Going Bonkers Party

When we started talking about where to have Madison's 4th birthday Going Bonkers immediately came up! This is where she wanted to have it, even though it's where she had it last year. I tried talking her into a gymnastics place or a Pump It Up but she wanted this one. So that's where we went!
This was the first year she invited friends. She has so many cousins that in the past 3 years we've only had the cousins. This year we invited our neighbors, the girls from her class and another friend. We had a great turn out. I think everyone got to come but one little girl.

Madison had so much fun playing with all of her friends. She was super sweaty by the time we did presents and cupcakes. She had also worn herself out so she was not the most pleasant child. You'll see in pictures. It doesn't help that all the attention was on her. She does not like that.

Last year I played with her a long time. This year I was only able to make one trip. I was not feeling 100%.

Madison, Abby, Madison, Laken, Reese, Cooper, Reid, Ethan
Drew, Brooklyn, Sydney & Sydney's sister
(Kailyn, Eli & Ross were not in the picture)

so shy

she was so tired she didn't even eat her cupcake

this guy sure enjoyed his

It's hard to get a family picture these days!

We survived the party (or should I say I survived) and it turned out great. After the party was over we went to lunch with both my parents, my brothers, Joan and Grandmom. Then we came back home and Mom and Ron let Trent and I take a nap while they watched the kids and mom cleaned the house! It was WONDERFUL!

Can't believe I have a 4 year old

Our baby girl is 4!!!

I simply CAN NOT believe I have a 4 year old! It seems like only yesterday I was pregnant with her. I didn't think I could love her more than the day she was born but I love her more and more each day. She has such a kind, loving heart! We are so thankful we were blessed with such a sweet, smart, loving little girl.

Her birthday was on a Tuesday and her party wasn't until that next Saturday! That morning when she woke up she came out and said "my birthday cake isn't out". It's so hard making a 4 year old understand the difference between your real birthday and your birthday party with friends. I told her we could go get ice cream later for her birthday. She was more than ok with that.
My original plan was to get her a new comforter for her birthday because hers has fallen apart in the washing machine. Other things put that on hold at the last minute and I didn't have time to go get her anything. I decided we would let her go to the store and pick out some things that she wanted. I think she really enjoyed it! Before we went to the store we let her pick where she wanted to eat lunch. She picked Bueno! Then we headed to the store...with lots of excitement and giggling.
She picked out a Justin Bieber barbie that sings (so annoyed with that in the first 5 minutes), a jump rope, a baby car seat and a barbie pool set. She had so much fun picking out her toys.

After nap time we went to the pool, another request from the birthday girl. This was our first trip all summer!! #1 because I have only been out of school 4 days and 2 of those we were in Sherman. #2 I haven't been feeling well.


Then that night after dinner we went to Braums. Madison's choice. She LOVES their chocolate ice cream. She even shared it with her brother! She's such a sweet big sister. :)


Overall I think she had a pretty good birthday--lunch at one of her favorite places, trip to buy some new toys, swimming and ice cream! Next up is the big party at Going Bonkers! :/

The Ranch

I got out of school on June 9th and on June 10th we headed out to the ranch in Sherman. Trent's parents had it for the weekend (Trent's uncle owns it). It was nice start to my summer vacation, although I wasn't feeling very well. We got there Friday afternoon and swam, rode the 4 wheelers and visited while the kids played. My kids LOVE going out there. They would both live outside if we would let them. This is there one chance to be outside from the time they wake up until they go to bed, and they are! They stay dirty, shoeless and have fun playing with their cousins.
Friday night after dinner we headed down to one of the ponds to check on some fishing lines and then some were going to fish.

Madison and Reed hanging out in the gator while the adults were fishing! The grass was really tall by the pond so unless you had pants and boots on you had to stay up on the trail. That would be SueAnn, the kids and myself!


Bart and Trent out checking the lines


Cooper wanted to fish so bad!


very interested in the fish Trent brought back up!



When Trent was done checking the lines with Bart, he took Cooper down to fish! Cooper LOVED it. I mean LOVED it. When they caught their first fish and had to bring it back to the truck he cried because he thought it was over. We need to buy this boy a fishing pole.

His first fish...with Daddy's help :)


watching his Daddy take it off the line. I love this picture. I just wish it were a little brighter.

Saturday we got up and had breakfast and had a repeat of Friday...swam, rode 4 wheelers, and visited while the kids played. Friday night Ernie and his family came out and we had a fish fry with all the fish that were caught on Friday and even some from Saturday. It was great being able to relax and enjoy time with the family!


suckers for breakfast are ok while on vacation, right?










We had so much fun and hope to make it back out there before summer is over! We left Saturday night after the fish fry because Trent had to play in the 11:00 service the next morning! The rest of the family stayed through Monday.