Surprise...We're going to Disney World!

Merry Christmas!

Our 1st broken bone

We had a good run of over 9 years without a broken bone in our house. I knew with 4 boys it would eventually happen, but I won't lie and say I wasn't secretly hoping we could somehow avoid it. Just before bedtime on Wednesday, Brandt and Brennan were wrestling when they were suppose to be putting away laundry. Brennan started crying, but nothing hysterical. I didn't think anything of it until he cried an hour later when I tried to put his pajamas on. Anytime we moved his arm he cried hysterically. My heart sank and I was afraid he had broken his collar bone. He wouldn't use his left hand at all and held his arm to his body. Anytime he moved, or sat up, or even tried to walk he cried. He stayed on the sofa pretty much non-stop for 2 days.Brennan eating a chocolate chip cookie at 8:45 at night...anything to keep him from crying. lol He was a trooper and left the ice on there. He only woke up once during the night crying.I took him to urgent care 1st thing Thursday morning and my fears were confirmed. A broken left collar bone. Thankfully, they don't do much for a collar bone so if you have to break a bone this is a pretty good one. :) It was an angular break and not straight across so Brennan has to wear a brace for at least 4-6 weeks to help it heal. Thankfully, he doesn't have to sleep in it.Brennan and his new dolphin that he got for being so brave. After 2 days he started feeling much better. He got off the sofa and started playing again. Bryson said "I am so glad you can walk again Brennan"...too cute! I even caught him trying to do a roll this weekend, although that did end with him crying and grabbing his arm. Poor baby!We had his follow-up appointment today with the Orthopedic doctor. They checked his skin above his break, and thankfully it looks good so he won't need surgery. They said he might have a permanent bump there, but since he is so young everything should heal great. The plus side is they had a pediatric brace that actually fits him! We go back in 4 weeks for another x-ray and will hopefully be released from the brace then. Until then he will need to wear the brace during the day and not do any push ups or upper body playing.

Wordless Wednesday

Yep, that's the flag in his right hand!

1st Football game = Success!

Today was the 1st Upwards football game for all the boys. The boys each had a great game! Bry didn't get to play offense this game, but was awesome at defense. He pulled 10 flags (he got all 4 flags of both possessions when he played rusher and defensive line). At the end of each game every player gets an award for that game and Bry got the defensive award.

Brayden had his best game yet. He got 2 flags (the quarterback's once and the other was on the line of scrimmage). He also had a great catch under pressure. He got the leadership award for cheering and encouraging his team on during the entire game.

Brandt ran the ball for a touchdown the entire length of the field. He also got a couple of flags near the line of scrimmage. He had his 1st ever interception & as a result got the defensive award. We are very proud of all the boys!

Brennan cheering on his brothers. He insisted on wearing his uniform today too. He is so ready for next year when he will be big enough to play with his guys.

Flag Football season

Brayden practicing at quarterback and Brandt at receiver. They were doing a great job of throwing and catching together...could be a good duo!

Bryson was so excited for his 1st practice that we had a daily countdown. Once the big day was finally here he wanted to wear his uniform and flags all day. :)

The boys have each had their 1st practice for flag football. Brandt and Brayden are on the same team, the Volunteers, and Bryson is on the Hoosiers. Their 1st games are this Saturday and continue for the next 8 weekends. The boys are very excited!

Awanas

I can't believe all 4 of my boys are now old enough for Awanas!!! They started last Sunday.

We started Awanas on Brandt's 3rd birthday and here we are 6 years later with our #4 starting Cubbies. This year we have a Cubbie, 2 Sparks, and a T&T. I am amazed at the scripture memorization these boys do, even Brennan came home saying "God made the Heavens and the Earth" which was his verse for the week.

Are you ready for some football...

On September 30th...

...this new movie, from the makers of Fireproof, comes out. I can't wait!

Wordless Wednesday

Diving board tricks

Today after Dustin got off of work we took all the boys swimming. The highlight of the day was the diving board for sure.

Brandt barely made a splash at all

Camp Vaughn: Day 5

Today was our final day of Camp Vaughn. This has been a really fun week, and I am glad I got to do so many fun things with the little 2 guys. I fell really hard on my knee last night, and it is hurting pretty badly today. So I had to change our plans around, and as a result today was a pretty lazy day.

This morning the boys played the Wii for a while. Both the little guys usually default to the big guys on what game to play, so I think they enjoyed picking and not having to take turns. After that we took them to see Kung Fu Panda 2 in the movie theater. The only movies we usually see in the theater are the $1 movies during the summer, so seeing a new release was a huge treat for them. They loved the movie, and Brennan was clapping and cheering during the entire thing.

We pick the boys up tomorrow morning from camp. It has been a long week, but I am sure they had a great time. We have missed them like crazy, but very thankful for some sweet times with my little guys.

Camp Vaughn: Day 4

Today was Camp Vaughn: Day 4. I had a really bad headache this morning, so Dustin stayed home to help me. Bryson asked yesterday to play baseball again, so Dustin took them to the park this morning before it got too hot. The boys loved it, but they even started to get too hot after a little while. Dustin was pitching to Bryson, and then Brennan was hitting off of our tee. (The video of Brennan will not load).

After baseball we took to the boys to get donuts, which we usually only do on special occasions (like someone's birthday). After that we dropped Dustin's car off to get the oil changed and picked up a Redbox movie for the boys. They love getting to pick a movie out, and I loved the quiet afternoon laying around watching a movie.

After the movie we went back and picked up the car, and took the boys to Marble Slab to get ice cream. Bryson picked blueberry ice cream with almonds and Brennan picked bubble gum ice cream with sprinkles. We hadn't been there in a really long time so it was a special treat for them.
All in all it was a much slower paced day than the others, but we still had a really fun day.

Camp Vaughn: Day 3

Today was Camp Vaughn: Day 3. We started out the morning watching Monsters vs. Aliens at the movie theater. We have seen the movie a thousand times before, but there is something super fun about watching it in the theater.

After the movie we went to U-Paint-It so Bryson could decorate some pottery. It was our 1st time making anything there, and Bry made this awesome tile we are going to put in their bathroom. It takes a week for them to bake it and glaze it, so we don't pick it up until next week. He did it all by himself, and I am anxious to see how it turned out.

While Bryson painted his tile Brennan painted on the table cover and then did water paint on a paper they brought him. He had a great time too.

After that I took the boys to the splashpad. When the boys were younger it was too scary for me to take them all swimming by myself, because I was so outnumbered and afraid someone might drown. Since there isn't standing water, I would take the boys to the splashpad all the time. However, after being there for a short time today they were ready to go. Sad to say that I think my kiddos have outgrown the splashpad. :(

Brennan

Bryson

When the boys got tired of the splash pad we went across the street to the park. It was so hot, that the pebbles under the equipment were burning to the touch. We didn't stay there too long, but before we left Bry showed off more of his crazy skills.

We finished out the evening with daddy meeting us for some yummy JJ's snow cones.

Camp Vaughn: Day 2

Today was Camp Vaughn: Day 2. This morning we went to my good friend, Carrie's, house for a play date with Bryson's best friend, Brennan's future wife, and their sweet baby. Bryson has already asked several times when he can go back. I guess that means he had a good time. :)

They jumped...

They played "ghost" baseball in the backyard.

When they started to get hot they cooled off with Popsicles...

...and when that wasn't enough they turned their trampoline into a huge slip and slide.

After lunch I took the boys swimming again. There were more flips from Bryson, and Brennan went down the slide and then swam to the side all by himself...with no help at all from me. Gotta LOVE Puddle Jumpers.

Currently, Bryson is on a date with daddy enjoying Project Yogurt and looking for a new fish for our fish tank.

Brennan is totally wiped out from our day.

Camp Vaughn: Day 1

The older 2 boys are at Carolina Creek Christian Camp this week, so I decided to have Camp Vaughn with the other 2 boys. Today was day 1 of fun. This morning we went to the park, which quickly became an "adventuring" time. We walked along the trails, saw bunnies and birds, threw sticks into the water, scaled rocks, and just had a really fun morning. Daddy met us at Gattitown for lunch, which the boys LOVED! We have had a movie marathon this afternoon with each boy getting to pick out a movie. Can't wait for tomorrow...

My sweet boys

Brennan didn't want to be left out, so we found a set with the rocks real close together for him.

My little fish...

My little fish...

Bryson

My big 2 boys were at cooking camp today so I decided to take my little 2 guys swimming. Our normal pool is closed on Tuesdays so we decided to try out another pool in town. This pool had a diving board, which none of the other pools have. The 1st time he got on the diving board he walked to the edge looked down, and then chickened out and walked back down. He decided to try again and jumped off to the side so he only had to swim a tiny bit. Once he got comfortable with that he jumped straight off the end of the board. Soon after he jumping out and straight down in a torpedo shape. A little while I looked over and he was doing cannon balls. About 1 hour after getting to the pool I look over and catch Bryson (age 5) doing this...

10 Years

10 years ago today I married my best friend. We were both so young. I had been 21 for a whopping 21 days and he was 2 months away from turning 22. Life has definitely been an adventure, but I wouldn't change it. I love you, Dustin!

Engagement picture

My bridal party included my 3 sisters, best friend, college roommate, and aunt. The junior bridesmaids and flower girl were my cousins' children.

Dustin's groomsmen were friends from high school, my brother, his brother-in-law, cousins, and my uncle. The junior groomsmen and ring bearer were our nephews.

We rode in a horse drawn carriage all around downtown Austin. We spent 2 weeks in Florida for our honeymoon. The highlight was Key West. This is the southern most point in the US, only 90 miles to Cuba.

Margaritaville in Key West, yep we were that sunburned.

We took a jet ski tour around Key West from the Atlantic to the Gulf. It was amazing the difference between the two. The Atlantic was smooth and clear and the gulf was very rough and not clear.

Wordless Wednesday

Houston Zoo with Mike

Mike leaves early next week for his last step of training before he deploys as an officer in the USMC. We wanted to see him one more time before he left, so Thursday we drove to Houston and went to the zoo. My sister Kathryn, her 2 daughters, my grandmother, and 2 nephews all met us there. Then my sister Kim, and soon to be sister-in-law Megan met us when they got off of work, and my brother met us as we were leaving and we all went to dinner. We had a great time, and will miss Mike while he is gone.

My boys waiting on everyone to arrive

enjoying a snack

Brayden, Mike, and Brandt checking out the sea lions

Mike and the boys checking out an exhibit in the reptile house

Brennan...the crocodile opened his mouth when Brennan put his hand up

Brayden and Mike

Brandt soaked himself with the mister fan

Mike and Bryson

Brennan and Brandt

Brennan

Bryson learned to blow a bubble this week

Brandt in the prairie dog exhibit

Brennan and Bryson

Bryson and a llama

Brennan

Brayden

Bryson

Brennan

My sister, Kim and Mike