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Brayden's soccer picture

Julia's birthday---a little late

We've all been so busy lately it's hard to keep caught up. I'll post a few pictures of Julia's BD celebration. We celebrated after soccer one night at Buffalo Wild Wings, today--19 days late we had a small BD cake. Julia always wants the same kind of cake, angel food cake with cream cheese, marshmallow cream, powdered sugar and whipping cream frosting with fresh strawberries.
Brionna was so excited saying over and over it was her mom's birthday. Brayden was at soccer camp for 8 days, he stayed in the dorm at West Texas A & M for the 1st 5 days, he then stayed home and just went for the day--------long day tho----8am to 8pm. He would come home so tired he would sit down, eat a little and go to bed. He added up how many hours he played soccer----not other activities, just soccer, 56 hours 45 minutes-----that was not even counting the last day of camp.

Moon Sand is SO MUCH FUN!

I cannot describe just how MUCH I LOVE Moon Sand! I would play with it all day and all night if I didn't have a job to do, a house to keep clean, a family to feed, quilting waiting for me to finish, 7 little dresses to finish for Brionna and for Elizabeth's granddaughter! I LOVE it!
Kids today have ALL the fun stuff!
I had to play in the dirt----------and even then, my mother didn't let me get dirty!

Happy Birthday to Brionna

Brayden and Julia had picked out special trick candles, in fact, that's why we had candles on both cakes----------they didn't work! One group was supposed to sparkle and one group was supposed to re-light. Brayden and Julia were very disappointed but no one else knew anything was wrong--------just a little girl blowing out candles and making a wish.
Brionna is so much fun, I just have so much fun playing with her, she has the cutest, funniest little personality around. It makes me miss my other grandchildren and I wish I could see them more often and I miss that I can't be there for their little celebrations but they know I love them and I hope they know that I would be there if I could. We all have so much fun with Brionna. She's a joy to be around------------always happy and she always brightens up your life.

Girl's Lunch Birthday Fun!

Moon Sand is SO MUCH FUN!

I googled moon sand and I found out that you can even make it at home. We had just bought some regular play sand and you just add corn starch and some a little water. I'm going to make some, I had a big idea to buy a big (small) plastic swimming pool, making quite a bit of moon sand and letting Brionna play in it. (in my kitchen) We are dog sitting a pit bull for Dustin and I refuse to go out into the back yard---------he jumps up on me which makes La jump on the pit bull so they fight at my feet, they are getting used to each other but everyone that knows me, knows I'm not a big dog fan----------I guess rabie shots in my stomach every day for 2 weeks as a child did that to me, however, I tolerate my dog, he's a good dog but I don't tolerate pit bulls and I guarantee you he won't stay in my back yard much longer, Dustin was supposed to have found another home for him a week ago but just like everything else Dustin promises---------it hasn't happened.
Anyway, we love moon sand and it's been a big hit in our house!

Our VERY FUN Day

I try and meet with 2 of my friends each week for lunch, tomorrow is Sheila's birthday and Tuesday was Brionna's birthday so we had a joint birthday lunch today-----it was so much fun. Everyone brought presents for Brionna so it was just like a "real" birthday---day for her. They also sang a Happy Birthday song to Brionna and Sheila-----I taped it, Brionna didn't know what to think, they had her stand on a chair and she just looked at Barbara and Sheila while they sang but she was very happy and she's talked about it all day! She had soooooooo much fun!
We started out day out at the library for story time and we were the only people there for the 1st 10 minutes, then another family joined Brionna, again------------she had a blast.

Julia's kiddos

The last couple of months

We've just been so busy the last couple of months that I've let my blog slide, the main reason I have this blog is because I want Mikala and her family to be a part of our life----even across the ocean. I'll try and get everything caught up.
I'm still working at the hospital, Dick is still working at Arctic and life is still going on as normal.
Randy was accepted at Texas Tech Pharmacy School, we're really happy about that.
Emily is working at West Texas A&M University.
Julia is still working as a RN in ICU at BSA.
Brayden is still playing soccer with the Drifters Soccer Club, he also is taking guitar lessons, he's great. Brionna is taking ballet, tap and gymnastics. I also take her to the library every chance we get for story time, she loves that. She goes to Creative Care Day Care occasionally, she loves "her school." She's gone to Creative Care on a as needed basis since she was born.
Kim works at Happy State Bank, she's an administrative assistant. Jim is still building cabinets, we think he's the best cabinet builder there is. Grandson Jake is working at Bivens Nursing Home in the dietary dept. I have a friend who also works at Bivens and I understand that he is a very valued employee. He's very dedicated. Aaron is attending West Texas A&M Universtiy on a football scholarship and is playing on the football team. Jim's oldest son Will lives in Dallas, his son Ashton is a growing 10 year old living with Kim and Jim. Dustin is working as a welder when there is work for him.
I'll start posting pictures--------------Brionna has gotten her 1st haircut------it's adorable.

Dick's Birthday--March 13th

We celebrated Dick's birthday with a little family dinner at our house. He's a great husband, father and grandfather-----------we love him!
He was surprised with a remote control helicopter------he was really surprised, we're still having technical difficulties with it so hopefully in the near future, I can post some pictures of him flying it!

My Birthday

Julia and Brionna took me out for lunch to the Big Texan-----I love that place, plus you get a free steak for your brithday if you bring your drivers liscense to prove it's your birthday, we had a blast looking at the rattlesnake, watching a couple of men trying to eat the free 72 oz steak, looking at the "shoot em up" places. Brionna was a little unnerved about some of the old fashioned scenes. We had fun.

Well----------Dick's is next--------I'll do him later.

Adding to Blog

I have put the blog on the back burner for quite a while, I'm going to try and stay up tonight and update it----------I've missed several birthdays, Dicks, Kim's, Jakes-----------both of them! Jake Mullane--grandson and Jake Miller--------son in law---------------I may have missed more----sorry if I have,--------I love ya, but I may have missed a birthday----------if I did-------sorry, some people even forgot (or ignored) mine. I won't ignore yours, I'm must running behind.
Love ya family! I really do. Aren't we glad we're a forgiving family???????????? Oh yeah we're glad.

Give Away!

I stole this post from Jake's cousin's blog and I'm excited to participate!

Give Away!

Crafting It!

I saw this on another blog and love the idea, so I thought I would put it on my blog. Anyone can play! Lets have some fun!

The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you.This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:
1- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!
2- What I create will be just for you.
3- It’ll be done this year.
4- You have no clue what it’s going to be.
5- I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.
The catch is that you must repost this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog. The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me! Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it! Who’s in?

Happy Birthday Emily

Happy Birthday to Emily! Emily is my favorite daugher-in-law and not just because she's my only daughter-in-law! She makes my son happy, she's very, very sweet. She loves my granddogs and is a great mother to them. She loves all her neices and nephews and always has time to play with them. Linden is so funny around her, he absolutely LOVES Emily! It's so cute to watch him around her. She's very smart and a very hard worker, she works full time at West Texas A & M University in the Financial Aid Dept. and also takes classes so she can learn medical transcription. She also has a busy calling in Young Womens at our Church. She likes to go camping and hiking and she's good at it! She's a good organizer. She loves animals. Dick said to add that she likes peanut butter, especially organic peanut butter and organic almond butter. She's a good cook, also. She can make delicious brownies! Oh yummy!
I love her and I'm so glad she's a member of our family!

Happy Birthday Vaughn

Happy Birthday to the happiest little (well, he's big now!) 5 year old around! Vaughn is 5 years old today! He is so special, he was born on his Aunt Emily's (Randy's wife) birthday, she said it was OK with her that she gets to share a birthday with Vaughn because since she's a twin, she's used to sharing her birthday! He is always smiling and he's so loving and so happy! He is very athletic, I got to watch him play really hard this past Christmas at Jump and Jive and he's very talented, he can jump soooooooooo far! He has played soccer and he scored points for his team! Yeah Vaughn! He also plays baseball, tennis and I'm pretty sure he has learned hockey this past year. He is learning how to speak French. He is in kindergarten and he's such a smart little boy! He just had his tonsils taken out 2 days ago! What a brave little boy! I love him so much and I'm so glad that he is in our family! He is so good with sharing his toys and he's always ready to give his family a big hug. His little cousin Brionna talks about Vaughnie ALL the time. She loves him and misses him. He's a perfect little boy!

Pillowcase Dress

I am soooooooooo looking forward to making these adorable little pillowcase dresses for Marygrace and Brionna!

Brionna is a Psychic

I saw the cutest little pillowcase dresses over the weekend at the Affair of the Hearts, I came so close to buying one for Brionna for her birthday dress but I decided it would be so much fun to make one for her and one for Marygrace. I looked at fabric today and found some really cute fabric with cupcakes on it, it had glitter sprinkled all through it, I decided to see if I could find a pattern and if it was even feasible for me to make the dress so I didn't buy the fabric. I found a pattern on the internet and I showed the dress to Brionna this evening on the internet, she looked at it and asked me if I was going to make a dress with glitter on it for her birthday. I really didn't even mention the glitter to anyone--------------we haven't even talked about glitter on material, weird, I know.

Barnes Update

We are just living a pretty boring life right now, Dick has a little bug right now, I think he's going to the Dr. in the morning, (I hope so) I went to Oklahoma City over the weekend with Jan, we went to the Affair of the Hearts. It was so much fun but we were both so tired I think it's going to take a week to recover! The Affair of the Hearts is HUGE! It takes up 7 large buildings on the State Fairgrounds. It took us 4 hours to go through 2 buildings, we found a lot of treasures and we left happy! We also went to 2 different malls and had a great time at them, again, we left happy.
Brayden also has a little bug also, he stayed home from school today with a bad cough and a low grade fever. I mailed Valentines Day cards and a Birthday card to Belgium today, I hope they reach them at least before Vaughn's birthday. Dick went to the post office to mail a package but we decided to repack and try to use the flat rate box, it was going to be almost $80 to mail a toy, a few pairs of pj's, popcorn and dry italian dressing. I think I can make it work. I will have to mail the toy later, it's heavy.

Ugly Quilt Giveaway

This quilt is NOT ugly, I love it! I'm hoping I win it, or at least find the pattern she used. I love it.
http://www.bejeweledquilts.blogspot.com

Trip to Spain

Jake, Mikala and kiddos are in Spain today, how exciting. I'm anxiously waiting for pictures to pop up on her blog!

Brownie

Happy Birthday Mikala

Happy Birthday Mikala, I hope you have had a great day! I have so many good things to say about Mikala, she's the 1st one of my children to graduate from college. She's the best mother I've ever seen! She's raising her children to be such good little kids and they are so loving. She works hard teaching her children good values. I admire how she has adjusted to living in a foreign country, especially a country where they speak another language. I admire how she can drive in another country and manuver around the town where they don't have street signs on all the streets. (at least I didn't find any street signs!) Of course, I admired how she was able to drive around Philadelphia and Wash. DC. and not get lost. She's smart, beautiful and talented. She's a good wife to Jake, she's a wonderful homemaker, her home is always perfect, so organized and spotless. She's very organized. She's a good aunt, sister and daughter. She's made me very proud.
I hope you have the best birthday ever!

Happy Birthday Randy!!!!

Today is Randy's birthday! I'm so proud of him, he's a great son, a great husband, a great brother, a great uncle, a great nephew and just a wonderful person! He's a great parent to his dogs---all 3 of them! I just love that boy of mine!

Lots of pictures

Just a bunch of pictures

Brionna's newest pictures

Maybe it was overkill?????????

I will have to delete this post before Brayden reads it because I really don't want to embarrass him but............ He was at our house and I noticed a zit on his nose----------yikes! His 1st zit, what should be do??????
Dick immediately said, "buy him some ProActive", we ran to Walgreens, we haven't bought zit stuff for a long, long time and I didn't realize how many different options I had, we read and read and read, we finally decided on a product-----or 3 products, we also decided that we needed to get the supplies for his house also so we bought double, Dick was amazed we couldn't get ProActive at Walgreens. Brayden has been working with his new "stuff" diligently, Dick and I went to Sams Club and found another treatment for acne that advertised it was better than ProActive, so we bought it, now we have 2 different zit fighting stuff for one pimple that has already gone away. I think that we probably spent close to $100 on zit fighting stuff ------------all for one zit. Ummmm, maybe we went overboard??????????????

Mikala, guess what I found

fruit ??????

I gave Brionna some grapefruit yesterday and was explaining fruits and vegetables to her, she told me that she likes fruit, fruit snacks.
I think I'll let it count, I like fruit snacks also.

Birthday Boy Linden

Happy Birthday Linden

This is the toy Linden picked out and played with most of the time.


Linden's birthday was January 11th, I remember the day he was born, I was flying to Philadelphia while Mikala was in labor, I told the pilot to hurry my grandson was on his way! The sweet little lady sitting next to me was so excited for me, she gave me her email address so I could send her a picture of the new baby. He was the sweetest little baby, so cute and soft and cuddly.
He's 3 and he's still soooooooooooo cute, so soft and so cuddly. He has the sweetest little voice, he says things like "can you help me, please??" and it's just so sweet that you have to help him do whatever he's doing--I think he could talk me into robbing a bank if he said "can you help me please", he's so charming. I love that little boy so much. Mikala and I went consignment store shopping, he saw a toy on the very top shelf, he kept saying "please, train, please, train", of course I had to buy it for him and he played with it the entire time he was here, it has a handle on it and he carried it with him most of the time when he was playing, he had so much fun with it. They weren't able to take it back to Europe with them and we decided that it could be his toy in Texas, Brionna likes to play with it and she always says, Linden is sharing his toy with me. I've decided to send it to him, it's kind of expensive to ship things to Belgium but I don't care what it cost, it will be worth every penny to know that he has his favorite Texas toy with him. I just love that little boy soooooo much. I know that he had a great birthday party with his family in Belgium, he's a happy little boy.

Beautiful packaging!
Brayden and Julia made these dream catchers! (Yes, they really made them!)
Brionna's talking Dr. doll, she loves dolls that talk and she loves playing nurse! (it's in her blood---nursing)
Brayden's official England Soccer jersey--front and back

The boys-Jim, Ashton (behind the box) Jake and Aaron
Part of Christmas dinner
Chocolate Pie
Dinner table
Dinner at the Island
Can you even find the tree? This is almost a seek and find puzzle!
Julia and Brionna
Marygrace and Vaughn
Linden and Elston
Brionna and Brayden
The Gang!
More of the gang with the "leader" of the pack----George the lab
Emilyl, Paula and Mikala----after Church
The men and boys after Church--Randy, Jake, in the back, Vaughn, Elston, Brayden and little Linden in the front.
Paula and Mikala
Brayden and Mr. McGaughy (his guitar instructor) at Brayden's guitar recital
The actual recital----Brayden did a GREAT job!
Sweet Marygrace, kind of blurry but cute Marygrace
Vaughn and Elston in the front of Austin Middle School after Brayden's band concert
Brionna and Marygrace in their matching cute Christmas sweaters

Merry Christmas

I will post some Christmas pictures just as soon as I have a few minutes!
We've had a great Christmas with visits from family and friends, some from very far away and some close by!
Merry Christmas everyone and have a Happy New Year!

Tree with Presents

Mikala, I may have bought the kids too many toys, all of the presents under the tree are for the kids--------ummmmm, bring an extra suitcase! I still need to put paper in the sacks in the front, I still need to label them, those are the shake and go cars.

Julia and Brionna at the Mall

Hercules and his new "do"

We had Hercules shaved this past weekend so that he wouldn't be shedding all over the place while Jake, Mikala and family are here this next week. His winter coat was coming in and he was starting to get some mats so we had Stoney come give him a cute haircut. He loves his haircut, he must feel better because he is always so playful after he gets his hair cut.


Welcome to our home----he really wants company!
Ready to be wrapped up for someone's present!

Cold Brionna

I couldn't resist taking a quick minute to catch a couple of clattering teeth! Brionna was soooooooo cold after her bath tonight! I had her wrapped in her towel but her teeth were still clattering! Her bath started warm but after 30 minutes of playing with her rubber duckie...........
Don't worry, I wrapped her in a fleece blanket, put warm blanket pj's on her and blow dried her hair! She was toasty warm within minutes.

Brayden's soccer game---7-0

I saw the best game tonight and I am so happy that Brayden's team won! Brayden had his spidermonkey in his back pocket and stopped some awesome balls! (spidermonkey is what we call him when he does his special tricks to stop those balls!)
At the last tournament in Dallas, two mothers were incredible nasty and blamed the goalie for the teams loss------------even tho-------------our boys didn't score not even ONE point! You can't very well win if you can't even score so a lot of drama and hurt feeling ensued, it certainly wasn't a healthy situation for our little 11 and 12 year old boys-----------it was also their coach's last game with our boys which after this tournament and after his way of handling the situation, I'm glad. Anyway, our boys were playing the other "Drifter" team, their Drifter teammates and our boys stomped them, their goalie was being bombarded by balls he couldn't stop, without any backup from his teammates and that is exactly what happened to Brayden in Dallas, he had no backup and he was being bombarded with balls, the 2 mothers who complained about Brayden were there with the opposing team. I could go on and on but I'm probably saying enough, I just wanted to say Brayden did an awesome job and I'm very proud of him and his soccer skills. Go Brayden!!!!!!

This picture is for Jake and Mikala

I hope this picture makes you super excited you're coming to visit!
We just can't wait to see you guys in a little over a week!

Brionna and Santa

Brionna didn't want to sit in his lap, she said she'd just stand and tell him what she wanted. She said she wants to go back with her cousins to tell him what she wants.

Ocha Ria

Brionna asked me what she should name her baby, I said why don't you name her MaryAnn, she said, I'm going to name her Ocha Ria,
Me: What?
Brionna: Ocha Ria
Me: What?
Brionna: Ocha Ria
Me: What?
Brionna: Ocha Ria
Me: What?
Brionna: Ocha Ria
Me: Why don't you name her something simple so I can remember her name.
Brionna: Ok, her name is Something Simple, I'll call her Simple.

I love Brayden's hair in this picture! If you can blow up this picture you can see his hair is flying straight back! (he's in the green shirt, closest to the yellow ball.)

Our Soccer Day

Pumpkin Patch

Brionna put her new tutu on immediately!!!

I took Brionna one of her new tutu's over to her house and she put it on immediately, I think they are soooooooo cute and fun! She had just gotten out of the bathtub, she has her robe on under her tutu!

More tutu-------OK, I'm hooked on something else!

The finished product
Work in progress, it's easier to loop the elastic around a chair, then loop the tulle around the elastic.
The cut tulle, Brayden and I figured out a way to cut it much faster than one piece at a time---he's really good at teamwork.

Brionna's TuTu

Yes----she really is a Super Hero at night----saving the world!



Emily's sister Poppi taught us how to make tutus today, it was fun and Brionna LOVES hers. I went back to JoAnn and bought the tulle to make some more, I think I'll make matching tutus for Marygrace and Brionna--------------and have their picture taken! I love them, Brionna loved hers, everyone loved them!

We both think this one is better, she's practicing!

This post is for Elston, Vaughn and Linden, Brionna wants you to take her to a real ball game, She also wants Jake and Mikala to go. Here's another song for you boys.

Calling Santa

Brionna has the biggest imagination! She has invisible friends, invisible monsters (nice ones) and she now has an invisible Santa. Emily and Randy gave her this phone to play with and she decided she wanted to tell Santa what she wants for Christmas. I love her imagination! (ignore the boxes in the background, I'm reorganizing stuff)

Take me out to the Ballpark!

This song is for the Miller boys! Brionna is learning to sing this song, she'll have it down by in the morning but she wanted to sing for her cousins!

Joe the Dog and Precious Brionna

My friend Mother Goose has a large dog -------like Joe, here. Joe belongs to our good friend, La, (yes that is our dogs name, we named him after our friend La) La (friend La, not dog La) was looking at my car because my oil light was coming on, right after getting my oil changed. Brionna and I waited in his waiting room and Joe kept us entertained. I'm a little frightened of dogs, especially large dogs, well, some small dogs frighten me also but Joe feel in love with Brionna and Brionna fell in love with Joe. Mother Goose told us the funniest story about her dog taking off after a "Victoria's Secret" pink tongued puppy dog----check out her website, it's the greatest!!!
(Mother Goose blog)

Brayden in the Hospital

Brayden was sick and in a lot of pain the last part of this week, he had to be admitted to the hospital on Saturday morning. I took several pictures but most of them make me sad but the one picture I'm going to post is a picture I took while he was sleeping, when he woke up he thought he was dreaming about clowns!

Happy Birthday Precious Marygrace! One year old!!

Happy Birthday to my youngest little granddaughter! She's such a sweet little girl and I can't wait to see her and hold her and snuggle with her when she comes to Amarillo in December!
Special things about Marygrace!
She is beautiful
She is sweet
She is smart
She kisses her baby dolls
She smiles when I talk to her on the phone
She loves her mommy and daddy
She says Daddy
She loves her brothers
She is a good eater
She is a good baby
She is a sweet sleeper
She is a good traveler
She plays with toys her brothers give her
She loves her family
She is a good crawler
She is a good walker holding onto other people
She is well dressed baby
She has nice shoes
She wears cute hair clips
She wears cute hair bows
She looks pretty without clips or bows
She likes to play tricks with her mommy about her hair clips and bows
She likes to watch her brothers
She likes to watch her mommy and daddy
I love Marygrace!

Happy 7th Birthday Elston!!!!

Oct. 8, 2008
Happy Birthday to our sweet Elston!!!!
Last year we were lucky enough to be in Belgium for Elston's birthday! I am so excited to see him in December. I can't believe he is 7 years old!!!! I mean I REALLY can't believe he is 7, I remember the day he was born, the United States was still reeling from the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon and he was such a wonderful bright spot in the DC area! He was such a beautiful baby, so precious!!!
I am going to tell you all the wonderful things about Elston and I know that after I am through, I will think of another thousand things that are so special about him!
#1. He is a wonderful grandson----he was my 2nd grandchild and he is setting a good example for his little brothers, his little sister and his cousins.
#2. He loves Primary.
#3. He says sweet prayers.
#4. He gave a good talk in Primary.
#5. He can speak French.
#6. He can interpret for his mom and I when we go to the grocery store and someone talks to him in french.
#7. He loves to learn.
#8. He is a wonderful traveler.
#9. He is an absolutely awesome athlete.
#10. He is the best basketball player--ever, ever, ever, (he can draw a crowd!} he did too.
#11. He is an awesome baseball player!
#12. He is an awesome soccer player!
#13. He is a fast runner!
#14. He can name off the players on the Seattle Mariners team.
#15. He is a good artist.
#16.He puts his toys away.
#17. He is a healthy eater.
#18. He is a good tennis player.
#19. He is a good friend.
#20. He is helpful.
#21. He is a good sport.
#22. He plays a good game of golf.
#23. He loves his family.
#24. He shares his toys.
#25. He is funny---soooo funny!
#26. He is handsome.
#27. He has awesome red hair!
#28. He is a great swimmer!
#29. He always wears cute clothes!
#30. He helps me cook when he is in Texas.
#31. He helps me pick up toys.
#32. He helps his mom pick up toys.
#33. He likes to watch sports.
There are so many wonderful things about this wonderful sweet little boy! I love him so much and I'm so excited to see him when he comes to the US in December.

Have you had your sunshine fix for the day???

Brionna and I had to walk a very long way today today in Lubbock at the soccer fields, the weather was just crummy---wet, wet and more wet and gray skies. (did I say wet?) We were soaked to the bone before they blew the "weather" horn and went around in little golf carts ordering everyone off the fields due to lightening. While we were walking around the soccer fields she started singing her famous Sunshine song.

Birthday Dinner---where else but Texas Roadhouse!

Happy Birthday Brayden!!! We Love You!

Happy Birthday to our favorite little 12 year old!!!! Brayden is 12 today!
12 things we love about Brayden (more than 12 because after all---we can't just stop at 12---it's our Brayden!
#1. He plays tag with me. (by Brionna)
#2. He lets me play with his magnets. (by Brionna)
#3. Plays with me. (by Brionna)
#4. Everything
#5. He's an excellent writer
#6. He's an excellent goalie.
#7. He's kind
#8. He's an awesome gamer
#9. He's a great student
#10. He's a very loving person
#11. He's considerate of all people
#12. He's my 1st grandchild and he's setting a good example for the rest of them.
#13. He knows the power of prayer and he prays.
#14. He's athletic.
#15. He eats healthy food a lot of the time! (he'll choose yogurt over candy)
#16. He's a good swimmer.
#17. He's so kind and considerate of others.
#18. He takes good care of his animals.
#19. He holds the door open for everyone entering a room (even strangers)
#20. He chooses water over Coke.
#21. He's a good reader and loves to read books.
#22. He always does his homework.
#23. He's charming.
#24. He takes good care of his little sister and his mom.
#25. He loves to practice the trumpet.
#26. He loves to practice the guitar.
#27. He loves to play soccer.
#28. He can figure technical things out.
#29. He's considerate.
#30. He makes good decisions.
#31. He chooses his friends wisely.
#32. He saves money.
#33. He's talented in so many ways and he shares his talents.
I can go on and on and on----we love you Brayden and we're excited to see you grow up into a wonderful young man and we hope you had a wonderful birthday! Have fun at your party next week.

Brionna over and over!!!

Hair for Life

I have been following a blog called Hair for Life. I have been copying cute hair styles she has posted to use on Brionna. I have so much fun fixing her hair. Girls are FUN! There is a giveaway on Hair for Life's blog--I'll post a link.
http://hairsourlife.blogspot.com
Check it out----It's a fun site.

This statement just came out of the blue! I just thought it was funny.
Out of the mouth of babies.

The Corpus Christi Fishing Trip

Dick flew home this evening, he had a great time and made somebody on the beach very happy---he gave him the fish he caught! I will get him to describe these pictures when he gets a chance---------we have a busy weekend planned. 2 Days of soccer games---starting early in the morning.

Batman

A Tribute to my Mother

Brionna and Brayden's Primary Presidency
visited them this evening and gave them a
picture of Jesus and a bookmark. They were
both very happy! (sorry the color is so bad,
I am going to have to read the directions on my
new camera, I've messed something up!)By the
way, this is one of Brionna's imaginary friend
stories that Brayden wrote about.
She also has an imaginary monster who rides
in a flying grub worm.

Brayden's latest essay

Brayden had to write an essay about his family, this is what he wrote abut his sister.

Love, that is the first thing that come to mind when I think of family. My little sister is one of the cutest 3 year old girls I have even laid eyes on. She has an enormous imagination and deep blue eyes. It's always fun to ask her to tell me as story because it seems she just opens a door to her imagination and lets us walk through. Her fantasies about Princesses and cats and... things girls think about. Well, they just don't end: I think that she will be a wonderful writer when she grows up. Oh, did I mention that she loves to sing? Well then, let me tell ya, I have no doubt that she will make it to American Idol. There is sooo much more to tell you about my sis, but I can't let her have all the fame can I? My mom is one for exaultation. My mom works nights at BSA as an RN. I know you're wondering what an RN is, aren't you? It stands for Registered Nurse. She went through 4 years of college with 1 child and money problems. Yet she defied everyone who said she wasn't going to make it. I look up to her, not only as a single mom with 2 kids, but as an idol.
Brayden also added things about Dick and I that I won't post (too boring!), but I have to add his ending to the essay:
Granddad is like a dad to me because I never knew my real one, he takes me to all my games and stuff. He's like my agent.
(Dick's new name is going to be Agent Granddad)