A Day at the Park

On Thanksgiving break I only had Elijah, Sarah and Caleb on Wednesday because Chris's girlfriend came into town over the weekend.  She was still here on Monday (my other day to have them) so they hung out with them.  

On Wednesday we decided to go to the park.  My kids went to the zoo on Monday and Nancy took Elijah, Sarah and Caleb on Tuesday.  So we were kinda zoo'd out (yep I made that word up . . .and I like it!) 

It was windy and a little chilly.  I did not realize Sarah did not have a jacket until we were about to leave and I asked her how she wasn't freezing and she said she just wasn't cold.  She definitely has her Momma's built in heater! Sweet girl!

The boys found another little boy and were off in the field playing football before I even knew what happened! 

Caden has developed a love for any kind of ball. . .okay well mostly football and basketball.  I think that that is because those are the games his daddy watches.  

Guess what Caden is getting for Christmas?  

Zoo Day

On our Thanksgiving break one day I took these cuties to the zoo.  I decided since I only had my children I would let them try out photography.  They always ask but with extra kids it can be a bit challenging to keep the cameras ummm. . .well unbroken is my goal. 

Caden and Carolina lost interest pretty quickly.  Caylea did very well wanting to learn.  I am starting by teaching her to shoot in AV.  We will work on Manual once she masters those settings. 

The red panda was active. 

I love watching them play!  I just look at this picture and it makes me happy to see how much joy is on each of their faces!  I would be sick to my stomach after just one spin so that is definitely not my kind of toy!

The silliness just continues!

Oh here we go a real picture with some actual smiles! 

Thank you kiddos I know that was hard . . .lol

My beauty!

Then we are back to silliness! 

Oh how I loved our day at the zoo in November!

Carolina's 9th Birthday Sleepover

Carolina wanted a sleepover so badly.  So how could we deny her?  Even though I knew that meant some awfully cute giggly little girls being silly until the weeee hours of the morning. After all Carolina only has birthday's once a year right?  

I am so very thankful that my friend Heather offered to come and help and then take Caylea with her to her house to stay the night with Caylea so that Carolina could have some fun with her friends.  

A fun game Heather brought kind of like hot potato but when the music stops if your holding the ball which ever challenge your hand is on you have to do.  It was so funny to watch the girls.  Dance and giggle and sing exc . . . .

Carolina's birthday cake Rae made her. . .yes it was as delicious as it was cute!  Carolina loved it!

Time to make duct tape journals.  Thank you pinterest for the idea!

Then on to making their very own chapstick out of coconut oil and koolaid.  (during these crafts I was especially thankful for Heather!)

Precious girls ready for cake and to open presents!

Happy birthday to you!

One of her presents a "pet" bird. . .my favorite kind one that does not eat and does not poo! 

Pretty little ladies!

Carolina is 9 Years Old!

Wow I can not believe this is little princess of mine is 9 years old!  Seems like just yesterday she looked like this! Sweet baby girl!  Still the sweetest little spunky monkey! 

I love this top picture Brandy was holding her in it.  

Carolina got some beautiful snow for her birthday. 

These sisters so remind me of my sisters and myself.  Most of the time you will find them best of friends.  However at other times they maybe at odds. . .I take every chance I have to remind them that they must love their sister because they will always have each other and be there for each other and if one day that isn't true they will never be the same and miss the other as long as they are on this earth.  Siblings and in my opinion especially sisters are so special.  You can not replace a sister!  Someone who has been in your household as you grew up.  Someone who saw and loved you through the good and the bad.  Someone who just was always there no matter if they agree'd or not.  The love never changed.  You are blessed if you have a sister!

Carolina, Charity and Caylea. Charity is such a sweet friend for my girls!  Our family loves her!

After Carolina's birthday lunch and a trip to pick out her birthday present she wanted to play in the snow.  So I took some pictures.  Yes they are wearing their dresses.  Silly girls!

Do you want to build a snowman?

Love at it's best! 

November 15

Amanda and I took the kids to the cemetery to put some beautiful pink roses on Brandy's grave.  We also took some balloons.  It was cold so the kids did not last too long.  We sang happy birthday to Brandy.  Caleb led us.  It was a nice time of remembrance.  

One of the kids said that the flowers and balloons would go up to Brandy.  We explained that we love and miss Brandy so we take them there to honor her.  We do it for ourselves she will not touch them.

I think I confused my kids when we sent balloons with cards up on her first birthday in heaven.  It was all we could do because we were in Louisiana.  I am thankful that we have a place to put them.  Her stone is beautiful!  

Having all of the kids out there together reminded me of these pictures our friend Terri took the day of Brandy's service.  I had to go back and look at them. It seems impossible the kids have grown so much since Brandy passed.  

Happy Birthday Sister. . .She would of been 36 if she was still here.