Life with my sister

This past weekend we went fishing to begin our April birthday celebrations. If you are new around here, Anna will be 8 on the 20 th and David and Daniel will be 11 on the 24 th . We celebrate birthdays for days!!! Samuel was at a D-Now weekend, so Stephen and I took Daniel, David and Anna to Heber Springs to trout fish. I have never been fishing before. I actually got my first fishing license right before we headed out of town. I wasn't real excited about going, but the kids could hardly wait! Daniel caught the first fish and Anna soon followed. By the end of the day the 5 of us had caught 23 rainbow trout. I was so excited. Everyone got their limit but me, but I didn't mind. The kids had such a great time. Our feet were covered in mud, many of us had fallen down because of it but it didn't dampen our spirits one bit. We had a great time! Now to celebrate with cake, ice cream and presents for the rest of the month! Julie

I posted this photo on purpose...Daddy is no longer a Rebel fan since they gave Houston the boot. He doesn't read this much anymore so he won't know unless someone tells him...don't tell him! This photo was taken at my house in Mississippi. Sweet and skinny times :) (Abby) Today is our heavenly father's birthday and we celebrate big..real big! It is also our earthly father's birthday. Our grandmother had a baby on Christmas. I can't imagine how incredible and inconvenient that must have been for her. Our Daddy shares a birthday with Jesus and Barbara Mandrel (Yes, we are reminded of this every year...all our lives we have heard this). We always have a little pity for him because everyone sort of forgets about him to praise Jesus. He loves Jesus also, so he looks past it. Bless him. He usually gets robbed in the presents department too. It is always easy to wrap one gift in blue paper and call it a birthday gift (not that we have ever done that....j...

It is our cousin Hollye's birthday today. She was born at Christmas so she of course has to be named Hollye. I love that Aunt Babs added an E to dress it up and make it unique. Hollye is an only child and is more like a sister to us than a cousin. As we get older we learn to appreciate this bond we share more and more. She is one of my most favorite people on this earth and I love being able to wish her a happy, happy day for all to see! We love you, Moose! Abby

Henry turned 2 last week and we celebrated with all his friends on Sesame Street. I bought these fun cupcakes at a local grocery store to take to his school on his birthday. He was so excited to see them. He dove right in and took Big Bird's head off. His friends were yelling "Elmo". It was a fun mess and everyone had fun celebrating with our Birthday boy at school. The day after his birthday we had his party. I worked on it for a few months. I love party planning. I may not be a polished pro, but I enjoy it and that is what matters. I love that Henry is covering up his 2 on his shirt. I purchased a Sesame Street shirt so I would also be in theme. Randall declined to participate. His party was a Sesame Street party, of course. We had it at our church in the old fellowship hall and rented a toddler bounce house. It was loads of fun. Since " monker " and Elmo are his favorite characters on Sesame Street I made only their faces on the cupcakes. They were fun and me...

After reading the previous post, you know Henry Patton is celebrating his big 2 today. All focus is on HP at our house today, and tomorrow for his big party....but isn't the focus always on HP?! :) Birthday morning came bright and early for our little 2 year old. We had to make him wake up! We wanted to have time with him before our normal morning rush. He loved his Elmo singing and dancing hands from Juju, Brother Stephen(Henry calls him that, just so you know) and the Fab Four. I loved his little excited, sleepy face! Henry must have had his Daddy read this to him 10 times before school. He loved it and that made my heart smile. Big Joe's Trailer Truck is a tradition in our family. Marmie was so cute to find one and mail it to him. Pawpaw must love watching it from above. Mawmaw and UD sent him a Blue's Clues Book. He loves Blue! We were trying to show him the tricycle we got him and all he would say was, "I want Blue, I want Blue!!" My birthday boy headed off t...

Henry Patton was born 2 years ago today! What a day of rejoicing that was...in more ways than one! My whole world became a little brighter and softer. He is truly the delight in my life. His Daddy and I wake up and still chase each other to his room to see who can get there first. We are still so smitten with him. I honestly cannot wait to see him each morning and hate to see him fall asleep at night...even though he is so sweet and still when he is sleeping. We grow fonder of him each day. Last year we had a party celebrating the big one at home with family and a few friends. He was just learning to walk and taking a step or two at a time. By Christmas last year he was getting around at a good clip. He grew so much this past year. I tried my best to record it but know I missed a lot. My heart has it bottled up, and that is what matters the most, I reckon. Henry is now a tall, handsome 2 year old. He talks non stop and tries to speak in full sentences. Henry can sing his ABC's, c...

Claire with Henry, T'Day 2010 Today Claire Allyn is 11. It really does not seem possible that Hollye's baby girl is taller than me and has passed my shoe size already. It seems like yesterday she was cruising around on my hip and telling her first grade class that Randall was her boyfriend. What a beautiful young lady she is becoming. We love you, CA! Abby

It is party time at our house. We have birthdays galore in the next few weeks and fun holiday celebrations. It is a busy, fun time and this little mama is excited! Today is my hunky husband's birthday. He is 35 and alive! Henry and I are so proud we get to celebrate him all day long! We are so blessed to have him for another year :) Our sweet little Piper Jo had her 2nd birthday this past weekend. She is Henry's best girl. I love these two precious pups. Henry loved being the only boy at her party! This week we had Henry's Thanksgiving feast at school. He ate 3 helpings of mashed "taters" and would have eaten more if he could have. He loves a tater. He also loves Piper. Oh my...those two! Their reactions are priceless. I have to remind him Piper's Daddy is "the law" and wears a gun. Oh, Henry! Here's to a week of eating and celebrating! Abby

In celebration of Samuel's and Aunt Babs' birthday week, we are highlighting the cake Julie made for Samuel's big day. It looked so cute and fun with the colorful candles on top. I wish I could have had a piece....maybe I will make one and celebrate on my own! Grease a large tube or Bundt cake pan with 2 teaspoons of the oil. Set aside. In a large bowl, mix the popped corn with the M&Ms and the peanuts and set aside. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter, the remaining 1/4 cup vegetable oil, and the marshmallows over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. When melted, use oven mitts or pot holders to remove saucepan from heat and pour marshmallows over the popcorn mixture. Stir to combine. Spoon mixture into the prepared cake pan. Using your hands or the back of a spoon, press firmly so that the mixture is compacted. Cover with aluminum foil to keep moist. Let sit for about 3 to 4 hours, or until firm and set. To serve, invert the cake pan onto a large plate or pla...