And it's over...

To start off, if you received my Christmas letter you know what the picture above represents. Just wanted to give you visual proof that I am not exaggerating. (Let me clarify this- no one seems to understand. Connor will not do anything a Buckeye would not do. He does all things he thinks Buckeyes do. This is an example. Buckeyes wear short sleeve jerseys and pants that come to their knees. So this is how Connor wears all of his clothes. Pajamas and jackets included.)

Secondly, this is what we think of Santa at our house. There is no picture of Caleb because he flat out refused to sit with St. Nick.

And then we come to Christmas morning.
Notice how he's wearing his PJ's.

Everyone had a great time opening presents. But their favorite gift wasn't wrapped under the tree.

This isn't their favorite gift. But our first shutter. Ben installed it in the upstairs bathroom. With guests this week, we figured they'd like to shower in private from the outside world. Right now the shutter is stained, but I am adamant about it being painted white to match the trim that will also eventually be painted white.

And on to the gift...

Yes folks, it's a trampoline. They've already had four uncles over to play with them on it. I'm just praying for no broken bones...

Random Sampler

So I noticed its been about 3 weeks since I posted something. I always get so annoyed when I see it's been so long since someone else has updated their blog...so I figured I'd come up with something. We've been busy with lots of different things and I just felt I hadn't taken any good pictures of anything so I'd wait until I had some good pictures. But alas, the 'three weeks since last post' tag is too bothersome to ignore. Here are some random pictures of the kids.

Caleb and cousin Peyton.

The Three Amigos.


An attempt at a good family picture.

Another failed attempt.

The boys at George's for Thanksgiving.



Notice the ornaments clumped right at kid-height.

Air Show

An Army of Buckeyes

Back: Will (Joe #1), Parker (Joe #2)
Front: Peyton (Joe #4), Connor, Caleb holding Cate, Jackson (Joe #3)

Brothers

Dodds, always conspiring. Here they are trying to get Peyton to run, and they will go catch him.

Fall is Here

The weather is finally changing. Can't say I'm that happy about it either. I personally, prefer summer. The hot sun, swimming pools...need I say more? But alas, the leaves are falling from the sky...


and the air is cooler in the morning. Just ask Cate...


We had a Family Home Evening at a relative's and carved pumpkins.


Cate stayed warm with her Uncle Jacob.


And then came Halloween. We did two things this year for the holiday. On Saturday, we went to Treats on the Square. I didn't have my spiffy new camera then, so I elected to wait until the Trunk or Treat at the Church on Wednesday to take pictures. Caleb and Connor were Buckeyes, and Cate was a Buckeye cheerleader. Ben and I wore referee uniforms to complete the ensemble.

Yammin' It Up

Like many small Texas towns, Gilmer has an annual festival. The Yamboree.

Yes, folks...I said Yam. We celebrate an orange potato.

But, it's so much more than celebrating a nutritious tuber. It's about turkey legs, funnel cakes, parades and cow poop. Not really cow poop. But, it is everywhere after the parades and everywhere at the Yamboree grounds.

This year was our first year living here in Gilmer. Because we were not visitors ourselves, we got to house visitors. And we really enjoyed it.

We had a family from Hutto make the five hour trek to see us. The kids had a great time camping out in Caleb and Connor's room at night. And I think they also enjoyed the Yamboree. Here is a picture of Quinlan and Caleb on one of the rides. Caleb expressed several times that he would not have ridden anything if Quinlan had not been here.


There are two main places to see the Yamboree events. The rides are all placed around the square. And the livestock and crafts are all out at the Yamboree Grounds. The rest of these pictures are from the Yamboree Grounds. They've built a huge wooden playscape at the grounds and the kids played there for a few minutes.

Connor

Cate

Our visitors from Hutto left Friday, only to be followed quickly by more company. Ben's brother Mark and his family arrived for more Yam Jammin' Fun. Saturday we made another voyage out to the Yamboree Grounds. We met up with Joe (Dodd brother #1 who lives in Gilmer too) and his family, and Dodd Mom Linda. This little setup was in the barn where the cows were kept.

Cara (Mark's #1) and Jackson (Joe's #3)

Caleb

Connor

Connor and Cate

They have their own connection.

Mostly their conversations go something like this:

Cate: Get away from me. You're hurting me.

Connor: But I just want to squeeze you to death.

Cate: Well, stop! You're annoying me!

Connor: C'mon Cate. You're fine. Just let me lay on you until Mom sees me. Then I'll get off.

This is what I gather from Cate's screams and Connor's small talk. But this day was different I guess. She seemed to tolerate him for a few minutes. And it looks like they are having some kind of conversation.

Connor: Cate, turn your head so I can check your ears.

Connor: Hmm. They look okay.

Connor: Now look at mine.

Cate: Whatever,dude! I don't want to look at your gross ears!

Cate: Okay. But, for just a second.

Happy Baby...

September 26, 2008

Cate
Almost Six Months

October 10, 2008

Cate

Six Months