Summers are long in Arkansas!

We had a great summer in Arkansas with lots of new experiences, which happens quite often here! We were able to visit a few wild animal rescue facilities, a drive-through zoo (that's right!), a monster truck show (as you have seen on video), birthday parties, and anything that came our way that involved fun! Kellen, I dedicate this to you because this summer was so special to us and I've enjoyed every second with you. You are growing up too fast and figuring out what life is like as an almost 3 year old. You are happy, confident, outgoing, smart, and very loving... and extremely sure of yourself (its your way or the highway!). Mommy is trying to take it all in, its easy to still think of you as my little pumpkin who always loved to snuggle up on my chest and let me look at you for hours!! You are not afraid of anything or what this world offers you. We love you and are so proud of everything you do. Everyone is telling us how much you look like Daddy, which is fine by me!! You are a handsome little guy and are always flirting with the girls. We love you and you will always be our little pumpkin, xoxoxo Mommy and Daddy

Kellen's Art Class!

Kellen took an art class last month and it was quite an experience. We are proud of him and now have some really cool art work to hang in his room!! Good job buddy, you will always be an artist to me!!

I know it's been a while...

I have lots of stories and new pictures to add, just been busy!! Fun stuff to come....

Congratulations to Keith and Maggie!

Wanted to say a big congrats to the newly engaged couple, Keith and Maggie!! We are so happy for you guys and love you so much. You have always had my vote!! Looking forward to the big day and will be there standing by your sides. We love you and wish you the best,

Lots of love Casey, Holly, and Kellen

(sorry for the bathing suit shot, but thought you guys looked great, and was the only recent one I had of you guys! Plus, you love the beach and it's where you're getting married...)

A Lady Named Mercedes

Great Story - There are a few farms behind our subdivision and beautiful horses that are always hanging out. Well, today they were by the fence so we got to feed them. We usually walk up there and feed them carrots, apples, grass. There was a lady standing there talking to the horses and calling them by their names. I was like, you know their names!! And she said that they were her horses, all 15 of them! And that she owns like over 200 horses and that she is a vet. (Gets better, promise) And then she said she had been away for three months and was upset how bad her horses looked, etc. And then I asked her where she was for 3 mos. and she said, Louisville, Kentucky!!! What!! Um, I am from Kentucky I said. Small world. Anyways, she was there taking care of the DERBY horses and even was the vet for (this is the coolest part!) BIG BROWN! Hello, the Derby winner. Couldn't believe it, made me want to cry. She said she would bring a saddle for Kellen so he could ride them next time we go up there. She gave me all these hints about the horses, where to feed them, that she'll be at the farm taking care of them and that we're welcome to feed and hang out whenever. It was really nice talking to her and now I have all of the scoop on these amazing horses that are right behind our house. Thought you would enjoy that, made me homesick!!!!
And her name is Mercedes, thought that was funny.

Betsy Janes made it to Arkansas!

Just wanted to say a big thank you to Aunt Betsy for making a weekend trip to Arkansas (wish it could have been longer!). She got here Thursday evening and then left on Sunday, but almost stayed another day due to the weather. We had a fantastic time and it flew by! She got to go to Kellen's art class and see him in rare form drawing fishes under the sea. Betsy is no stranger when it comes to art and being creative, maybe Kellen will inherit some of these wonderful skills. And then we were off to lunch at La Hacienda where the food was great, with a very handsome waiter (hee hee!), and the company even better. On Friday night, we showed Bets how we do it up at the Fayetteville Club Happy Hour and how the weather here can go from sunny to stormy. On Saturday, we went to the very hip Farmer's Market downtown Fayetteville where there were lots of dogs, lots of great food, more dogs, and the mayor handing out suckers! Where do you think Kellen ended up... And then off to a birthday party at the O'Connells where we arrived at three and left at about 9! We were the last ones to get there and the last ones to leave. It was a great time and Bets got to meet our future good friends here in Arkansas. Sunday came very quickly and we kind of sat around wondering what the weather had in store for us. Slowly, we decided it was safe for her to go and then she was off as quickly as she came. The goodbyes were tough and a few tears were shed, but we hid those very well.... Aunt Betsy, we love you with all of our hearts and thank you so much for making the trip to see our life in Arkansas and loved every second of the weekend. Justin, wish you could have been here, but we will see you soon and would love to have you both stay with us anytime!!

Kellen at the Monster Truck Show

First of all, want to say how impressed I am of this video. Case has been wanting to do something from the truck show and he went all out!! It is awesome and it will make you laugh and have you in tears (even had Case in tears!).

Casey decided to make a movie from our crazy night at the Monster Truck Show. We got home from there and were without words, never had I experienced anything like that. I honestly couldn't stop laughing the entire time I was there, and best of all, Kellen seriously had a blast. As you watch this movie, Kellen will crack you up many times. His earphones (I know there is a proper name for those things), his laugh, his many different face expressions, and the best part of all; us leaving the show and him crying all the way out. It was so pathetic and Case and I tried so hard not to show emotion. He had so much fun and it broke his heart to leave. Of course all good things must eventually come to an end, and this was obviously one of those moments. Thank you again Arkansas for showing us the wonderful things in life a family can do together, no matter what it may be! And by the way, the show was in a rodeo two minutes from our house!! And, the truck he was playing with that lost two wheels before we left, it was in the garbage by morning. Completely fell apart, they get you every time....