BBQ!

After we went to our niece's graduation party Saturday, we headed down to the river to check out the 2010 Smokin' on the River Festival. We had no idea what it really was, but thought it might be something neat and different to take the kids to. It was HOT, but the kids enjoyed just running around and eating some delish bbq! Kaden found some ducks and was fascinated by them. He tried to chase them...not much luck there, but he was laughing so hard at them! Cute!

Eating a french fry.

We left from there and went to get ice cream! The joys of summer. :)

nail painting

Addison is a true girl in every sense of the word...and I love it! She let me know that it was time to paint her toes and finger nails "cuz it was comin off." She knows she has to sit after I paint them so she doesn't smudge it. This particular day, I put her in Kaden's high chair while I did it and for a short time after to allow them to dry. The price we pay!

first pitch

Went to a Riverbats game last night with Keith, Addison, my brother Dylan, and sis Danielle. Keith was actually one of the people able to throw out the first pitch...kinda cool! I was so mad I forgot to take my camera! Luckily, Dyl had his phone and it has a decent camera on it. This is not the best picture, but it documents them being on the field. Addison went out there with him.

the purple heart

I'm so honored and blessed to be able to write this post. Last night, the merit board went back to the night of February 19, 2009 to honor Keith and Dan Lawhorn as well as the many other officers involved in the events of that night. There were so many people that worked together and so much support that I stand amazed at the grace of the Lord over our lives. That night could have turned out so different, but thanks to the Lord and the quick actions of other officers and EMT workers, as well as doctors and nurses, we still have Keith and Dan with us.

Keith and Dan were both presented with the purple heart and a plaque honoring them for their bravery and courage on that night a little over a year ago.

I still get tears in my eyes, and probably always will. I love you, Babe.

Dylan's Grad Party

My little brother Dilli...that's not so little anymore, just graduated high school. What a big accomplishment! We are so proud of him. We had a big party at my parents to celebrate the day.

Couldn't resist throwing one of my sweet boy in there! What a handful you were that day, buddy! I always freak out around water and he has NO fear...he tried to just walk in the pool several times.

Dylan's senior pics

I took some of my brother's senior pics that we displayed at his party. Lisa, a girl from our church, also took some and did a great job...even in the rain! :) Dyl is just so darn cute that he made it hard to choose which pictures to get printed. We had about a million favorites. He was so hilarious at his party because he was literally giving people 9-10 different poses of himself just to get rid of them. We still have millions it seems! These were just a few that we got one night of him. Thanks for your patience Dyli...I had to make you look good!

Memorial Day

Uncle Jason and Aunt Leslie (also known as 'Aunt Yazi' because of Addison), had some peeps over for a cookout and some swimming on Memorial Day. This was one of the rare occasions that Kaden seemed to actually enjoy the water a little bit. He is normally not very excited about it.

Grandpa helping Addison slide down the big slide...right to Daddy of course.

Tyler, Addison and Kaden's cuz, attacking Uncle Keith!

Party Time

Mix and Mingle...people had to gather wherever there was room!

LOVE this pic...it is so hard to get him to look at the camera...this was a lucky shot!
Presents, presents, presents...he was personally not a big fan of opening everything, but Addison sure was. She is in basically all of the pictures..."helping" of course!

The Cake

The "cake" ended up being about 5 million cupcakes! I actually made them...quite a big accomplishment...and then stuck little ducks in the middle of the orange icing. :)

He was totally not a fan of the cupcake. He poked at it a little...Daddy helped him out by plopping it right on his head. This was a short lived event...before he started crying! Oh well!

Food

Fruit Scewers that Chelsey and I did...easy but time consuming.
Always fun making food for an army...just having my fam over is enough for an army! Keith made sandwich after sandwich...good job, Babe!

Kaden turns 1!

I know that everyone always says this...but, has it really already been a year?!?! My sweet boy is growing up! I guess that is good though, with a little sister on the way.;) Keith and I keep saying that he has to grow up fast to make room for more! So...as you will see by the pics...major duck theme going on. I had a hard time deciding on what to do for Kaden. He is not in to any TV shows, characters, or much of anything yet. BUT...when it came to his toy rubber duckies, he loved them. He would scream if Addison even tried to take one away from him. :) So funny. We had a few of them that he played with in the bathtub and really just any time. I honestly think his first liking to them was when he was doing some of his teething. He could chew on them and it felt good to him. Whatever works!

We were blessed with a good day for his party...a few sprinkles, but lots of friends and family to celebrate with us. I love parties! And Addison definitely takes after her mama. She has been asking for weeks, "Is today the day of Kaden's party?" as she has seen me little by little get things together. One day she even asked if it was time for the "customers" to come! So cute!
Got that idea one night just laying in bed...ya know how they have the duck crossing signs???? The feet led up to the door. :)

The little marshmallows in the containers you see are "bubbles"!! Got that idea from a friend at school. I had planned on using blue M&M's for "water," but this was a little cheaper.