Red carpet treatment

Along with millions of other "tweens" in the country, this group of girls attended a viewing party of High School Musical Two put on by Keaton's sweet friend Emily (in pink) and Emily's more-patient-than-I-will-ever-be mom, Shelley. It was a red carpet event in a fancy-shmancy hotel complete with a presidential suite, popcorn, movie candy, swimming, delicious meals, and of course, the debut of High School Musical Two.

I'm pretty sure those girls watched the movie, but with all the posh amenities to enjoy, who could blame them for being a little distracted by all the glitz.




Keaton (in blue) evidently tried to hoard all the candy. The sugar highs in that room had to have been impressive.

Is she living my life?

This mommy is my hero...I should be so smart.

"Wanna westle?"

That's how Landon always initiates his challenge to Jimmy and Hayden. What started out as two boys vs. Dad quickly turned into four against one. Sutton was at volleyball, and Peyton and I were smart enough to skip this activity. Oh, and ice in the pants soon followed. Brrrrrr.

Spoiled Bumblebee

I couldn't help but show you just one more. This guy cracks me up because I have SO been there...actually, just minutes ago when I took several of my own spoiled bumblebees to the store.

"I broke wood!"

After a 15 minute belt test comprised of multiple stances, kicks, blocks, and an oral exam, the only thing Hayden wanted to tell everyone (and I mean everyone) was that he "broke wood." He broke that wood you see below with his bare forearm on the first try.
















Passing the belt test meant Hayden went from white to orange belt today.

Cool belt, but breaking that wood was definitely the highlight.

A brother is a forever friend...

...given you by God.

This is what happens...

...when you go on a business trip and instead of sleeping, you watch the entire second season of "24."

"Gee Daddy, thanks for the undivided attention."

My new favorite song

Turn it up and listen to the end...what a sweet daddy.

Well alrighty then

One unnamed six-year-old brother sitting in the middle row of the suburban, whining about everything, from the pace of his frustrated mother in afternoon traffic, to his constant and repeated reminder to all of us that he missed his afternoon snack.

One unnamed three-year-old brother sitting in the third row of the suburban, weary of listening to big brother's incessant whining and feeling no empathy, finally screaming:

"Oh Hayden! Get a gwip!!"

**note to self...must work with him on those "r" sounds.

"I'm trying so hard..."

"...to roll over."

"Big brother is sweet enough to cheer me on, but Mommy keeps screaming 'NO! NO!'"
"She really needs to let me grow up."

Snaggle tooth

She's at it again! Our resident dentist-in-training (future Dr. Keaton) has pulled her third tooth for little brother Hayden. As they played outside last night, Hayden begged her to rip it out and rip she did. He was so thrilled! Here is a picture of the patient, post extraction exuberance evident...helmet-hair and all.





















His buoyancy continued this morning when he requested a before-school I-must-show-off-my-new-smile photo op.


Yep, pretty proud.

We were there for THREE WHOLE HOURS

Jimmy was teaching, so I took the five other children to watch big sister Sutton play volleyball. It was a double-header and as you can see from the pictures, she played her little heart out.

















Reagan, Keaton, little Peyton and I actually watched the mini-marathon event while the boys ate, drank, argued, played, spit, laughed, punched, cried and screamed. They eventually found a few toy items some child had stashed and (thankfully!) forgotten in a cube near where we were sitting, so my two reluctant spectators played a few hand-held games.




This morning when Sutton hugged Landon and thanked him for coming to her volleyball match, he looked at her with a puzzled expression, "Were you there too?!"

The world would be a much happier place...

...if everyone slept with their hineys in the air.

Hayden explains all

Referring to his baby sister:

"She has a brain and all...it just doesn't know anything yet."

She wore an itsy bitsy, teeny weeny...

...bright orange bikini.
And she played and played and played and then...

...fell fast asleep in the pool.

Volleyball!

School ball began this week; scrimmages last night and this morning. We'll see Sutton again in a few months.

Her dress of roses

"My Pawpaw picked out this dress for me. I think he choose the perfect one."





















"And Granna sure is funny!"

Conditional love

Overheard while she tried to help dress our (as usual) frustrated three-year-old...

Reagan: "Come here Landon and I'll help you put your shorts on."

Landon(screaming): "No! No! I don't like you!"

Reagan: "You don't like me? Awww...but I love you."

Landon (defiant): "I don't love you."

Reagan: "Will you love me tomorrow?"

Landon: "No."

Reagan: "Will you love me next week?"

Landon: "No."

Reagan: "Will you love me if I help you put your shorts on so you can go with Daddy?"

Landon (long pause): "Hmmmmmm...okay, I'll love you."

Reagan: "Well, let's get you dressed then!"

After he was dressed, he grabbed Reagan's face and kissed her right on the lips.

Landon: "I love you Reagan."

Reagan: "I love you too Landon."

"So this is what you think of me?"

"I feel so used."

Baby's got her blue jeans on

First pair of jeans compliments of cousin Dayden. We love hand-me-downs.













"And my Bumbo seat is really comfy. Someday I'll be strong enough to actually look up."

As we try to outfit five children for school and pay tuition for four...

No lack of confidence here

"I am just delicious."


(Huh?)

Hail to the queen

Birthdays at grandparents mean you get the star treatment.

As with all successful business men...

...sometimes you just have to take the computer with you...even during nap time.

It's just you and me kid

Keaton at grandparents.

Reagan at Sea World.

Sutton at work.

Jimmy, Hayden, and Landon at the farm.

Mommy and Peyton regrouping at home...loving each other (and the quiet.)

"My Auntie Gina is the best!"

"She makes me laugh and laugh so much that..."

"...I just have to kiss her!"

Forever Friends

These three girls (Rachel, my Sutton, and Maeli) became best friends in 4th grade when our family moved to a new community. We moved away after just one year, Sutton mourning the inevitable loss of her two best girlfriends.

Yet, all three sets of parents, recognizing the quality of the girls' relationship and the uniqueness of their bond, made sure that for the last eight years these three girls get together on holidays, vacations, and any other excuses we can eek out.

As they head into their senior years my feelings are bitter-sweet. I'm so sad to see them grow up and start to plan lives of their own, but I know, without a doubt, that these three girls will continue to stay close. Miles have always separated them, but their friendship, strong and true, has endured.

She's growing too fast...

...and no matter how often I beg her to stop, she just keeps doing it.