Happy...Happy...Happy at the Aquarium

 We took a trip down to Dallas for a long weekend with Karl and found (via Jennifer) a wonderful aquarium. We had the place to ourselves and the boys loved every minute we had to spend there.

 The boys in their Octo gear!

 We all got to feed some stink rays!  It was awesome!

January update

 Adelynn completed our family of five in July 2013....so we thought.  
Jack (white) and Paisley (yellow) came along in August.  They were so cute.  They were easy to love.  Now they eat everything/anything and need a bigger space!

 Okay...remember back in May of 2013 (Trashed house with LSU garbage), our "friends" broke in our home and put LSU garbage all over the place?  Well, this battle is still on going!  The Raymond Family has a table that is very similar to ours.  Karl painted a big black ATM on our table and we took it over to their house while they were away at Disney.  They returned home to peanuts on the floor, a new Aggie Table and we short sheeted them.  It was so much fun!
Fast forward a couple of months and we left Karl's work car at their home over night.  They decided to decorate it.  I laughed SO hard.  It was awesome!  I love our little friends here in LA!

Speaking of friends....we all got to go to the zoo together.  We had a blast being together in one BIG group.  This was also the day that Karl and I decided to buy some land in Monroe.  

 There is nothing sweeter than a baby's smile....

 a three year old wearing baby clothes....

 again...????.....

...and your 6 year old doing the same....oh, these kids!

Kaden had Old Day Dress Up at school one day.  He picked out all of his attire.  He was not crazy about he bow tie after he put it on.  Rather he wanted a regular tie.  But it was too late and this is how he got to go to school.  He wanted a walking stick and I didn't have one.  Karl was out coaching OCS soccer.  He came home front he game about 9:30pm.  I mentioned the walking stick (thinking Karl would remind me of a toy that would work).  He walks out to the shop and in ten minutes comes back in with this.  I love a handy man!

Christmas in Frankston

This was Adelynn's first trip to Frankston.  She loved all of the cuddle time and finally meeting Aunt Sherry.

 Grandma Cindy and Grandpa Johnny also had a new puppy....the boys were elated.  They love Molly.

The boys got some dirt toys for Christmas and Sherry put their names on their pails and their trucks.

 Tradition at Grandma Cindy's house is to build a Ginger Bread something.  The boys made a barn.  This year I helped and it did not turn out as well as in the past with Grandma Cindy's help.

Christmas in Paris

 Paris had a harsh winter in 2013.  With a horrible winter storm earlier in December, there were trees down all over town.  It looked like a tree war zone.  We put the boys to work during Christmas break.  They were busy hauling branches and playing ninjas...and they still had more energy than we could handle!

 Every Christmas we gather as a family at Papa (and Granny's) house.  Papa takes all of us in and we rock his world.  We bring tons of food and more noise!  I love our time together.  I think the last time I laughed until I cried was at Papa's house.

 Our growing family....Denton party of 1, Zant party of 2, Perez party of 3, Beck party of 5, and McDonald party of 5....whew....we may need a bigger space to take pictures in next year.

 This year we exchanged (white elephant game) with board games.  At first I thought it was a total flop....but....Michael threw in a curve ball (3D Pig) and Ashley brought a tire swing with a football....genius.  Hunter ended up with Reverse Charades.  He opened the game up (that Jennifer and Micah brought) and read "Educational fun.  Well, this is going straight to the attic."!  We opened the game up and played.  I have not laughed so hard.  It was awesome.  All of the guys tried to act something out and one loner was left to guess all of the confusion.  It was GREAT!  

 Adelynn and Gus had some bonding time while their parents were acting like crazy people.  

 My most favorite people in the world. 

 Whoa!!!!!  What started with three girls has really blown into boys al a carte...with Adelynn!

 I can't remember a time that we had a meal at my Papa's house where you didn't HOLD HANDS and PRAY before the meal.  No one was ever asked before hand to say the prayer.  You hear the call "Let's eat".  You find a hand on each side of you and you bow your head.  Papa will then say, "Rick, Lead us in thanks.".  I remember the first time he asked Karl to say the prayer.  I was so proud.  
We (much younger and less mature) used to make fun of the way the prayers were started.  You could almost say the prayer with them for the first few lines.  I miss those days now.  I love to hear my father and mother pray.  
Michael's - "Father we come now thanking you" (always in a fast pace).
Dad - "Heavenly Father" (always slow and meaningful)
Papa - "Righteous Father" (the Righteous was always broken up as if two different words)

 We sat down for our meal and Leland sat with us.  He is eating and just randomly says, "that reindeer got stuck in the wall.", and keeps on eating.  I nearly doused Karl with tea.  I asked him again what he said just to confirm...love my Leland.  

 Jorge joined in the game of football outside.  Poor Ava.  She is the only girl of the bunch (minus Adelynn).  She has to play tough, boy games.  Just wait, Ava...Adelynn is coming!

 Adelynn had her first real food at Z's house.  She was more than ready.  We started her off with some sweet potatoes.  She loved them and still does.  It was messy but she consumed the whole bowl of sweet potatoes.