pictures but Kelsey's day began with breakfast at the donut shop - what a great way to start the day!!  That eveing, my parents took us to Kelsey's FAVORITE - Manny's!!! Next came gifts and cookie cake...what more could a girl what?!?!? 

I hope you had an EXTRA special day...because YOU are an EXTRA special girl!!!

Pumpkin Time

Please accept these pictures in exchange for costume pictures - because I only took 1 picture of Trenton dressed up for Trick-or-Treating.  In my defense...Will and Trent have been wearing their costumes EVERY DAY for the entire month of October...so October 31 was not a big deal!  Prior to Trick-or-Treating, we went to a party across the street.  Kelsey was still at Volleyball practice, so I took my camera in hopes to take pictures of all 3 kids - once Kelsey arrived.  Well, by the time Kelsey got to the party - I was already drinking my second margarita, she was anxious to get to her friends house, and taking pictures never crossed my mind!!!

Kelsey was Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz and she looked ADORABLE!!!  Will and Trent were Power Rangers (per their request).  They still wear their costumes daily - so capturing a pic is not going to be a problem!   

Below are pictures from Friday, October 30.  We spent our entire evening carving pumpkins and we LOVED every minute of it!!!  With the large age difference between Kelsey and the boys, it's difficult to find activities that we can ALL enjoy.  I TRULY enjoyed having everyone in the same room - working together - smiling - having fun - laughing - my heart felt SO FULL!!!!  I have SO MUCH to be thankful for!

Usually, Will does not like his hands to get dirty

Trenton kept smelling the pumpkin

Trent's expression made us all laugh!

Each kid did their part cleaning out the insides! GROSS!

Will washed his hands more times than I can count!

FAMILY FUN!!!

The finished products...

Kelsey's Owl - she carved it ALL BY HERSELF!!!! 

It took her almost 2 hours! She's so creative!

Trenton's Jack-O-Lantern

Will's Jack-O-Lantern

 Will was sooo excited! He smiled all evening!

Daddy's Jack-O-Lantern

I was in charge of the seeds...they tasted YUMMY!!!

I almost forgot...here is the one picture I have of Trenton.  He fell asleep in my arms -as soon as we got to the party.  We were able to wake him for Trick-Or-Treating, which he LOVED!  In fact, while Will was at school today, I asked Trent what was something fun he would like to do???  He answered "go Trick-Or-Treating"!!!  

No Cavity Club

Last week - I took Will and Trenton to the dentist and I'm proud to announce we have 2 members of the NO CAVITY CLUB!  Trent was an AMAZING patient and Will may have been their WORST patient of the day...no lie!  I was shocked - but Will was NOT COOPERATIVE!  These 2 pictures were taken moments before he FREAKED OUT!  Apparently, Will thought she was going to swab his throat (like a Strep test).  He LOST it! 

Trent was happy and relaxed - as usual!  They could not believe that he picked mint flavored toothpaste -vs-a fruity flavor!  Trent loves mints!  However, he was/is not happy that the dentist says "no more passy."   We have been preparing him for the "Passy Hero" (who wears a cape like Batman) but he's NOT excited! 

They are growing up too fast!  Daddy is very happy but it makes me so sad!  I can't believe they are turning 12, 4, and 3 years old...time is passing so quickly! 

Murder Mystery Halloween Party

Our friend and old neighbor has an annual, adult only, Halloween costume party.  The theme this year was  Murder Mystery in Sin City - Las Vegas.  I was assigned the role of Mrs. Trump (formerly Miss. Las Vegas 1984). I'm married to Ronald Trump (Braden), who is a very wealthy casio owner.  My script said that I still enjoy wearing my sash, tiara, and gown.  I was SUPER EXCITED to find this dress for only $5.40 (tax included)! 

I still have the full costume - just let me know if anyone wants to borrow it!

Braden said his "Trump" wig was itchy, so it did not last the entire night

Superheros feeding cows

During our recent visit to Six Flags, Will and Trent became the VERY proud owners of Superhero capes!  They brought their capes to Nana and PawPaw's house and wore them most of the weekend...even while they fed the cows!

These cows are along my parents back fence and Trent absolutely LOVES to feed them!!!! I honestly can't think of anything that makes Trenton happier, than feeding the cows! 

Thank you PepsiCo!

Every year  Braden's Company (PepsiCo), hosts a private party at Six Flags, for their local employees and their families.  We always look forward to this event and it never disappoints! 

My FAVORITE part of this event, is the FREE chips and drinks!!!!  They have tables set up throughout the park that are fully stocked with chips and drinks.  Our stroller was LOADED with Cheetoes, Pretzels, Sun Chips, Cheese Puffs, Funyuns, Aquafina, and G2 Gatorade!!!  I got as much as Braden would allow.  

Kelsey is not in any of the pictures and that's because she met up with a friend and was GONE! 

Notice the many bags of chips in the stroller! 

Here is one of the tables set up with chips!

Will and Trent enjoying the swings!

 Trenton was so tired...he could not stay awake.

We had a so much FUN!  We are already looking forward to next year!  Thank You PepsiCo!!!

Will's First Day of Preschool x 2!!!

On Tuesday, September 1,2009, I was fully prepared to take Will for his first day of preschool!!!  I packed his lunch, (including a sweet note & smiley face on his napkin), dressed him super cute & stylish, put gel in his hair (we usually only do that for church), put his back pack on, and headed out the door!!  Daddy made plans to go in late (to work), so he was able to join us for this memorable occassion...Thank you, Daddy!

I was delighted to find such a great parking spot but wondered why I didn't notice any other kids.  I thought maybe I was early?? (which NEVER happens).  I thought maybe it does not start until 9:30am?? 
Well, I soon realized that school did not start until next Tuesday!!!  OOPS!!!

Will was so disappointed and I felt HORRIBLE!  I'm certain you can understand that having Daddy there, only made me feel 100 x's worse!!  It ended up being a good mistake because Will was able to meet his teacher and see his classroom.  He and Trent also enjoyed a picnic at the park - to help heal his broken heart!!

Here are pictures from Tuesday, September 8, 2009.

I am SO PROUD of you, Will!  Your teacher says you are "a sweet boy" and "her best student"!  You're not even 4 years old and you know the letters of the alphabet.  One of the worksheets sent home was a tree filled with letters and the instructions were to color only the letter A.  You had all if the A's colored and no other letter...IMPRESSIVE!!!  I wish I could take credit, but you learned your letters from playing a game on your Little Einstein laptop!  You're a SMART boy and a very fast learner (just like your Daddy)!  You come home singing new songs and teaching us words in Spanish.  I love watching you grow in knowledge!

Lake Belton

My parents recently bought a house on Lake Belton. Over the Labor Day weekend, my brother stopped by (he flew in from Atlanta, to visit college friends in Austin) for one night and we were all able to enjoy the lake. It as difficult to leave...We all had so much fun together! We are looking forward to spending MANY hot, sunny, summer days, on Lake Belton.

Will and Trent slept most of the time we were out on the boat. The boat ride made them so sleepy! It was wonderful to spend time with my brother, we don't get to see him enough. Samantha and Dylan, we missed you LOTS and hope to see you next time.
Thanks, Mom and Dad for sharing your new place with us...it was fun!