this and that~

Hey there, remember me?

Funny how a few days can turn into a few weeks before I even know what hit me. Doesn't help that I've had my nose in this book~So, so sad to see it end. Absolutely adored this book. Definitely tops my list of favorites, it is a must read:) We celebrated Gramy's birthday over pizza and birthday cake~

It was sorta sweet to see these three headed out the door to their "Daddy's and Donuts" morning at school~

Our latest and greatest after school snack~

Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothies

2 c. chocolate soymilk

1 ripe banana

1/2 c. peanut butter {Adam's is our fav}

2 heaping T. flax seed

1 1/2 c. ice

Blend and enjoy!

I always appreciate a little help in the kitchen:) If you look closely at Parke's pants, you will notice one leg has been completely riped wide open... ugg, that's my crazy boy!

Kade started up with basketball again~

We were so proud of the way he got out there and played hard!

Rylie and her sweet gal~pal Kendal...

More action on the court~

And the cheering section~

Made a new wreath for the front door~

Inspired by these~

A few months back I recycled Kade's old pants into these little pretties for a fundraiser. They were a big hit, and I was happy to see them sell:) Moral of the story~ use those old pants for good! They can be very useful.

Spiced up the front porch a bit~

And now I am up to my elbows in other projects. The laundry room is getting some love, hope to share that with you soon. Hope January is treating you well.

~xo

Ah, football season~

Football season has come and gone. Kaden played flag football with his buddies once again, and had a great season. He was an animal, pulling flags, and even scored a touch down~ yay Kade! It was fun seeing him come out of his shell, and actually enjoying the game.

This picture is sweet to me...

He had some great coaches this year, who taught him so much, and made it a great experience for him...

Those warm nights at the park were a fun family affair~

Love this sissy~

My sweet baby boy in his beloved camo boots~

As always, our sweet family was in full support.

Won't be long before we are watching Krew out there pullin' flags:)

Atta boy Kade!

Some 'man' talk after the game~ i just gave him a big old smooch, isn't that what momma's are supposed to do? I am new to this sports business:)

Kade and his amazing grandparent's~ what a lucky guy.

Way to go Kade! Such a great season, buddy.

You make us so proud, and we couldn't love you more.

~xo

Great to be Eight!

Kaden and his daddy all dressed in white. He was so excited for his big day~

As we were driving home from the church we looked back to see Kaden grinning from ear to ear, and giggling. When we asked him what he was laughing about he said, "I'm so happy I can't stop smiling." It was pretty precious. Following the baptism we held a little family luncheon.

Kaden and his Mimi and Papa~

Kade and his Gramy and Papa~

I don't know what I would do without these amazing ladies~ they always come through for me, and I love them all so much.

The spread was delicious~ chicken salad croissants, spinach salad, pasta, fresh fruit, blueberry creamcheese bars (thanks Mon!), and lemon water...

Nothing I love more than being with family, celebrating a special occasion, and indulging in good food...

Parker workin' the crowd...

The dessert table~ I really had intentions of situating it just so(ha! personality flaw), but the emotions of the day took over, and in the end it was just fluff and really didn't matter. Kaden's one request was white chocolate chip cookies, and white chocolate chip cookies he got~

Papa and Dax~

some family mingling~

And I have sweetest friends. Meg and Monica unexpectedly whipped up these darling oreo pops as a favor for all of our guests. Really, what did I do to deserve such great friends?

Gramy, Papa, and the Judge~

Me and my Kade~ I didn't realize what an emotional day this was going to be until I walked in that chapel and saw my baby boy sitting there in his little white jumper ready to be baptized. It was like his last eight years started flashing through my mind, and I was in tears before they even started. I could not have been a more proud mother.

Nic and his Daddy~

Our attempt to get our little family together for a picture~

The day was special in every way.

Kaden we love you, and know that the choice you made to be baptized was the right one! Thank you for being such a great example to us all!

~xo

Kaden's 8th Birthday

Every year when my kiddos have a birthday I think to myself, 'They can't really be this big. Where is the time going?' It is such a happy celebration of another year of their lives, but also such a heart wrencher to think they are one more year beyond that precious moment you first laid eyes on them. Enjoy it, savor it, love the living daylights out of them...repeat.

It is all I can do at this point. Here is a little recap of Kaden's 8th birthday~

His birthday was on a Sunday this year, and we have early church. Needless to say, we didn't quite make it to his gifts before we scurried out the door. Kade was such a trooper, and waited patiently until we got home to open them up. A little heavy~heavy~hang~over...

The top of his wish list~ the Alien Conquest Mothership.

He was so pumped when he opened that bad boy up!

Kaden discovered Diary of a Wimpy Kid books this summer, and can't get enough of them!

I love those baby blue's more than anything...

Silly faces~

The remainder of the day was spent building his new Lego sets.

A little help from his brother, maybe a little too much help~

but how do you say no to that face??

Garlic jalapeño chicken for dinner, and then we were a little caked~out from all of the birthday parties, so we busted out the ice~cream sandwiches...

Happy Birthday...dear Kade~man!....

Then we dolled Kade up in his shiny new suit and took him out to the nature park to snap some pictures for his upcoming baptism...

When we got there we gave him a gift~

His first set of scriptures...

These pictures melt my heart~

And then we watched the sun set over the bird refuge. It was such a beautiful night.

Kaden came home and immediately dug into his new scriptures. He has been so cute about reading them completely unsolicited by his parents.

He is such a good boy, and we are so proud of him!

Some Kaden trivia:

Favorite color: Blue~ he has never wavered

Favorite food: Steak, chicken on the bone~ he's a little carnivore

Favorite place to eat: KFC and Chic~fil~a

Favorite things to do: Build legos, read, play video games (the wii at his grandparents'), sports, hang out with friends, anything outside, play with his brother and sister.

Favorite holiday: Halloween

Favorite toy: His Nintendo DS and Legos

Favorite treat: Twix, Reeses peanut butter cups, Hershey's kisses~ the boy loves chocolate:)

Kaden is such a little stud muffin! He loves his family, and is quite a home~body. Kade is super sweet with his little brother and sister. He is a great friend and very sensitive to other's feelings. Kade sets an awesome example for his family, and always keeps us in line. He is hilarious, and extremely fun to be around. He can be quite a drama queen (cough! just like his daddy) but we love him just the way he is:)

Happy Birthday Kade~man,

Thanks for being exactly who you are!

~xo