If she’s 21, then that makes me…

…old sad.

Sutton, my first baby, is officially an adult today.  I struggle with that a little.  Actually, I struggle with that a lot.  How can she be 21 and out on her own while I’m still wiping noses and bottoms here?  Grown children have old parents who are thinking about retirement, diversifying their portfolios, looking forward to grandchildren.

Not her.  Not me.

She has a mom who’s paddling as fast as she can trying to raise five more babies…

…who she hopes are half as wonderful as her eldest.

 

Happy 21st birthday Sutton.  I love you very much.

Family matters

We are so happy to live fairly close to my sister Gina and her family.  Between us we have 12 children and we all have so much fun being together.  We spent Saturday hanging out at my place, eating spaghetti and cracking up at all the cousins playing. 

Below are best buds, my niece Dayden (4) and Peyton (3), shirtless of course, so just focus on those cute pink boots.

My niece Ashlyn (11) and her bonus dad, my bro-in-law David.  “Gimme some sugar, David.”

   

My always beautiful sister Gina and her hubby.

Peyton and Ashlyn discussing some very important matters.

Nephew Bailey (13) and Hayden (9) only had eyes for the Wii and water gun fights outside.

Reagan (15) wanted to prove she could ‘leg lift’ Uncle David.

Ashlyn, Keaton (13) and an as-usual shirtless Peyton.  Somebody grab that girl a top!

Whoo Hoo!!  These girls love to dress up.

  

Landon (6), showing his more feminine side.  (He enjoys dressing up too.)

 

Saturday night Gina and I did the great “kid swap,” Ashlyn and Dayden spent the night with the girls and me, while Hayden and Landon went home with their very popular boy cousin, Bailey.  Oh, and Reagan went with them too because her love for Uncle David is immeasurable.

At my house the little girls played non-stop.  They tattled and bickered and hugged and shared, just like best girlfriends.  They went to Sunday school together too and were reported by Miss Michelle our wonderful friend and teacher, to be “joined at the hip.”  They just wish they lived closer to each other. (Me too!)

Bathing beauties before church.  

The boys got to have a big sleep-over and Auntie Gina and Uncle David’s brand new house!  It’s gorgeous!!

Landon really likes Day’s pink Mustang.

And Bailey can fold his legs up enough to chauffeur little people around.  (I know the feeling, Bailey!) 

I am so happy for Gina and David.  Beautiful family, beautiful home, beautiful life. 

Wordless Wednesday: Wheels

      

Warning – Pink shoes can cause prissy-overload

And vast amounts of too-cute-for-words.

Dang child labor laws

When we go to Walmart, Landon (6) and Peyton (3) would rather apply for jobs than look for toys.

With as much money as I spend there on this big family…

…if only they could get hired.

Lots-o-sisters in the stands

Lucky Landon has a built-in cheerleading section when he plays soccer.  Sutton (20), Reagan (15), Keaton (13), and Peyton (3) cheer their brother on, convinced he’s the best player to ever play the game:)

My sweet, sweet girls.

Roadrunner soccer in the Fall

Landon (6) has begun Fall soccer and had his first game on Saturday.  As soon as we woke up Saturday morning, he wanted to get dressed and go.  The game wasn’t until 10am so there was a lot of “Why is this taking so long?!” all morning.

Other way, buddy!

“Look Ma, I’m goalie!”

Little sister joins the after-game snack distribution, the team meeting…

…and the huddle.  She cracks me up. “Go Roadrunners!  Beep Beep!”

I love watching him enjoy something so much.  And dang if he isn’t really good at it!

Dancin’ til it hurts

Authored by Hayden (9)

September 10 was the greatest night of my life.  I danced with about twenty girls.  I had a refreshment (Dr. Pepper) then I danced ‘til it hurt.  We stayed until the last song and I danced to every song but one (Justin Beiber, yuck).  They played my favorite songs all the rest of the time and I danced and danced and danced until my legs were sore.  I was sweating like five pigs.

Landon went to the dance too but he didn’t dance as much as I did.  I think he had fun too.  But let’s get back to me.

I asked one girl to the dance and as you will see in the picture at the bottom, she is in the middle.  And the other girl came with her. 

Landon’s buddy had fun dancing with him.

Me and my best friend from third grade had fun dancing “The Cupid Shuffle.”

Me and the girl I kinda like danced and talked at the same time.  My guy friend was telling about all about the concessions in the back but I didn’t want to go.  I kept dancing.

I was dancing so hard I got really sweaty.  I’m glad I didn’t get to embarrassed by that.

Landon and his crazy mohawk are dancing.

Me playing the banjo from “Cotton Eyed Joe.”

Me and all those girls…crazy!

Landon and his best buddy.

All the girls were lined up to dance with me!

Landon doing a dance trick I cannot do.

For our last picture, the two girls with me all night smiled as we danced until the last song was over. 

The whole night was the best night of my life and I couldn’t  believe how many girls I danced with!

Maybe I should take some hip-hop classes so I can learn some new moves!