Uncle Kenneth

We lost another family member last week that was very dear to us. Uncle Kenneth. He was a very special man. Loved Christ, loved others deeply, told it to you straight, and had integrity. The list goes on and on. We are so blessed to have known him and have him part of our lives.

We found out the news and in just a few hours were all packed up for a 16 hour road trip to North Carolina. The kids did pretty well. Benjamin, I tell you, that kid was meant for traveling. Ever since he was an infant he has been an angel when it comes to traveling. Long planes rides (London, Greece, Scotland) and even long car rides (North Carolina, West Virginia) are always a piece of cake with him. Savannah, well that's another story. Bless her heart. After our last trip to London we've banned her from all plane rides until we're able to reason with her. I guess that'll be another 10 years, right?

During our stay in North Carolina I took Benjamin on another road trip to West Virginia to visit a friend who moved away last year. It was about a 6 hour car ride and the kid did amazing. It was just Benjamin and me on that trip. It was good to spend the one on one time with him in the car. We had a great visit. Short, but good and definitely well worth the long drive.

Uncle Kenneth

















Cousins Abby and Andrew and my kids having a good time with Ronald on our drive to North Carolina.














Benjamin and his friend Seth (who moved to W. Virginia) in West Virginia at a fantastic Hibachi restaurant.














Benjamin and me on a train ride in Pigeon Forge (on our way back to Texas).














Savannah enjoying Thomas the Train in Pigeon Forge.

















Less than 2 days back from our long drive, David's parents turned right back around and drove here from Waco for Granddaddy's birthday. They're troopers! :) He picked Gatti Town to celebrate. Brave, patient man.

Breakfast Don'ts

Ever since Benjamin was born we have a tradition to go eat donuts on the kids' birthday. Well, being that it was Ben's birthday last week he talked me into having a sucker BEFORE we went out for donuts. Can we just say Mother of the Year Award? Sugar, sugar, and more sugar. Geez!

Chalkboard Messages

First thing each morning I write something different on a chalk board near our kitchen. We haven't managed to move our lives past April 15th, but I thought what I happened to choose that morning before I found out about Jerm was appropriate somehow. Those three symbols describe him to a tee.

Benjamin's Scooby Doo 4th Birthday

Last weekend we celebrated Benjamin turning four. He's really into Scooby Doo right now so everything was "Scooby Doo", even down to his underwear! Scooby Dooby Doo!!

Me and the birthday boy!













Scooby Doo!













Grandma Nancy made him his own special Scooby Doo cake that was not to be shared!













Savannah having a mouthful!













Paige and Christopher













Luke and Josh













Cousin Alyssa and Jayden













New bike! Thanks Grandmother!













Having fun in the bounce house...poor cousin Andrew!












Proud parents!

Easter, Big Beds, and the Baylor Bears

So I haven't posted in a while! Apart from the sadness that has filled our lives lately, we have actually had some fun here and there. We were in Waco for Jeremy's funeral and it was Easter as well. The kids had a good time. I had a blonde moment...forgot to get candy to fill the Easter eggs. So....the kids had to hunt empty eggs. The sweet thing is that they didn't mind, they still had fun. However, Grandma Nancy saved the day. She rounded up some candy and filled all the eggs they found and they got to have a SECOND Easter egg hunt. Lucky kids.

We got Benjamin a big boy bed yesterday. (It's his birthday present). At first he was excited. But now, he doesn't like it. He wants to stay in his toddler bed. Hmmmm...not good. So he has convinced us to leave both beds in the room. We gave in. So he has two beds now and wants to keep sleeping in the little one. I guess you like what you like....but I sure hope he changes his mind soon!

Savannah has been obssessed with the Baylor Bears. She must say "I want Baylor Bears" 200 times a day and that is NO exageration. I had planned to take her on a quick day trip last Friday to the Baylor campus but my laziness won that day. Anyway, Benjamin and Savannah were talking the other day and this is how their conversation went:
Benjamin: Hey Savannnah?
Savannah: WHAT Ben?
Benjamin: I love you.
Savannah: ......I WANT BAYLOR BEARS!!!!!

You had to be there, but it made David and me laugh so hard my cheeks hurt.

Hunting for eggs.














Cousin Abby being a sweetheart and giving Savannah an egg she found!














Searching......













I found it!!!!














Oh no! The eggs are empty!