We had so much fun visiting with family at the Fulton farm in Canton, Texas! It was gorgeous.
Braxton may have had the most fun of anyone! First, he went on a four wheeler ride with my cousin, Matt. He then played on the water slide bounce house with his cousin Hunter - I couldn't believe he was big enough and strong enough to do it all on his own! Tia, Uncle David and my cousin Russell took Braxton fishing - his first time. He thought the bait was his catch and kept telling Tara it was a happy fish (poor thing). Then he played cars and trains with his cousin Tyler. All throughout the barn there are firetrucks and fire accessories (all antiques) used as decorations - Braxton was DYING to play with them all. It's hard to explain that what used to be toys are no longer toys to a 2 1/2 yr old. He did very well, though. They have a ride on firetruck that he eventually was able to play on - hose/hat and all! He was beside himself!!!! Braxton even went back on Sunday with Pops and Gammie.
The girls enjoyed lots of attention and special time mostly with McKinley and Reagan, their cousins.
David and I just had fun talking with everyone and watching the kids enjoy themselves! I can't wait for next year. *** More pictures to come! ***
I am not sure what to call this post, and it's a little out of my ordinary daily family posts. It speaks of my heart and my character, and I don't mean that in any boastful way. I tell you this with the utmost humility. Lately, my favorite song is Carrie Underwood's "UNDO IT" which is about how her heart was broken, her happiness was taken, etc... and she wants to undo it. I have felt that way in the past!!! But, what just dawned on me was that THAT was in my PAST! People comment to me how I am always happy, patient, positive, etc.. I guarantee that I am not; yet, I am filled with joy. He can undo anything and everything if you LET HIM!!! I am filled with the Holy Spirit. I now realize (after a very low point in my life) that a person cannot steal your happiness or shouldn't be able to! Happiness comes from your spirit and if your spirit is ONE with the LORD - you, your life, your family (& so on) are filled with the fruits of the SPIRIT. "...the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control..." Galatians 5:22 "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me." Philippians 3:12 The other part of the song that really rings true "I am starting to see everything you lack." YES!!!! We are all lacking. Only God is Holy, Holy, Holy. It sure lifts the burden when I acknowledge that I NEED God for EVERYTHING. Yes, he uses me...but they are not MY good works! Ahh, I can breathe, rest and wait on the LORD! I am a work in progress & He promises to "...carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6 AMEN!!! ***Now, don't get me wrong - I <3 this song! Braxton and I sing and dance to it several times a day! But, I am so grateful that the lyrics no longer hold any meaning in my life!!! PRAISE THE LORD!***
braxton put this puzzle together by himself this morning...i saw him working on it when i went to change ayla. by the time i was finished, so was he!!! impressive! he makes us so proud! in case you can't tell, there are 9 pieces!!! GO BRAXTON!
AND, when i left the room for something? (mommy brain) ayla was on her tummy, when i returned, she was sitting so proud! AMAZING! 
evie is the little kisser :)
this is how evie and ayla love on each other - it is fu-uh-ny!!! they were truly being so sweet - it makes me wonder about their special identical twin bond.
i don't have any pictures for this post, so you will just have to listen read. david took off of work yesterday so that we could take braxton to his FIRST movie! we went to see toy story 3 in imax 3d - it was awesome! he was such a BIG BOY, and he made us proud. he got his own 'pop' (popcorn) and a large sprite. he ate and drank just like an adult, removing and replacing the gargantuan drink from the holder all by himself. he kept the 3d glasses on the entire time and added a little comic relief at times (during the previews). he was just precious and didn't want to leave!!! i assured him we would go back. it was a fun day for all of us!!!
...i apologize my house looks like a day care...but it is!
sweet girls holding their own bottles. braxton never even tried to hold his bottle!
one evening david and braxton were bathing, so i thought i would bring evie to david to bathe while i bathed ayla...WELL, it turned into a family affair!
sometimes when braxton plays in the living room with his sisters, they will pick up his toys and put them in their mouths...like most babies. braxton always thinks they are 'eating' them. so, if i am in the other room i can hear braxton say, 'no, don't eat it'. i usually go in and take the toy away from the girls (usually ayla) and give it back to braxton.
the other day, after a successful bm in the potty, braxton chose animal crackers as his treat. he took them to the living room to watch a show, and i went to the computer.
a few minutes later i hear, 'no, don't eat it'....i go to see which toy she has now and find her like this with the animal crackers!!!
she was literally eating it :) and of course instead of worrying about the choking hazard, i run for the camera!!! (she was fine...she was just gumming it)
she did thoroughly enjoy it, though, and each time braxton would move and take the bag with him, she would follow, grasping in the air for them.
i posted a video (it's very dark but it's hilarious). she was moving around like crazy for those darn crackers...i've never seen her so excited about something!
Ayla's videos: clapping, eating puffs and attempting to crawl (with downward dog) Evie's videos: laughing at Braxton, jumping in the exersaucer and attempting to crawl (a little downward dog)
looking up at her daddy...pure love
