Pumpkin Patch 2012

She Drives

Kylee had an orthodontist appointment Wednesday, so she skipped going to work with me, as she's done every day we were actually in town on intercession. After her ortho appointment, the boys 'convinced' her to go to the farm with them.

She's growing up so fast, and we've been talking to her about learning to drive. Joey and I both could drive by her age. You know, because we're so country and she's so city, her words. She hates driving my car because she says it goes too fast on just a little push of the accelerator. So Joey put her on the Gator. Evidentally she loved it!

And was totally not afraid.

So after a little practice, she got behind the wheel of Joey's truck.

The best part? She sent me a text with this picture,

telling me SHE is now in control of the radio!

She's gonna be driving in town in her own car with a driver's license before I know it! She better not be taking any pictures then!

Toby Taylor

I almost forgot to introduce you to Toby Taylor!

When we drove back through Midland after the wedding, we stopped and had Taco Ca-Villa (as Blaine said) with Pops and DD. DD was telling us about a Chihuahua she had seen at PetSmart and taken home for a few days before the wedding to see how he got along with her dogs. He was a rescue dog, and she had taken him back. She had now decided she loved him and needed him. With coaxing from my two littles, we went back to PetSmart to get him before we headed home.

With all their other creatures, I think Pops was less than thrilled, but I know it won't be long before he's in love with him, too.

The Hummer House

Pops and DD rented all of us a place in Christoval very close to the Chapel called The Hummer House. It is kind of a compound with three house in three different sizes on beautiful grounds set right off the lake. They stayed in the Hummer House while her parents stayed in The Hideaway, and Kyle and I's families stayed in the Lodge, the biggest of the three.

Saturday everybody gathered in The Lodge for a dual birthday party.

Very typically, Kyle and Myra manned the grill for burgers and dogs,

and we all chowed down.

The bride and groom dropped by for a little bit before they headed out for their honeymoon.

And most of Dawn's family headed out. Kyle and Daddy went to the deer lease while Myra and Connor went to do a little shopping. Joey and I just hung around the house with the kids. While Blaine and McKenzie were playing in their clubhouse they made, McKenzie got an unexpected surprise. She stepped on a sticky mouse trap. When she couldn't get off of it, she just took her socks off and brought it to Joey to "fix".

Since Emily is going to school in San Angelo and she and Conner are friends, she and Myra picked up Emily to bring her out so I could see her face!

The kids were as excited to see her as I was! They acted like Justin Bieber showed up. They had pillow fights and wrestling matches, played charades and truth or dare.

They even made Blaine a toilet paper mummy.

It was a great weekend with lots of food, family, friends, laughs, and memories. I can't ask for more than that.

Ryan and Paige's Wedding - The Photo Booth

Y'all, this is the best idea ever!! If you are planning a wedding, GET ONE! When you entered the photo booth, you chose from all sorts of props to wear.

When you exited the booth, you got a picture for you. Then one was put in an album for Paige and Ryan to keep with all the pictures in it. I'm pretty sure our kids fill up 3/4s of that album.

These are the ones I ended up with. I know Myra had a stack just as big as mine, and McKenzie had another stack that I'm pretty sure she laid down somewhere.

SO! MUCH! FUN!

Ryan and Paige's Wedding - The Reception

The whole time we were in San Angelo, Christoval, and at the Chapel In The Vineyard, I was so proud of Ryan and Paige. They handled the stress of planning their wedding and pending nuptials like pros. After the wedding, my other little brother made me so proud. In his toast to the bride and groom, he was so nervous. We were even scrambling for paper before going to the church so he could write his notes down and not forget them in his nervous haste. Let me tell you something: That brother of mine, he delivered.

Although he claims he suddenly came down with Tourette Syndrome while delivering his toast, you could not tell it. He said beautiful things about the bride and groom. He made touching statements about their lives and future life together. He then asked Paige to put her hand out and for Ryan to place his over it. He then said, "Ryan, enjoy this moment because this, brother, is the last time you will have the upper hand." It was exquisite. Even the bridesmaid who followed his toast commented on how was she supposed to follow "that guy". So, here, here, my brother.

Then we got to eat. The bride was so happy! She couldn't wait for her Rosa's. She had begun to wither during pictures.

Looking at that picture now, maybe they both had.

So after the customary first dance,

the bride with her daddy and the groom with his mama,

we all hit the dance floor.

Then was the bouquet and garter toss.

Guess who caught the garter?

(Yes, Uncle Ryan put it on his head for the pictures) I'm not sure you could call what he did catching the garter. It caught in the tree when Ryan threw it and fell to the ground. There were two single men and Blaine who dove for it, and Blaine may or may not have jerked it off the ground just out of reach of one of them.

To show the happy couple how happy we were for them, we got our groove on.

Every girl's crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man.

She's gone country.

Well, you know you make me wanna shout!

Throw my hands up and shout!

Throw my head back and shout!

Now wai-a-ait a minute!

Shout! A little bit softer now!

Shout! A little bit softer now

Shout! A little bit softer now

And we're out! Roll credits.

Congratulations, Ryan and Paige! We love you and we think you're really groovy! Thanks for the fun and the memories!