Sunday, August 28, 2011

Bottoms Up!

On Friday night, we went to one of our favorite restaurants (the Silver K Cafe in Johnson City). They're always so nice and the food is so good!
Getting all 4 of us smiling at the camera is quite a challenge these days.
We stopped at the ranch to drop off the dogs before heading to dinner Friday.
We went to a few vineyards with Taylor's parents, his sister Allison and her husband Brett. The Solaro Winery had special grape juice for kids. Brady drank it happily. After this first sip, he was insistent on clasping both of his hands around the stem to drink the grape juice (without assistance).
Another attempt at 4 smiles...
The Solaro Winery also has thoroughbred race horses. Brady got to feed them.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Anna Belle Can Sit Up!

I can't believe my sweet girl is already sitting up. I've been sorting through baby clothes to prep for the 6 - 12 month sizes, and it further reminds me of how my baby's growing up. Even though I'm staying at home, I still feel like Anna Belle is growing up even faster than Brady did (which is all in my imagination).
We have a lot of photos of Brady in his Jumperoo, but I think this is Anna Belle's first. I've been feeling guilty for not keeping up with my photo duties as diligently as I had with Brady.
Yesterday, Brady stood on the table (his stage) and said, "Let's sing a song," about 100 times. He didn't really want to sing anything, I think he was just mimicking the praise and worship leaders at church (hence the clapping and over dramatic pointing). He usually gets shy and stops what he's doing when I video tape him, but not this time : )

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Oh Happy Day

Kevin and Melanie Dach hosted a surprise party to celebrate Thomas's MBA graduation. Kevin and Melanie just finished renovations on the house they bought (about 18 months ago). It looks really really great, inside and out. I'm so happy for them.
Congrats Thomas!
Brady with sweet little Kylie
My sweet sleeping angel
who adores her big brother
and he adores her too
My precious family
Today we started going to church at Second Baptist's Cypress location. I already feel a sense of belonging because a few people in our Sunday school class have kids in Brady and Anna Belle's classes. I also love that Brady's class is with his cousin Luke. Brady's already asking to go back to church : )

Friday, August 12, 2011

Perry for President

Taylor and I met when he was the chair of an MSC committee, and I was a new member. This organization hosted a speaking engagement with Perry, so Taylor introduced Perry and got this photo. 10 years later, Perry announces his candidacy for president of the United States. Gig 'em Aggies!

Monday, August 8, 2011

Ready to Roll

Brady conquered his fear of the Jeep tonight. The previous video didn't portray the fear factor, which came soon thereafter. He was determined to only watch the Jeep from inside the house, where it was safe. After 4 visits to the Jeep in the garage today, Taylor and I put the car in the grass tonight and Brady hopped right in!

Happy Birthday boys!


This photo was taken right after we went out for dinner to celebrate Aunt Megan's new job as an eighth grade US History teacher at Cy-Fair's new junior high, Salliard Middle School. Congrats Aunt Megan!
Last night we celebrated Brady's 3rd birthday. I've never seen so many people in our pool at once. It was a lot of fun.
Sweet John Patrick.
When Anna Belle had her melt down, I had to go sit in the bath tub with her for awhile. I was grateful that Sarah Beth took pictures in my absence and that Grammy held my crying baby for awhile, so I could still enjoy the party. Thank you both!
James is trying to explain to Brady that they need to take a picture together. Brady's trying to maintain possession of the lawn mower.
I think Brady's trying to explain himself. I got these little dog tags for the kids. Too bad they have an American Eagle on it with this word CHINA right underneath. I guess it's appropriate since they own us.
The Bowers got Brady this set of Cars from Cars 2 (or as Brady calls it, Cars Another One). He's playing his favorite game with them right now, "Sorry Cars". This is where the cars run into each other and say, "Sorry Cars".
These photos are in sequence. The candles blew out before Brady could blow, but that didn't stop him.
Papa got this Monster Truck for Brady. It was the hit of the night, until it came out of the box and charged at Brady.
This was Grammy and Pappaw's foreshadowing gift for the bigger Jeep to come.
Drum roll for the big birthday surprise...
Brady liked the radio, but started to get a little apprehensive when he hit the gas pedal. This is his favorite toy at Toys 'R' Us, but the ones at the store don't actually move.
Dalin is our neighbor two doors down and one of my mom's students from last year.
I had hoped that by letting James and Luke drive, Brady's sense of jealousy might turn on. I think he was just a little too overwhelmed to enjoy it yesterday, but I know he's going to love this little Jeep and have fond memories of riding in it. There's a little part of me that hopes his love for the Jeep kicks in after the temperature gets out of the triple digits.
Cheesy grin
Megan got Brady the Justin Bieber movie, so after the party they watched the first part together.
Grammy and Pappaw got Taylor this big cooler for his birthday. It's huge on the inside and still had ice this morning. Thank you!
I really enjoy being a stay at home mom. I like that I can have parties like last night and have the next day to clean up and relax with the kids. I like that Brady takes an increasing interest in playing with Anna Belle. I feel like I need to document some of my new favorite things, so thanks for letting me indulge myself...

It makes me laugh how happily Anna Belle miles and giggles... after her morning poop. I also like how she smiles at the mirror like she's looking at another baby.

I like that all morning, Brady's been saying, "Thank you, I love it," but saying it last night was a real challenge.

After I've warned Brady about a time out, he misbehaves again, and then I hold his hand to walk him to time out, he looks at me with those bright eyes and says, "I'm gonna be a good boy."

I downloaded an iPhone app based on the book, "There's a Monster at the End of this Book." It was one of Taylor's favorites as a child. Grover essentially begs and pleads the reader not to turn the next page because he's afraid of the monster... the monster turns out to be cute, lovable, furry Grover himself. Brady laughs and hee-haws at the book, and repeatedly asks to play "Zuper Zover."

I should probably stop blogging, so I can Google all the names of the Cars 2 characters. Brady's repeatedly asking me, and I just don't know!