Good Weekend

Hi there. We had a busy weekend, but my camera was left at home, so I have no pictures. :( We celebrated birthdays Friday night at Darren's parents' house. I made a birthday cake for Darren's dad with a horse on it, that the kids (especially Dean) were super excited about! Then early Saturday morning, we headed to the deer lease with a bulldozer. Once we got there (about 5 hours later), the kids laid down to rest, and Darren dozed some of the roads. Around 4pm, we all drove around, looking at the deer, hogs, and rabbits. The kids had a great time, but their favorite was climbing up the tower blinds! Darren shot a couple of hogs, which KatieLynn thought was cool to put her hands over her ears. Dean wasn't so sure about covering his ears, but did say that the hogs were going night-night, after the shot. We came back Sunday afternoon, but I think next time we'll plan to stay at least 2 nights. Lots of fun!

Here's a couple of morning pictures, after breakfast, while I clean up the kitchen. Dean loves his tractors, and KatieLynn is playing with the playdoh.

The kids enjoy riding their tricycles. Dean has just started pedaling in the last couple of weeks, but starting to get pretty good.

KatieLynn loves her new trike!

Happy Birthday Darren!!

Darren turned 35 today. I think this was one of the most exciting birthdays for the kids (except their own!). They picked out his singing birthday card, helped me buy several of his gifts, and of course, they helped me bake the cake. Both of my kids personify everything from animals to characters in books, to cars, to trains. They imagine they are one of the objects, and sometimes imagine other people close to them are also objects... if that makes sense. Both the kids love trains, but especially KatieLynn, and she always says Daddy is Big, Strong, Henry, who's a green train with Thomas. So, when Darren said he didn't care what we put on his cake, KatieLynn picked big, strong, Henry. They were so excited about the cake all day long; KatieLynn just from pure birthday excitement and Dean really wanted to eat cake.

Daddy has help blowing out the candles.

Eating cake and ice cream Very intently eating!
Darren opens one of his presents (to hang in the garage).
This picture is from last week; the kids are pretending the treadmill is their bed.

Merry Christmas

I hope everyone had a very, merry, Christmas! We certainly did, and are just now getting back in routine again. I know I haven't blogged in a very long time, and I really don't have a good excuse, except that we have been enjoying all the busy holidays. My sister took these pictures outside of Robert Lee at an old Millican family place.

The kids loved decorating the house up for Christmas. They each had their own little Christmas trees in their bedrooms, and we tried to decorate some Christmas in each room of the house.

Dean, Emma, and KatieLynn open presents at Darren's parents' house.

Every year, my dad always reads the Christmas story from Luke, a tradition which I love, though Dean isn't too appreciative of the timing in this picture. I believe he's ready to open a present!

KatieLynn & Dean love their new hay bales and fork to haul hay around the house.

Dean and Daddy are excited about his new pedal combine. Dean especially likes the auger!

cousins: Emma, Claire, & KatieLynn

My angels playing outside

Dean playing in the yard

The kids crack pecans with their feet, though unfortunately, none of the pecans taste good.