The Circus, the circus

Everyone loves the circus…

The preacher and his wife have four kids, the Beck’s have three kids and we have one. When you total these numbers up, you get a total of 8! WOW!! Eight kids in one house for a total of eight hours makes for a circus. The GREAT news is, they ALL GET ALONG…(most of the time). The bad news is, when one baby is hungry; they all three want to eat! Lyneil is so good. She just goes on like she only has her three boys. We are thankful they all play as well together as they do. We just open the door and let them roam the back yard. It is not the ‘usual’ that we have Payson (he is 5 months old). Usually Neil only has the oldest three (ages 3, 2, and 1) plus her three boys (ages 3, 2, and 4 months)…whew!

Just writing the ages makes me tired. Lyneil and the preacher’s wife (Lisa) switch off days during the week. They generally keep the little babies but trade off the older kids. It is great. Here are some pictures of last week when the Clapp’s were working on their house and we had all four Clapp kids.

Kaden (6 mo.), Payson (5 mo) and Brayson (4.5 mo) - They are all trying to hold hands...Isn't that sweet. I think that Brayson is trying to eat Payson!

The youngest of the boys. These are three tough little boys. They put up with a lot of noise, love, hugs, and business from the rest of the clan.

Braxton has a wagon full of Beck/Clapp kids. I have not made it to the camera today, but it does sound like I hear the footsteps of awaking children upstairs. We have 8 again today!

We all survive...mostly. Although the tomatoes plants Karl put together Sunday didn’t seem to make it! They need a better protection plan! Brazos was so funny. He was quick to come and tell me that ‘Karl gonna get him’. Him is Logan. Oh, well! Some days are just good and some better than others!

Speaking of circus. Amy, Jorge, mom and dad all come up this last weekend. Being right on top of things as usually, I only took one video, NO pictures. I am FIRED! So, here are Amy and Jorge boxing it out. Amy and I KO’d Jorge once each and then he retaliated!

Thanks for the fun weekend y’all! We love ya!

Vacation in Arkansas....

Yes, we went to Arkansas for our family vacation!

Karl, Kaden and I headed south on Tuesday of last week and we had a blast. We stayed in some cabins about 45 minutes from Fayetteville. There were trees, green grass and beautiful scenery everywhere you looked. I am not fond of curvy roads (tend to get a little car sick) but we made it. Karl got us there safe and sound and Kaden did wonderfully well in the car for the amount of time that he ended up spending there. We were able to go into Eureka Springs the first day we arrived and enjoyed walking through a cavern. Karl carried Kaden through the whole way and Kaden enjoyed himself.

Kaden enjoyed every minute of his daddy time...as well as I did!

We left Kaden with Grandma Hazel and the dogs with Grandma Cindy and hiked Devil's Den. We didn't find any bears, but we did hike the whole trail backwards! Who said that Aggies couldn't read maps?

Karl and Sherry were trying to attract the bears, so Chad and I tried to push them off of the side of the cliff. Only, they caught a tree and hung on for dear life...Oh! Sherry tore her ACL the Thursday before we left for AR. She did not complain and toughed out every activity!
Way to go Sherry!

Again, Karl and I handed over Kaden to the 'Grandma's' and the four of us headed into town. We played putt putt, motor boats and raced. The funny thing is, we didn't see any of the first two sessions of motor boats come out near as wet as we did. We weren't expecting it, but I wouldn't change a thing. We were soaked and we had a blast doing it!

I want you! Kaden loved his time with Aunt Sherry and daddy.

FOUR Generations!

Grandma Hazel

Cindy Bradberry

Karl McD

and

Kaden McD

Cindy, Johnny, Lloyd and Grandma Hazel with Kaden

Grandma Cindy had her hand in the spoil Kaden game. Kaden loves his food.

Grandma Hazel (Cindy's mom) fed Kaden every time she was at the cabin.

Sweet conversation with Grandma Cindy and Kaden

Grandma Cindy and Grandpa Johnny oversaw the whole ordeal. Sherry did all of the connections but the trip was funded by the Bradberry clan! Kaden was super spoiled by all parties. Cindy’s mom came down from Illinois and spent the week with us as well. This was a first time meeting for Kaden and his great Grandma Hazel. We all ate it up. Both Cindy and Hazel fed and held Kaden anytime that he was awake. When we could, Aunt Sherry and I got our hands on him as well.

We hiked, picnicked, played putt putt, motor boats and road race cars! It was great! We thoroughly loved being with our family and we are looking forward to next years trip already.

Uncle Chad and Aunt Sherry

Kaden has some new squeaking sounds. We thought they were pretty cute. He also found his tongue. He like to just smile and then out comes the tongue!

Kaden is 5 months old!

I don't think I have any good pictures of Kaden with his two first teeth. These bad boys started coming in the last weekend in March and they came as a pair. I think currently he is working on two more (again on the bottom). Isn't he sweet!

Kaden is reaching for everything. He loves his cereal mixed with green beans, sweet peas, squash and anything sweet! He loves his food. He is sitting up very well in the Bumbo and we love the fact that it has a tray!

Karl gave Kaden and Brayson a bath the other evening and they were so sweet together. Kaden tries to grab Brayson's hand and Brayson tires to eat Kaden's hand. It is fun and sweet to watch their slow reactions and to watch them interact with each other.

Brayson has the prettiest eyes. His eyelashes are dark and his eyes are a deep drown.

Sweet little boy.

This is the way I left my two boys last Saturday morning. Lyneil and I went and walked for Kanyon. Next year, we will have 'Team Kanyon' shirts! We were all scheduled to go and walk together but the wind was crazy and the temperature dropped to 50 degrees, so we left all of the boys at home. Kaden is the best cuddlier after his morning bottle. He loves to just sit and chill and usually he goes right back to sleep. I love this part of being a mommy!

This is just another video of Kaden laughing. He is the happiest baby when he is not cutting teeth. I know that you may be tired of the video's of Kaden laughing but his laugh has changed so much. It is just too sweet not to record!

Enjoy and

Happy Mother's Day!

Our handsome boys...

Dad and Kaden on Sunday morning in their Sunday best. They looked so sweet. I love these two boys. Kaden is the happiest thing.

I love the toothless grins he gave but smiles with two bottom teeth are just as cute!

My hooded nephew. He was Mr. John Deere. Lyneil calls them Pete and Repeat. Brazos does whatever Braxton attempts to do. If one jumps, both jump!

Then there is the farmer. He never goes without his hat. Now (since he has spent some time with Da and the sheep) he pretends and shews his sheep away. His favorite saying right now is 'shew, get on outta her'. We have told him more than once that you can't 'shew' your friends or family, only animals...

All in a day at the zoo!

So, it was Kaden's first trip to the zoo and I didn't take not one picture. We will get to have a second first shot! I'll take pictures next time and we'll call it good. Neil and I took all four boys to the zoo Wednesday morning and it was a blast. Kaden loved seeing all of the fish. He likes to see dogs wag their tails and fish jump out of the water. These things make him giggle.

A trip to the zoo and one complete Wednesday morning...

At the end of the zoo trip, Brayson decided it was better to be carried than pushed. This is proof that his name 'Chipmunk' works! Aren't his cheeks sweet!

A week at home!

Prayer request: Kaden and Brayson have some bad hacking coughs right now. I am going nuts. Both Karl and I have had our turn crying for him at different points yesterday and today. He doesn't have a voice right now and his cry is just a sad face and a lot of sighing. Kaden is well into the virus but Brayson is just coming in it. Braxton has a double ear infection and we are pretty sure that Brazos does as well. Please pray for these boys that they can get better!

We had a blast at home. All of the boys traveled well and we are extremely thankful for that. After being at the stock show for two days straight and then playing outside with Da and the sheep and cattle, the boys are beat. We are still catching up. We had a busy day Friday and Saturday and of course church on Sunday after coming home Thursday! WHEW!

Kaden and I were able to go and visit Karl's dad. We stayed with Kaden's aunt and uncle Turner for a few days and Karl's mom and Johnny came up to see us for lunch after church on Sunday. We are so blessed to have such a wonderful family.

I don't have any pictures of the trip (they are mostly on Neil's camera), so I'll post what I have and have to get my family's pics up later!

This is a picture I took before we left for Texas. They share so well for now!
Thank you Sherry and Chad for letting us come in and rearrange your house and life for you for a couple of days.

Daddy Mac and Kaden

Grandma Cindy spending some fun time with Kaden

Grandpa Johnny just chilling with Kaden

While we were gone to Texas, Kaden rolled over from his back to his tummy, started using his squealing voice and his two bottom teeth became more visible! He is showing off his new voice in this video.

4 Months old and off the charts.

Kaden is 4 months old today. He slept his shots off this afternoon. My sweet boy is just getting so big. He is healthy and loves to smile. He wakes himself up and lies in the bed cooing at himself for about 45 minutes every morning. He talks himself to sleep at night with the help of the monkey in the rain forest.

His 4 month stats:

Weight - 17 pounds 12 ounces
Height - 27 inches long

He has since moved today to the 9-12 month clothing and we are continuing in the size 3 diapers. He LOVED the cereal. Karl was not impressed that we were so surprised at how easy it was to feed him. He looked like a little perched bird. He just sat there waiting for food to be delivered.

Pinchable....warm and clean and he even smells like a bed of roses!
Mom and Kaden eatin that cereal up!

Dad started the process so I could catch the action!

Brazos found a good spot for helping. He enjoyed shoving the spoon in Kaden's mouth and helping him with his water. Lyneil has a good helper on her hands....next time I think I'll try to hide while I am feeding Kaden...he he

Sweet cereal face. He just sat there between bites with his mouth open wide.

All done mom. Loved it. When is dessert?

We are truly thankful for such a happy, healthy baby boy!