When momma's happy, everyone's happy!

I just have to take a few minutes to brag on my family. I've been laid up for a few days from a little accident I had last week and have been so impressed with my family pitching in to take my place. Bran spent all day washing and sanding the deck (no...he wouldn't let me take a picture of him bare chested in knee pads and safety goggles) and the kids have been taking over all the indoor cleaning and cooking. Casey is now the laundry expert and even washed a blanket that Charlie had a little accident on!
Kyla is always baking up a storm, but she's been doing more than usual in the kitchen from baking, to cleaning, to dishes.

Casey has taken over dog duty and patiently takes Charlie out to use the bathroom and walks him around the block several times a day to get the exercise his little puppy body needs.

My other "son" is no help at all but he starts puppy classes tonight, so I'll be able to brag on him too in no time! I LOVE my family.

Father's Day Weekend

This is the weekend that we celebrate all the wonderful daddies of the world. I am blessed that my kids have such a wonderful daddy. This is a hamburger ice cream cake that Kyla made for Bran to celebrate the occasion.

Casey got all the credit this year for picking out the gifts for dad. I was fresh out of good ideas so I left it up to him!

No family weekend is complete without a board game or two. Charlie thinks he should be allowed to play, too.

We started the weekend off with some new fishing equipment and lessons from dad on how to fish.

What a wonderful weekend with two great kids and an awesome husband!

Dog in the water = no fish

Charlie is "Bad to the Bone".

Just Us

Posing for a quick picture before heading out the door to church.
Of course no trip out of the house is complete without Charlie taking a potty break first.

My family!

This is an actual, non-posed picture. I thought it was funny to see all 3 of them texting away at the same time! Bran was showing them how to use their new phones. We opted for a family cell plan rather than a land line. I obviously won't be posting the kid's new cell phone numbers online, but if you'd like any of our new numbers for your address book, let me know. We are officially available!

LiFe at HoMe in WaYnEsViLle

We went for a little walk at the Waynesville City Park and Roubidoux River.

There's a new mini waterpark that Casey had to try out.

Charlie doesn't realize he's a golden retriever yet, so he's a little nervous about the water. Once he gets brave enough, we'll never be able to keep him out!

Casey enjoying his new loft bed.

Here's a partial view of Kyla's new room, too. They are both really enjoying their new rooms and home.

Charlie....or is it??

I'd like to introduce you to the new addition to our family. This is Charlie, a 5 month old golden retriever. We lost our friend, Jake (another awesome golden), last year after 12 wonderful years of companionship. We are so excited to start this new chapter in our lives with a new friend that reminds us so much of Jake.

We've been calling this little guy, Charlie, but haven't settled on that name yet. The name he came to us with was "Comet", but we aren't sure about that. We also like "Blue", "Ben", and Casey's suggestion, "Jake Junior".

Charlie (for the sake of calling him something) loves his little orange friend and his bed.

We bonded with him right away, and he with us. The cats don't even seem to mind him too much (although they are a bit jealous to be honest)! The kids are at grandma and grandpa's house for the week and we can hardly wait for them to meet him!

Rock Sanctuary

The kids and I spent the day at the "Rock Sanctuary" to do some rock climbing.
Kyla has some experience climbing from a field trip so she was given permission to train me how to belay and to strap us all in.

The pictures don't do it justice.....some of those walls were REALLY high! Casey was up in the rafters on this one!

Tight rope walking.

Another fantastic day with my wonderful kiddos!

Final Weeks

The kids and I are enjoying our final weeks here in beautiful Monterey. We went to Kyla's school last night for her final Open House.
Kyla loves to cook so she chose a project that involved, what else.....cooking!

Casey enjoyed watching the science teacher demonstrate an underwater robot and show off some dry ice experiments.

Kyla and Casey have been great helpers this week getting my classroom cleaned out and organized. I'm very blessed to have such great people in my life.

26.2

Brandon got up bright and early at 3:15 a.m. and I drove him to the Embassy Suites where he caught a bus to the starting line of the Big Sur Marathon. He waited around with the other anxious runners for over an hour in the cold until 6:45 when the race started. The kids and I waited for him at the finish line in Carmel.
Brandon ran 26.2 miles in about 4 hours 45 minutes. This is him coming out of the post-race munchie tent.

I am more proud of Brandon today than I have probably ever been before! He is so strong mentally and physically and I really admire him for this amazing accomplishment.

Happy Easter!

We got dressed up in our California best (T-shirts and jeans) and headed to church this morning which was held at the highschool football field. We enjoyed a very wonderful Easter service on the metal bleachers together! We were blessed with beautiful weather and a wonderful message..... He is risen!!
The kids enjoyed dying eggs and we had a fun indoor egg hunt. Happy Easter everyone!

Fun with the Smiths

We had an excellent visit with Brandon's aunt, uncle and mom this week. Here are a few more pictures of our visit. This a picture of us waiting for the sunset at Carmel Beach.
Brandon and I clowning around.

Casey and dad flying a kite.

My sweet boy.

Kyla and her uncle Kevin.