The Carlton Family

2010-10-31T23:09:00.001-05:00

Happy Birthday Mamee!

Cate with the biggest dog I've ever seen, at the Barkin' Beauties dog pageant, a 4H benefit that I MC'd Saturday morning.

Miabess enjoying the treats at Cate's school Halloween party.

We have the cutest kids in the world!

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2010-10-28T17:44:00.001-05:00

The girls helped me clean up the yard this afternoon.

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2010-10-25T20:06:00.001-05:00

Cate decided to color her turtle sandbox cover. She did great! I love her creativity.

I had her pose with her masterpiece.

Cate, ready to dig at Crater of Diamonds today. We told her that if she found a diamond, we'd buy her a Barbie. No luck though.

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2010-10-25T20:02:00.001-05:00

The girls reading a 'maddazine' together.

Cate playing football with Daddy.

Cate at OBU with Mommy.

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2010-10-17T22:23:00.001-05:00

AQ Chicken in Springdale.

At the starting line for the Tour de Cure.

Cate LOVES crab legs.

Bess having a good talk with a goose at the park in Texarkana.

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Cycling for a Cause

2010-10-12T11:05:00.004-05:00

This Saturday I'll be riding in the American Diabetes Association Tour de Cure of NW Arkansas. My goal is to raise $500 to help fund research and awareness for this disease that affects so many people. Please click on the link to support me... donating is easy and safe. Thanks friends!

Click here to donate: http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR?pg=personal&fr_id=7370&px=6357889

Birthday Party 2010

2010-10-10T21:35:00.006-05:00

Melanie did a great job with the decorations for the girls' birthday party. It was a ladybug party, which Cate came up with. Mia Beth: "On it open." Cate LOVED her pillow pet that Meme got her. She'd been seeing it on TV for months.

Mia Beth was making the same face as her monkey.

Mmm cupcakes!

Riley Cate was celebrating her fourth birthday.

Mia Beth is a proud two.

They had a ladybug hunt outside.

Of course no day would be complete at our house without a princess appearance.

Group pic for the color-coordinated Carlton girls.

Cate Turns Four

2010-10-07T21:49:00.001-05:00

As an aside, Mia's dress almost perfectly matched the carpet.

They were awesome at Cate's school. They had this princess hat ready when she got there.

This is Cate on the morning of her 4th birthday.

And with her special dessert at Papa's.

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2010-10-05T20:21:00.001-05:00

The girls were sharing a plate of fruit just now. From the other room I heard, "NO MIABEF you can't eat all the campbell oats." Then she came in here and told on Bess for eating all her "camel loafs." She was going for cantaloupes. Pretty close.

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2010-10-04T17:25:00.001-05:00

The girls in their new fall dresses on the way to church Sunday morning.

Miabess at Stilwell's first anniversary open house.

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2010-09-29T21:08:00.001-05:00

Dinner in the nursery before church tonight. When Miabess smiles, she smiles all over.

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2010-09-29T20:49:00.001-05:00

Riley Cate: "I just prayered that God would light up our whole house like Kenny's Fun Land." (For you out of towners, Kenny's Fun Land is your typical vacant grocery store parking lot travelling carnival, and all that it implies.)

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2010-09-27T19:18:00.001-05:00

A momma and three kittens showed up and provided and hour of entertainment for the girls for just a handful of food.

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2010-09-27T15:32:00.001-05:00

So nice to be outside today!

New mirrors ready for dance classes.

The glass guys delivering the new mirrors for the studio.

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2010-09-21T14:16:00.001-05:00

On our 10th anniversary trip.

I think Bess needs a bigger tv.

I don't even know what's going on here.

Mmm noodles!

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2010-09-21T14:09:00.001-05:00

Cate after school one day.

Bess at Abbie and Rex's bday party.

Sunrise over our house.

I didn't even pose this!

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August 2010

2010-09-21T14:03:00.001-05:00

Our friend Livingstone from Tanzania reading to Cate.

Bess getting her time in with "Stone."

Daddy and Bess.

A tea party. My favorite is Darth Vader baby.

Took the girls for ice cream. I said kiddie cups but they brought cones. What a mess.

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Family Dinner

2010-08-01T16:18:00.001-05:00

Miabeth's first time to eat at the kids' table instead of in her high chair. Notice that she even has her phone with her so she doesn't miss an important call.

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2010-07-28T21:53:00.000-05:00

She wants to be a cyclist! Notice the safety light hanging on her dress.

And she's ready for her run.

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2010-07-27T19:52:00.001-05:00

Fixing daddy's hair.

"Daddy I need you to tie this bow and teach us ballet." They were out of luck.

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2010-07-27T19:49:00.001-05:00

Happy Meal toy. She calls it Little Fella.

"A spinny princess thing. From Disney World."

Upside down, all the time. Helps her read upside down books I guess.

Unimpressed with the dinner I cooked.

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2010-07-27T19:45:00.001-05:00

Bath time for Barbie.

Cate loved Osaka! Bess was unimpressed.

Cate is looking grown up.

Ness has to have a baby around all the time.

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2010-07-27T19:38:00.001-05:00

Miabess being Darth Vader.

Three years' worth of Jason's landscape work to decorate a doctor friend's new office.

Wifey thoroughly enjoying Neeley's BBQ in Memphis. Amazing food.

And no, I didn't even pose this shot!

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Pensacola Beach Part 2

2010-07-27T19:33:00.001-05:00

Our little family with the classic beach shot.

Cate loved the balloon guy at Flounder's.

The back bay at sunset.

Daddy sighs as the girls check themselves out in the mirror at the Coach store.

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Pensacola Beach Vacate

2010-07-27T19:27:00.000-05:00

Miabess at Peg Leg Pete's.

Riley Cate being a pirate. She called it Pig Leg Pete's.

Cate on the balcony. 15th floor was awesome.

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Captain No Beard

2010-06-08T18:16:00.000-05:00

--and his mateys!

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Mimi Norma and Cake

2010-06-08T17:47:00.001-05:00

Chillin on the beach!

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Beach baby, beach baby

2010-06-08T12:46:00.001-05:00

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The Beach Club, Pensacola

2010-06-08T00:07:00.001-05:00

Riley Cate, enjoying the view through the glass-lined balcony that makes Mommy nervous!

Condo pool...

-we just arrived today, so more (and better!) pics to come!

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One more pic from today...

2010-05-28T00:23:00.001-05:00

I LOVE this one!

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Swimmin'!

2010-05-27T23:06:00.001-05:00

Cakie relaxing in the Hinton's pool. Isn't she precious?

Playing "flyboat" with Daddy and Mr. Loren.

-And this is pretty much what Bess did! She wanted NO part of the pool!

A water gun attack by Mr. Loren!

Too much fun!!
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Cossatot Falls

2010-05-23T17:14:00.001-05:00

Took Cate to get some fresh air and sun at the Cossatot. She loved it!

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Eatin tuhtaytas

2010-05-23T00:01:00.001-05:00

Miabess loves mashed potatoes about as much as anything in the world. Her eyes indicate that she's smiling for the camera.

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2010-04-27T21:19:00.001-05:00

Cate, second from left, singing fuzzy caterpillar at church with her friends.

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Location:Wiggle high...

2010-04-27T21:17:00.001-05:00

Cate with a giant otter at Cossatot state park.

Miabess enjoying the playground at Cossatot.

Cate at Mid-America.

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Location:April

2010-04-27T21:14:00.001-05:00

Welcome to Cate's Salon!

Mommy was taking a while in WalMart, so I gave Cate a crow call and let her entertain the crowds.

Sometimes a girl just has to have a nap right now.

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Location:April

2010-04-12T19:20:00.001-05:00

Cate being our friend 'Doctor Loffon'.

Hanging out during the arbonne party.

The girls at Ava Jo's birthday party at Little River.

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2010-04-12T19:17:00.001-05:00

Miabess has her own style.

Cate loves pink donuts. And yep, she slept in that swimsuit.

Cate took her Bible and taught Bess songs on the wagon ride.

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Picnic in the Park!

2010-03-05T18:10:00.000-06:00

Food first, then play.

I think Cate didn't think Bess would go head first.

Bess, just being Bess.

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Afternoon Wagon Ride

2010-03-04T20:43:00.000-06:00

Bess was excited that Cate was 'tuh-tend' sleeping in her lap.

Cate inherited the overly dramatic pose from mommy.

Ness with a leftover party favor.

I guess Cate was trying to stay anonymous.

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Dinner time

2010-03-01T17:37:00.001-06:00

Cate making waffles with daddy.

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Snow Day!

2010-02-15T21:23:00.000-06:00

Cate and her Papa Joe.

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Finally!

2010-02-11T16:48:00.001-06:00

Snow day!

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Cate's Manicure

2010-02-11T11:32:00.001-06:00

After the haircut she just had to get her nails done.

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2010-02-06T20:05:00.001-06:00

Cate made me a special treat: ramen noodles and sweet tart hearts! If I were a better daddy I would have tasted it.

Somebody found the Arbonne stash. I said she was trying to be taylor swift.

Sometimes this is the safest place for Bellabella to hide.

She said she was being an oven head monster. Notice that she's wearing a 6-9 month outfit that no longer fits Miabess.

Cate putting on a 'big show' for miabess in their room.

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Note

2010-01-30T08:11:00.001-06:00

This is Cate's first note home from school. Aww...

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2010-01-29T09:26:00.001-06:00

Miabeth multitasking.

Cate wanted them both to look like clowns, so she put stickers all over them.

Ckocky strawberries!

Cate running KDQN on daddy's last day.

Miabess doing what she does best.

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It's Christmas

2009-12-25T15:53:00.001-06:00

Cate and mommy at Nana's.

Pizza buffet at Mamee's.

Miabess on the mic.

Daddy and Bess on Christmas eve.

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Sisters at play

2009-12-08T14:15:00.001-06:00

Fun with rubbermaid. I don't even know why we buy them toys.

Cate said this was her gun and that she was "gonna shoot sumpin". I think she's been hanging out with papa. She didn't get this from her daddy because she only sees daddy with shotguns and rifles. Haha.

This is one of Riley Cate's favorite outfits lately. She says the things hanging off her hat are snowballs.

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Carlton Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T17:18:00.001-06:00

After dinner cuddle time.

Miabess works so hard.

Hanging at the kids' table. Notice Cate's pageant formal. She was thrilled to have company!

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Saturday morning fun

2009-11-21T10:30:00.000-06:00

So daddy might not have caught a deer this morning, but he did come home with pink sprinkle donuts. Even better!

Here's Cate in rare form. Ugh boots and a St. Patrick's Day cowboy hat.

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Miabess in Studio

2009-11-20T14:11:00.000-06:00

Miabess twirling, and having a big time doing it.

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Helping Daddy Work

2009-11-19T16:22:00.001-06:00

The girls came along on a live remote today. Cate talked on the air a couple times. And for the record, the detached backseat of a chevy makes a great place for a picnic.

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Fam time

2009-11-17T18:38:00.001-06:00

Watchin a little Berenstain bears with daddy.

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Mmm ice cream!

2009-11-16T14:46:00.000-06:00

So it's not exactly a little princess-sized bite...

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A big fall day!

2009-11-14T21:04:00.001-06:00

Daddy started the day off right with a 10 pointer.

It's a solid eight but apparently the little points count also.

Then it was family time. This is the fall festival at beaver's bend state park in Oklahoma.

Cate fed a duck. The duck showed its gratitude by soiling cate's shirt. Daddy will get even with the duck population for this insult this coming Saturday morning.

Miabess loved the goats! She chattered and yelled at them, with no response.

I'm not sure who this dog was supposed to be, but Cate loved him.

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Too early?

2009-11-11T21:35:00.001-06:00

Momma just had to put the tree up. Oh it's gonna be fun this year with Miabeth in the middle of everything. It's tradition that Mamee had to come help with the tree.

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Trick or Treat!

2009-10-31T19:23:00.000-05:00

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Mamee Birthday Fun!

2009-10-31T18:15:00.001-05:00

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The Pumpkin Party

2009-10-30T19:30:00.001-05:00

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Cate and Mommy's iPhone

2009-10-29T21:01:00.001-05:00

This is one of Cate's favorite things to do... playing games on mommy's phone. It's a good way to unwind after her first day of preschool. Pics of that coming soon.

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Mia Beth's First Haircut!

2009-10-29T11:28:00.001-05:00

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Fall Fun

2009-10-26T11:11:00.001-05:00

I was on the couch working on my computer as Cate played with stickers. I thought I felt something..,

Pre-game get together Friday night at our friends' house. About 8 kids under age 8, and their golden retriever just had a litter of 11 puppies. Good times!

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The Girls

2009-10-11T06:55:00.001-05:00

Here's Cate at Hoo Rah Days sitting on an antique tractor.

Farmer Cate.

Here's Miabess at breakfast the other morning. She is ambidextrous, but only when it involves food.

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Fun at Papa's

2009-10-04T19:57:00.001-05:00

Miabess and the giant sombrero!

Yummy chocky pie for the birthday girls.

Cate got to take a lap around the table on the stick horse.

Then Cate got to wear the sombrero.

Cate was quite taken with her reflection.

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Queen Wilhelmina

2009-10-01T20:33:00.001-05:00

We took the girls up the mountain to get some fall air today. We got a snack in the lodge restaurant on top of the mountain. A good time was had by all.

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Poor Miabess

2009-09-27T22:10:00.000-05:00

After a case of pneumonia, Bess is feeling more like her old self again. Here she is enjoying some mac and cheese at lunch today. It's a food, a facial and a hair product...

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Bathtime Fun

2009-09-22T08:32:00.001-05:00

Of course, 20 minutes after this she was covered in macaroni and cheese, but she was happy in the moment.

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Miabess

2009-09-17T23:27:00.000-05:00

This is one of her favorite things to do these days. She'll sit there forever playing peekaboo and twirling the curtains.

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Daddy Daughter Date Night

2009-09-16T20:45:00.000-05:00

I took Cate to the Farm Bureau annual dinner, where I gave the invocation. Cate didn't care for the brisket, the beans, or the potato salad. And surprisingly she didn't even like the chocolate cake... but the icing was perfection!

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Miabess and the Yogurt Spoon

2009-09-16T20:33:00.001-05:00

Miabess stole the spoon out of Cate's yogurt and made a break for it. She's surprisingly fast on hardwood when she wants to be.

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Daddy Makeover

2009-09-14T12:07:00.001-05:00

Getting my hair did by princess cate.

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Fun at Fat Chance's

2009-09-13T23:23:00.000-05:00

This is Cate unwrapping a straw, seconds before she blew off the wrapper and shot Mamee in the back of the head at point blank range, much to the delight of the other diners. I'm pretty sure Papa taught her that trick.

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Formal Wear

2009-09-12T13:28:00.001-05:00

She's now belting out God Bless America at the top of her lungs, at a pitch that only the chihuahua can fully appreciate.

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Saturday Morning

2009-09-12T12:58:00.001-05:00

Miabess gets lunch and a free show!

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Dress-Up Fun!

2009-09-09T15:39:00.000-05:00

You might think this has something to do with Halloween, but you would be wrong. Around here, we just call this Wednesday.

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Silly Girls

2009-09-06T21:23:00.001-05:00

MiaBess found my empty mocha frappucino bottle from this afternoon and thought she had a treasure!

Here's Cate at lunch, helping Mamee ice a cake.

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Aww...

2009-08-30T07:52:00.001-05:00

I took the girls to the fair last night. Riley Cate had a good time. This shot is an instant classic... Cate watching the rodeo with Jake.

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Cate's Big Announcement

2009-08-28T21:08:00.001-05:00

We visited a very sweet lady in the retirement home today. Cate went up to the 2nd floor balcony and yelled at the top of her lungs, "Hey everybody I'm up!" Needless to say, she got everybody's attention and was a big hit.

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It's a picnic!

2009-08-25T23:04:00.001-05:00

We took the girls over to Albert Pike late this afternoon for a little late summer getaway. The weather was perfect. This was after we were done in the water and eating sandwiches by the riverside.

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Cate's Mechanic Service

2009-08-24T14:12:00.000-05:00

If your Barbie jeep ever breaks down, just call Cate's auto service. I can't make this stuff up.

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Silly Cate

2009-08-20T10:33:00.000-05:00

Not sure if this was because she was cold or if she wanted some Halloween candy.

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Sunday, crazy Sunday

2009-08-16T21:03:00.000-05:00

Mommy accidentally put the toaster in the fridge and it stayed there all day.

We left Bessie's high chair in Texarkana, so she just eats on the table these days.

The little ones sang in church this morning. Cate took the microphone from Mamee and tried to steal the show.

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Take for me a wide!

2009-08-11T16:13:00.001-05:00

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Anniversary Date!

2009-08-08T07:23:00.001-05:00

Last night we celebrated our 9th anniversary. We went to Osaka Japanese steakhouse in texarkana, which is the best Japanse steakhouse I've ever been to. Also went to the movies, then had to go buy Melanie a cake at Walmart at 1130. Good times! The girls are at Nana and Pawpaw's house, so they're having a blast and will be rotten when we get them back Sunday. Ha!

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Crazy Cate

2009-08-04T21:37:00.001-05:00

This is the second night recently that Cate has HAD to sleep on her princess couch... in the hall outside our door. She slept great there last time, but I almost tripped over her at 4:50 the next morning.

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2009-08-03T19:35:00.000-05:00

My class reunion was this weekend. I came home with a 5 pound tub of papas salsa. Cate loves her some papas salsa!

Here's Cate at the reunion working on a coloring book. I think she's making that face because of the offbrand crayons.

And here's Cate playing twister with some of the other kiddos.

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Daddy / Daughter Date!

2009-07-30T12:12:00.001-05:00

Tuesday night mommy was outof town with Cate so I took Bess to Sister's restaurant in town. She had a great time and even got a personal tour from Lynette, one of the sisters!

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Brushing teeth

2009-07-27T20:00:00.001-05:00

Cate with a nice bedtime toothpaste moustache.

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Sunday lunch

2009-07-26T12:45:00.001-05:00

Miabess loves Chinese food!

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Cruisin

2009-07-22T11:52:00.001-05:00

Cate and Bess cruisin in the Jeep. Actually they're just sitting still because I disconnected the battery.

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Cate helpin daddy at work

2009-07-21T08:17:00.001-05:00

Cate loves the radio station. I think it's because we have candy and donuts.

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2009-07-20T19:37:00.001-05:00

Cate is a good little mommy, taking her babies for a stroll.

She told me it was time for us to go to church in her room.

We were playing bananagrams and Cate spelled her own word! Okay I know it is just coincidence but you can easily see the word 'hairbows'!

She got into the cabinet and got some 'appojoosh'. If you can tell, it is not apple juice, but vegetable oil. And yes, I caught her before she got it open.

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Family time!

2009-07-20T19:27:00.001-05:00

Jason and Rich after a little float trip in de queen.

Mommy and Cate making candy.

Cousin Abbie holding Mia Bess.

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Still catching up...

2009-07-20T19:24:00.001-05:00

Cate with papa Joe and cousin Rex.

Cate at the Hipskinds house... Wearing a Bob the Builder hat and swinging a toy hammer.

The girls at Kenya's in Dierks around the 4th of July. They love some Kenya's!

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2009-07-20T19:19:00.001-05:00

Cate was on the phone at dinner with sesame street's mr. Noodle. I think she was upset that he was not there.

Mia Bess with Nana at chick-fil-a in Texarkana.

Cate enjoying some Chinese food with Mamee.

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Catching up... The girls

2009-07-20T19:11:00.000-05:00

Here's cate sitting in the cat box wearing a pixie dress holding a skunk. I dunno.

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Mazie Lou

2009-07-20T19:06:00.001-05:00

So I'm trying to get caught up on my blogging this new iPhone app. This is mazie Lou, a kitten we got a couple weeks ago. She is tons of fun but a bit crazy. And her little teeth are sharp! We are ready for her to grow up and be a contributing member of the family.

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Nature Shots

2009-05-06T13:51:00.006-05:00

This is just a sample of the scenery where MiaBess and I were hanging out Monday afternoon. I think she just might love the woods and water just as much as I do.

MiaBeth and Daddy's Day of Fun

2009-05-06T13:45:00.004-05:00

Melanie and Cate went to Texarkana for an appointment, so I took MiaBeth on a photo excursion to the Shady Lake/Bard Springs area in the Ouachita National Forest. This was at my first shooting location. Bess got hungry after a while, so we stopped for some bananas in the back of the truck. Then we took a little walk down the road to let Bess stretch. She was trying to get my hat. This was at our last stop for the day.