BIG Photo Shoot

Yep, there were lots of photos taken, but the BIG part was the amount of people. Have you ever done a photo shoot with 17 people? It was hectic at times to get all 17 faces looking in the same direction with a smile, but it was FUN. These are not the professional photos, but the photographer allowed us to take our cameras along. Here are only a few of the non-professional photos (as I took these and I'm definitely not pro).
Kent Yake Family
Braden Yake Family
Kenley Yake Family
The Oldest 4 Grandkids

Also, here is one of sweet Brody. He arrived into this Memorial Day, and he was way too little to participate in the "Grandkids" photo, but he did enjoy his first photo shoot.

Unfortunately, we don't have the opportunity to get this big family together often. However, when we do, we generally make it special and we are happy to have these memories recorded on camera.

This photo shoot also served as Camden's 15 month photo shoot, so enjoy some new photos of Camden (again, these are not the professional photos but snapshots my SIL was able to get for us so that we could post online). Thanks Aunt Rhonda for capturing these digitally for us!
Standing Up On My Own
Me and Mommy
Cam Cam

Before visiting our family, Camden and Austin worked in the garden while I cleaned house. Here are my boys working our yummy garden.



Please be patient with me over the next few weeks as they are busy ones. This coming weekend we've got a special trip planned for my sister, scrapbook day, and Holiday World. Then the following week is Allie's wedding week. Pictures coming soon!

Weekend Update

Here I am wanting to post a quick update on what has been going on. But, none of my updates are quick as I will not update without a photo. Anyway, here is your photo. It was hot out today and I thought that a half of an ice cream sandwich would keep Camden busy for awhile. As you can see, I couldn't even run inside for a brief second to get the camera before the treat was gone.



05.21 - I worked all day while Camden and Austin got ready for our weekend trip to MO.

05.22 - Happy Birthday to Me! We left early Friday morning for Evansville with a trailer in tow. Stopped on the westside for about an hour and loaded up all Allison's belongings and headed to Cape, MO. Got to Cape and found that there were garage sales for 100 miles on the road my sister is now living on. Talk about Heaven (JK). The only good buys we found were a spare Britax car seat for my folks (well, for my folks car so they can tote Camden along if needed), a babyGAP hat, make-up bag, and a Gymboree shirt for next summer. We ended the day with a quick shopping spree to get me some more camis since they were on sale.

05.23 - Slept in and it was nice! Went to more garage sales (items bought are described above). Read the last 4 weeks of People magazine. My mom and dad always get Miles People magazine for Christmas. The rest of the family reads the leftovers. This is one way to save lots of money - read leftover People magazines. Saturday evening we went to Logan's for my birthday dinner - yummy! And, to Sears.

05.24 - Woke up with a very, very, very bad sore throat, body aches, and fever. I slept while everyone else when to church. Napped most of the day. Then early evening we packed up the truck and trailer and headed back to Indiana. While the trip was only 5 hours, it seemed as if it took 24 hours to get home mostly because I was so sick and tired. Camden was constipated so he wasn't so happy either. Nevertheless, we made it home late but alive.

05.25 - Slept in, went to QuickCare and discovered that I somehow, somewhere got strep throat. Got a shot in my rear-end, came home and slept the day and night away. I'm not sure what Camden and Austin did as I attempted to keep myself sedated with meds. Camden got a new cousin on this day - Brody. We are anxious to see him and cuddle him, but since I've got strep we thought it would be best if we all waited until I was better and until we made sure Camden and Austin haven't gotten it either. Welcome Baby Brody!

05.26 - Felt a bit better but still not well. Lounged around all day. Luckily Nana and Pappy came over and fixed my family dinner and played with Camden so his Daddy could mow our yard. Thanks so much Nana and Pappy!

05.27 - Slept in again and felt much better. I was able to eat lunch (first time in days) and a baked potato with just butter never tasted so good. This afternoon I have felt great and was able to get my 8 hours of work in here at home this afternoon and evening to make up for my missed day of work on Tuesday. Austin and Camden played outside all day. FYI - I have a rock collector on my hands. There will photos later as I'm sure I'll get the opportunity to snap some more photos of our collection. When I went outside to feed Daddy and Camden a snack, I spotted a pile of rocks. I asked Austin if he piled those rocks up and he said Camden took the rocks from the driveway and made his own pile. I didn't take a picture, but I wish I would have. I was in a hurry with the ice cream sandwich snack and then busy putting warm water in Camden's pool so that he could play and clean up from snack time. I promise to post a picture of our rock collection another day!

Well, tomorrow I go back to work for the day. Since I've been sick for a few days and have tried to stay away from Camden, so I miss him and dread tomorrow. Friday is Camden's Day and I will spend every minute of the day with him. More updates after Friday. Bye!

P.S. I'm sure there are spelling and grammar errors but I need to go put the sheets back on my bed (washed them today too) and I've got to sleep - I'm tired again believe or not) and there is not time to proofread.

Little Snapper Turtle

Camden has been wanting a sandbox, so we thought we'd use some of his birthday money for a sandbox. Well, our Wal-mart didn't have anymore. So, we checked at the Wal-mart nearby Aunt Allie's, and we found one. Here in Cape Girardeu, MO - it is hot - like mid 80s, so we decided to allow Camden to swim in his new turtle sandbox. He love it - can't you tell? We're thinking that maybe this will be a swimming pool for awhile longer before adding sand.

100% Little Boy

My boys played outside all day today. Camden absolutely loves the outdoors much like his Daddy, and I'm certain that the pics below are proof!

My Happy Mother's Day

This past weekend we celebrated Mother's Day on Saturday and Sunday. Early Saturday morning, my sister, Aunt Deb, and I traveled around the county to several garage sales. While I didn't find too much, my sister hit the jackpot with lots of new decorations for her new home. Camden and Daddy spent the morning preparing for the Mother's Day Banquet at church that was slated for Saturday evening. Saturday afternoon we played outdoors as a family purchasing flowers at Wichman's, mowing the lawn, and replacing dead bushes in our landscaping. This was the first time Camden was able to crawl around on the grass and didn't mind it too much. Saturday night we enjoyed a yummy meal at church at the Mother's Day Banquet. Thank you Daddy for the yummy meal that you planned and prepared!

Sunday we went to church and came home for a quick meal. Camden and Mommy took a nap while Daddy finished planting the garden. After our much needed nap we planted my flowers and visited Aunt Deb, Uncle Jerry, and Craig. Later in the evening, Aunt Allie, Uncle Miles, and Nana came over to visit. Although I didn't get to spend as much time with my own mother on Mother's Day, I was grateful for the time I got to spend with my own little family.

Congrats to Aunt Allie as she graduated with a BSN on Sunday, and we are so proud of her! Aunt Allie, we wish you well on your next journey in life as a nurse in the NICU. We love you!

Okay, on to the pics which is why you all check out this blog anyway!


Camden with his favorite toy - The Roar'in Tractor
Dad, I see you outside
Mom, I want to go outside

See Mom, I'll be walking soon

Happy Mommy's Day - I Love You Mommy




I like to get dirty now

That is all for now, please check back soon!

Cuddle Day

Today, Camden has not felt well, so we stayed home today and are cuddling in the recliner (well, we cuddled in bed before and after our two naps). Camden is working on his top teeth and hasn't been himself today; nevertheless, I have greatly enjoyed the rainy day where I have been able to cuddle with my boy without feeling the least bit of guilt to "get things done" around the house. I received a new Karen Kingsbury book in the mail today titled "Be Safe, Little Boy" and it reminded me to slow down and stop whatever I'm doing when Camden wants held as the day is quickly approaching that he will no longer want to be held.

I did manage to snap a few photos today during snack time.


Camden, I love you sweet child, and I'm so blessed to be your mommy!