Today I Am Thankful

I am thankful today for so many things, in fact so many things that this is my longest post in the history of blogging. So sit back, relax and enjoy the pictures.

I am thankful for a husband who did not complain when he stayed up a full 24 hours just so I could drive to Paris to be with my side of the family this year. Seriously, not once but he did use the sleet that was in the metroplex for his sign to head home. We didn't even make it out of Paris and he was sound asleep in the passenger seat. Poor guy!



And in the last few weeks, I have noticed little signs that God is doing amazing things in Jeff's heart. It started with his play time with Elijah last week and then today I noticed him playing with Cousin Roselyn. If my heart wasn't so full of joy I could of easily cried me some happy tears. The next two pictures are proof that God's timing is perfect and it is better to enjoy the ride instead of try to control the ride. God is good!





And the picture below makes me think of so many things that I am thankful for this year. One, is back in the corner sleeping, you will have to enlarge to see little Kanyon. Yes, the Kanyon that we prayed for long and hard this year. It was bittersweet since Jayde is in heaven. I imagine her eating turkey with Nanny Betty, my great grandmother Mom Bonner, Mama Denton and many more of our family members who have gone on to Heaven the last few years. Okay allow me to lighten it up a bit, I am a mess on my side of the screen.

The last picture also serves as proof that the torch has officially been passed to the next generation. Back in the day, we girls, got our hand slapped if we touched the stuffing pan. Nanny Betty guarded this tub like it was the Ark of the Covenant or something. Paige and Jaymie, you have done good, Nanny Betty would be proud.

And now for the cousins who were stuck in Iowa, Alaska and at work in Waco. Here is the only group shot we got today. It was super cold in Paris, 34 degrees to be exact, and well you know us Texans like to stay warm. So the next three pictures are the closest things you will get to a pile of leaves photo.



The next picture below is Cousin Jay praying for our dinner and thanking all of us for the prayer and support we (all 60+ of us) offered this year. I started crying at this point but what's new, I cry everytime I pray these days. Happy, Blessed tears though.


On to the 4th generation photos from today

There is a name for families who multiply like ours. Rabbits. I'm just saying...

Elijah and Roselyn meet for the first time.

I thankfully was not one of those strange people looking at Roselyn. She recognized me and reached out for me to hold her. I guess it helped that I went shopping with her for a car seat a few weeks ago because we obviously bonded that day.

Cousin Paige puts her kids in a corner when they eat. Let me borrow a line from Dirty Dancing, "No one puts baby in a corner!" Elijah LOVES Airplanes! He is making his plane noises in this picture. I love the fact that I caught his face here. Have I ever told you how much I love this little man? I was just making sure I met my qotta for the year!



Braxton calling his aunt and uncle who are in Iowa awaiting thier own addition to the 4th generation.
Sweet Emaline. What fun it was to see her in 3-D.
Playing with the ole kitchen set that we chicks used to play with when we were young.
And now I am just trying to see how many pictures blogger will let me post.

Paige and I took pictures of each other. Isn't Emalines bows so cute! Oh and let me tell you about Emalines shoe, that was thrown over the railing by her brother and landed into Jeff's cup. Oh we laughed but recovered quick when Paige realized she needed to discipline her child. Don't you just hate being the grown up, Paige?

Missy and Jeff were taking the pictures.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!

sorry guys!

My scanner is not working right so I can't load the old school Thanksgiving pictures. I will have to get Jeff to look at it some day soon.

Speaking of Jeff...Poor, poor Jeff, he has to work tomorrow night and when we get off work we head straight to Paris, TX. He will have no sleep. NONE! But he has not complained yet but I can see it in his eyes that he knows tomorrow is going to be a beating since he will have no sleep.

I guess I should say this year that I am most thankful for Jeff. Jeff who knows that spending time with my cousins, especially this year, is so important to me. Jeff who will be working and not resting tonight. Who would probably rather stay home and sleep than drive in a car and hang out all day. But who has told me time and time again that it's okay since it is my year to be with my family. He said, "What's Friday for anyway?" I don't think, in fact, I know I wouldn't be as gracious as he is if the tables were reversed.

Sigh.

"Dear Lord, I am so ready to see my sweet family. This year especially it will be good to have hugs and to laugh. Laughter is so sweet. Lord, I know that Jeff is making a huge sacrafice and I love him for it. Lord help me to be quiet to listen to his needs and to drive safely so he doesn't feel like he must keep one eye open while taking his nap. Thank you Lord for all you do. Thank you Lord for all you are going to do. Thank you Lord for a day where we can spend time with the ones we love, eat lots of good food and laugh. We love you Lord."

My Favorite Things

Here is another installment of my favorite thing list.

Feel Free to Share Your Favorite Things About the Holidays Too!

1. Shopping at The Sample House

2. Drinking Coffee and Talking with good friends.

3. This Music playing on my strero during the Christmas season

4) Even better than hearing the music is seeing the Nutcracker Ballet every Christmas

5) A Charlie Brown Christmas who year after year reminds you the true meaning of Christmas

housecleaning fun

I love a clean house.

And yet I realize once I have kids that I am going to have to set my limits a little lower. I mean who wants to be bending over cleaning all day when there is fun to be had with the kiddos? I think I will choose coloring with the kids over cleaning any ole day.

But there does come a time where you must take a time out to get a few things done.

Last night was one of these fine occasions, only because I didn't want Missy to have to come home to a total mess. Would you want to clean after coming back from California? I don't think so.

So I tell the girls, "Time to clean."

Faith was on board the minute I told her it was going to be fun. I insist on making cleaning fun...if I am going to do it. We pretended we were princesses locked in the castle and the only way we could eat yummy lasagna and get a HOT COCOA treat after dinner, was if the mean old evil granny (my mom) gave us the all clear. So we, the pretty princesses, needed to hurry because we only had 15 minutes to get things in tip top shape. But there was one little princess who DID NOT WANT TO CLEAN.

Katy says, "I hate cleaning. It isn't a game it is work!" (oh I wish you could of heard her say work. Too cute!)

This conversation lead to another conversation about what would happen if she became a mother one day. "My kids will clean." I was thinking to myself that's what I am trying to have happen here, right now, this present moment. My mind went into overdrive trying to figure a way to hold my ground but still have fun cleaning.

"Katy, let's race. I bet I will pick up more things than you in the fifteen minutes."

Long story made shorter: she didn't buy that either

So I did what any other good Aunt would do. I tickled her until she said, "Okay, okay, okay. I will clean."

This started us running all over the house as fast as we could. And when they started to lose momentum, I would run to the window and pretend I was looking for the mean old evil grandmother's car. This really got them moving. And I am proud to say that Katy the princess who doesn't want to clean, cleaned her room very nice and even came in and helped Faith make her bed and clean off the her sister's dresser.

And I thought you didn't like to clean Miss Thang?

Here are some pictures of the last time we had to play this game. The day that little Elijah came home from the hospital when he was born. Oh and Elijah now almost two years old, was helping by screaming "No, I want that!" Or something that sounded very similar to that. Let's just say he was the mean ole troll that worked for the mean old evil grandmother by making sure we didn't get our job done.




And for those of you who made it to the end of this post, here is my new all time favorite blog. This woman is one of those women who puts Martha Stewart to shame and inspires you to do the same.

So there, now you know my plans for the weekend, I will be putting my house back in order.

I will catch you on the flip side.

Stay tuned for the Cagle cousin Thanksgiving flashback photos.

Elijah's Laugh

I am understanding a little more why God gives us laughter.

It for those of us "moms" who are tired and worn out from running after a nearly two year old. But your weariness is washed away when the child starts to laugh. Doesn't it seem to make the world a better place to hear a child laugh.

Let me tell you, I am at a complete awe for mothers who work full time. I am at more of an awe for those of you who work at home and succeed. Jeff and I may have one more thing to add to our prayer list because working at home with a toddler is IMPOSSIBLE. Fun but impossible.

Anyway, I don't want this to sound like I am complaining because the truth is I have soaked up every minute and the best part is the point of all this post.

Eli has the greatest laugh.

He puts the babies on You Tube to shame. It is so sweet! Oh and when he cackles, melts my heart like butter.

Today I was holding him and a friend did a post of her babies laughing at each other. He heard it and pointed to the computer screen saying, "Babies? Again." So I played it over and over and over. Finally because I didn't want them to think I was camping out at their blog I pulled up You Tube and played a few of their babies laughing. He laughed right along with them.

Later we were playing "Tickle Monster" an Aunt Sue Sue speciality. Oh to hear him laugh was just so sweet. I am staying up late tonight to finish today's work but it is all worth it. Because today my day was filled with a nearly two year old' laughter.

And I tell you another thing that melts my heart. Before the tickle monster debut, he was sitting in my lap having a bit of cuddle time that is another favorite for me. He leaned up to me, hugged me tight, and kissed my cheek...just because. Oh how I will miss my daily tickles and pecks on my cheek from sweet little E.

So this ends Camp Keep the Kiddos post.

I will be laying low the next few days trying to get caught up on all that has been pushed to the back burner this week so I can play with my nephew.

Camp Keep the Kiddos Is Still Moving Right Along

2 hour naps ROCK! Missy, I put him down at 1:00 each day and tell him it's naptime, play a video and tell him he can't get off the couch until the video is done. He falls asleep every time! I thought I would try to get him used to it so maybe he would do it for you too. Wouldn't that be nice?!?! (We can dream can't we?)


Sidewalk chalk is super fun!
Singing with his Praise Baby CD. I turned off the radio just to hear his sweet voice sing. The sound was only coming through his headphones and not the speakers so I only heard his little voice. Best praise time ever! I cried a little but what's new.

Faith has already read her 100 minutes for the week. Rock on sister friend. She says she will read more to get ahead. Now that is one smart chick. Katy showed me the ant trail, "It starts right here and goes allllll the way to here!'
We all 4 jumped for over 30 minutes-that was my excercise for the day.
Playing chase with Uncle Jeff, this was his workout for the day. He told me yesterday that it only takes him 5 minutes to get to work. I think we maybe moving close to you all one day
Walking to school this morning. Katy picked out her clothes. She wanted to look cute. Her words not mine.
Dropping the chicks off, I just had to get a picture. I am Aunt Sue Sue and that's the way I roll.
Elijah and I strolled over to the park. We did so much stuff later I jogged while pushing the stroller, when I stopped to walk, Eli yelled "Go Fast!" Sorry I may have started something guys.

"Sue Sue!"
"Peek a Boo!" Sweet smile

Camp Keep the Kiddos-Day 2

I will have you know, last night I posted a funny post but forgot the pictures. When I inserted the pictures the text became micro size and I couldn't get the pictures right. That post is now in the trash and today I am starting fresh.


Yesterday Elijah and I played, played, played with a few work related things for good measure. We went to the library where he did his tricks for the librarian. My favorite is the one where he says "Whoa" like he is falling and then falls in slow motion. We then went to the grocery store where he helped me pick out yummy snacks for snack time at Aunt Sue Sue's. He say the Goldfish on the cracker aisle and yelled "FISH! Mmm!" Who could resist that logic? In the bag they went. We side walked chalked on my patio and played peek-a-boo non-stop. We watched a copy of Benji that I picked up at the library and the pretended that we were puppy dogs.

The Puppy Dog is starting to get tired.




Then the little puppy climbed in my lap and fell asleep. I moved him to the couch where he slept for 2 and 1/2 hours. Oh bless you Lord! I really got my work done then.

Later when we headed home he started to do his chores around the house, wiped down the tub and washed a few windows. He will be a great husband one day if he continues to help out around the house like he did today.

Now to Katy and Faith



They were very happy to see us. They asked me at dinner if I would pick them up from school. Sadly, I am still working but I promised them that I would give Elijah a nap earlier so that I could be there by 4 instead of 5.



Katy told me yesterday that she had to tell her teacher a few things she was thankful for at school today. I asked here what she said and she said, "Sadie, my dog."



(Pausing for the parents to laugh)



You see fellow readers, Sadie is a dog that Gunnar and Missy had when they were first married and if I remember correctly this dog became an angel before Katelyn was born or when she was a little baby. "But Katy, " I say, "That dog is in Heaven, right?"



"Yeah but I know that if I had a dog I would be thankful for it so I said that."



Hmm, works for me.


This is what she was wearing when I came to the house, MeMe had put lipstick on her. Doesn't it scare you a bit how grown up she looks?



No funny stories about Faith. She has been very, very good. She has been very helpful with Elijah. She was even making her lunch for tomorrow when I came in. She said she wanted to make her morning easier. I told her how proud I was of her for thinking ahead. She is growing up so fast and I love watching this beautiful girl blossom from the inside out.



Okay that is all for now.

Today (Tuesday) Elijah has been very cuddly. We sat and watched Sesame Street and he fell asleep. Lynnie said he was up at 5:30 am this morning. Now after a 30 minute morning nap we are watching Dora The Explorer. I better get to work while he is entertaining himself with Dora.

Camp Keep the Kiddos-Day One

Welcome to Day One of Camp Keep the Kiddos. The head master this week is Lynnie and Jeff and I are the camp counselors. Our mission for the week is to keep them safe and keep them laughing until Lynnie comes home from work so she can take over the night shift.

This should be interesting since I am still working and the week before Thanksgiving week is always the busiest week of the year when you sell furniture. (If you read this blog, please don't buy dining room tables this week, wait until after Thanksgiving and save yourself the headache of asking the question "Will I get my new table before Thanksgiving?" The answer is no, it's too late. Some dumb salesperson my guarantee it but they are LYING. They are commissioned sales people after all. All I have to say is just wait. For the love of God, just wait.

Warning: All complaints after you chose not to wait but called to complain that your table has not arrived, before Thanksgiving, will be directed to my two year old assistant for the week Who will happily scream in your ear to show you how annoyed we are that you did not heed this warning. Don't say I didn't warn you.

So...

Here is Day One in a nutshell for the parents who I know will read my blog hoping I will show pictures of their lovely ones but who will be sadly disappointed since I left the camera at home for Day One. Hopefully this in depth report will be an adequate substitute.

1. Load the kids in to the car to head to Cabella's.
2. Drop Uncle Jeff and girls off at door since Elijah was asleep.
(At this point, I am driving because Jeff refuses to drive a mini-van-he says "He just can't bring himself to do it just yet. Something about his manhood still needing to be intact.)
3. Elijah wakes up wants to go inside. So we head in with big man in the stroller. I am a smart Aunt to remember the stroller.
4. Lady tells me I have a beautiful son as we enter Cabella's. I say "Thank you" and walk on because he isn't my son but he is beautiful none the less. We also laugh about the difference between boys and girls because her girls first noticed the beautiful tree where my "son" first noticed the big deer and ducks hanging from the ceiling. "Boys are all the same aren't they?" I agree and walk on. While Eli continues to yell "Look! Look!"
5. Eli and I play look at that fish at the fish pond. "FISH!" "FISH!" While we wait for the girls to get done shooting upstairs at the gun shooting game with Uncle Jeff.
6. I decide to let Elijah out of the stroller to get a better look. I knew he wouldn't go back in so I said, "Katy! Your chariot awaits." And middle sister gladly sits down because she loves to be pampered. Don't we all?
7. The kids and I spend 20 minutes in the aquarium talking about the fish while Uncle Jeff is off shopping. We had so much fun checking out all the fish and trying to identify the different ones. The big catfish made Elijah jump back and scream like a girl when it came to up to the glass. We will have to work on him not screaming like a girl.
8. Walked around Cabella's looking for Uncle Jeff and playing with the popping guns they have for kids. Elijah started yelling "Jeff!" Jeff!" and would hold up his hands saying "Where are you?" (his parents will know what I am describing) When we found him Eli says "See! See! Jeff!"
9. Decide to drive to my dad's to play on the go-carts.
10. Littlest camper falls asleep on the drive there so Uncle Jeff and Grandpa sit by the car so Elijah can continue to sleep.
11. Meanwhile the girls and I are riding all over the grass on the go-carts.
12. Aunt Sue Sue picks up littlest camper and takes him in to rock in Grandpa's recliner while catching up with step mom.
13. Grandpa feeds all of us yummy snacks.
14. Grandpa lives next to a small airstrip so Grandpa, kids and Uncle Jeff head out to watch the planes land in his backyard. They are small, 2 seater planes and lots of fun to watch them land and taxi into their garage at thier own home.
15. Elijah shows Grandpa and Melissa his little tricks. Imagine a little break dancer in the 80's and you have a good idea of what his tricks look like.
16. Head home to eat fish sticks and spinach. Kids love this, because? Oh and Uncle Jeff drives mini-van for the first time EVER! I wish I had my camera to document. It was a little surreal driving a mini-van with 3 kids in the back watching a movie.
17. Uncle Jeff heads off to watch the Charger game with his Dad.
18. Aunt Sue Sue declares bathtime. Two youngest take baths while oldest showers, in the same room. Oh the laughs we had saying hi to Faith in the glass shower next to the bathtub.
19 Girls get out Elijah opts to play a little more. So starts the laugh fest between Eli and Aunt Sue-Sue.
20. Aunt Sue Sue heads home after being tackled by Eli numerous times while trying to say good-bye. I left the house with Lynnie telling Elijah to quit crying he would see me tomorrow morning.

Aunt Sue Sue is heading to bed now Day 2 to continue tomorrow.

P.S Tomorrow's post won't be so long. More pictures less talking- PROMISE!

shopping for Christmas

I have a few websites I use at Christmas time, Baby Showers, Birthdays and what not. I thought I would share them with you since Christmas is coming soon.

Baby & Toddler Gifts,

Maternity Clothes and Funny Shirts for babies. (I think Tara sent me to this site)

Blessed T-Shirts (everyone should own one)

College Basketball Team Gear

Personalized Stationary (Wade go here for Kelly-she will love you forever!)

Christmas Gifts -I bought a scripture plaque from them for my house, I love having scriptures throughout the house-especially when they are my favorite ones.

Pro Football Gear For the ultimate fan!


Enjoy! I will post more another time

He Keeps Me Laughing!

This morning, I was reading in bed trying to prolong the time until I got up to start my day.

I was 10 pages out from finishing the latest mystery novel and I just couldn't put it down.

Jeff (who works nights) comes in from work and as always was restless going to sleep. Usually on days like this I will scratch his back a bit to make him fall asleep faster. But like I have already told you, I was trying to finish the latest mystery novel.

So this was the following conversation that took place between husband and wife this morning.

Husband: "Will you scratch my back a little so I can fall asleep?"

Wife: "Umm in a minute I am trying to finish this book?"

Husband: "Well I don't think that is very Titus 29 of you?"

Wife (still reading) "Why don't you try looking up Titus 29 and tell me how that works out for you?"

Husband: who repeats what wife just like he is four playing the "nanny, nanny boo boo" game

"Why don't you try looking up Titus 29 and tell me how that works for you?"

Wife: was starting to smile when she lays down her book waiting for what was to come next

And for those of you who have heard these such stories in the past know that with Jeff a zinger is soon to follow

Husband: "Well, I didn't realize I was sleeping next to BIBLE ANSWER MAN!"

That did it, wife died laughing! Told him to be quiet and go to sleep and then continued reading the latest mystery novel while scratching Husband's back.

And let me ask you, do I look like Bible Answer man to you?

Don't worry, I don't see it either.

I'll Take A Classic Movie Any Ole Day

I love old movies.

Have I ever told you all that?

I may have at one point but I am not sure if you know how much I LOVE classic movies. If they had a support group for this, I would be the President. It can get a little out of hand at times and this month is no exception.

During the month of November, on Turner Classic Movies they have asked different actors and actresses to be the guest programmers for the night. Each of them have picked their favorite classic movies and before the movie starts will tell you why it's their favorite.

I must say I have been impressed with the different selections. Except for Donald who picked "Gone with the Wind" and even though this tops out as one of my all time favorites, it's the generic classic movie pick for those who really aren't that knowledgeable about the really classic movies. (Oh wow I sound like a classic movie snob)

Anywhoo, way to go Donald!

Please understand, I was still delighted to get a chance to watch "Gone with the Wind" for the hundredth something time. Even though I own it on DVD and can watch anytime I please. And yes, I have to watch in spurts because who could really sit down and watch the whole thing in it's entirety.

Moving on...

Do you want to see the other movies that have kept me from watching soap operas entertained this week?

1. Funny Girl
2. Nancy Drew Detective
3. The African Queen
4. Heaven Can Wait
5. Benji
6. The Russians are Coming, The Russians are Coming
7. On Golden Pond

That my friends is the real reason I have not wanted to blog-too much good stuff to watch and enjoy.

Have a great week!

Proof That God is Good

1. Jeff has found his rhythm as the godly leader of our family.
2. I have learned that prayer for Jeff, silence on my part and constant encouragement for him from me has played a big part in this. Which basically means I stepped out of the way and let God do His thang.
3. Yesterday we taught Children's Church. I had to run down at the end to join the team in singing the closing song, which left Jeff fully in charge of the kids. When I came back after church a few of the moms were sitting outside watching Jeff teach the kids the memory verse. My heart soared to see Jeff doing this with confidence and grace. He loves those kids and they seem to really respond to him as well.
4. A sweet family in our church lost their dad/father in law Thursday night to a heart attack. We sang some wonderful songs yesterday and we sang one in honor of the Newman family. As many of you know, "It is Well" is my all time favorite hymn. As we were practicing, we realized that God was doing something amazing with this song. The harmonies, the music and our hearts all blended in perfect unison yesterday. But then when we added the voices from the church and all I can say is "Wow!" It was beautiful! I still get chills thinking about it even now.
5. Our church went through a rough patch not too long ago. The church service was pretty bare after many sweet friends and families left. Yesterday while I was standing up front during the announcement time, I watched a family who had arrived a little late struggle to find a place to sit. This was proof to me that God is doing something amazing with our small church who ain't so small anymore.
6. Yesterday when Jeff and I came home from church we turned a movie on and just vegged out. Later I started to turn on the computer and Jeff said, "Susan what would you think about making Sunday's computer free zone since this is the only time we are together without one of us having to work or leave for work?" I shut the laptop down and sat back down with Jeff to watch another movie. It is nice that we are both living in the moment and enjoying this time in our life.

God is good y'all! God is good!

At A Loss For Words

My friend Hannah lost her Dad last night to a heart attack.

He was the Chaplain for the D#ll#s C*wb*oys (coping Kim's spelling to keep the unwanted goo*l*rs away). Click here to see the articles that Kim has posted on her blog. John leaves behind a wonderful legacy.

It is in these moments that I realize how short and precious our life on earth really is.

Today I was driving home from a hair appointment, this little old lady decided to do a u-turn in the intersection that I was turning in to. I started to get frustrated because she was holding us all up. I was gearing up to honk my horn when I had this thought come to me. The thought that in less than 30 seconds this little old lady will be a distant memory and was it really worth the trouble to honk my horn and scare this poor woman half to death. No, it wasn't. As I drove on with no harm done to the little ole lady or to my schedule I made a note to remember this moment as my reminder not to sweat the small stuff. Because the truth is in the course of my life what is 30 seconds of sitting while a little old lady does a u-turn in the middle of an intersection. I mean does it really matter?

Now do me a favor. Get off the computer and go love your family today.

Jeff said I could tell this story...

...as long as I share something about me too.



I tried to think of a few random things because he never elaborated on what I should say about myself.



So here are 2 random things Jeff teases me about.



1. First thing out of my mouth every morning is "Must have coffee" He says I mumble it under my breath and it wasn't until just recently that he figured out what I was saying. It wasn't until he pointed this out to me that I realized I even said it.



2. I am an avid reader but I always use the wrong word in sentences. If I am telling a story and I decide to throw in a big word 9 times out of ten I said the wrong word with a completely wrong meaning. Most people let it pass but not Jeff he will stop me and say "Did you really mean to say that?" And it is not until he tells me what the word I said means that I realize I said something wrong.



Okay now for Jeff's story.



When we were getting ready to leave for vacation I had a lot of things on my plate to complete before we left. To say I was a little stressed would be an understatement. I told Jeff earlier in the week that I would make sure he had all his clothes cleaned but he would have to pack for himself.



I usually pack for him because I am usually not the one with lots of things on my plate-he is. And because it helps me keep an eye on what he is wearing because he could care less what he wears.



So as we were on vacation, he says that he will need to do laundry soon because he does not have enough clothes. To which I reply, "Did you not pack enough?"



He answer, "I thought I did."



For the rest of the trip I was scratching my head thinking how could he have not packed enough clothes? Doesn't he know that we were going to be gone for 8 days?



When we get home the first night, Jeff starts looking for his shorts that he wears to work. We looked everywhere for them. I told him over and over, "Jeff, I washed them before we left. They have to be here somewhere."



Well, we never find them and he ends up wearing a pair of old work shorts that really should be thrown away.



Later that evening, I am pulling out all of our clothes from our suitcases. I start to clean out Jeff's suitcase and find his work clothes along with his work shirts. Then it dawns on me, his stack of clean clothes that I sat on the dresser before we left is what he thought I was telling him to pack. Even though I told him that this stack was what I just got done washing and I had not packed for him this time.



No wonder he ran out of clothes because that stack was mainly work stuff and a few pairs of underwear. Poor guy. I guess next time I will have to explain myself better or check his bag before we leave.


Here is a picture of the shirt he wore the weekend of the family reunion. Thankfully he didn't wear this to the actual party just that day.

Is this not the perfect family reunion shirt?

Cagle Cousins, he may wear this at Thanksgiving-just so you are prepared.

Halloween Flashback and the Kids

I was cleaning out some old photo albums last night, moving my senior year pictures to the same book as my college years pictures. It takes up less space when they are in one book instead of two. Anyway, I found this picture from Halloween my senior year and had to post.

Do you see me? I promise I am in the picture.

I was going to wait until sister posted pictures of her own kids on her blog but I couldn't wait any longer. I just had to show my nieces and nephew off, I am the Aunt, and that is what Aunts do.

Jeff and I picked up a passenger in Galveston. Here I am giving Hayley a piggy-back ride back to our hotel.
Faith aka Miley Cyrus. Her wig for Hannah Montana was gross so Missy vetoed it. Faith didn't mind but we had to call her Miley not Hannah. She also was able to get her face painted while at the carnival. I think she was happy and super cute. Katelyn, wearing the cheerleader costume that Missy wore at that age. On the side of her skirt is says "Missy." Isn't she cute?!?
Elijah who went as Jack Jack from the Incredibles. He was a fast mover too. Once he got into the games there was no pulling him off the games. Later when we went to eat, he was hyped up on candy and would yell, "Hi" to all the people in the restaurant. He also danced a little jig and at one point did a move that looked similar to pelvic thrusts. I wonder where he picked that up?


Okay, I am heading back to the pile of laundry that I am happy to report is almost finished.