Dara Maclean and Casting Crowns Acoustic Concert

Well we finally took the girls to their first concert. They were both so excited to be there! We could not have picked a better concert. Dad Maclean and Casting Crowns delivered an amazing acoustic show. The talent in the room was incredible and the praise to the Lord was something that I will never forget. 

 Miss Dara Maclean singing some of her hits "Suitcases" and "Free".

 Casting Crowns

This Christian group is so talented and in touch with the Lord. They told stories about how they came to be together, where the name came from, some background behind the songs, and other personal stories. You really felt like they were your friends and you were just having some praise time together. The most interesting thing to me was that several of the members of Casting Crowns are in ministry positions at their own church Sunday through Wednesday so they only have concerts Thursday - Saturday. Each Saturday night at the close of their concert they get on planes to travel home to be present at their churches to minister on Sunday morning. They believe that is their first calling. Amazing! What a wonderful group of God led people! If you ever have a chance to catch a concert, especially the acoustic one, don't walk- run to get tickets. They sang some of my favorites; "If We are the Body", "East to West", "Delivered", and "Praise You in this Storm" just to name a few.

At the end of the night we all left the auditorium with hearts filled with praise and gratitude. This was the perfect first concert for the girls. Thank you Dara Maclean and Casting Crowns for sharing your gifts with us.

Express 2013

Well, over the past month softball has been in full swing for Kaylee. This is by far her favorite time of year because softball is her favorite sport. Once again, Cary is one of her coaches and this year they have moved to the select team category so the competition is more challenging which is good. I believe they are the only team playing that is not a year round select team. We have only played a few games but so far we are holding our own with a record of 2-2. All the girls on the team are super sweet and seem to really love the game.

 Kaylee is playing in the position of catcher this year and she loves it. Our girl likes to be where all the action is when she plays. By the second game of the season she was calling pitches for the pitcher without Cary even realizing she could do that. She told him she could tell where the girls batting were swinging and standing so she knew which pitch would strike her out. What?? That is so over my non-sports brain. Needless to say, she is having a great season so far.

Here is our all star making a great catch. I love to watch her doing something that she loves so much. Thank you Lord for the joy that Kaylee gets out of softball and time with her friends. 

Happy Easter 2013

Well, once again another holiday snuck up on us. As usual, Cary was in the middle of tax season so my parents graciously came to our house to celebrate the festivities with us. We had a wonderful time together filled with church, an Easter Egg hunt, shopping, a date night with friends, and a home cooked lunch for Easter. I am so thankful for our Savior and the gift of family.

 Campbell, Papa, Kaylee, & Nana

 Our silly girls!

 Our family

The girls after their Easter Egg hunt. They wanted to just hunt eggs at home this year. I think they have figured out that way they get more candy and do not have to fight anyone except each other. At the end of the day we were all thankful for our time together.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Well friends this is what 39 looks like...wasn't I just 25?? My sweet husband got me Maroon 5 tickets as a surprise gift for my birthday and let's just say I was extremely excited!

The day finally arrived for the concert and I was so glad to have some time away with my honey, especially during tax season when he is so busy. We went for a great meal at the Menacing Moth and then it was concert time. Let's just say it had been a while since this girl had been at a concert and there was a lot of interesting people watching to do before the show started. I also decided I need to get some sequins in my wardrobe before the next concert. Wow! I was however very relieved that we were not the oldest members of the crowd by far.

Me and my sweet husband

 Maroon 5 takes the stage

 Hello Mr. Levine!!

The concert was amazing!! If you ever have the opportunity to go don't walk...run to the concert. They played all of my favorite songs and I sang along like a teenager. It was fantastic! Even Cary enjoyed the show and was impressed which is saying a lot since he did not know many of the songs. I think he is a fan now though;-) You could tell that the concert was all about the music and not a side show of bells and whistles. Maroon 5 definitely loves what they do and it was evident by their energy and the smiles on their faces throughout the show. As they sang their last song I found myself a little sad that the night had gone by so fast. I really wanted to follow them to their next stop and watch all over again. Alas, reality called and we made our way back home with the sounds of Maroon 5 playing in the car and our memories of a great evening with each other. Thank you Maroon 5, we (I) cannot wait to see you again. (Like maybe in September)

 Unfortunately for Cary, I think he is going to be seeing a lot of me wearing this shirt. In my defense it is made out of the most comfortable material ever. Thank you again to my sweet husband for one of the best gifts ever!!

Valentine's Day Parties

I still felt like I was recovering from the Christmas Parties when the Valentine's parties arrived. The girls were so excited and I always feel so lucky that I have been able to attend the girls' parties over the years. Seeing them with their friends in such a fun atmosphere is such a treat.

 Here is Campbell posing after decorating her cookie. Don't worry there was a lot more food on her plate before the party was over. I have never seen so many goodies sent by the parents in her class. They also painted pet rocks and played a game all in about 45 minutes time.

 Campbell with her sweet friend Hannah

 Campbell's class

 Kaylee's party was a little bitter sweet for me because it is the last school party she will have in her elementary years anyway. Their party was a little different because they spent time eating, talking, and having a little dance party in the classroom. That was quite hilarious and made me realize how grown-up she is at the same time.

 One group of desks...there are 32 students in Kaylee's class this year. Crazy!

Kaylee, AC, and Mattie

I am so thankful for the three girls in this picture. Their personalities are all very different and they bring out the best in each other. It is such a joy to be around each of them.

And Valentine's Day 2013 comes to an end...

Dunk Dynasty

 The beginning of the year also meant the beginning of basketball season for Kaylee. This was her second year to play with AYBA and she loved it! I loved that the coach of her team who is also a friend of ours decided to call the team Dunk Dynasty. Which if those of you reading this are anything like us you are highly entertained by the show Duck Dynasty. Kaylee knew several of the girls on her team and made new friends with the others. Kaylee scored several baskets over the season and truly worked hard each week. We even managed to have some family and friends stop in for a game from time to time. (Sorry Lan I did not get a picture of you, I think you took them with your camera.)  It was a great season for us!

 Kaylee preparing to pass the ball.

Kaylee with our sweet friends Addie and Cooper.

Papa and Nana with the girls.

Cotillion Fun!

Well somehow I talked Kaylee into taking Cotillion Classes which were offered to 5th graders at her school this year. I think the conversation included a list of friends who were also taking the class to convince her. There were a total of four classes and they were conducted at the local Country Club. Most of the classes included how to shake someone's hand properly, answer the phone, greet someone, thank you note etiquette, and how to act at a formal dinner. I think the formal dinner night was Kaylee's favorite for two reasons; first of all it included a 5 course meal (which her Food Network loving self enjoyed) and secondly it was the last class. Here are a few pictures of her with some of her close friends. It is such a sweet group of young ladies and gentlemen. I feel very blessed that they are growing up together.

 Aren't they so pretty and handsome?

Kaylee and her BFF Anna

Christmas Morning

This Christmas was extra special for us because we got to have Santa come to our house. My parents, aunt, uncle, and cousin were nice enough to make the journey to Abilene to make this possible. We had such a wonderful time and it was so fun to wake up Christmas morning at our home.

Before we get to that I have to post pictures of one of the girls favorite gifts...electric scooters from Papa and Nana. They had the best time riding these on the golf course path Christmas Eve. Can't you tell from the huge smiles on their faces? I don't know if Santa can top this one.

After a day filled with food and fun, along with our tradition of looking at Christmas lights it was time to prepare for Santa's arrival. The girls put out the reindeer food.

 Then they snuggled up in bed to listen to their Daddy read The Night Before Christmas to them. I think they were all giggles and smiles in anticipation of the big guy's arrival

 The girls had several things on their list this year and most of them were electronic like new itouches, Beats headphones, and a WiiU. They did however include a few games, an American Girl doll for Campbell, and other novelties. I think they were pleased with the loot Santa left for them.


 Kaylee with her blue set of Beats.

 Campbell with her McKenna American Girl doll.

 Here are the girls with my Uncle Don, Aunt Trudy, and Duncan before they headed home to Bay City.

 Papa and Nana with the girls.

Kaylee and Campbell playing the WiiU.

As you can see from the pictures above we all had a wonderful Christmas together. The best part was being able to have everyone to our home. It was nice to be the one hosting and spoiling those who usually spoil us for a change. The only downside was that time seemed to go by way too quickly after the month or more of preparing. We are way more blessed than we deserve. Thank you Lord for the gift of family and holidays where we can slow down and just enjoy each other.

Beard Family Christmas

Well our year finally arrived, our turn to host the family Christmas for the Beard side of the family. Cary's sisters and their families made the journey from Edmond and Austin to Abilene to celebrate with us. ( There were 7 adults and 10 kids counting our family too.) It was so nice to not have to travel but there was definitely a lot to do to get ready for everyone. Since I am an organizer by nature I got all the menus ready and then tried to decide the best sleeping arrangement for the next few days. I am always thankful for Sam's Club but I think after two trips there to get all the groceries we would need, I had a whole new appreciation and a hole in my wallet too. The beds were arranged, food was prepared, and presents were wrapped all in preparation for their arrival just in time.

Once everyone was settled in on Friday we decided it would be fun to have the kids wake up Saturday morning and do Christmas presents so that way they would all have something new to play with and occupy them for a day or so. There would also be fewer hours to ask "when are we opening presents" which is always a plus. I must say it worked well with a combination of great weather ( thank you Lord) and a lot of outside fun including a football game in the field behind our house the kids had a blast. I love the way these cousins enjoying spending time with each other and there is rarely an argument either. 

 Here are Londyn and Aunt Tiffany opening her gifts. Adalyn was already down for her morning nap when we were opening so no pictures of her.

 Catch is very excited over the Nike Elite socks we gave him. I do not think I would have ever been this excited about socks unless there was a cute outfit to go with them. lol.

 Crew with his Cars stuff. I really think this kid is going to be the next Bill Cosby. He is hilarious all the time!

 Kaylee excited to get a gift card so she can go shop without having to use her money. I swear she has more money saved than I do.

 Campbell still trying to wake up and process what we are doing. She is so much like my nannie when it comes to waking up int he mornings.

 Chenna with her Nike socks. Evidently they were some special kid I was unaware of. I just liked the colors, just trying to be a cool Aunt.

 Third time is the charm with the socks. At least they were all happy. I think Cane is hoping these get passed down to him eventually because he is looking so intently over Colt's shoulder. However, he could be wondering why all the excitement over socks.

Devon with a Thomas toy. I promise he was more excited than his face shows.;-)

After the presents were over I popped back in the kitchen to cook while the rest of the family played and talked. It was so nice to have a house filled with laughter.

On Saturday night we went to a local place with a light display and a Santa to sit with. I must say it was pretty funny to watch all of the kids with their different personalities sitting on his lap. 

First we have Kaylee and Campbell who are old pros at this and old enough that we only have to take two pictures and be done.

Here are the twins, Adalyn and Londyn, with their big brother Devon. I love the sweet smile on his face while the girls are having none of this picture taking with a strange man.

Then we have the Davidson crew ranging in ages from 10 years to 2 years. You can see that Cane is not into this experience at all but the rest of the family is giving it their best try. 

Back row: Adalyn, Catch, Colt, Kaylee, and Londyn

Front row: Cane, Chenna, Campbell, Crew, and Devon

This is our attempt after church on Sunday to have a family picture of all the kids together before everyone headed home. At this point we were just glad they all seemed to be looking at the camera and giving what little energy they had left for the picture. It was so much fun to have everyone at our house! I did not get many pictures because I was preparing food or playing with my nieces and nephews when I could. That is okay because I have all the memories in my head and I am sure my sister in law (the photographer) is going to share the moments she captured.  Thank you all for coming! We are looking forward to Christmas 2013 in Oklahoma!