Erin's Baby Shower 11.5.10

CarrieLynn, NellieMae, Katie Jo and I all hosted a baby shower for Erin.  They are having a girl, so we went all out with the pink.  We had out of town company here for a few days and got to do some fun things together.  I have compiled a collage of lots of the candid funny faces people make.  There are literally hundreds of pictures, so I will just post some of the highlights.

Mom and all of us girls.

Erin with the cute diaper cake we made her.

Some of us as we were working in our new beautiful kitchen.

Gram and Gramps.

Mamageese handing out gifts to her grandkids.  She is such a giver.  Thanks so much mom!

Here we are at the mall enjoying the Christmas decorations.  We all went after the shower that afternoon and Stephen bought us all supper.  We enjoyed getting to be with family.

 The kids played on the jungle gym around the back of the community center in Montgomery where we had the shower.  Stephen was such a huge help and watched the kids out there while the shower was going on.

I had Lydia inside since it was a chilly day, but here is the rest of the "Little Herd"

Stephen and I paused for a moment.

The Skunk Story...Told By Bella 11.1.10

I didn't want it to die.  I want it to go down the creek.  It's right there laying down.  I was crying because I want the little kunk to live and go down to the creek to live.  It was just a kunk.  Because Papa had a big gun and I didn't want him to shoot it.   It was under Uncle CJ's truck and the chickens look at it.  Papa said if it goes away then we won't shoot it.  It just sit there Mama.  Thats all.  It was just sittin' there.  It was makin' his house under the wood pile.  But it was laying down for Papa can't shoot it, so he was throwin' some rocks from the mountain to get the kunk out of the wood pile.  But it was makin' a house under the wood pile.  Papa cared it out and then shot it.  That's all Mama.  Aah, it tink real bad.  Papa told Mama to put it down to the creek because we didn't want it at our house because it melled bad.  It didn't mell pretty, it melled bad.  So Mama put it in a sack from the chickens feed sack and we took to the creek across the road.

We saw another one when it was dark yesterday and Papa killed it, he shot it.  So it can't get out his house wood.  Because they will spray us and we get sick if we have kunks around our house.  That's all Mama!

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Lane Thomas's 8th Birthday 10.24.10

Lane Thomas has also recently had a birthday.  Both Ein's and Lane's birthday's were celebrated on Sundays, so we were able to go to both of their parties (Stephen study's for the Captain's test from Monday through Saturday, but rests on Sunday- so we got to go.  All other activities throughout the week we have put on hold to try and help Stephen out as much as possible).  There were 2 moonwalks there for the kids to play on, yummy pizza and a hay ride.

Aunt 'Manda and Aunt 'Becca with Bella Jane.

Elaina, enjoying the fact that the tea jug is low enough for her to help herself.

Papa, Lydia and me sitting on the swing at Uncle Tommy and Aunt Marilyn's.

 Millie flying down the slide in the moonwalk.

Martin and Bryce playing on the swing set in the backyard.

James found a comfy spot on Uncle Shan's lap and sat there and enjoyed his bottle.

Ein Wayne Masters 1st Birthday 10.13.10

Our little nephew, Ein Wayne Masters recently had his first birthday.  It was actually on the 13th but we celebrated it on the 17th instead.  We all went over to Sarah and Josh's for his party.  It was everything you would think of for someones 1st birthday...

3 legged race (Bella and I were partners and tied in 1st place with another pair of girls).....

party hats (Martin sporting his on top of his cowboy hat)....

yummy food (Millie enjoying a snack while lounging in a chair in her fun party attire)....

a sand area for little ones to dig around in (James and Ein doing just that after they changed-getting dirty and loving it!)......

balloons 

(Sarah and Josh in their new home they are finishing out which looks absolutely beautiful!)....

 fun desserts and adorable birthday cake...

tootsie pops (Bella on the move with her 2nd one)...

 and this may not be on the "one year olds birthday party list", but the older ones enjoyed shooting the balloons with the bee-bee gun....

playing with your mama and papa...

and more suckers (Elaina enjoying another one as well)....

and family :)

Around The Farm And Working Cows 10.2010

The kids and I with PawPaw putting up fence to move cows.

 Playing under the big Sam Houston live oak at the farm

 Millie pushing James on the tire swing.

Bella trying to do like Martin on the rope.

'Laina holding her little sister, Lydia.

 Enjoying smoothies outside while Papa took a break from studying.

 Lydia all bundled up the morning we worked cows.  It was a beautiful crisp fall morning!

Bella and Elaina found a high up place out of the way to watch the guys as they worked cows in the lots.

 Martin joined them.

Papa and Uncle Kevin with James giving him a birds eye view.

Millie tried on some of Aunt Margaret's rings and came out to show me.

Keith and Stephen waiting and watching.

 Martina and Millie up in the big pecan tree by the lots.

 There's the hambone hanging on to the gate.

Stephen and Mr. Herzog also de-horned Ellie.

Beautiful Kitchen Cabinets 10.2010

I am finally getting some pictures up of our new kitchen cabinets and counters.  Jacob has been working on these cabinets in our kitchen since July I think and he finished the end of October.  They are absolutely beautiful, one of a kind, unique, very well made, original, gorgeous, breathtaking...you get the point.  Here are some pictures along the way.  Jacob has done an outstanding job!  We are so grateful to have such a beautiful kitchen!  It has been well worth the wait.  Thank you Jacob for all your hard work!!  You are a great friend and wonderful craftsman!

Stephen designed an island to double as part of the counter top that slides next to the stove.

The night Jacob finished up working, we had supper up at our house.  We are so happy and have really enjoyed getting things organized and actually have a place for everything.  Wow!  When I think back at the short little countertop with the curtain draped in front that used to be my kitchen, it sure makes me humbled at this huge blessing that far exceeded my dreams of a kitchen.  Thank you Stephen for the way in which you lead our family, being debt free and giving glory to the Lord for everything.  I love you!