Trip to Texas for Karl's family reunion

Karl, Kaden and I were blessed to be able to travel to Texas this weekend. We look forward to going home each and every time. This last weekend was Karl's family reunion (his dad's side). So, we planned and made the trip happen. It all went off travel wise without a hitch! We are thankful for Sherry and Chad and the things they gave up to come and spend some time with us and the house and food that David and Heather provided all weekend! We enjoyed our trip and look forward to the next time we can all be together!

Karl (with his pain in his back/leg) drove us every where we needed to go.

We love you dad. We look forward to picking you up from the airport tomorrow morning (he's in Louisiana with work)!

Love ya!

Karl and his grandmother "Murrs"
Murrs and Daddy Mac feeding Kaden some good ol' homemade peach cobbler! YUM YUM
Chad, Sherry and Marti eating Friday night...This was before the games started...
Heather getting her goods in with Kaden. This weekend we stayed with one of Karl's uncle David and aunt Heather (pictured above). Marti (red head) is Karl's aunt as well.
Saturday night we drove over to Crandall, Texas. We met Karl's mom and step-dad there for supper. Cindy decided that her arms needed a work out, so she rocked Kaden back and forth...WHEW
Here is the gang!
Cindy and Kaden. This kid loves lemon...and Johnny's hat!
Chad and Sherry were nice enough to travel with us. We were all beat after a long night of cards and an early morning of reunion, but it was more than worth the travel! There's just something about hugs from family that make life so grand.

Kaden decided he was going to give all of us a shout!

Kaden is learning to communicate. We are learning how to teach him. All he does is scream at animals and during church. He is also cutting two more bottom teeth...that makes 10...can I blame his squealing on the teeth cutting?

2 more days until we get to pick the smiles rather than pumpkins...

Kaden wanted to tell you all about the birthday party he and his cousins attended last night out at a pumpkin patch!

Braxton was a little faster than most everyone wanted to go and tried to pass everyone.
Colby wanted to play as well.
Rosa a on a good ol' John Deere.
Brayson and Kaden hung out in their strollers....the others had way more fun than they did. But they were GOOD! Thank you Lord!
The Birthday Girl in the corn.

Braxton and Rosa with their prize pumpkins.
We took a tractor trailer ride out to the pumpkin patch. They had little ones out and ready for all of us when we got there! Thanks, Saide for such a great birthday party!
Here comes Braxton down the slide!
Braxton and Bryant checkin' out the chickens.
Karl and Kaden coming down the slide. This place was awesome...would make for some beautiful fall pictures.



Braxton and Brazos loved the corn box the most. There was about 2.5-3 foot of corn in this vat and they shoveled, raked, dumped and moved more kernels than you can count.

4 more days until...the rain in Spain stays mainly on the plains...

Lyneil and Andy are in Madrid! How exciting. They had a time getting from Paris, France to Madrid, but they are there; safe and sound. Thank you God!

We LOVE skype. I think I have enjoyed it more than the boys have. They are okay and get about warmed up to talking to thier mom and dad on the computer about the time we are ready to get off! Oh, well. Soon enough, they'll have the abilty to hug and see them.

Everyone seems to be doing well here. Karl, Kaden, Brayson and I are going to head for Iowa City tomorrow (about an hour 1.5 away) for a doctor appointment for his back. We are super excited to finally have a date. They called and said come on this day at this time and we rescheduled what we needed to so we can go. Saint Lisa...I mean Lisa is going to take Brazos all day and Colby is going to pick Braxton up from school. So, she'll have them all day. We have a birthday party tomorrow night and WHEW...rest!

We all got up and were dressed, ready to go (ON TIME) for church this morning except for Brayson! I had to wake him up. He wanted to sleep in. I told him if he would sleep all night he wouldn't be so tired during the day. Karl and I taught class and we were at the church by 9:20 am for a 9:30 Bible class......WHOO HOOO! We did it.

7 more days until we get to see the real thing...

Lyneil and Andy are in Paris...no, not Texas (this time). They are going to see the 'real thing'. In Paris, Texas we have an Eiffel Tower with a big, red cowboy hat on top of it. Lyneil and Andy are going to get to go and see the real thing in Paris, France! I told them I wanted a picture of their red hat. I bet our is cooler than theirs!

Braxton didn't want to talk to Andy and Lyneil today on skype, so later I caught him when he was playing. The boys are doing real well. You can definitely tell they miss their momma and daddy...as they should.

We are all doing well and staying inside as it has rained a lot here.

Everyone that is having to evacuate is in our thoughts and prayers...

8 more days until we can give a hug...

Braxton has been doing so well in school. Yesterday Dakota finally came back and Braxton was happy to see him. He has been such a big help around the house. He and Karl have been building everything out of the linkin' logs.
Last night while I was reading a story to the boys, Brazos changed Curious George's diaper. I haven't seen him play with his imagination much, so that was fur to watch. He changed him, picked him up, hugged him and then gave him a kiss. It was super sweet.
Brayson is doing great. He has been sleeping a lot during the day the last couple of days and I know that makes it easier for Lisa. When he is awake, he is all smiles.

Kaden is doing well too. He has been dealing with a bug and we are ready for him to get past it!

We can't say thank you enough to the Clapp Family for their help and love they give to the kids! You are a blessing beyond what we can express thanks for!

11 more days until...

we get to see the Beck mama and daddy.

Braxton and Brazos did great this morning. It is 4:00 pm and Braxton is still sleeping. I guess school exhausted him. Brayson and I were able to spend a lot of good ol' time together last night. He was having trouble breathing and therefore, was unable to sleep well. Today he has taken two short naps but Lisa said he was good.

Brazos and Braxton woke up and they were in such a good mood. In fact, Braxton slept so long that we had to eat breakfast on the way to school this morning. I dropped Braxton off at school and went to work.


Last night, Karl took the oldest two to Hy-Vee. They purchased ice cream. Karl came home and made them shakes. I don't know who was more excited!

Have fun and we'll hear from you when you get a chance.

P.S. Brazos said he wants to see his mommy (he likes the picture of you and Brayson)!

Kaden's 9 month charts

Since Lyneil and Andy have left the country, Karl took Kaden to his 9 month appointment. I felt like an inadequate mother. It's no fault of any one's but my own. I should be thankful that my husband is willing and able to take Kaden (rather than having a pitty party). I am guessing everything checked out okay. No shots, so Kaden is happy. When I returned home from work, Lisa (the preacher's wife) said that Karl brought Kaden home and put him to bed. Guess he's a stout, healthy boy and that's all there is to that!

Height - 29.3 inches (79th percentile)

Weight - 22.11 pounds (80th percentile)

Brazos has decided he is in charge. He has been bossing Kaden and Brayson around for the last hour...giving them crawling orders.

Sleeping Brayson

Lyneil was at work today and I had the boys at home. Karl came home for lunch and all was well. Our neighbors across the street are putting in a pool and Braxton and Brazos have had a time watching the dirt come out and today; the cement come in. Well, it was time for nap. I went to the room with the oldest two and Kaden followed me. Two books, getting their milk and covers just right and Kaden and I left the room. I thought that I had better check on Brayson as I hadn’t heard from him (I last left him in the living room, but he is quiet mobile now).

This is how I found him…So, before you leave your kids with me; maybe you should ask yourself how well you want them to be taken care of. Apparently, I just exhaust kids to the point of giving in where ever! Isn’t he sweet!

Kaden's 9 month pictures

Karl was able to go with me to Kaden's 9 month picture session. I have just almost decided that I want to take the pictures myself. I am okay paying for pictures, they just all look alike. We go to Portrait Innovations (and they are pretty good) but they have to use the same settings every time and you have to bring your own imagination....chasing rabbits...Karl was able to go with me and we still went over the budget that I had in mind! Just thought I would share some of the sweet moments we were able to capture! These are the 'un-touched up' versions.

We wish for...better pickins...more teeth...more trips to Texas...less snow this winter...more time with grandparents...daddy's back to feel better...more to know Christ...sunny days...piles of dirt...imaginations...good food...healthy cousins...happieness...lots of play time...a good A & M season...peace...love...and more days of good health...

This is one of our favorites. This is Kaden's snorting face. He loves to show it off to Lyneil. He sits adjacent to her at the table. He will find her and snort it up as long as she will play.




Kaden is being held up by Karl and I. Our little Aggie...WHOOP!

Kaden is 9 months old

Where has time gone? I have loved every minute of every day that I have had with you, Kaden. You remind me so much of your father. You let your guard down and laugh and cheese it up when you are at home in your own surroundings but keep on your guard at church, restaurants and other places. You make me smile. I love your wake up, high pitch 'do do's' and your winding down, low pitch 'mmmmm's'. Time has gone so fast because you make life so much fun.

Kaden showing off his teeth. He has four on the bottom and three in a half on the top.
Kaden and dad enjoying the nice summer evening outside.
Thanks to this man, we have a wonderful little boy. He is like you in so many ways....way to go Karl Wayne!

After Braxton's birthday celebration at Joe's Karl and I waited in the vehicle with sleeping Brayson while the rest of the family ran in for presents. Kaden was talking it up! Love you Karl and Kaden!