Pumpkin Patch

Today we got to visit the annual Pumpkin Patch.  The photos may not have turned out so great, but at least we got some with everyone looking in a general direction??  The kids have been in a little bit of a mood these last few days (not sure whose kids these are).  The best part of the trip was baby Elam and our family from Indiana joining us.  Although the occasion was not the best with Mam-ee's funeral, we have enjoyed the family being in town through the long weekend.  Caelin just LOVES baby Elam, in fact as we were driving home tonight, she said "bye bye Elam, love you."  We are blessed by the love God gave us through family.  Mam-ee would have loved that we all got to spend time together.

 

Mackenzie's 7th Birthday

Today our sweet niece Mackenzie (AKA: Kennybug) turned 7.  I remember the day she was born.  The first of 4 Angels in our families.  She was the lone Princess for 3 years before Cade came and she has always been the ring leader of the munchins.  We are so proud of all she has accomplished.  She is fun loving, outgoing, athletic, and so much more.  Aunt Mendy/Uncle Chris made her day special with an "Alice in Wonderland" themed birthday at Cafe Monet in downtown Austin.  Mackenzie was Alice for the day as we enjoyed a tea party with mini cupcakes and painted our own pottery.  My favorite part was when Mackenzie closed her eyes to think of a wish right before she blew out her candles.  I thought about what kinds of things she could be wishing and then I was reminded how sweet kids are and how wishes change over time.  I pray she keeps on wishing, every day of her life!  We love you so much Kennybug and hope your day was one you will never forget!

Dynamos Game #3

Tough Mudder

Today Charles finished a goal of his for a long time...completing a Tough Mudder Competition!  The course is just over 12 miles and had 27 obstacles that were all Army related.  I love the fact that this competition is all about team work.  A lot of the obstacles cannot be completed on your own, so your comrades have to chip in.  Some of the highlights for obstacles included: LOTS of mud pits/trenches/tunnels, "Arctic Enema" which is a swim through an ice bath, "Electric Eel" where you crawl under barbed wire with hanging electric wires carrying voltage, "Funkey Monkey" where you use monkey bars to go across water, and "Mount Everest" which is a 15ft wall greased up that you have to run up and grab a teammate.  Charles finished in about 3hours which was amazing.  So proud of him and his determination!

 

Happy 1st Birthday Cousin Andrew!

I cannot believe a year has come and gone for sweet Andrew.  Andrew has been such a joy to our family.  Gamee also keeps him some during the week and Caelin and Andrew have always been good friends.  Andrew is ALMOST walking, and when that starts, the world is in trouble!  Andrew is such a fun child and loves to be held and JUMP.  I bet he would make an awesome sprinter one day with his calf muscles.  To celebrate his special day, Uncle Christopher/Aunt Heather held a birthday party at their house with the "Hungry Caterpillar" theme.  The party was a lot of fun and we have been looking forward to it for a long time.  Of course Gamee made the cake, which was AMAZING!  I am always overwhelmed by the creativity and love she puts into the Grandchildren's birthday cakes.  She made a 3D caterpillar going across a large sun.  The caterpillar was surrounded by all the fruits/foods he ate through in the book.  It was just amazing...not to mention the small smash cake to match.  Good job Gamee!  Andrew made us all laugh as he dug into his cake first and from then on, nothing slowed him down.  He looked like the incredible Hulk covered in green!  Uncle Christopher had to eventually get him in the bathtub.  He also enjoyed opening up some presents and attempting his first steps!!  Such a handsome and smart young man our Andrew is.

Happy Birthday to our Andrew, we love you so dearly!