PaPaw's Party

We all met up in OKC for two nights to celebrate PaPaw. After the photo shoot, we headed to Cracker Barrel. Really glad we didn't eat before taking all the pics! Those white shirts were a mess after dinner!

Here's Han with her cousin, MiKayla (Susan's girl).
Hud playing a little game of checkers with Gentry (Susan's other girl).

We all chipped in to buy the birthday boy a nice pair of what Hud used to call, "knockers."

Russ and his sweet sister, Susan.

Alaska to Africa

My talented brother and his amazing wife are making iron art to sell this Christmas. They are raising money to support orphans in Africa. Check out their blog, and enter this giveaway.
Make your purchases count for something this Christmas!!!

http://alaskaafrica.blogspot.com/2010/10/giveaway.html

PaPaw's 70th Birthday celebration!

Here are a few of my favorite pics taken during the family photo shoot.

Crazy Summer Fun in the Backyard

With 19 kids under 11 on our block, there was a whole lot of popsicle eating and jumping on the trampoline with the sprinkler under it!

Ears pierced and toes done!!

All of Russ' family met up in Oklahoma City this June for PaPaw's (Rusty's dad's) 70th birthday. Even though it was his birthday, PaPaw blessed all us girls with manicures and pedicures before the trip. This was Hannah's first time to have a mani/pedi. It was a really fun time with just her and I!!

Hannah decided she was brave enough to get her ears pierced this summer, so Rusty took her for a special daughter/daddy memory moment.

Having some serious second thoughts!!

When it was all over, she was so glad she did it!

Summer Fun!!! I've got a lot of catching up to do...

"Chips" that's all I have to say about this pic!

Being silly in Mom's glasses.

Only certain people will appreciate this picture...

If you're one of those people, you're probably either from New Mexico or lived there at one time. Try to refrain from envy. Rusty grew these green chilies in our little garden and we're roasting them on the grill. Yumm!!!

Super Yummy Get-well-soon Chicken Tortilla Soup

One day while I was sick (for nearly the whole month of August) my sweet neighbor showed up with a pot full of chicken soup. I'm not exaggerating, it was the best chicken tortilla soup I've ever had. It was broth-y and spicy and absolutely hit the spot. When I asked her for her recipe, I was shocked to hear how easy it was.

So here ya go...

about 5 cups of chicken broth (using bouillon and water) (you can adjust the amount of broth to your liking... it's not so strong and spicy the more broth you add)
1 can of Rotel
1 can of chicken (you could also cook up a chicken breast, or just boil it in the broth and chop in bite sized pieces)

Heat through and once you've served it up, top with shredded cheddar cheese and crushed tortilla chips.

Sooooo yummy!!!

What they've said lately....

On our long drive to vacation, the kids were taking turns picking out videos to watch. It was Han's turn, and she chose High School Musical. Hudson's response... "Ohhhh commme onnnnn! Does this movie even have any fighting?"

During a little snuggle time Han asked me if she could cut a chunk off my hair when I was really old and getting ready to die so that she could remember me. A few days later we were passing a cemetery and she said, "Mom, you know the gardens they plant dead people in? When I die I want you to plant me in the one closest to our house!" She is definitely not afraid of death and would prefer to go to heaven as soon as possible so that she can see Jesus. I'm praying that her days would be long on the earth, however!!

What do you wear to go get the mail?

This is another original by none other than our Chinese cowboy.

black hat, soccer shirt, basketball shorts, black knee highs and brother's cowboy boots

yee haw!!

ride 'em cowboy!!

Mr. June!

Mr. June has been making my month!!

Last year our adoption agency America World had a photo contest for their upcoming calendar of kids they had helped place. Well, guess who's handsome face made one of the months! I just love this pic of Josh taken at the lake by my friend Courtney , it totally captures his personality!

Hud and Nick

This spring brought several new families to our block. There are now 19 kids in our 6 home row. One of the families actually were our neighbors at our last home. They had two little girls, then had boy/girl twins about a year before I did, but moved shortly after Hud and Han were born. It's been fun to be neighbors again and their twins Nick and Laini have been super friends for Hud and Han.

Nick and Hud are like two peas in a pod. They have a great time on their sword fighting, light sabor, star wars adventures.

My God is So Great

The other day Josh was singing a song and by the tune, I finally realized he was singing, "My God is so great, so strong and so mighty. There's nothing my God cannot do, for you!!"

Kids' Kamp verses

Apparently while we were helping Hud and Han memorize their vbs verses last week our little Chinese genius memorized them too!

John 14:21 "Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me."

Psalm 103:8 "The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love."

1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins."

Romans 10:15 "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!!"

First Day of School and Last Day of School

The Red Baron Flys Again!!

The Last Day of Kindergarten (May 26, 2010)

Here they are, about to head off to their last day of Kindergarten.

Josh always insisted on putting on his back pack and waiting outside for the bus with them.

Hudson really loved Mrs. Gray. She was a terrific teacher.

Hannah adored Mrs. Boone and I'd have to say she is a fabulous teacher!!