Look comfy?

Head and torso in one direction, bottom in the air with legs in the other direction. Only an almost two-year-old could possibly fall asleep like this....

Happy Valentine's Day!

We had such a great Valentine's weekend. It started off Friday afternoon when Jeff came home with these roses. Friday night we took the boys to the movies to see Planet 51. It is so fun to take them to the movies. They both seem to love everything about the movie-going experience. And this movie was one that kept their attention, too. Saturday my parents kept the boys overnight - such a treat for Jeff and I to have a whole evening without having to worry about anything else. We met Jeff's parents for dinner at McCormick & Scmick's, which was DELICIOUS, then Jeff and I went to downtown Grapevine to a little hole-in-the-wall kind of place and listened to a live band for awhile. It was so nice! We loved being out and not having to worry about what time we'd need to pick up the kids, and it was great to get to sleep in the next day as well. Thank you, thank you, Mom & Dad! Sunday afternoon we went over to Jeff's parents' house and they hung out with the kids while Jeff and I went to see Avatar in 3D. Yes, we were very spoiled this weekend! We all really enjoyed our weekend and it went by way too fast!

Their new thing

Snow day part 2: Fort day!

This morning we woke up to even more snow. Apparently it snowed all night, which covered everything in a thick white blanket. It was really pretty. I can't remember the last time I've seen this much snow at one time! The temperatures went up a little more today though, so everything has started melting. With the boys still getting over colds and it being so wet inside, we decided to have a fun day indoors. We've been cooped up all week with them being sick, so I wanted to do something different today. So...what to do? (click images to enlarge)

First we made a big fort in the middle of the family room, and we had turkey sandwiches and freshly baked cookies for lunch in our fort. I hadn't done this with the kids before, so it was something new and exciting for them.

After lunch I decided I wanted to try out the tripod I got for Christmas, so we set the timer and put the camera on continuous shoot (where it'll take 10 shots in a row) and we put on a little show. It was fun until Tyler and Colton decided to start pushing each other and we got some pics of Colton crying. It was a good day, but suddenly it was naptime!

Homemade Valentines

Tuesday when Tyler stayed home from school, I thought it would be fun for us to do something crafty, so we made Valentines for his teachers and for family. I wrote with white crayon on a white piece of paper, then the boys painted over it with water colors. For the inside, we cut out heart shapes, glued them down and made some glitter dots. The kids love shaking that glitter on. They turned out pretty cute, and we all had fun doing it!

Snow day!

Today was a record-setting day in Dallas - the most snow in one day, EVER! Tyler's school was cancelled, Jeff got to come home from work early, and despite the boys getting over an illness, we managed to get out and play in it a little at the end of the day. Jeff made a Tex-Mex snowman, complete with Colton's pacifier, we had snowball fights and made snow angels. The kids loved it. I think I saw on the news that we got 11 inches. It was snowing when we woke up this morning and just never stopped. I think it's still snowing as I write this. Jeff's already gotten a call saying his office is closed tomorrow. (yay!) So...where am I living again? (click on photos to enlarge)

Meet Otis, the new Bruce

A couple weeks ago we added a new family member, Otis the Betta fish. We had a Betta in California but had to give him away before we moved, so we finally went out and got a new "Bruce." Bruce is what Jeff and I have named the three Bettas that came before this one...but it was Tyler's turn to pick a name this time, and after us turning down a couple nonsense words that we'd never remember, Tyler settled on Otis. Welcome to the family, Otis!

A day with Maximillian

Tyler wanted to show Maximillian a fun time during his stay at our house, so yesterday morning we headed out to Rhudasil Park to feed the ducks. It was supposed to rain, so we went out early to beat the showers. There were at least 200 ducks! All different varieties, too. The kids had so much fun. Since it was cold out, we wrapped Maximillian up in his blanket, and Tyler pushed him around in the stroller. My Dad met us out at the park - the boys were surprised and so happy to see him. We brought crackers and cereal for the ducks, and grandpa brought bread to share. When we ran out of food, we headed over to the playground for a bit, where Tyler let Maximillian slide and swing.

After our adventure at the park, we took Maximillian to the pet store. Tyler showed him around and told him what all the animals were. We saw a cat, some fish, birds, guinea pigs and even dogs. We bought a net for our pet fish Otis, then headed home.

Tyler took such good care of his visiting bear. He wanted to keep him for longer, but today we had to bring him back to school so another classmate could have a turn with him. Thank you for staying with us, Maximillian, we enjoyed having you!

Maximillian the travelling bear

Tyler's class just started a new project. They are writing a book about Maximillian the travelling bear. Each kid gets to take Maximillian home with them (along with his blanky and toothbrush) and then write about his adventures during his stay with them. Tyler was the line leader at school today, so it was his turn to bring Maximillian home. Tyler was so excited to introduce him to us. When we got home from school, Maximillian got a tour of the house, watched a show with Tyler, then Tyler brushed his teeth, wrapped him in his blanket and is now napping with him. It will be fun to see what all Maximillian gets to do over the next couple of days!

Jester Colton

My kids find ways to make me laugh every day. Today started with another funny morning with Colton. He insisted on wearing this hat during breakfast and was quite proud of himself, happily cheesin' for the camera!

Tyler's tongue

My camera has seen a lot of Tyler's tongue lately...

Cock-a-doodle-doo!

Cock-a-doodle-doo!!! Colton woke up looking a bit like a rooster this morning. His hair was sticking straight out, all over his entire head. I couldn't help but laugh when I found him this way. Had to document it, and of course big brother wanted to share the spotlight! Apparently this hairstyle is something that has been passed down through the generations. Colton's grandma wakes up this way quite often. :)

Teddy Bear Picnic

Today at school Tyler had a Teddy Bear Picnic! The kids got to wear their jammies to school and bring their favorite stuffed animal. They made teddy bear crafts, told teddy bear stories, played games, and had lunch around a pretend campfire. He was so excited to go to school today, and all the kids looked so cute in their jammies. Here's Tyler right before we left to go to school. He was so proud to bring his teddy!

This is what I get when...

This is what I get when I ask Tyler to smile for the camera - a series of silly faces, hands in the face, and an occasional giggle picture. It's not usually what I had in mind, but this is who he is right now, and I love it!

The miracle jar

Over the weekend, Tyler came down with a serious case of the "I wants" while we were out shopping. It's been happening too often and is getting really old, so Jeff and I decided something really needs to be done. Jeff mentioned the marble jar, which I remember seeing on Super Nanny once, but he claims it as his idea. ;) Wherever it came from, it's brilliant. I bought the jars, labeled them with the kids' names and we started it all tonight. So far, it's the miracle jar. Here's how it works: whenever the kids do something really good, they get to put a marble in their jar, or more than one if it's something spectacular; if they do something not-so-good, a marble gets taken out. When they get a certain number of marbles they can pick out something special. As soon as I explained it to Tyler he began picking up toys, listening, cooperating, and he even stayed in his room when we put him to bed tonight (which he hadn't been doing for the last week or so...) So for now, I LOVE the marble jar. I'll have to update in a week or two on whether it's still working so well!

Tyler's preschool pics

Tyler had his first ever school picture taken last week. We got the proofs back today. Here they are! Having a hard time picking a favorite...

Today I fell in love again

Last spring I was really into learning about my camera and practicing photography. Since we moved over the summer I haven't really meddled with it much. Today I decided it was time to get back into it, so Colton and I had a mini photo session on our front porch. I love my Colton, and I love all his expressions in these pictures. (click on images to enlarge) Tyler was in school while we did this, but hopefully I can get him to cooperate for next time.

There must be a better way...

(click image to enlarge)

I found this on my door last week, and it just cracked me up. To try to gain momentum in a movement to stop "trash" (i.e. flyers, advertisements) from being left on our front doors, someone taped this to my front door. Really? There must be a better way.

Colton at 20 months

I hadn't taken Colton to get his picture taken since he was 3-months old. I've been fortunate that I've been able to snap good, frameable pictures of him on my own. But, being a busy boy, he's not quite as willing to sit for me as he once was, so I decided it was time to take him in and get some new pictures taken. We went to Portrait Innovations and had a really great experience! These are the poses I came home with. They printed them out on the spot, so I actually do have them at home! We will definitely be going back there!

Happy New Year!

Just want to wish you all the best in 2010! Happy New Year!!