Week of fun

The past week has been so fun. Ryan was getting ready for his 7th birthday and he just kept saying mom how many more days until my birthday. Finally on Saturday morning I woke him to the happy birthday song. He was so excited. We started our day with a birthday party for Chandler and Hunter two of the boys' friends from school/church.  Guess where...you got it the skating rink.

Ryan's shirt says it all and Kaden picked his own clothes out. He is def. gonna be my GQ kinda guy.

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Kaden and his friends from kindergarten the one on the right was having his birthday party.

Again, Kaden and Chandler. DOUBLE TROUBLE!!!

Wow, 7 already. I remember bringing home a 4lb 9 oz baby boy that was so cuddly sweet.

I just can not believe God blessed me with these boys and trusted me to be there mommy. Seven years ago Ryan was born and he was the most perfect baby I had ever laid eyes on. He was so sweet and so tiny. I knew the moment I saw him he would be so special, and he is so special.

Ryan,

Seven years ago when you were born I just did not think I could ever love you more than I did that day, but I was wrong...so wrong. I love you more each day as you grow and learn. You have shown me the joys of motherhood, the tears of motherhood, the pain of motherhood, but best of all you have shown me that a child can teach a mommy just as much as a mommy can teach a child.

I love the way you laugh it is so contagious. Every time I see you smile with that awesome little dimple on your cheek I just smile and know that you are so happy.

I love the way you love the Lord with all your heart and soul and are not afraid to tell people that Jesus is in your heart and that if they go to church he can live in their hearts too. The sweet innocence you have makes me happy.

I love the way you think you are too big to give mommy hugs and kisses at school or in front of people, but when you are at home you still make sure to sneak in a hug when no one else is looking.

I also love that you are a servant at heart and always are willing to work to help others. You are an amazing child and I am so privileged to have you for my son.

I LOVE YOU BROTHER..

Kaden's bestie and her daddy being funny.

K mom where's the lasagna? I am ready to get my party on.

She thought these boys were nutso...

craziness

got crazier

and they just informed me I needed a girl to help keep me sane. lol

Ryan and Kaden are having their party on Saturday so this was just with his grandparents and a couple of friends on his birthday. So he requested Congo squares and lasagna. Easy and yummmmy.

I love this look.

and last but not least here is the camera man. Ain't he cute?

Life has been great. Church has been awesome, and kids have been amazing.

Time for some catch up

Whew talk about a busy month. We have had two birthday parties at the skating rink and boy did the boys have a blast. The first was for a very dear friends precious little boys that turned 4 and 6. Ryan was cautious skating the first time and Kaden took off like a mad man. The second trip we for our wonderful friends Linda and Curtis' little girl Rylee. She was so sweet. Ryan took off like a madman at this party and Kaden was more cautious. Nevertheless at both parties mommy had to skate. Talk about fun and scary. Just thinking about falling was enough for me.

So skating was a blast, the kids were awesome, the friends were great, and guess what I learned. I learned that the Cha-Cha slide, the Cupid Shuffle, and the Chicken Dance outdo the Hokey Pokey nowadays and that they are all extremely hard to do on skates 25 years later. Shuffle skating looked so much easier in 1985.

Sunday we went to grammas house to visit with cousing Kimmy and her family. We cooked out at Roger's house and had a good time roasting marshmallows with the kids.

Does anyone recognize the look on Kaden's face?

This is what happens when daddy turns the water on after the temps drop below freezing for two weeks.

Now that you are caught up to Jan 22, 2010 keep looking forward to the rest of the month. Ryan has a birthday in one week, they both have a party in two weeks, and then Kaden has a birthday the following week. Busy, busy boys.

Cold weather activities

We have had a laid back week. The temps here have been in the 40s and lower in the day and in the 20s or lower in the evening. So, we have been hanging in the house, playing Wii, games, and watching movies. I did take the boys to a skating party on Saturday 1/8/2010. Kaden has a new favorite sport. Ryan not so much. He really wants to go, but when he gets there he wants to play the games. Here are some photos.

So that is what we have been doing. Nothing really new. Hope everyone is enjoying the new year. We have been. More pics coming soon.

Happy New Year!!!!!

check out the picture at the end of the hallway....you know you want to look at it next time you are over. Because yes....it is us in 1978.

Well the new year came in with a lot of laughter. We were home with the boys and my parents each came over to hang out and ring in the new year with us. We played Wii and we laughed so hard my sides hurt. Don't tell mom and dad, but I did video some of them hehehe. Okay technical difficulties on the video, but I will do my best to get it posted. Everyone should be able to enjoy the laugh. Instead here is Ryan and Charles  no doubt at Wimbledon in our living room.

Today is not just New Years Eve, it is also our 11 anniversary. We were married 12/31/98 at 11:55 p.m. (was supposed to be midnight just decided not to wait 5 more minutes since Charles had already made the entire wedding party bust out in laughter by saying I Charles take you Tina to be my AWFUL...not lawful wedded wife....and my sister just died laughing. It was hilarious. You just have to know us well to know that was really uneventful for us. And yes he did pull out the breath spray before he kissed the bride as if there was a doubt if he would.  So Happy Anniversary honey. You are the greatest.

What better way to ring in the New Year? Family and fun.

January 1st we had black eyepeas and Charles and I had a date night. We went to see Blind Side and it was so good. I laughed a little but mostly I cried.

January 2nd we went and got our grandaughters. Whooo talk about wearing us out. Yikes. I love independent children and know definitely God knew what he was doing when he gave us Ryan and Kaden. Shianne and Arianna are a blessing, but a busy blessing. Oh, and for you moms of little girls what is up with the static in the hair? How do you keep a hair tie and bow from slipping out of the hair? How do you even get the pony tail straight and keep the sides pulled back nicely. So many questions....So little time.  Anyway we went bowling with our friends Christa and Will. Well, Kaden, Ryan, Arianna, and Charles went bowling. I went Shay watching. We all had so much fun.

Here are some pics of my mom and they boys (all three of them) playing Wii.

Kaden bowling

Ryan bowling

mom bowling

This thing is a wonderful family night and it is interactive.

Two more days of 2009

Not much going on today. The crazy babies have been on PS2 and Wii non stop since Christmas. Life is great. Charles and I will celebrate our 11th anniversary on Dec. 31st. I think we will stay home and have a Wii party with the kids. The downside of an anniversary on New Years Eve is you really REALLY don't want to go out with the crazy drivers. On the upside. 11 years has been amazing.

December

Well, life has been crazy at the Pendleton zoo. December started off with a holiday party for the ladies at my house. I was so excited to have mommy time with my awesome friends. We laughed and had a good old time.

The next event was the winner of the pasta sale got to ride on the PTA float. We had one from each grade level.

Holiday parties here we come. Kaden has Mrs. Ellis lots of fun stuff in her class. Ryan has Mrs. Findley for 1st grade (much more serious subdued class).

Ryan and Kaden were so cute sitting here with me I have to take some photos. They so wanted Christmas to hurry and get here.

The boys with Chili and Socks.

My dad the big kid with the boys.

They are so crazy, but they are my babies.

We got to have my grandaughters for church on Sunday before Christmas. Here are some photos I got to take of them before church.

Kaden the ham. Isn't he handsome.

Aren't they beautiful?

I love them so much.

Christmas afternoon at my mom's house. Usually I cook and my mom comes to my house. Two years ago things changed and both my parents started to come over even with them being divorced. I just wanted the boys to experience the large family Christmas gatherings like I did when I was a child.  Christmas Eve was always my dad's parents Christmas dinner with all of us and Christmas day my mom's family all got together. My Aunt Marie made all the girls matching dresses and we all enjoyed being together. Well, my boys have not had that until I finally asked for it. Well, this year they surely got it. We had Christmas at my mom's house in the afternoon with my aunts, uncle, mom, dad, sister, niece, nephew, my cousin, and us. It was so much fun.

My boys, niece, and sister.

Dylan my nephew.

Aunt Deb

Iva

My guys

daddy

mom and Kaden

me and my mom says I def need to get some Ms. Clairol lol.

don't think he needs Ms. Clairol

My sister Janie

my cousin Iva made these awesome bowls for us for Christmas

We each got a different color with our names on them. I would have never thought of this, but what an awesome gift.

So, that is our crazy busy December. We had a great Christmas and my boys have been walking around saying that it is not Christmas, but CHRISTmas and not to forget Jesus is the reason for the season. Many thanks to Sara Calhoun for all the hardwork she puts into kids klub at Highland Baptist. My children can hear it from me all day, but the reinforcements from our church family seals the deal for the boys.