The 4th of FUN

After all we did...we rocked his world (for more than 30 years), we have added more and more to his household, we show up, move tools around, push kids off on him, tell him all of our troubles, and yet he keeps opening his door. I love this man...and he married the most amazing woman in the world! Good job, dad. Thanks for loving us! Thanks for the 4th festivities!

I love being surrounded by these ladies!

The 4th of July is my favorite holiday...

I love it because...

people come to celebrate freedom

Kaden gets to play with all of his cousins

I get to see family I don't normally see

we play hard...all day...no matter who shows up

everyone is always welcome

dad works outside for weeks just so we can tear up his yard

mom prepares for weeks to get food and the house ready just so a tornado can come through

Karl works for months getting the wiring ready for the fireworks

the food is always plentiful

friendships are strengthened...watered with love

no presents...just laughter and fun

I enjoy watching mom and dad see all of their friends/family/grandkids play together

we get to come to Texas to help clean for a week to prepare

we make a big mess and then leave

it is a wonderful reminder of what blessings we have

my husband gets a kick out of synchronizing a great firework show

it always ends with a beautiful BOOM

The bounce houses were a hit...way to go Beck family!

Hunter in control of the water sprayer.

Adrian on the bounce house...he enjoyed being in there without the big kids.

Thanks to Jaymie...

Andy...and

Karl, the fireworks were wired up and it was a beautiful show!

Jorge - Michael - Amy

helping get food ready

The water balloons start the water fight...

before the fall...dad's hanging on...

Micah was being a good daddy!

He just smiles because he doesn't know what else to do! We love you Papa! We don't know either...we laugh the craziness away!

Kaden taking Ava for a ride.

What are y'all doing?

These boys enjoyed riding the four wheeler...most of the day. There were four vehicles running and most of the time these 3 were one with someone!

Ashely - Ava - Nana

Janean and her family

The younger kids enjoyed the sparklers

We delayed the show to allow Andy, Neil and Braxton to return from town.

Jorge is always such a delight! He loves showing up in his 4th of July attire and his favorite thing is sitting around telling stories...lol

Kaden and Ava were glad they survived!

Since February, Karl has been giddy about getting ready for the 4th. He didn't like the way we did things for YEARS...so, he went and changed it. Some say he is crazy, some don't care and some enjoyed it. You can tell we are getting old. The whole reason for Karl buying this equipment was to "keep us safe". I think he just wanted control....lol

I know we are on the government's list...he ordered wiring, controls and everything else to make a B O M B...but they turned out to be part of the firework show.

It was safe and the kids helped set the fireworks off. Each firework was numbered. Each time we were ready for a firework to go off, someone got to push a button. Fun times!

Chester with his spreadsheets of fun...yes...he does take some of the fun out of running for your dear life after lighting the fireworks. It was all done electronically from the porch...about 100 yards away from the trailer of danger.

Rosa's turn...

Brazos sent some fireworks up! He pushed the button at least twice...Brayson pushed the button about 20 times...he enjoyed sitting with Karl and helping!

The Beck family...held together by staples...we are glad he is a tough boy!

Karl's bed

Karl and I went to Ikea with Jennifer and Micah over Christmas break. We looked in the kids section for some ideas for Kaden's room...

this is what Karl did with his ideas!

We purchased the buckets from Ikea and Karl built the bed around them. No more toy box. Just one bucket of balls. The rest of the toys fit under Kaden's bed...and yes, he does need a step stool to get in.

The mattress slides off of the foot of the bed. Once removed (daily occurrence...sometimes twice a day) there is a wonderful, flat place for Kaden to play and drive his cars, trains, tractors..you name it!

I knew about the bed, I did NOT know about the paint job under the mattress! What a surprise! I LOVE IT!

Braxton asked for the mattress to be removed every morning (before breakfast). The boys played there if they were in the house. Wonderful idea!

Leland thought it was pretty cool too!

Kaden has the coolest bed in the world. Hand built by his daddy! Thanks Ikea for the tubs! Thanks Karl for the one-of-a-kind toy box...race track...perfect place to drive a tractor..."my space"...bed!

Time in Frankston

While we were in Frankston we were able to visit the Tyler Zoo. We love our zoo pass and we use it almost weekly in the warm weather!

Leland and his happy self preparing for a zoo trip in the car seat...such a sweet, good boy!

It was HOT in Texas! We made it, though. Leland slept through most of the animals. He woke up for the penguins and the cheetah.

I want to eat you for lunch...

Tyler has a wonderful bird house. Kaden loved feeding the birds, but really he wanted to catch one...

Kaden reading about the coati. I read the first five or so, after that, Kaden took charge and would mumble some words and then tell something about the animal he saw in the cage. It was cute.

After the zoo, we crashed at Grandma Cindy's. During nap, it started raining and we decided it would be foolish to waste a day inside the house! Karl, Kaden and I went out and played in the rain! Kaden loved that his daddy was outside playing with him.

Aunt Sherry stayed inside with Leland...Thanks!

On our way north we stopped and visited the Tyler Science Museum. It was AWESOME! We will go back. Kaden wasn't too keen on dressing up...until daddy did!

Leland...produce? At the Brookshire's in the Musuem.

I think we were supposed to milk the cow...not ride it!

The rolling room....

Daddy, it's time to go home! Can we come back soon?

Since we had such a blast at the Science Museum, we came home and added out Science Center pass! We have a cool Museum as well! WooHoo for fun days!

Visit to Da and Z's house

Da was able to be home more this trip than we are used to...he was ready for more work by the time we were ready to leave...He took Kaden out to "Feed Goats/Cows" at least twice a day. Kaden got to bring hay in on the tractor, sit and watch the cows, bring in the cows, check on the goats, feed the bottle babies and go to town with Da to get feed. WE had a blast. I was able to spend time with my momma! Great trip and would love to do it all again.

Before breakfast, if Da was home; Kaden would ask (at least 5 times), "Da, feed cows?". Kaden loves to go to the pasture and just sit and watch the cows. He even let one of the calves come up and lick him...after the second day!

Z read books to us...as did Amy. Kaden still enjoys books and it was nice to have a different voice and dialog on some stories! Thanks Z and Amy!

Since daddy wasn't around to be a horse, Z had to be trained. Kaden thought she made a pretty good horse!

Amy and Jorge came by to visit one day. Kaden was sure to let Amy know that Leland was his brother and he was staying with us....sweet

Hunter and Eli came over one day and played with Kaden and Leland. WE were ready for someone to play with.

On Wednesday night's at College CoC, the young boys/men get to lead singing. The first Wednesday night we were there, Kaden wanted NO part. But the second Wednesday night he wanted to be with and do whatever Hunter and Eli took part in. I am so proud of him. He got up there and acted like a big boy!

Karl's dad came to Paris the Saturday before the 4th and helped Karl get most things set up and wired up for the firework show. The show this year was AMAZING!

McDonald men and boys

Visit to Aunt Ruby

Kaden, Leland and I were able to spend some extended time in Texas with family over June and July. We are so thankful for a daddy that is wonderful and allows us to be gone from him when it is convenient. One of the days Amy, Sue, Z, the boys and I took off to Clarksville to see my great aunt Ruby. She still cracks me up. We rocked her world for a few hours...I know she rested well that Monday night!

Kaden tried his best to take Amy for a ride! She was a good sport!

cheesing...

Three wonderful women! Buddy (Ruby), Z, and Sue