Kaden's first soccer experience.

Karl grew up chasing/dribbling balls on soccer fields.  He loves soccer so much he still plays.  So, when Kaden was old enough to play, we decided to go for it.  Soccer is a great sport.  You RUN...a LOT!  

 We were the Lean Green Machines (thanks to Goldman for sponsoring us).

 Kaden played soccer this year.  He barely made the age requirements, but he had a lot of fun.  

 Karl got to coach Kaden's team and we had a blast.  

These boys were all 4 and 5 years old and it was their first time to play soccer.  They did awesome.  

Grandma Cindy and Grandpa Johnny got to come to watch one weekend.  

At Crawfish City 

Grandma Cindy brought Leland a birthday present and the boys also got a sprinkler to play in as an Easter present.  Thanks!

Karl caught a lizard for the boys.  It was a fun weekend.  The weather was perfect for being outside!

Leland Neil aka LeeLee is TWO

~"I Two!" is what Leland will tell you when you ask how old he is. 
~During phone calls he first says, "Happy Birthday", since everyone has been singing Happy Birthday to him lately.~"Wait Me"...I hear this more and more.  Leaving the Wellness Center mostly.  Kaden and Leland love to hear the echo inside the double set of doors. 
~LOVES trucks & cars
~Knows the alphabet song and is quickly learning his colors.
~He can count to 12.~Has taken over my iPhone. Matching Toy Story, ABC Pop, Super Why, Animal Faces are a few of his favorites
~Is really into labeling things- Momma's car, Kaden's shirt, Da's cows.
~Leland is talking in sentences. 
~Really likes taking a bath and requests one multiple times daily!
~Favorite cartoons are Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Little Einsteins, Diego, and Wild Krats.
~Leland loves to play.  He is just fine driving a truck over a rough terrain for hours or playing cows with Kaden.~He's such a sweet boy! 
~Favorite car game - Bubble Gum (His version, "Bubble Gum, Bubble Gum, Bubble Gum, Bubble Gum.  How many pieces, Daddy?".  
~Leland's response to I love you Leland Neil is, "No, my name not Leland Neil.  My name LeeLee."!
~His manners are coming along.  When he is ready for food, his manners are super!
~He needs a constant reminder to not yell at brother.

Leland turned two on Friday, March 23, 2012.  He is a handful!  We had a fun day.  We started off at the Wellness Center (which means 1.5 hours of tv for my boys).  Then we needed to go register Kaden for his PreK class.  Leland requested ChickFilA for lunch and there we bumped into our good friends from church!  The Raymonds had invited us over for supper and we make cupcakes and ice cream for dessert!  It was a fun day.  

Two days later Leland and I got to visit the ER.  Leland went to bed coughing on Suday night and Monday morning at 2am we headed to the ER.  The poor boy had croup.  We are thankful the sun was out while we were homebound.

 Thanks Mom and Dad

 Thank you Da and Z

 Thank you Daddy Mac

 Thanks Grandma Cindy and Grandpa Johnny

 Thank you Raymond Family for allowing us to bring our party to you!

Christmas 2011

Our first Christmas in Louisiana!  Wow!  We feel at home here. 

I have always said that I have MANY homes, and this one is NO different!  

Grandma Cindy painted the Santa Box behind Kaden for us.  Santa came and brought fun things for the kids every morning.  Sometimes notes, sometimes candy and even money!

Kaden has been playing with my camera.  He thinks he is the photographer.  Most of the time we are all in one piece.  Leland on the other hand....well, he likes to capture ears, and feet....mostly carpet!

Milk and Cookies waiting for Santa.  Kaden thought he needed chocolate milk.  Kaden decorated cookies for Santa.

Our Christmas morning.  We wrote Santa a letter and asked that he come early for us since we would be in Texas over Christmas Eve and Day.  So, he called "our" Christmas Eve and told the boys to get to bed.  It was wonderful.  Kaden asked him all about the reindeer and Mrs. Clause.

Christmas morning was such fun.  Kaden wanted to hand everything to Leland and then figured out he had his own stocking and stash!

Later that evening we opened our Christmas...Leland wanted to just play with the first present and be content.  So, that happened every time we opened gifts.  Kaden opened 99% of Leland's gifts.  Leland was perfectly happy with that set up.

We headed to Frankston for Christmas.  On our way we were able to go through Santa Land.  The boys loved the lights.  Kaden asked to go back every day.  I loved the trees at the beginning/end that were synced to the music!

Grandma Cindy helped the boys decorate a GingerBread House to take to Paris for Z.  That was super sweet and the boys had a blast decorating it.  

After it got to Paris, the boys had a SUPER time eating it.  

Jeremy and Sherry

How many does it take to operate the boys new toys?

Grandma Cindy and Grandpa Johnny and boys

Next stop was The Perez Casa.  Amy always reads to the boys when they are there.  

They love going to their aunt's house.

Tuesday after Christmas we got to spend the day with Daddy Mac.  Karl's dad lives in Royse City.  They had the whole day to play with their gifts there and they enjoyed all of his time as well.

Our McDonald Boys!

On Wednesday we headed to Paris.  On Wednesday nights the young men get to help lead singing.  Kaden didn't want to go, but he did.  Leland thought he was big stuff!

After Bible Class we headed to Braums (Braxton's pick)

Do got some new a couple of new flags for Christmas and the boys 'helped' him switch them out.  

Finally HOME again!  

The boys had a blast going and going and going!  They play so well at home.  They are still getting over all of their new toys.  They haven't missed ONE toy that I either put up or sent away...thanks to everyone for all of the fun memories!