Not gonna happen

Time goes by too fast when your kids are growing up, doesn't it?

A few weeks ago we were hanging out and I looked both my boys in the eye and said, "Ya'll need to just stop it."

"Stop what?" "What did we do?" they asked.

"Stop growing up! I mean it, ya'll just need to stop it right now." I replied.

Cade, my oldest, rolled his eyes and said, "Mommy....that's just not gonna happen."

Today was the last day of first grade for Cade. For some reason, this day was harder than the first day. Not sure why...I guess I realize that there just isn't any way to slow things down.

Here he is on the first day of first day of 1st Grade:


And here he is today, the last day of 1st Grade...ever!


Here's my other little munchkin when he graduated from Pre-K 2 last week.
He will be graduating from Pre-K 1 next year! How many dang graduations do kids have nowadays anyway??? But I digress.... Isn't he a cutie? :o)

It's officially summertime in these parts!

Year In Review....Top 10 Pictures

I'm joining Jules in the Top 10 party over at
The Roost. Here are my favorites from 2008

Us with Doug's brother Scott, our SIL Lisa and our nieces Sam and Katie at the Gaylord Texan Ice Show. Over the past year, we have grown closer and I am so thankful.



For the animal parade at school, Brady was a puppy with a pet monkey.


Cade lost his first tooth.


Having a scrapbooker mom, these two are used to having an camera in their face all of the time and really know how to ham it up when they feel like it.


Look at these two beauties. Doug surprised me with them....he finally gave in to all of the hints I'd been dropping for about a year! Now, if they'd only come out with an invention that would fold and hang up all the clothes I'd really be in heaven.



A day of garage sales with my MIL and SIL. We had soooo much fun and found so much stuff! We're going thrifting next week for SIL's birthday....can't wait!



Kitchen project. I was inspired by Layla over at
The Lettered Cottage. My stepmom helped me remove the doors on the upper cabinets, paint and we added hardware to all the other doors and cabinets. I love the way it turned out.



Our Brady Bear turns 4.



I saw this sock monkey and wanted to get a picture of Cade standing in front of it since our pet name for him is "Cade Monkey". He was not cooperating with me and decided to make a face when I snapped the shot. He wasn't even trying to look like the monkey, but he totally does! ha ha


The love of my life. This picture was taken after our 4th of July vacation in Crystal Beach. He didn't shave at all that week and on the last day he shaved all of his scruff into a goatee. Hubba hubba!

My babies are growing up.

Love these pics from their party. A true testament to their brotherly love. :o)

Crystal Beach...continued

Yes, it's another post about our trip to Crystal Beach...sorry! What can I say, I took ALOT of photos!

This was Brady's first time at the beach. Cade had been a few times before with Nana and Pawpaw when he was little, but he didn't really remember much about it.

*disclaimer: no those are not REAL tatoos on my children, they are temporary ones from a Jack in the Box kids meal* :o)












I can't wait to get back! It was such a nice trip.

Happy 4th of July from Crystal Beach!

I have never been on the beach for the 4th of July...

I won't make that mistake again! It was gorgeous!


Brady and Pawpaw had a good spot from the hood of the Tahoe.


As far as we could see down the beach to our right, and to our left, was a solid stream of firworks exploding. Nothing coordinated, just families and friends celebrating on the beach.


My guys under the star spangled sky...


Yeah, we'll definitely be there next year! :o)

Crystal Beach Vacation - Day 1 continued

After the rain....


Boat ride!

Here comes Pawpaw with the boat, it's a real Trophy isn't it?? heh heh


Doug and Cade waiting at the dock to grab the rope.


Here comes Brady to help.


Brady behind the wheel again and Cade giving his signature 'thumbs up!'


hmmm...see a familiar trend going here?


Not sure what he's thinking about, but it's gotta be something important.


I'm pretty sure that Brady is doing some sort of sound effects with his mouth. Boat noises perhaps?


And we're off!


This is pretty cool!


Look at all the boats!


This is Bird Island. There were THOUSANDS of birds! It was an amazing sight...


...not such an amazing smell.


Proof that I was really there! ha ha

Sunday at Cookie Granny's

Tom and Melanie went on the road about 4 months ago. They are touring the country in their motor home and loving every minute of it. We got a call a few days ago that they were back home in Stephenville for a few weeks so we went for a visit today.

Here are some pics from our day:


Here's Katie


Sam, braving the big water slide


Look at all the beads on that girl!



Uncle Scott joining the fun


Cookie Granny, Doug, Granny Nell



Sam & Brady