Jes Claborn Photography

I've been trying to talk one of my BEST friends (one of the twins) from back home to turn pro with her camera.  I think her pictures turn out WAY better than any that are taken in a regular studio. 

She snapped these at the end of June, when we had the bright idea to take all of the kids to our Alma mater (The University of Missouri- Columbia).

After arriving at Jesse Hall, I think we were all having serious second thoughts about our
"bright idea" as someone was either crying, looking away, dumping their snack or trying to run away.

After all, we were trying to coordinate a picture of 5 kids who were all either 4 or younger.

(In this one, Jennifer & I were crouched behind this wall, propping up the little ones.)

I love how Kaden is looking at the camera here.

Miss Bailey Renee

I thought they turned out FANTASTIC! Now comes the hard part of picking out the best ones and trying to decide between color or black & white.

Anyone looking for a great photographer for a few family pictures? 

What A Trip!

This time I pulled out of Amarillo around 6:00 p.m.

Why night driving?

I came to the conclusion that I-40 & I-44 would be much safer with me facing FORWARD instead of constantly turning around to attend to Kaden in the back seat.

AND after the last day trip from Columbia to Amarillo, I swore that I would NOT do the solo drive with Kaden awake/ whining/ spitting out his pacifier/ trying to get my attention for
11 ½ hours.

With my thermos of coffee, a great book on CD and my iPod full of jammin' beats, we headed east. 
The only downside to this twisted logic?
By the time we pulled up to the farm at 5:00 a.m. Kaden was WELL-rested and wanted to play with Baxter (or Baxter, dad’s weenie-dog, wanted to play with Kaden) and I was jittery, on the verge of passing out.

Kaden with his Missouri grandpas.

It took me a few days to get back to feeling normal. Thankfully, by the time I drove to Warrenton, mom was able to watch Kaden while I caught a few naps.

Is it wrong to be jealous of your brother's hair?!

Mom's new pool.

Aunt Pat drove in from St. Louis and brought Wash-U teddy bear & bubbles, which were a HUGE hit!

After a few days with mom, we headed to Columbia for our annual girls' weekend. 
Jennifer, Jessica and I have managed to keep in touch and get together fairly often despite jobs, living in different states, being married, having kids, etc... 
Although it wasn't quite the same as in years' past, I think we managed QUITE well considering the three of us had 5 kids under the age of 5 with us for the weekend! 
Somehow we got all of the kids to bed by 9:00 p.m. in our adjoining hotel room.
(Bailey- 4, McKenna-3, Kaden-10 months, Ava-6 months, Shay-7 weeks)

Kaden all calm & relaxed while Jennifer gave Ava a bottle. 

On Saturday, the 26th, Kyle celebrated his “golden birthday” in style with a birthday/wedding cake at the Ragtag theatre.  Blueberry (top layer), chocolate (2nd layer) with vanilla butter-cream icing.  YUM!

This was the first time that Kaden had cake and absolutely loved it! Could. Not. Get. Enough.
Mom, dad, Helen, Tony… everyone gave him a bite and he ate so much that I thought he might get sick.  Chocolate crumbs on his mouth but looking for more...

I literally had to take him outside to get the cake out of sight because he threw a little fit when I wouldn’t let him have any more.

Cuddles with grandma.

Saying goodbye to everyone in California, MO

Finally hitting the road again.

Why I Have A Hard Time Gettin' It Done...

Kaden is my little buddy during the day.  Although he doesn't have a lot to say, he certainly keeps me busy. I'd like to think that I'm a good mom but lately I've been questioning it... every time I turn around it seems like he's getting into something new. 

For instance, while I was changing clothes for class, I found...

Thank God for child safety locks on vitamins.

Then tonight while I was trying to make spaghetti sauce I knew he was fiddling with the dishwasher.
I let him play with the door because I was actually getting things accomplished. 

The next thing I knew, he was IN the dishwasher! 
Seriously?

From what I hear, it only gets worse?

FYI

Missouri friends & family

Kaden & I will be doing the tour-de-Missouri next week (June 21-28).

We will load up on Sunday evening and make the pilgrimage to California-Columbia-Warrenton-Columbia-California (in that order) and return the following Monday.

Who is going to be around?

Action Packed Weekend

Life is so much more fun when Ben/daddy is around.

During this stroll to the park (Paramount Park),

Kaden had a lot more fun on the swings now that he is stronger.

Back in January I made a post commenting about a teething ring I had purchased and it being best $4 that I have ever spent...

To date, THIS little blow-up pool has been the best $8.99 I've ever spent!  Unfortunately, the (hose) water coupled with the giant shade tree made it too chilly to get in on Friday afternoon, but it was still fun to creep along the outside and occasionally feel the water.

This afternoon we were invited to Leo Vazquez's birthday party.  Ben got out of class early (yep, class on Saturday) and surprised us by riding up on his motorcycle.

Although Kaden was probably the youngest person there, I think he had a good time playing with balls and watching the big kids in the bounce house.

How FUN would this have been when WE were little?!?

Kathy had filled up a baby pool with balls which was a

HUGE hit.  Ingenius!

Achieving the WIND blown look in breezy Amarillo!

Monkey Man Sleeps

Growth spurt, perhaps? 

Kaden has been taking SUPER long naps lately and this is how I found him this afternoon.

Shakespeare's Fans From Afar...

For those of you who have NOT been to Columbia, Missouri to savor a slice of Shakespeare's Pizza, I suggest you immediately hop in the car and make this your excuse for a road trip... You will not be disappointed.

Uncle Kyle sent this onsie with us last September and it's FINALLY just about the right size- with room for growth all summer.  Perfect.