American Pride

Dressed for church in their Memorial Day colors, I had to snap a picture of my sweet loves. And when I say snap, I mean, take over 100 pictures, dripping sweat, letting the boys crawl and have mistake after mistake, until Benjie came out and helped me!

Busy Bodies

Today we had a busy day! We had lunch with my cousin, Jason and his wife, Mara as they passed through town for a wedding. They are expecting their first {finally, a little girl for our family} on August 8th and they wanted to get broken in with our boys! Then, Benjie and Creighton decided to purchase a little slip and slide. I don't know who loved it more! In fact, apparently, we're going to be getting some larger ones for the whole backyard so the dads can come play!

We also had dinner in Burleson with our dear friends, The McGurrens. I didn't get a picture of all the kids together, but I'll have to pull some from our phones of them separately. Love you guys!

Swim Days of Summer

Michael and Sawyer were home alone this weekend and they invited us all over for a cookout and a swim. Oh, the first of many, many summer swim days! Boys being boys! Tristan is introducing Creighton as he gets into the water. Griffin just hanging out in the pool. This kid loves water! Creighton jumping off the pool to Michael. I know I've said it before, but when I look over these pictures, my heart is filled full at how so many of our friends love our kids as their own. I truly heart that about so many of our friends! Creighton amazed me at his love of jumping off the diving board. When did my big boy become so brave? Dinner is served! Steak, watermelon and bread. I wonder how many of these kiddos ate their plate clean!!

Summer Time Has Come

After we grabbed a quick bite to eat, we came home and spent the remainder of our daylight hours outside playing. Creighton rode his bike. Creighton ran sprints and played football. Creighton melted my heart with those little boyish grins. Creighton obviously worked out too hard. Cuddle bug cuddled with me.

My big boy stopped long enough to give me this smile.

I love these summer evenings outside.

Pure Joy

Grand Day!

My parents sure did take good care of the boys! When we got back, they had to head home and I was sad to see them drive away! As they drove off, Uncle Brent returned to our house with Creighton and Tristan from a birthday party. It was a grand feeling to be back home with both of our boys.

The Best of Our Day

We are lovin' our get-a-way! We slept way past our normal six o'clock wake up call {or five o'clock on workout mornings} and went to the hotel breakfast! And then my love and I just spent the day shopping, being pampered at the Spa, eating and drinking some "Daddy drinks!" Miss our boys, but we're loving the time away!

Get-A-Way

We headed on a little get-a-away today. First stop, after Target, The Riverwalk. We met up with Corrie and Ryan and ate a dinner and some dessert way off our diet plan!!! It was wonderful adult conversation, laughter and memories. After dessert, we headed our seperate directions, but were so glad we ended up being in SA at the same time!! Yummy!!!

Good friend, great conversation...minus the children!

Lookin' very tired!

And every single bite of our dessert was way fun!

FIrst Love?

Katy and I are "cleaning ladies" for each other! We switch kids once a week and give the other one a much needed time away from both beloved children! This was our first week. I had the kids. Katy went shopping. {Cleaning is the ideal task we'd do on this 9-2 day away, but hey, do what your heart pleases!} My heart was truly pleased! How could it not be with these children?

While the babes slept, the big kids pretended until they couldn't pretend any longer. A wedding dance, driving a meal with their kids in the car to a family who just had a baby, and a little basketball and cheer leading. I just stood out of the way and listened.Could this be Creighter's first love?

Splish and Splash

Bath time was my all-time favorite brother bath time memory yet! Griffin splashed all over the place. Creighton splashed all over the place. They both laughed. My floors were covered with water. They both cried when I got them out. This growing up thing is going to be such a fun ride!

Tricked!

I've started putting this girraffe next to Griffin once he's asleep so he thinks I'm still standing there touching him. The last few days have been difficult to put him to nap and nighttime!

{On Friday, we went to the doctor. He has an ear infection. Reason discovered!}

Brother Bear and Big Brother

Big Brother just returned home from his trip to Aunt Kristi's. Brother Bear was so excited to see his Big Brother!

Birthday Bash

Oh, he looks so excited!

Don't be fooled. Griffin had the best time at his friend, Mase's first birthday. He played the entire time in the balls or took a many a wagon ride with his little friends. I think he was just tired by the time I sat to take a picture with him!

First Dates

I took Creighton to his choice of Chick-fil-a and then on a mad hunt for "Mr. The King" and "Mack" from the movie, Cars. We had a fun time just hanging out the two of us.

Benjie and Griffin went to Subway and to the park.
I hope this is a new family tradition that will continue to mean so much to us and the boys.

Hot Diggity Dog

The summer days are upon us! We spent some time this afternoon outside with the water hose and some Popsicles. Creighton ran around without his clothes and boxer baby, well, he was just in his diaper. Sweet, simple memories of the boys just being boys!

Swapin' Secrets

My sweet friend, Brittney, came over today so our kids could play and we could swap some secrets on our photo taking skills. She is fabulous!!!! She knows much more than I do and she kindly shared some tips and some Photoshop must knows!! I had a blast and got some great pictures of the boys from her! I hope it's a new monthly meeting!

In my opinion, there is nothing more wonderful than to recieve a picture of your child{ren} from someone else. I treasure these gifts.

My Mother's Day

With Cheetos face and the aftermath of Rudy's, I couldn't be more happy than to spend my day, my Mother's Day, with these two boys. My loves. My heart. My joy. What a wonderful, simple day spent with these loves (and My Love) honoring me! Thank you gracious God for the calling to be a mother. I'm truly blessed.

We Call Them Blessed

My little family of four traveled to Buffalo Gap to honor my mother, grandmothers and great grandmother with a little dinner and dessert. I hosted the event and used my china, made some desserts and arranged a table setting for the six of the girls while my boys, my hubby, my dad, and my grandfather's sat in the living room to eat their BBQ. We talked and laughed and hopefully started a tradition for years to come.
I can't even put into words what it means to have a legacy that these women started on both sides of my family. I'm grateful.

Mother's Day Card

Creighton made this card for me at school. He said, "Mom, do you love my drawing. Isn't it beautiful?" The drawing is so beautiful! {And if you're a teacher, you'll understand how I'm not impressed with the teacher's help in writing the "Happy Mother's Day!" A totally different story all together!}

And the inside. Apparently, he didn't like the white poem they attached to the back portion. On the way home, he decided to tear it out into little pieces. Oh well, it's his card to me. And I love it!

Uh Oh!

I asked Creighton not to share any yogurt covered raisins with Griffin. He said, "Okay, Mom!" I unloaded the dishwasher while both boys played in the living room. Creighton was laughing at his cartoon. Griffin was very quiet. I walked around the counter and found him. Big brother didn't realize putting the bag of raisin's down meant sharing with baby brother.

The bag was empty. The raisins were literally sucked dry of the yogurt, smashed to our tile floors.

What a mess!!

Daddy Is Home

When Benjie came home tonight from a trip to Abilene, we were outside playing. Creighton continued to mow and Griffin automatically smiled and wanted to love on his Daddy. We love when he comes home!
Look at me, I can stand on my own!

The Most Wonderful Mother's Day Gift

When I picked up Creighton from school, he showed me my Mother's Day card. He was so eager to have me open it and as soon as I did he said, "You like those earrings I made for you?" Oh, wow! Yes, I do! "Can you take off your other ones and put these on?" "Of course, sweet one! I'll wear these beautiful purple earrings you made just for me!"

I opted to wear my original ones to a dinner I had planned and when he saw me changing them out he said, "Oh, why are you not wearing the purple ones?"

I think this is the first gift I can remember that he's been so excited to share with me. What a precious gift!

On Cloud Nine

We have been on the letter N/n for almost two months now and although he can spell his first name, he is still eager to complete learning the letters. Mainly, the "tivities" we do along the way. So, for the third or fourth time, we started this week with the letter of the week activity N/n. The three of us went on a nature walk with our nine month old!

Happy Nine Months, little Nine Month Old!