Springtime in Norteast Texas

Well springtime in Paris is always fun. The boys can play outside and life is WONDERFUL. We have had cooler temperatures than normal. We stopped by and stayed a couple of days with Amy (it was super convenient...thanks Amy and Jorge).

We stayed a couple of nights at Jorge and Amy's house. They are busy little bees. We are thankful for such great sisters!

I asked Kaden to strike a pose and this is what I got....

...the same from Leland...

Here are the boys in Jorge's King Chair! Amy and Jorge are busy little bees. The go and go and go some more. Good work, Amy and Jorge. We love y'all!

We headed to Paris while Karl was in Dallas for training. On Wednesday, the rains came down. I was just giddy. I think the last time I played in the rain was well before Kaden came along. That is sad. We remedied that! The little boys and I went and played in the puddles! It was GREAT!

Kaden got his hiney wet from running through the water!

Leland kept looking at me as if he was waiting to be told "NO". Sweet boy. He did NOT want to come in. Da has taken them out to see the goats every day...most days they have been out more than once...they have played outside all day and then Da comes home and takes them out on the four wheeler!

Da and my youngest spoiled little stinker!

Easter Weekend

Easter Weekend is a full weekend for us. We have attended LTC the last five years and love being able to watch the youth grow and mature in Christ. LTC is always on Good Friday. So, we spend the weekend before Easter in a hotel with thousands of young Christians! What a way to celebrate Easter!

On Sunday morning, Kaden woke up and found strange things on the floor.

Kaden: "Mom, come here!"

Me: "What is it?"

Kaden: "The Easter Bunny pooped all the way down the hall."

(The EB had left a trail of jelly beans to the stash he left...)

Leland wanted to pick them all up and hand them off to someone. Kaden just looked them over.

By the time we all arrived in the livingroom, Kaden was so excited! He was super impressed with the EB!

Colby and Lisa put together an egg hunt at in their back yard.

We all had a blast.

Leland and dad finding the good eggs!

Lamar County Junior Livestock Show 2011

After a long week in West Monroe (hunting) we found what we wanted and headed back to Paris for the LCJLS! Karl has seen parts of the show but has never had the opportunity to help with the sale! We enjoyed our time. We arrived at the grounds with 30 minutes to spare for the Kiddy Class Show.

Ashley had asked dad to bring up 6 kid goats for others to show. The goats were NOT at all excited about the halter or moving.

Kaden and Floppy

Kaden and Eli did GREAT!

Eli is so cute. He is just a great helper!

Kaden was proud of his trophy. He filled it full of dirt!

"See Da! I wond!"

After we put the kids back in the traile

r Kaden and Eli were rewarded. Hard work makes you hungry!

We were able to watch Hunter show. He did a fantastic job. He is getting so big and he behaves so mature...he shouldn't be old enough show a steer. Great job, Hunter!

Kaden watching on in excitement. All of the boys enjoyed the show. We had a fun weekend of animals!

On Friday, we went back to the barn and loaded four hogs (to take to Cobb's for processing). Now mind you, we only see animals from a distance. We don't even have a dog. While loading the hogs, one of them decided the trailer was not the place of preference. The hog went out around the trailer and headed straight for Kaden. He SCREAMED. Mrs. Ramsey came over and comforted him. I had to put myself back together. He decided to stand on the side of the trailer from then on. He talked about that squealing pig all day/weekend long. Bless his heart.

From the pigs (after dropping them off), we headed back to the barn to pick up the sheep and goats. Dad bought the floor on all of the goats, sheep and steers...busy weekend! We loaded 17 head and took them to Da and Z's.

Friday night was the sale. Kaden and Leland loved petting the rabbits. Leland just ran both hands up and down the poor rabbit. He talked to the chickens and tried to climb in the sale ring more than once.

Karl stayed busy as well. We had him hauling animals with one truck and trailer while Dad was on the other...one with sheep/goats and one with steers!

SUPER FUN weekend! Dad has great helpers with LCJLS.

Thank you to Ashley, Michael and Hostetler for all of your help!

Leland walking video

Circus time in Paris (literally)!

The Circus came to Paris on a weekend we happened to be in town! WOOHOO! Lucky for us! Mom and I took the boys and had a BLAST! We had the best seats and enjoyed every minute of it. Well, Leland slept during the last 10 minutes of it, otherwise we ALL enjoyed every minute of it!

Kaden liked the elephants and the trapeze artists!

The trapeze artists were last and they were right above us. Mom laid Leland in her lap so he could look up and see them...he was out before they finished their act.

Alex the Clown was fantastic!

Thanks mom!

Great memories!

Moving Leleand!

Proud boy after walking 12 steps!

Kaden and Peyson playing at the SCI!

Some of my favorite kids in the world...missing a few!

Leland decided it was time for him to start stepping it up! On Sunday, April 3, 2011 he took 5 steps unattended for his daddy. On Monday, we ventured out to the SCI and he took 12 chasing down a ball. He was so proud of himself. I was so excited I just started looking around for Lisa and encouraged him on!

He has definitely figured out it is WAY faster to move on feet.

Leland's 1 year old!

Stats:

Height: 30.8" (78%)

Weight: 22.9 lbs. (46%)

Head Circumference: 46.5cm (53%)

Size 18 month clothes and size 5 diapers

Leland's vocabulary:

Mama, Daddy, Goo Jab (good job), Hi-dee, and Uh (Up) along with all kinds of jibber jabber.

One of his favorite things to do is get right in the middle of your viewing and make sure he has 100% of your attention. He loves to throw balls, animals or anything Kaden is building with. He thinks he is hilarious when he throws things. He will eat just about anything we put in front of him. He uses a fork (if you load it and when it is empty, he'll just hand it back to you).

His daddy is his absolute favorite person. He looks for him every morning. Karl might not enjoy working from home as much as he is planning. I think Leland will have alternate plans for him. As soon as he sees or hears Karl, he bolts for him. It is fun watching at church. He will walk/crawl by me to turbo charge Karl!

He prefers to sleep with his head against something. He is still in a crib. He likes to be covered up and has only cried a few times when we put him in his bed. Leland loves to sleep and generally does not mind being alone in his bed. He does not sleep transfer at all. When he wakes up, if he has a blanket, he will go back to sleep.

Leland is a delight. He loves his brother and enjoys playing/chasing him around the house.