Random Moments

The boys LOVE elephants! They call them Dar-Dars. I love Camden's expression when he's telling us about the Dar-Dars behind him. Mommy & Camden at the park.

Daddy was showing the boys the bird laying in her nest in our Water Birch tree. I love that Scott is always willing to stop the busyness of life to teach something fascinating to two little boys who love to learn.

This is one of my favorite moments... Camden gets off his tractor and tries to get on the 4-wheeler with Cayden (inoperable for safety). Cayden holds out his hand in a stop-motion and says "No no brother, that's yours" as he points to the tractor. Who knew he could make a full sentence?!

Special Friends!!

This was our 3rd annual Life Group get together weekend. Our goal is to see each other at least once a year to watch our families grow, encourage & support each other, pray & hold each other accountable in our marriage, parenting & relationships. Our time is always rich and seems to fly by too quickly. The families: Aaron & Amy Allaire (Cedar Park, TX); Chris & Stephanie Childs (Cincinnati, OH); Jeff & Heather Schapansky (Tyler,TX) & ourselves.

Camden & Gillian Childs

Tucker & Josh Allaire with Gillian
Cayden & GillianCayden, Josh & TuckerScott being the "horsey" for Cayden, Gillian & Camden; Chris supervising =)When naps are postponed, their world falls apart...

Enjoying a great dinner at Posados: Me & my Superman; Aaron, Amy, Jeff, Heather, Chris & Stephanie

Our wonderful friends!

What's a group without a few sillie nillies!

When we started our Life Group weekends in 2005, Josh & Gillian were the only kiddos. We now have 3 more additions, plus one on the way (The Schapanskys).

Visiting with My Brother

I was so excited when my brother Lando called to say he was on his way to visit us from Corpus Christi. We has a great weekend filled with fun, silliness, laughter, food & reminiscing. The boys quickly welcomed the company and were constantly chasing Lando around calling, "Unco, Unco"

Camden's random silliness
Cayden (L) & Camden (R)

Lando & Jeana

To Summertime where grilling is often, laughter is loud, family is visiting and memories are made!

Picnic at the Pierces

Above: Camden hugging his brother; Below: Cayden & Camden enjoying the sweetness of a Bomb Pop

Dee, Camden & Cayden

Dee & Cayden

We had a wonderful picnic at the Pierce's home today. We played on a slip-n-slide (yes, Mommy threw herself across the slip-n-slide as well!), grilled hamburgers & enjoyed yummy Bomb Pops. Scott & Dee Pierce have been important mentors in our life from the moment we moved to Tyler in Oct.2002.

Loving the Outdoors

The boys love to be outdoors. We try to go out in the morning when the sweltering heat is as minimal as possible. Camden (green) & Cayden (red) received a new picnic table and are inspecting it for approval....Shortly after, we found the boys crawling in & out of the doggy kennel. Cayden prefers to keep his feet on stable ground while Camden enjoys swinging. Although they alternate, Cayden only lasts about a minute or two before wanting to be back on the ground.

Though this summer has been filled with events, some of our most precious memories are candid, outdoor playine and visits from our family & friends.

Can Never Have Too Much Water!!

What a great way to spend a scorching hot day! We went to Faulkner SprayGround after a BBQ lunch at Rudy's. The boys expecially loved having Gramm join them IN the sprayground! Gramm & CamdenCayden....

Fun in the Sun

The boys have enjoyed their blow-up pool this summer. They were no strangers to Papa's camera for this delightful event!

Camden & Cayden making silly faces....

They think we can't see their mischief....

They love adventure. Forget the sprinkling sky dome up top-- it's a built-in inner tube!

Magic Word

Funny how some kids have a "magic word". You know, the kind of word that when it's spoken it illicits a reaction of joy, urgency, excitement, inhaled awes & near craziness? Well let's just say Gramm & Papa figured out the magic word...... ELMO! Then we watched as they stood transfixed in front & center.

Zoo-time with Gramm & Papa

Camden & Cayden LOVE going to the zoo! What a great way for the boys to show their Gramm & Papa all the animals they love to talk about.

Camden prepared for the sunny day...

Heave Hoe, it's up the hill we go to see the boys two favorite animals--the elephant & giraffe...Daddy & Cayden... Camden loving on his Papa...

Cayden LOVED feeding the ducks. He layed down on the ground & talked to them, swinging his legs & throwing pellets of food...

Cayden feeding the cockatoo a popsicle stick covered in seeds. They flew around us and landed on our arms, shoulders & heads...

Camden was in awe of the cockatoo on his shoulder while Papa fed the parakeet that landed on his hand...

Family, zoo & cockatoos; Elephants, giraffes & quack-quack too; how much fun can a child have when you take them to the zoo?!

Little Book Worms

When Gramm & Papa arrived for a visit, the boys were showered with hugs, kisses & books! Oddly enough, they would rather have a book than any of their toys. They take books with them in the car, to their bed, all around the house and even outdoors. They had a chance to "read" to Gramm & Papa to everyone's delight! So happy for my little book worms!