Funeral = Family times

My great aunt Ethellynn passed away a couple of weeks ago and Andrea the boys and I made a trip to Texas. It was bitter sweet. It was sad to morn the loss of an aunt but at the same time it was great to know that she was a Christian and lived everyday that way made it easier to make the trip and know that she is no longer suffering or in pain. It was so nice to spend time with family and see people that we just don't get to see enough. Here are a lot of pictures from the time we were there. Memories are made everyday!
Some talk at the table - dad, Leland, Ash

Pam, Amy, and Ava

Karen and Dad

Mom, Jennifer, and Kaden

Rex and Miach

Rhett, Ricky, and Coy

Dale, Leland, Pam, Granny

Patsy, Papa, Dale

Karen and Ava

Mom and?

Ashley and T'auna

Jorge and Rick

The Zant Men - Shane, Leland, Shannon, and Lanny

Dad and Micah

Zack and Papa

Renea, Susan, and Laura

Pam and Ava

Mama Z and Kaden

Brayson

Papa and Braxton

Braxton and Kaden

Micah and Dale

Renea and Susan

Mom, Pam and Ava

Papa and Kaden

Kaden

Jorge, Dale, and Claudia

Brazos, Kaden, and Regan

Jenny, Renea, and Laura

T'Auna and Maranda

Coy and Laura

Me, Papa and Granny Papa and Granny

Renea, T'auna, and Pam

Maranda and Susan

Boy talk - dad, Micheal, Leland, Zach and Dale

Kaden, T'auna, and Amy

Mama Z and Braxton

Papa and Brayson

Susan and Granny

David, Granny, Claudia, and Patsy

Dora and Diego = Scared

The first Saturday in October Dora and Diego were at the mall. They were there from 10-2 and you could come and get your pictures made with them. I told the boys that we could go and they were really excited. We had a free garage sale at the Church Building that morning so we decided to take all the kids - our and the Clapps to see them around lunch time and we would pick up lunch at the mall as well. We got there at 12 and they had cut off the line due to the fact that they did not think they could get everyone through the line before 2. So we were sad but decided we would stand there and watch for a little while. Dora and Diego decided they needed a break and we were in the right place at the right time.

Rosa walking with Dora

Andy and the boys watching Dora come walking by

All set and ready to see Dora

Here she comes

Here they are taking pictures Dora, Diego, and Boots

Diego walking away

Braxton was so excited to see Diego - he took a different route so we were not able to get as close but we were still able to see him

Diego smiling for the camera

Get ready boys here he comes

They were trying to keep all the kids off of Diego - it was not working as well as they had hoped

So after we saw Dora and Diego come by we stood there waiting and trying to decide what we were going to do. Mind you there are about 500 kids plus parents here at the mall all trying to see Dora and Diego and we were talking to Lisa and the Clapp kids. Andy looked at me and said where is Braxton? I don't know he was just here we were watching Diego. We could not find him. So we left Brazos with Lisa and Andy and I went on a hunt. I just knew that when I got to the end of all the kids he would be standing there watching Diego. I got to the end on one side and Andy got to the end on the other side and neither one of us had found him. I was beginning to get scared at this point. So we went to the play area to see if he wandered there - no Braxton. Back through the kids again and still no Braxton, Andy went outside and I went looking through all the kids yet again and we got back and still no Braxton. Panic set in and I did not know what to do. I went to the police office and told him I lost my child, near the brink of tears. He said that we should go to the information desk. On our way there he got a report of a lost child. On the loud speaker they called for Andy. So we are walking and I see Braxton standing at the information desk with a family and smiling. Once he saw me he burst into tears and came running. I was scared to death! But so relieved to know that he was safe and okay. Andy followed with Brazos, Lisa and the kids. We all took a deep breath.

Later we found out that Braxton went to look at Diego and thought we were behind him and could not find us so he kept going. He kept going until he was on another level on the other side of the mall. I am so thankful to God and a kind family found he and took him to get help. I am thankful that there were not any mean people around at the time to take advantage of my little boy. I am thankful and he is safe and back in our care. Thank you God for looking after my children.

Needless to say we had a long talk about walking away from dad and mom. A talk about getting help and not going with just anybody. About what to do when we get lost. A long talk about how we love him and want him to be safe.

Kaden's Mohawk

Andy was bathing the boys the other night and Kaden was up stairs and heard the water running and thought he would check it out. Andy thought that Kaden needed a new hair style and proceeded to play barber shop. So here is his new do!

I think he liked it

Dad thought it was cool too - secretly he wanted one too

Mom just wanted to read his mind

Cool Dude

Sleeping and Beauty

So one day when Andrea was watching the boys she came in and found Brayson sleeping like this. He is sitting up in the floor with his head on the chair. Sweet boy had all he could take. He is such a precious little one.

Another shot of the same sleeping man

And . . . the beauty - Brazos just wants to do everything anyone else is doing. He loves to help me put on my makeup. So every morning he watches me put on eye liner and mascara always asking if he can have some and I tell him that it is only for girls. So I went to get breakfast ready and he comes my little man. He had applied the makeup himself. Great job Brazos - I love you.

Another shot of my pretty man

First Day of School

So, I thought today would be a good day to play catch up since all three boys are down for a nap, there are no extra kids here, and it is peaceful here. I am so behind so we will see how much I can get done today. Back on September 4th Braxton started school. This year he is going to school 3 days a week - M, W, and F. He seems to be really enjoying it and wants to go everyday. He is one of the smallest ones in his class but it does not seen to bother him.
Andy and I are still trying to make a decision about weatheror not we are going to start Braxton in K next year so I hope that this year will be a good factor in making our decision.
Here are the pictures of the first day of school

Braxton went in and starting working away

Braxton posing by the door, of course Brazos was there and wanted his picture made too.

Braxton all smiles and ready to go in - enough with the camera mom!

Braxton taking a pictrue in the front yard - Brazos of course is wanting to be there too.

By big 4 year old

Quick Update

Things have been a little crazy at our place lately but I guess what is new right! We have a good trip to Texas and it was nice to see family again. I wish that it would have been under a lot better circumstances but it was still nice.
The boys had a wonderful time and really enjoyed seeing all their grandparents. Braxton is already asking to go back. When we got home I asked him if he was ready to get back in the car and go again (mind you we have just been 2300 miles in 6 days) and he said no thanks - not today, but two days later he was ready to go.
Before we left Braxton was having trouble with his ears so we went in and found that he had a double ear infection and was having trouble breathing. After some meds he is doing much better and is ready to go again.
Brayson was also having some trouble with a double ear infection, allergic reaction to his meds, a new dose of meds and his ears were still infected. We were sent back to the ENT and he wanted to try another round of meds so we finished those on Monday and we go back to the ENT today. I hope that whatever is best for him is what they will do. The ENT did say that he would have to have is adenoids out at some point.
Brazos has been healthy through it all.
Andrea and I have been filling in at my old job site while one of the girls was on maternity leave. That will end on Friday and while it has been nice in some ways I think we are all ready for this adventure to be over. We have learned a lot through this process, we have learned that we can got a lot more done when we take the time to communicate and work together. We are planning a schedule out for next week that will allow both of us time to get some things done outside of the house and a workout in everyday!!! I am so excited.
Braxton has been loving school and likes going 3 days a week. I am thankful that he enjoys it.
Well I must go for now. I will try to do better at updating as I have been slacking lately - not that anyone really reads this mess.

Prayers for the Zant Family

Lyneil's great-aunt, Ethellyn Zant, passed away yesterday morning after fighting Alzheimer's and recently a brain tumor. Her funeral will be tomorrow afternoon in New Home, Texas (near Lubbock). Please keep the Zant family in your prayers.

Lyneil and Andrea packed up all the little boys and headed south for the funeral. They will be away from Iowa until Saturday or Sunday. Keep their travels in your prayers as well.