Things have changed

Just a few short years ago, I saw these people just about every weekend, if not at some point every day.  We lived the lives of college students. We attended classes during the day, went to our part time jobs afterwards and spent our weekends in the depot district of Lubbock.  Almost every Friday night we were at Wild West attending a 'Texas country' concert and dancing the night away until the bar closed.  Saturdays weren't quite as predictable but usually consisted of time spent with friends and laughing about the night before. 

The time came when we all graduated and got "real" jobs (except me who is STILL working on my doctorate degree).  Everyone began to move away from each other and begin their next phase in life. 

Last month we were at our friends wedding.  It had been a very long time since all of us were together at the same place at the same time.  As I looked around, it became apparent to me how much things have changed.  Almost all of us were now married and with kids.  The friends I used to watch take shots and play air guitar were now holding babies and wiping noses.  Needless to say, this time when we were all together I ended up with less pictures like this:

And a few more like this:

We sure had a good time in college, but I don't really miss it because i'm having an even better time with my new little family.  We are just going to have to plan a time for all of our college friends to get together once at year.  Maybe a river trip? 

Nothing like the smell of cow poop.

I have many memories as a kid of going out to the farm with my dad or grandaddy.  We would call up the cows, feed them (only after my failed attempts to get them to eat cubes from my hand), I would sit in their lap in the drivers seat and "drive" down the dirt road while we went to check on things, and end the trip by throwing rocks in the tank.  It may not sound like a big deal to most, but these are some of my most cherished memories.  Crazy as it may sound, I love the smell of cow poop because of the memories attached to it.

Last week, Caden made his first trip to the same place with his Pop (my dad).

Of course he drove us through the pasture. :)

And he helped Pop check on the cows.

He played with Bailey.

 And he and Pop had a discussion about Caden starting to help out on the tractor in about 12 years.

And who knows, maybe one day he will love the smell of cow poop.

Caden's 1st Christmas

Well we had a much better Christmas than last year (last year we were snowed in and I didn't see Cody for 5 days when we had the blizzard).  I've always loved this time of year but it's so much better now that Caden is in the picture!  Here are a few  several pictures...

Caden and Uncle Caleb



Christmas presents

His expressions make me laugh

Caden and cousin Kache

Caden and Pawpaw

With Krista

with his Poppy

All the stockings at Cody's grandparents--notice the 8 that had to be moved up to the wreath??  Maybe someday I'll have that many hanging in my house!

Caden and Cody's aunt Delesa

Cory, Kache, Tamie, Krista, Caleb, and Callan

Me and Caden opening his presents

He figured out how to sit independently on Christmas day!

Caden and his Nonny!

2 of Cody's brothers, Caleb and Callan

Cody, Mimi, and Caden

Caden napping on Uncle Callan

Cory, Tamie & Kache

The boys with their uncle

Nonnie & Poppy with their grandsons

Krista, Caden, Kache, and Caleb

Yay Caden!!

Caden wearing his new Harley shirt from Blake

Sammy Nixon and Caden--it's almost like his first grandchild.

Caden and Phil

Leanne put him to sleep.