Happy Birthday, Grandma

(Matney-6 months and Grandma Janie-91)

On October 3rd, one of the most beautiful, kind and loving individuals that I know, celebrated her 91st birthday. My Grandma Janie has always been such a wonderful, caring woman and it is such a blessing to celebrate each passing year with her. The love she has for her children, grandchildren, her siblings, and pretty much anyone is just a small portion of what makes her so special. I have never heard her get upset or say anything mean about anyone. The only time she gets fussy is when someone tries to mess with her food (do not ask her if she wants eggs or oatmeal, or she might just through the plate at you).

This year her birthday was celebrated at the nursing home where Grandma now resides. She takes her new life in stride, just as she has done with everything else throughout her life, and enjoys everything she possibly can. I can only hope that someday my granchildren will think so highly and fondly of me and will have more memories than they can count of days gone by. My Grandma made a lasting impression on me in so many ways, from her Christian life and strength to her ability to cook the most delicious food imaginable and many, many more. She made such an impression, that the day I knew I learned I was having a little girl, I couldn't think of any better name than a strong family name that would always and forever remind me of my Grandma Janie (Matney is named after Grandma Janie's mother).

Family Time

We have been spending a lot of time with the Biggers family in order to soak up lots of family time before they left on vacation. We typically see them almost every weekend or talk to each other daily, so this week has been long without them here. Nannie B was starting to get her feelings hurt since our get togethers were on all the weekends she had to work :) Brayden, Grayson, Kennon, and Matney all love the outdoors, thus much of our time is spent playing outside. Nannie recently hung the baby swing again so the little ones have been experiencing the joy of swinging outside in the fresh air. (I didn't get a picture of little Kennon, but he loved it too!) Brayden got a "T" and bases for his birthday from Nannie B and Papa G and many evenings have been spent attempting to teach him all about baseball--tagging the bases seems to be an issue we need to work on this fall and next spring.

Pickin' Pumpkins

Last Saturday the Carpenter-Biggers-Crawford family went to Gunter Farms to pick pumpkins and enjoy a family day before the majority of the CBC family left for Hawaii for a week. The weather was beautiful and we enjoyed our time playing games, sitting in a pool of corn, and chasing each other through the corn maze. As you can see above, the boys are very excited for fall and couldn't want to wear their Halloween shirts (there Momma too! It was a great afternoon in which memories were made and then followed by a yummy dinner at Nannie B and Papa G's.

Nannie B and Papa G are very proud of their newest grandbabies.

For once we got a family shot and no one was missing!

Matney wasn't so sure about sitting in the middle of the field filled with pumpkins.

They all loved the corn pool so much, that we discussed getting them one so we can keep track of all of them!

Family time

I have been on vacation for the last few days and I told myself before vacation started that I was going to get as much enjoyment out of it as possible. We have already had 3 days of fun and looking forward to the next 3 days, however I think we might have to have a recoup day so we can enjoy the last few days without being completely worn out.

Today, Brandon and I look Matney to Cracker Barrell and the zoo for the first time. She zeroed in on our grits at breakfast and I think she ate an entire bowl. They stayed down and she didn't break out, so I think I will buy grits for her enjoyment! She loved every minute of the zoo, though she missed a few animals as she was tuckered out from the heat and snuck in a cat nap. She got her first official stuffed animal, courtesy of Daddy. She loves her giraffe and can't stop attempting to eat him. We saw so many animals and look forward to the day we take her back and she can interact more.

Oh how I love thee...

Oh how I love the cooler weather and the approach of my favorite season...FALL! I am so happy it is finally on its way after this hot, hot summer. I now have two favorite seasons because of my Spring blessing this year, but Fall will always hold a special place in my heart. Here are a few of my favorite things about the season.

Fall decorations! I get the itch to get them out sooner each year. The colors and the smells make me so content. If a pumpkin spice or harvest flavored candle is burning; it is as if a fire is lite under me and I can accomplish so much in an evening while the candle flickers on.

Pumpkin Spice Latte's make me one happy girl, however, they hurt the pocket book. As a treat to myself I have decided to let myself have 1 a week and no more (I still have baby weight to lose and these are not that conducive to weight loss). I am hoping I can find pumpkin spice creamer at the store this weekend to serve as a nice, cheaper alternative for the other days I feel the need for a latte.

Warm and cozy corners lite to warm the room on a cold, damp day or in the evening when the sun goes down, makes me so happy. I love the low lighting and the warmth I can almost feel as I snuggle up on the couch for an evening of tv or reading. I was feeling the need for my lamp a little sooner this year so I have been turning it on in the late evenings when it gets dark. I had a crafting day a few weekends ago and gave this lamp a make over after a trip to Farmers Market.

Hobby Lobby is one of my best friends in the fall time and gets a lot of my money. As my fall decorations have started growing in number, I have had to limit my purchases but this year I splurged and made a wreath. I made it because I wanted to be crafty and was flabergasted at the prices of the pre-made ones in the store. Who buys a wreath for $150 when you can make one for $15--granted it probably doesn't look as good, but it makes me happy!

I can't wait for the mums to bloom and the pumpkin patch excursions to begin. This year I have someone knew to share the adventures with and to share my love of the season.

5 months

Oh how quickly time goes once you become a mother. Our little lady was 5 months old last Friday and is changing with every minute in time it seems.


Matney Paige, your Momma and Daddy love you more than you could ever know. With each passing moment and milestone you brighten our hearts in a way I never really knew was possible until I had you.


Your first two teeth have come in this past week. You have been quite the trooper through the process and only get fussy every now and then but seem to be more tired as if your little body has worked so hard it just tuckered you out at 7 pm. This is kind of nice for Momma once in a while so I can get things done around the house. You are becoming a very BIG Momma's girl. If I leave your sight for a split second you scream bloody murder, but when I walk back in the room you are fine. I think this hurts your Daddy's feelings just a little bit, but we know it probably won't always be this way!

In the last 2 weeks you have mastered sitting up on your own. You still get a little wobbley but you love to be up and checking everything out. We even had to get out one of your Christmas presents to keep you entertained! If you aren't sitting up, you are on your belly and scooting all over the place. You have also started eating bananas and avocados, both of which you love. We had a few issues with cereal so we decided to skip right on to something more appetizing. You eat cereal at school but it is more of a cocktail since you are a little picky. You love daycare and that is about the only time you don't cry when I leave you. It broke my heart the day you reached out for your teacher when I dropped you off. This week you made a new friend at school, who happens to be your first "girl" friend as you are surrounded by little boys at home and away. Hopefully you and Lillie will be good friends and hold your own with all the boys.
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You have also started entertaining yourself for 15-20 minutes at a time, especially if Baby Einstein is on. Any time you see the computer come out, you start reaching for it and making noise to get our attention that you want it turned on. Thank goodness for the internet so we can keep you happy!

I cannot wait to see what changes the next month brings in your life as this month has been full of changes.

The three amigos and their lady

Our family has been blessed with two babies in one year and two growing boys full of energy to keep us all on our toes. My sister can take care of all three of her boys at once with grace and poise, but when they come to visit the farm or Bubbie and Meme, it takes all of us to keep them in line!

Last weekend while Abby and Brian were on a short weekend getaway, Brayden, Grayson, and Kennon came to visit Nanny B and Papa G. Matney and I were invited over for a play date on Saturday morning and ended up staying until bed time. Our day was filled with make believe fishing, tire swing rides, fights over who was going to drive which John De*re toy, and much much more. It was a magically, quiet, serene moment when Dad, Mom, and I got all four of them to sleep at once (which lasted all of maybe 10 mins)

Little Kennon doesn't get much camera time and is usually seen sleeping in his 1980's stroller or in someone's arms. He is such a good little baby and so mellow. I am sure he is this way after having two spit-fire big brothers. We love watching him and Matney grow together and comparing their rolls and activities. They don't know it yet, but I hope they will be great friends one day; even though at this point all they do is stare at each other. They have seemed to figure out that if their respective mommy is holding the other one during a rare baby swap, it is time to start fussing so they can get "their" momma back!

Grayson has such a sweet disposition and loves his little brother and cousin. He is always wanting to kiss on them and runs around saying their name. He has been known to call Kennon by Matney's name, but can you blame the kid for being confused when two babies show up at once :) It is so much fun watching Grayson grow and seeing how quickly he changes.

Brayden, the oldest and the wildest of the three boys, is such a joy to call my nephew. Though there are times you want to ring his sweet little neck for not listening or for torturing the others, it never seems to fail that he will give a random hug or ask some deep question and all you can do is remember how much you love this little man. I cannot believe my little Brayden who I drove 90 mphs an hour from Columbia to KC in order to be there when he was born, is getting ready to turn 5. I love watching how he grows and changes and how much he loves his brothers and cousin (even though there are times we question this!)

I cannot wait to see what the future brings for these four cousins. I can only imagine all the adventures and trouble making that lies ahead. The looney bin might need to make room for Abby and I in a few years--hopefully we can room together!