And it begins...

Tradition started....Casey received a special gun from his Great Grandpa Pop when he turned 5 and couldn't wait to share the tradition with his boys. Rest assured he has been given extremely strict instructions and the gun is kept far out of his reach. Truly no way for him to get into it! But the excitement has began.



Parker could not wait so at about 9:00 in the morning we went outside behind our house in the ally to practice. Priceless expressions!!!

The guys headed out to the deer lease for some real shooting.

Initial directions for shooting from Dandy!

Paxson always manages to find a good stick while out exploring.

Paxon took an orange and white shot gun Parker got for his birthday.

As most of you know Casey is not a big hunter. He enjoys shooting but is not really into hunting animals. So believe me Parker has been taught that it is certainly not okay to shoot something just for the "fun" of it. For the next several years he WILL be sticking to cups, cans, and target sheets.

I would like to preference this post with a little of my personal opinions and thoughts. I have read several Christian books on raising boys and will continue to further my knowledge to prepare and educate myself through prayer and literature to be the best boymom I can be.

I continually pray for guidance and wisdom to be a good parent to Parker and Paxson. I honestly consider it to be the most important purpose of my time here on Earth. I realize as a parent I am not short of imperfections and I do make mistakes but I can honestly say I love my family with all my heart and try to do absolutely what is best for them. I encourage them to be independent, strong, caring, loving, Christian individuals. I pray for God's guidance so I don't interfere with who they are and what God created them to be. My responsibility is to channel their manliness for the grater good, not try to suppress who they are or were created to be. So I guess what I am saying is my boys will be who they are meant to be! Love to all!

The hunt is on..... (that is for cans and cups)

This video shows it all. You can see and hear Parker walking through the steps. "Okay saftey on...pull this all the way up but not to hard cock the gun....okay hold it up...put saftey off and shoot." He's got it down!

Parker's Birthday Party...

The pictures are out of order sorry! We waited to open the presents until after everyone left. The kids seemed way more interested in swimming rather than watching Parker open his gifts. So the pictures are from end to beginning. :)





Parker's Banner...........one evening while I was working on decorations. Parker walked up to me and said "you sure are working hard on my birthday stuff. " My response yes maybe a little but I enjoy it. After I showed him his banner he said "but mom my friends already know my name. It should say swim party." I agreed. I realize that little boys care nothing about poms, banners, party favors, wrapped silverware, candy bars, coordinating colors, etc. However, I simply can not help myself. It's the girly girly coming out. No matter how many boys I have, or bad guys I fight, or light sabor battles I win I will always be a girly girl at heart and simply be a boymom! Thank goodness Parker understands this and lets me express my girly side and enjoy my party planning, and accessorizing.



For party favors we gave beach balls, little bags of candy and I made photo frames with a group picture from the party.

Thank you everyone for the perfectly thoughtful gifts. Parker was so kind he let Paxson help him open his presents without hesitation.

The coon skin hat was from Aunt Kasi and the boots from Meme and Dandy and the Red Ryder gun well....from us! :)

The Party...

A little night time b-ball game

The children swam from 6:30 to 8:30(ish) and managed to squeeze in a little dinner, cake, and homemade ice cream.

Anxiously waiting to blow the candles out! (Parker's cake was a giant cupcake.)

Paxson and Ella ever so eager to dig in....Ella was selecting the perfect cupcake kabob while Paxson was preparing his plate.

Daddy lighting the candles.

It began with a bang and ended with a boom. Great party!

Parker, Landon, and Brett playing a little ball!

Aunt Kasi and Paxson hanging out admiring all the action.

Parker and Jacob who have been friends since they were a year old!

In the beginning, Paxson tried to decide if he wanted to get in with all the big kids. It didn't take long and he was jumping right in ALL by HIMSELF!

John putting his flippers on and Sarah deciding what she wants to do first! Just in case you were noticing my belly is certainly growing! (17 weeks)

We are a growin....

I have been waiting so long to post this but I was waiting unti my sister was home from camp. I wanted to tell her in person. The entire family managed to keep it a secret all summer. WOW! It was so hard not to share the news but totally worth seeing her face and reaction!

(P.S. I know it looks like Paxson is picking his nose but I promise he isn't. He is pushing on the top of it. LOL It took several attempts videoing to get them both together so I finally settled with this. :)

A little of this and a little of that...

We were about to go swimming and Paxson didn't want to join us. He was "tiiirrrrred"! So I turned a video on for him and he laid down to go to sleep. ( So I thought.) I came inside to check on him and this is where I found him. He was just about asleep. I asked him if he wanted to come outside with us he said "no I tiiirrrred!" so I carried him to his bed and tucked him in.

A little later I came back inside to check on him again to make sure he stayed asleep. And this is where I found him. A few steps further down. Once again I carried him back up to his bed. Tucked him in again and went back outside so Parker could get back in the water.

Finally during my third trip in the house to check on him this is where I found him. He carried his blanket and pillow down stairs and camped out next to the back doors. This time I went and got more blankets and pillows and surrounded him trying to make it as comfortable as possible. This is were he rested until he woke up.


Kenzli came over for a swim...

They tried fitting together but it didn't last long.

Kenzli and Parker

I have been busy trying out new recipes for Parker's birthday party. Let's just say so far soooo good~ pineapple cupcakes with mango butterceam frosting ,banana cupcakes with cream cheese frosting, cupcake kabobs, and more. Is your mouth watering yet? It should be they are delicious! Thanks Bakerella! While I have been trying a few new recipes the boys have pretty much been doing their "thang"....swimming. Casey and I both agree that if we ever move room for a pool is important to our family. We have enjoyed all the wonderful mornings, afternoons, evening, and nights in the pool. It really has provided some great family time!

"I caught one..."

Parker came inside the house yelling "look I caught a butterfly" and brought the butterfly in to show me. He has become a pro. He devised a great plan for catching them and is successful most attempts. They are immediately released so no worries. I don't think they mind because they don't seem to fly far away they stay right there with the Lantanas.

A very special weekend...

It was OSU alumni and fan appreciation weekend which we attend every year but this year Casey was able to go with us. We left for Stillwater on Friday morning and stopped in OKC for some yummy yummy Cheesecake Factory! We know Paxson and knew he probably wasn't going to eat anything we ordered. So we simply ordered cake for his meal. (I know what some of you parents are thinking...but hey don't judge me till you try it. :) He thoroughly enjoyed his meal! The ladies sitting next to us said now you are some smart parents. Don't know how healthy the meal was but smart yes! We were able to enjoy a full meal including dessert at a restaurant with complete peace! Now that is an accomplishment!!!! :)

After lunch and little shopping we headed to Perkins to see my family. We stayed there Friday night and ate at one of our oldies Eskimo Joes. We picked up some shirts for the boys and some more fine everyday glassware. Gotta love Joes cups! On Saturday we headed back to Edmond for Brooklyn's 1st birthday. It was an absolutely wonderful time. We were able to see family and visit. Enjoyed every minute and can not wait till November for Megan and Chris's wedding to get to see them again. I absolutely love being around family! After the birthday party we went back to Perkins for the rest of the weekend. Of course we had a few more eating stops at our favorites before we headed back to Texas.

A very special birthday...

The birthday girl enjoying her cake!!!! I think she liked it!

Parker tickled her toes while she tried cake for the very first time!

Paxson, Parker, and Dandy singing happy birthday to Brooklyn.

Parker, Brooklyn, and Zoe (Allison)!

Brooklyn was pretty interested in Parker. At one point Parker was coloring (with safe 3D non-marking) and Brooklyn crawled over to check him out. She crawled over and sat directly on top of Parker's coloring book. He turned smiled and said "you are on my picture" she giggled and he turned and looked at me and said "she is just a baby she doesn't know". Pretty sweet!

Zoe and Parker! Parker was explaining the directions to Zoe. hmmmm

Precious Zoe (Hillary and Justin's oldest. Ben pretty much slept through the party.)

Parker playing dominoes with daddy. Zoe trying to decide if she wants to join in. She was pretty content with her plastic bowl and spoon.

Parker enjoying a snack. During cake time he actually requested more chex mix rather than cake. You can guess what Paxson wanted! And even helped me with mine!!!!

Paxson was worn out after about an hour or so of partying so he took a little rest.

Pretty Fantastic Weekend...

Mom,Gammer, Jesse, and Hailey came up to help me sort out my classroom. I will be teaching 4year olds this year and I moved into a larger classroom. It was to big of a job for me to handle myself. Guess who came to the rescue!!! Thank you so much Jesse, Hailey, and Mom for moving each piece of furniture 6 times before I decided the perfect spot. Thank you Gammer for entertaining Parker and Paxson all day while we worked!

After spending the day in my classroom we returned to the house for swimming and cooking out! I would post pics of the classroom but I still have many days ahead of me organizing and cleaning out.

Meme, Dandy, Allison and Matt joined us for a late evening swim. Marco Polo is just so much more fun with more people! Thanks for coming over.

Meme, Matt, Allison, Casey, Dandy and Parker attempting to escape Marco...

And it all continued on Sunday!

Look we still got it after nearly 10 years...

Brady, Krisi, Meme, Dandy, and Allsion headed back over for dinner and swimming. A Really Really Great Weekend!

Happy Birthday Mamaw!!!!

Happy Birthday to you!!!!

Love you Casey, Kimberly, Parker & Paxson